How to Prepare and Submit an Abstract

How do I prepare and submit an effective abstract?

Key Points

  • An abstract is a short powerful statement that describes the purpose of the project, research problem, method, research problem, analysis, results, and their significance.
  • There are different styles of abstracts to choose from. Five common types are: Descriptive, Informative, Structured, Semi-structured, and Non-structured.

Helpful Links, Videos and Online Courses

Overview

  • Abstracts
    • This introductory resource from the University of North Carolina Writing Center describes what an abstract is, how to write one, and special considerations for different types of abstracts whether written for an online journal, conference paper, book chapter, research grant application, dissertation, or thesis.
  • How to Write an Abstract for the Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Conference
    • This helpful website from the University of California Davis is geared toward writing abstracts for undergraduate research and conferences.
    • It discusses what to include in the abstract, stylistic considerations, and reminders before submitting. 

Videos

  • How to Write an Abstract for a Scientific Article  
    • This 6-minute video walks through components of a scientific abstract, focusing on the Background, Method, Results, and Conclusion.
  • How to Write an Abstract Step-by-Step
    • This 10-minute video offers ten tips for preparing and submitting abstracts.
    • It highlights certain requirements for the abstract, considering the audience, phrasing the research problem and methods, conciseness, keywords, and the importance of editing and proofreading.

Relevant Publications