Practical Tips on How to Draft a Manuscript Abstract

After completing a research paper, thesis, or dissertation, it is a standard practice to include a summary or abstract of your work. Though it prefaces the entire research paper, this section is written last by the researcher. Crafting an abstract is a crucial element of any scholarly document. This blog post shares important tips on writing manuscript abstracts and provides a detailed step-by-step guide on abstract drafting.

What Is a Research Paper Abstract?

An abstract is a standalone summary that provides a concise overview of a concluded study. In short, a research paper abstract summarizes and works as a preview of the author’s research work. This is a key element of any research paper as it sets expectations and assists readers in understanding what to expect from the paper. A well-developed abstract is usually around 200 to 300 words long. As the abstract summarizes all the essential parts of the research, it is the last thing a researcher writes about. Manuscripts with well-structured, informative, and engaging abstracts that also contain the right set of keywords make published articles more discoverable.

Abstracts vary in format and purpose. A structured abstract follows a set format with sections such as background, methods, results, and conclusions, thus ensuring clarity in scientific research. An unstructured abstract, on the other hand, is a single paragraph without any headings, thus offering more flexibility than its structured counterpart. Graphical (or visual) abstracts visually summarize the core message of your research. These abstracts complement but do not replace traditional text-based abstracts. Descriptive abstracts outline the study’s purpose without results, while informative abstracts summarize key findings. Although less common, critical abstracts evaluate content whereas highlight abstracts underscore novel aspects. Choosing the right type of abstract is important, and this choice depends on research needs and journal guidelines.

Key Components of an Effective Abstract

Before sharing insights on drafting an effective abstract, I would like to draw your attention to its key components. An effective abstract typically comprises four major components: the problem statement (why?), methods (how?), key findings (what?), and study conclusions with implications (so what?).

The Problem Statement: Start by introducing the broader theme of the research project. Introduce the broader theme of your research project, which encompasses a specific field of study and the context in which all the experiments were conducted. You should focus on existing discourse and refrain from inventing new theories while drafting your problem statement.

Optional Hypothesis: Some studies are designed to test a hypothesis. In such cases, including a brief statement of predictions or “tentative answers” to research questions is crucial. Make sure the hypothesis is short and clear.

Methods Used: Describe the methods used in your research, such as experiments, surveys, or narrative analysis.

Key Findings: This section is the most important component of an abstract as it is the answer to the main research question. It should only include the key findings of your research.

Conclusions and Implications: Researchers typically skim through the abstracts first, before making a decision on whether or not to read the entire paper. Therefore, it is advisable to draft the conclusions clearly and convincingly. You also need to highlight the study implications to your target readership through your abstract.

Best Practices for Writing a Strong Abstract

For a sound, meaningful, and engaging manuscript abstract, authors should adhere to the following best practices:

1. Abstract length depends on journal or conference guidelines, typically ranging from 200 to 300 words.

2. Make sure it is written and in the past tense, as you are describing research that has already been completed.

3. It should be written in active rather than passive voice since you will be describing the work you performed.

4. Mention all the relevant information in a formal structure to make it convincing to the reader.

5. Avoid acronyms, abbreviations, and jargon. However, it is perfectly ok to assume that the reader has previous knowledge of the subject (if not, then they can skim through the references cited in your introduction section).

6. Since this is a summary section, not a critique, refrain from leaving any judgments to maintain the relevance of the research to your reader.

7. To enhance the discoverability and sound indexing of your published work, use relevant keywords.

8. While drafting the conclusion, discuss the importance of your research findings. Consider how these results may influence future studies, policies, or enhance comprehension within the field. Additionally, you can suggest areas for further investigation.

Abstract Formatting Guidelines

Formatting instructions for an abstract vary from one publisher to the other. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check specific submission requirements. These are usually mentioned in the author or manuscript guidelines. I am including some common guidelines below. However, I need to emphasize that these guidelines are not the gold standard and that they may vary significantly across journals.

Common Guidelines

Begin the abstract with the word “Abstract” in bold and centered at the top of the page.
Do not indent the first line of the abstract.
Ensure the text is double-spaced.
Use a readable font such as Times New Roman, size 12 pt.
Make sure your abstract does not exceed the prescribed word count (typically 200–300 words).
Below the abstract, list 3 to 5 keywords.
Label the keywords section with “Keywords” (in italics).
Use lowercase letters for the keywords and separate them with a comma.
Do not include a period after the last keyword.

Note: Because formatting standards differ, always follow the exact guidelines provided by the respective publisher.

Sample Flow for Your Abstract

1. Start with a statement that draws the reader's attention to your research topic.

2. Clearly outline the specific research problem you explored.

3. Outline the primary objective of your study (along with a hypothesis, if any).

4. Specify the methodology implemented (if novel, then include details about the equipment, software, or tools utilized in your research as well).

5. Present the key findings from your research, highlighting observations, numbers, rates, trends, etc.

6. Compare your findings with those mentioned in published literature.

7. Provide a concise summary of your interpretations and main conclusions drawn from the research.

8. Conclude with a thoughtful statement based on your findings (e.g., the implications of your study or the need for further investigation).

Tip: Edit your abstract once you finish drafting it. A poorly drafted abstract can significantly decrease your odds of getting published and cited.

Common Errors in Manuscript Abstracts

Early-career researchers need to pay special attention to author guidelines to ensure congruity with the publishing requirements. Sometimes, even seasoned researchers make these common mistakes while drafting research abstracts:

Repeating the manuscript title in the abstract
Using undefined acronyms or scientific jargon
Citing published literature
Exceeding the word count
Not following the stipulated format, especially in the case of structured abstracts
Ignoring study limitations, exaggerating results, or adding interpretations not supported by data

Tip: Think of the abstract as “your research in a nutshell” and avoid sharing unnecessary details that do not add any value whatsoever.

Where to Find Abstract Guidelines

Every publisher stipulates a set of (common or unique) guidelines for authors to follow. Below are some references for guidelines on manuscript abstracts:

Conclusion

A well-drafted abstract strengthens the impact of your research by making it clear, concise, and accessible. Following established guidelines and best practices for abstract writing ensures proper classification and readability, increasing the likelihood of publication and subsequent citation. By adhering to the aforementioned best practices, researchers can effectively present their findings and contribute to the academic community with greater clarity and relevance.