Writing an Abstract for a Research Paper

An abstract for fellow researchers

Abstracts for research papers play a crucial role in explaining the study succinctly and quickly to fellow researchers and journal editors and prompt them to read further and understand the paper. With the proliferation of online publications, writing a good abstract is of great importance compared to the days of hard copy journals. The purpose of the research abstract is to market your work, and thus it is similar to the executive summary.

Points to consider before writing an abstract

Before you write, choose the abstract you want to write. All academic abstracts ought to provide a summary of your study. However, there are two basic types of abstracts, namely:

  • Descriptive abstract indicates the kind of information found in a paper by explaining the objective, purpose, and methods used in the paper, excluding the results and conclusion. It is between 100 to 200 words in size.
  • Informative abstract: This is a compressed rendition of the paper that sums up each part of the examination paper. It incorporates results and goes about as a substitute to the analysis or exploration itself.

They also apply to long and technical research.

Requirements and guidelines for research abstract

Like any other professional writing, writing a research abstract, the author needs to follow the laid down procedure and meet the journal editors’ requirements. As an author, you should stick to conventions applicable to journal publication to get due consideration for publication. Journal publishers have specific demands about structure and formatting. The following are concerns addressed in the journal guidelines.

  • The minimum and maximum words
  • The formatting and style requirements
  • Suitable abstract type
  • Particular content or rules for the structure 

Identify the target readership

The objective of a research abstract is to lead readers to read the full research paper. For scientific journals, abstracts are the entry point that allows readers to decide if the research is appropriate to their study or interests. At a glance, abstracts allow readers to understand the arguments quickly. While writing your abstracts, consider the following points:

  1. Whether researchers in the field are the target of the study
  2. Whether the study will be helpful to the general public
  3. Whether research results include implications offered in the abstract. 

Structure of a research paper abstract

  • Identify the motivation and purpose: Begin your abstract by outlining the reason audience should read your research paper and the significance to the field of study and the world in general.
  • Clearly explain the problem you are attempting to address: It is essential to state the problem which the research seeks to address. You can join the motivation and problem section. However, for clarity and good organization, it is better to separate the two.
  • Discuss the approach: Once you establish the research significance, the study’s motivation, and the specific problems the paper seeks to address, it is time to address how you progressed in solving the problem.
  • Summarize the results: Provide a brief of the results of your study. Do not make use of vague qualitative terms such as tremendous, small, or very. Instead, make use of quantitative terms like numbers, figures, and percentages.
  • State the conclusions: In the last section of the abstract, give a short statement explaining the study’s limitations and implications. Link this statement to the results of the study and not to your area of study in general.

Writing an Analytical Research Paper

Many students tend to run away from this version of writing because they think it has too much research and giving evidence. Writing an analytical research paper is necessary because it ends up making a section of tasks complete. For most articles that are mostly documented with a thesis, reference/ source, the work must have an evaluation, and finally writing down whatever findings the writer is willing to undertake. Before one gets to that level of writing, consider certain factors before one writes anything, and these things include;

Before one writes, you must know what you are writing about, and in their case, we have to define what Analytical Paper Research is, and as for me, this is a paper that has an analysis of subjects or topics. The “How” question is usually asked so much in the aspect of this research, so this research paper answers such a question.

Tips on writing a good paper

There are ways of writing an excellent analytical research paper, and this is bound to the fact that if these tips aren’t followed, a written report might flop.

One must understand the question he or she is answering; besides that, the writer must accept that research is wholly done before anything else.

Focusing on the topic and finding a substantial amount of evidence is better than telling fallacies.

Starting an analytical research paper

In every report or research finding, one must formulate an outline that will guide him on what and how to go about doing his or her work.

There has to be an introduction that will shine a brief light on the research paper, then the body that will tell the reader everything about what he or she ought to know, and the conclusion that is a summary of all the topics, findings, and then hit the nail on the top.

Structure of an Analytical research paper

A research topic is successfully written and formulated very well, and this includes the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Still, apart from that, the grammar has to be right, the punctuations have to be accurate. One also has to take a side when it comes to writing analytically, which helps your readers know where you stand as an author.

For one’s work to have an analytical structure, there has to be a paragraph left for reporting and refutation. Every decision taken should have a basis on individual feelings as for claims, they should be valid and true.

When one reaches the Conclusive part, he or she should be able to reflect on the thesis, after that, be able to write in a way that the reader realizes that the writer is concluding so that he can be able to run thoughts of what side he or she is taking. To prove that you did your research, refer your readers to do more findings and then tell them a few sights or pages they can get information from

Conclusion

In the end, we all write our research papers. But what is going to stand out, have we followed the tips? Have I been able to do enough research? What about my evidence, is my analytical bit of the writing worth reading? If all these questions are correctly answered, one can boast that he wrote an excellent Analytical Research Paper.

Writing a Successful Research Paper

In almost all academic research papers, two keywords evoke anxiety. This article explains the steps for writing a successful research paper. 

Research proposal Vs. research paper

Though the writing process is the same, the research proposal (prospectus) from the research paper is different. The goal of the research paper is to demonstrate a student’s academic knowledge of the subject matter. On the other hand, a research proposal is persuasive material meant to convince the audience of the research project’s worth. A research paper is a finished product, while the research proposal is to work in progress.  

Explore the research process.

The research procedure is an essential first step since it uses useful in the following ways:

  1. To comprehend the subject
  2. To formulate ideas for the research paper
  3. Create a thesis statement
  4. Speak on the topic with authority 

The following are areas where one can gather research materials:

  • Google Scholar
  • Newspapers
  • Government reports, guides, and publications
  • Periodicals and books
  • Online databases, almanacs, and encyclopedias 

Take notes of useful information while you are reading. Besides, keep watch of reference materials so that you can use them to build your bibliography. 

Plan before you begin to write

All research work is a product of many ideas. Planning is critical to any writing and, indeed, to research papers. Without planning, you will spend a lot of time in revision and even lack focus.

  • Thesis Statement

A sentence gives a summary of the main points of the paper in addition to previewing the supporting points. The thesis statement guides readers at the start of the paper by informing them of the critical idea and support ideas. The end of the introductory paragraph usually contains a thesis statement. A thesis statement is useful since every point or argument should support it. Research papers exist in three groups, namely: argumentative, expository, or analytical.  

  • The Outline

An outline is useful in organizing your ideas before you begin the writing process. Once you have composed the thesis statement, think of the key points to support this statement. Fashion the critical points as subheadings, and then have your points under these subheadings.

How to write a research paper

Writing a research paper is energizing and inspiring since you have already organized your ideas and have a clear direction. The following are components of a research paper:

  • Introduction

The introduction section captures the context and background for your research paper. Since it is the starting section, compose solid opening statements that will keep readers engaged. You do not need to be boring when writing a scholarly research paper. You should explain the aim of your paper and an outline of how you want to approach it.

  • The Body

When writing the body of your research paper, the outline comes in handy. The purpose of the outline is to keep you focused and on track. The development of your research paper may evolve; however, remember to be focussed on the thesis statement and include points that prove and support the thesis statement. Do not allow your sources to plan your paper.

  • Conclusion

The conclusion is the section that allows you to wrap up your paper. The majority of research papers finish by restating their thesis statements. Then support it with a summary of the key points that you have argued in the paper. If need takes a minute to highlight why you think the topic needs further research and suggest possible research areas.