Some specific conventions:
• Single paragraph without any citations or around 3 small paragraphs
• Written in past tense
• Abbreviations should be avoided
• Acronyms (full wording 1st time, then bracket)
• Should be succinct/concise
• Avoid unnecessary detail
Some specific conventions:
•Use straightforward syntax and clear, simple vocabulary
•No bibliography or citations
•No tables/graphs
•Avoid jargon/technical terms that readers won’t understand
How to begin
•Abstracts begin with a one-sentence summary of the main point of your paper and often introduce the problem the paper explores. Especially for papers based on research, the first sentence (or two) of the abstract announces the subject and scope of the research as well as the problem and your thesis.
Write it last
•Although the abstract appears after the title and therefore at the beginning of the paper, it should not be written first, but last. Clearly, as it is a summary of the paper, after you have completed all the research, it is usually best written after you have completed your thesis.
Purpose of keywords:
Some publications request "keywords". These have two purposes.
1/.They are used to facilitate keyword index searches, which are less important now that on-line abstract text searching is commonly used.
2/.They are also used to assign papers to a review committee or to an editor, which can be extremely important to your academic career progression.
*So make sure that the keywords you choose, make assigning your paper to a review category obvious
Examples of a Doctoral
Abstract
Retirement : Effects of a Psychoeducational Program
Moyna Glenn Goold, DPsych (2008)
Bond University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Abstract
The problem investigated in this research, comprising 2 studies, concerned factors influencing successful transition to retirement.
Study 1 employed a survey methodology to explore the effects of demographics, involvement in activities, and the use of effective coping strategies/styles on depression-happiness levels.
Study 2, emerged from the findings of Study 1. Comprising 84 participants, it used an experimental design, and investigated whether retirees could develop coping strategies to enhance happiness. Participants were matched according to their Depression Happiness Scale scores, and then one from each pair was randomly assigned either to a treatment group or to a control group.
Implications from the research are that a coping skills program can be successful in enhancing happiness levels, and it may be beneficial to include happiness indicators in government social policies. Results obtained increased the understanding of factors contributing to a healthy adjustment in the later years of life.
•Subject Category
Psychology, Personality (0625)
•Keywords
Retirement Psychological aspects; Retirees Psychology; Adjustment (Psychology) in old age
Example of a Master’s
Abstract
A framework for supporting anonymity in text-based online conversations
Andrew Lee, MSc (2001) Bond University, Faculty of Business, Technology and Sustainable Development
Abstract
This research has investigated how anonymity has been achieved in text-based online conversations. It has found that anonymity could be attained without any special provision from a conversation system. The absence of face-to-face contact and use of typed remarks are sufficient to create anonymity.
Nevertheless, the lack of special provisions can make it difficult for some to use the anonymity they have attained. Preserving such naturally attained anonymity can be equally difficult for users. System administrators will also have trouble controlling anonymity without special provisions. Will deliberate provisions for anonymity remove these problems?
The goal of this research is to determine how anonymity in online conversations could and should be supported. An existing conversation system lacking in special support for anonymity has been selected. Every possible change for the benefit of anonymity has been made to this system. The changes that have been made and why they were made are described in this thesis. The impact of those changes is also discussed.
The final outcome of this research is a set of guidelines and standards for supporting anonymity in text-based online conversations.
•Subject Category
Computer Science (0984)
•Keywords
Computer security; Data protection; Cryptography
Conference
Abstracts
Remember that your abstract serves two purposes:
1/ to interest and intrigue the committee so they will select it
2/ to introduce/outline your topic for the conference
Ensure you include your name, title, uni or organization and contact details, including phone, fax, street address and e-mail
Further information:
Helpful resources:
•http://www.ece.cmu.edu/~koopman/essays/abstract.html
•http://darwin.bio.uci.edu/~sustain/Abstract.html
•http://www.uq.edu.au/student-services/phdwriting/ phlink08.html
•http://research.berkeley.edu/ucday/abstract.html
Cremmins, Edward, The Art of Abstracting 2nd Edition, Info Resources Press, April 1996.