Crafting an abstract for your dissertation is a critical step in the research writing process. Your abstract provides a concise summary, giving the reader an immediate insight into the purpose and results of your work.
Abstract Example
When writing an abstract, aim for clarity and brevity. Begin with one to two sentences of background to set the context, then succinctly outline your objectives and research methodology.
Present a brief overview of your main results and conclude with the implications of your findings. For instance:
Title: The Impact of Nurse-Led Discharge Planning on Hospital Readmission Rates Among Elderly Patients with Chronic Conditions: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract:
- Background: Hospital readmissions among elderly patients with chronic conditions are a significant challenge for healthcare systems, leading to increased healthcare costs and poor patient outcomes. Effective discharge planning is crucial in reducing readmission rates, and nurses play a key role in this process.
- Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of a nurse-led discharge planning intervention on hospital readmission rates among elderly patients with chronic conditions compared to standard care.
- Methods: A randomized controlled trial will be conducted in a large urban hospital. A total of 200 elderly patients (aged 65 and above) with at least one chronic condition will be randomly allocated to either the intervention group (n=100) or the control group (n=100). The intervention group will receive a comprehensive, nurse-led discharge planning program, including patient education, medication reconciliation, and post-discharge follow-up. The control group will receive standard discharge care. The primary outcome measure will be 30-day hospital readmission rates. Secondary outcomes will include patient satisfaction, medication adherence, and healthcare costs. Data will be collected at baseline, discharge, and 30 days post-discharge.
- Results: Pending data collection and analysis.
- Conclusion: This study will provide evidence on the effectiveness of a nurse-led discharge planning intervention in reducing hospital readmission rates among elderly patients with chronic conditions. The findings may affect nursing practice, healthcare policy, and resource allocation in discharge planning and transitional care.
Keywords: nursing, discharge planning, hospital readmission, elderly patients, chronic conditions
When to Write an Abstract
Here are some common situations when you will likely need to write an abstract:
Completing a Thesis or Dissertation
When submitting your thesis or dissertation, you must include an abstract. This abstract should summarize your research question, methods, findings, and conclusions, allowing readers to quickly grasp the essence of your work. The abstract is often the first thing that readers, including your examination committee, will see, so it’s essential to make it clear, concise, and compelling.
Submitting a Research Paper to an Academic Journal
Most academic journals require authors to submit an abstract and their research paper. The abstract should provide a brief overview of your research, including the purpose, methods, results, and conclusions. It helps journal editors and reviewers quickly assess the relevance and quality of your work and decide whether to send it out for peer review. A well-written abstract can increase the chances of your paper being accepted for publication.
Writing a Book or Research Proposal
When proposing a book or research project, you may need to include an abstract. The abstract should summarize the key themes, arguments, or research questions your book or project will address. It should also highlight the significance and originality of your work, demonstrating why it is worthy of publication or funding. A strong abstract can help convince publishers or funding agencies to support your project.
Applying for Research Grants
Research grant applications often require an abstract that summarizes your proposed research project. The abstract should clearly state your research question, objectives, methods, and expected outcomes. It should also emphasize the significance and potential impact of your research, explaining how it aligns with the funding agency’s goals and priorities. A compelling abstract can increase your chances of securing grant funding for your research.
Your abstract should be a standalone summary representing your thesis as a whole. It should allow the reader to understand the essence of your work without reading the entire document. Keep your sentences concise and to the point to maintain a professional style.
Steps for Writing an Abstract
Step 1: Introduction
When beginning your dissertation abstract, setting the stage for the reader is crucial. Your introduction serves as a snapshot of your comprehensive work, succinctly presenting the main ideas and scope of your research.
Consider it a formal handshake with the academic community, providing a concise yet compelling narrative of your study.
In crafting your introduction, start by framing the research question or problem at the heart of your thesis.
Clearly articulate why this topic is of interest and ensure relay the significance and motivation behind pursuing this inquiry.
The background of your study builds the context needed for the reader to understand the foundation of your research.
Ensure proper formatting and adherence to the APA style where applicable. This not only standardizes the presentation of your work but also instills a level of professionalism and facilitates better understanding.
- Key Components of an Introduction:
- Research Question: The primary focus of your study.
- Problem: The issue your dissertation addresses.
- Background & Scope: Offers perspective on the extent of research.
- Significance & Motivation: The rationale behind your work.
Remember, the introduction is an invitation to your dissertation, so it must encapsulate the essence of your scholarly journey clearly and efficiently. The primary aim is for readers to grasp the core concepts and importance of your research instantly.
Step 2: Methods
When crafting your dissertation abstract, it’s essential to succinctly describe your research methods. This part of the abstract allows readers to understand how you gathered and analyzed your data, providing credibility to your findings.
Firstly, outline your methodology with clarity. Whether employing qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method approaches, identify your chosen research method.
Specify, for example, if you conducted experiments, surveys, or content analysis, which informs the reader of the scope of your research design.
- Qualitative Methods: include participant observation, interviews, and focus groups.
- Quantitative Methods: involve statistical analysis, structured surveys, and controlled experiments.
Discuss your sample size and selection process, clarifying limitations tied to these choices that may impact generalizability. For instance, smaller samples might provide in-depth perspectives but not represent a larger population.
Include any essential aspects of your literature review that helped shape your research approach.
Reference key theories or studies that guided your methodological framework, but avoid excessive detail.
Finally, address any constraints or limitations in your methodology. This demonstrates transparency and an understanding of the potential impact on your study’s results.
In essence, your methods section in the dissertation abstract must provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of your research techniques, solidifying the foundation of your scholarly work.
Step 3: Results
When you reach Step 3: Results in your dissertation, your focus shifts to presenting the findings of your research. At this stage, clarity is key; it’s about what your data reveals in relation to the research problem. This is where you objectively report your study’s outcomes, withholding interpretation for subsequent sections.
Begin with a concise summary of the key findings.
Structure your results section around the following:
- Quantitative Data Analysis: Highlight significant statistical results, such as correlations or differences between groups. Use tables or graphs to succinctly present this information, ensuring each is clearly labeled for easy reference.
- Qualitative Data: For qualitative analysis, detail themes or patterns that emerged from the data. Italicize key quotes that encapsulate your findings, segregating them into separate paragraphs for emphasis.
Below is an example of how to format quantitative results:
| Variable | Group A Mean | Group B Mean | Statistical Significance |
| Variable 1 | 5.2 | 4.8 | p < 0.05 |
| Variable 2 | 3.7 | 3.9 | p = 0.32 |
And for qualitative findings:
- Theme 1: Perception of X within Y “Almost all participants expressed a sense of…”
- Theme 2: Challenges faced by Z “Participants consistently reported that…”
Be sure to refer to each table or figure in your text, pinpointing the impact or key results, but resist the temptation to explain or rationalize these outcomes here.
Your aim in this section is to report what was found, not to argue for the significance of the results—that comes later.
Lastly, ensure that the results you present are directly related to your research objectives and that they clearly explain the research problem.
Your presentation of the data should illuminate the narrative of your research without embellishment or subjective interpretation.
Step 4: Discussion
In your dissertation abstract, this section is where you interpret the meaning of your results in a concise manner. You should synthesize your findings and represent them in an accessible form for the reader. Here’s a structured approach:
- Begin with the Conclusions: Summarize your main findings and succinctly state how these answer your research questions.
- Discuss Implications: Highlight the significance of your study and how it contributes to the field. Consider the practical, theoretical, or educational implications of your work.
- Acknowledge Limitations: Be candid about your study’s limitations. This honesty lends credibility to your research and aids future work.
- Recommendations: Offer well-defined recommendations for practice or suggestions for future research based on the findings and limitations.
Use bullet points or numbered lists to organize these elements clearly, avoiding dense paragraphs that could obscure critical information.
Your tone should remain professional and objective. You should maintain distance from subjective interpretation and prioritize what your results indicate within the scope of your research.
Remember, while discussing future research, focus on gaps your study has identified, guiding subsequent inquiries in your field.
Keywords
When crafting your dissertation abstract, selecting the right keywords is crucial. These terms should encapsulate the core concepts and themes of your research. Your choice of keywords can significantly impact the visibility and discoverability of your work within academic databases.
Importance of Keyword Optimization:
- Increases the likelihood of your dissertation being found during database searches.
- Assists peers and researchers in identifying relevant material quickly.
- Contribute to the broader academic conversation within your field.
Choosing Keywords:
- Relevance: Pick words directly related to your research topic.
- Specificity: Opt for terms specific to your study to reduce ambiguity.
- Academic Jargon: Only use specialized terms if they are widely recognized in your field.
- Variety: Include synonyms and related phrases to cover different search permutations.
Utilizing Phrases:
- Combine keywords into short phrases to capture more precise aspects of your research.
- Be mindful of using phrases that are too long or complex.
Best Practices:
- Limit the Number of Keywords: Generally, five to seven keywords are sufficient.
- Consult Literature: Check other abstracts in your field to identify commonly used keywords.
- Avoid Overly Broad Terms: These can make your dissertation less discoverable.
Remember, your keywords should clearly and concisely represent your dissertation’s content. Careful selection and optimization of these terms will help set a professional tone and ensure the academic impact of your work.
Tips for Writing an Abstract
When crafting your abstract, aim for a concise summary of your main arguments and findings. The word count typically ranges from 150 to 250, so brevity is key.
- Start by stating the research problem and objectives.
- Then, provide a brief overview of your methodology.
- Next, summarize your results or findings.
- Finally, conclude with the implications or recommendations for further research.
Length: Keep your abstract within the journal’s guidelines. Exceeding the word limit may lead to automatic rejection or a request to edit.
Academic Writing: Use clear, straightforward language and avoid jargon. Your abstract should be understandable to someone who may not be an expert in your field.
Review and Edit :
- After writing, review your abstract to ensure it reflects the essence of your dissertation. Remove any unnecessary details.
- Then, get feedback from peers or mentors to refine its clarity and cohesiveness.