How to Write a Scientific Abstract That Gets Accepted: When a researcher prepares his research paper after months of hard work, his first aim is that more and more people understand and appreciate his work. But if it is not clear to the reader at the beginning what this research is about, he will not show interest in reading further. In such a situation, a well-written abstract works to attract the reader and increase his curiosity. This is a short but effective introduction to the research, covering the basics of the entire paper. Usually, it is written in one paragraph whose length is between 150 to 250 words.
Purpose and Importance of Abstract
The most important purpose of the abstract is to briefly tell the readers what the research paper is focused on, what is its objective and what are the main findings presented in it. It helps the reader to decide whether he wants to read the entire research paper or not. Along with this, the abstract mentally prepares the reader for what kind of information, arguments and analysis will be presented in it if he reads the entire paper. Apart from this, the abstract also becomes a means of remembering the key points of the research, especially when the reader needs information about a particular research again in the future.
Role of Abstract and Search Engine
In today’s digital age, research papers are not limited to paper only. They are read and searched through online portals, journal websites, and search engines. Abstract and title play a big role in this process, because on the basis of these two, databases and search engines decide on which keywords the research paper has to be shown. In such a case, the abstract should not only be substantial but also keyword-rich so that it reaches as many people as possible.
What information should be in the abstract
The abstract is the soul of a research paper. It briefly includes the main subject of the research, its background, the central problem, the need for research, the method adopted, the major findings and its social or academic importance. The purpose of the abstract is not to tell every single thing about the paper, but it should give only enough information so that the reader gets a good idea of the subject. Along with this, it is necessary that the abstract should be completely autonomous – that is, even if a reader reads only the abstract, he should understand on which subject the research paper is based and what conclusions have been drawn in it.
Time to write the abstract
Although the abstract is printed at the beginning of the paper, it is more appropriate to write it at the end. When the entire research paper is ready, only then the author has a clear understanding of what he has found and what is its importance. In such a situation, he can write a more effective abstract. If you try to write it first, it may be based on incomplete information, which may confuse the reader.
Different use of abstract according to subjects
The abstract writing style also varies according to the subject of research. If you are doing research in social sciences, then the present tense is used more, while previous research is mentioned in the past tense. On the other hand, in humanities subjects, past events are expressed in the past tense and their analysis in the present tense. In science and technical research, most of the procedure and conclusions are described in the past tense and their impact and justification are described in the present tense.
Ways to make the abstract effective
A good abstract does not only provide information, but it also ensures that the reader remains interested in the research. For this, the language should be clear and precise. Unnecessary words and complex sentence structure should be avoided. Also, it is important that the abstract is written in such a way that it seems complete in itself – the reader does not need to read the entire paper to understand it. Sources are generally not mentioned in the abstract, because its purpose is only to present the essence of your research.
Academic value of abstract and contribution to research
Abstract is not just a formality, but it is like a bridge that establishes a dialogue between the author and the reader. A good abstract not only shows the importance of the research, but also tells how deeply the author understands the subject and how clearly he can present it. Today, when most of the research is read and shared online, the abstract plays a decisive role in the dissemination and acceptance of the research.
Conclusion: The key to the first impression of research
The first impression of the research is made by its abstract. If the abstract is impressive and clear, then the attention of the reader is automatically drawn. He not only wants to read the paper, but also tries to understand the logic and conclusions present in it in depth. Therefore, it would not be wrong to say that the abstract is the first step to the success of any research. Do not consider the abstract as a mere formal introduction, but consider it as the soul of the entire research and write it with the same seriousness as you have given to your research paper.
