Introduction

When I started my research journey as PhD research scholar I had an innovative idea for implementation. My research supervisor felt very happy and asked me to submit an abstract of the work for an international conference.

Being unaware of paper writing I struggled a lot to understand the gist of abstract writing and took a lot of time to prepare my own. It was after several iterations my supervisor approved my abstract.

Based on my first experience I decided to prepare a template for the research paper abstract with 10 simple steps so that I can write it in less than an hour.

An abstract is a summary of a research paper explaining the problem investigated; the methods applied; the main results; and conclusions.

Abstracts are a good way to summarize the key contents of a paper. It is a single paragraph containing a minimum of 200 words up to 300 words.  It offers a preview that highlights key points and helps the reader to decide whether to read the entire paper or skip to the next paper.

Many of the conference proceedings only publish abstracts for indexing. Many journal editorial boards screen manuscripts only based on the abstract.

For the referees and a few readers who wish to read the complete paper, the abstract sets the tone for the rest of the paper. If it fails to attract the attention of the reviewer then there’s a good chance your paper will be rejected before reading the complete content.

The author therefore must ensure that the abstract is a proper representative of the entire paper. Moreover, even after your paper is published, it will be the first and possibly only thing readers will access through electronic searches. Thus, for the vast majority of readers, the paper does not exist beyond its abstract.

The primary sections of many publications in the social sciences, sciences of nature, and sciences of engineering are Background(Introduction), Methods, Results, and Discussion(IMRaD).

An IMRaD paper or presentation abstract usually has one or two paragraphs.  This type of abstract writing  typically invests

First 25% of the text for the goal and significance of the research (Background)

Next 25% of the  text is devoted to the Methodology followed

Next  35% of the text on what is discovered (Results)

The last 15% of the text is devoted to the research’s conclusions

.

Some researchers add  Objectives between Background and Methods and Limitations at the end of the abstract.

The Background Section of the Abstract

The background section of an abstract should provide a brief overview of the research topic, including what is already known and what is not known about the subject, and what the study intended to investigate. It should set the context for the study and help the reader understand the significance of the research question being addressed.

Here are some tips for writing the background section of an abstract:

1. Start with a general statement about the research topic: Begin by introducing the general topic of your research and why it is important. This can be a sentence or two that provides context for the rest of the background section.

Example: “Machine learning has become an increasingly popular research topic in recent years due to its potential to automate tasks and improve decision-making.”

2. Provide a brief overview of what is already known: This should include a brief summary of existing research and knowledge about the topic.

Example: “Previous research has shown that neural networks can be used to improve accuracy in image classification tasks.”

3. Identify gaps in the existing research: After summarizing what is known about the topic, identify what is not known or what gaps in knowledge exist.

Example: “However, little research has been done on the impact of neural network architecture on image classification accuracy.”

4. State the research question or hypothesis: End the background section with a statement of the specific research question or hypothesis that your study aims to address.

Example: “This study aims to investigate the impact of different neural network architectures on image classification accuracy.”

Here’s an example of a background section for a research paper on machine learning in computer science:

Background: Machine learning has become an increasingly popular research topic in recent years due to its potential to automate tasks and improve decision-making. Previous research has shown that neural networks can be used to improve accuracy in image classification tasks.

However, little research has been done on the impact of neural network architecture on image classification accuracy. This study aims to investigate the impact of different neural network architectures on image classification accuracy.

In summary, the background section of an abstract should provide a brief overview of the research topic, what is already known and what gaps in knowledge exist, and the specific research question or hypothesis that the study aims to address. It should be brief and to the point, allowing for more space in the abstract for the methods and results sections.

The Method Section of the Abstract

The methods section of an abstract should provide a brief description of the algorithms, processes, and data sets used in the study, so that the reader can understand how the research was conducted. This section should be concise but provide enough detail to convey the methodology used.

Here are some tips for writing the methods section of an abstract:

1. Start with a general statement about the methodology used: Begin by introducing the methodology used in the study, such as the type of algorithm or statistical analysis employed.

Example: “This study employed a convolutional neural network (CNN) to classify images.”

2. Provide a brief overview of the data set: Briefly describe the data set used in the study, including any preprocessing or cleaning steps taken.

Example: “The study used the CIFAR-10 data set, consisting of 50,000 training images and 10,000 test images of 10 different classes, which were preprocessed by resizing and normalization.”

3. Describe the experimental setup: Provide a brief description of the experimental setup, including any specific hardware or software used.

Example: “The CNN was trained on a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti GPU using the TensorFlow deep learning framework.”

4. Outline the steps taken in the analysis: Summarize the steps taken in the analysis, including any cross-validation or hyperparameter tuning.

Example: “The CNN was trained using stochastic gradient descent with a learning rate of 0.001 and batch size of 128, and evaluated using 10-fold cross-validation.”

Here’s an example of a methods section for a research paper on image classification using a convolutional neural network:

Methods: This study employed a convolutional neural network (CNN) to classify images. The study used the CIFAR-10 data set, consisting of 50,000 training images and 10,000 test images of 10 different classes, which were preprocessed by resizing and normalization. The CNN was trained on a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti GPU using the TensorFlow deep learning framework. The CNN was trained using stochastic gradient descent with a learning rate of 0.001 and batch size of 128, and evaluated using 10-fold cross-validation.

In summary, the methods section of an abstract should provide a brief but informative description of the algorithms, processes, and data sets used in the study. It should be concise and to-the-point, but provide enough detail to convey the methodology used.

You can visit my other blog post related to the “writing method section”  for a detailed understanding on how to put your idea into practice using a proper method.

The Results Section of the Abstract

The results section is the critical part of an abstract because it summarizes the main findings of the study. Readers who are scanning the abstract usually want to make a decision about whether to read the full paper based on the results. Therefore, the results section should be the longest part of the abstract and contain as much detail about the findings as the word count permits.

Here are some tips for writing the results section of an abstract:

1. Start with a general statement about the findings: Begin by summarizing the main findings of the study in a concise, clear statement.

Example: “Our study found that the use of virtual reality training improved surgical performance in novice surgeons.”

2. Describe the key results in detail: Provide a summary of the key results of the study, including any statistical analyses conducted and significant findings.

Example: “Novice surgeons who received virtual reality training showed a significant improvement in surgical performance, with an average reduction in error rate of 35%. The difference between the virtual reality group and the control group was statistically significant (p < 0.05).”

3. Provide specific details: Include specific details about the findings, such as the size of the effect or the magnitude of the difference observed.

Example: “The mean error rate for the virtual reality group was 12.5%, compared to 19.2% for the control group. This represents a 35% reduction in errors in the virtual reality group.”

4. Discuss any limitations or implications of the findings: Briefly discuss any limitations or implications of the findings, and how they relate to the broader research question.

Example: “While our study provides evidence for the effectiveness of virtual reality training in improving surgical performance, further research is needed to determine the optimal duration and frequency of training. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that virtual reality training could be a valuable tool for improving surgical training and patient outcomes.”

Here’s an example of a results section for a research paper on the effectiveness of virtual reality training for improving surgical performance:

Results: Our study found that the use of virtual reality training improved surgical performance in novice surgeons. Novice surgeons who received virtual reality training showed a significant improvement in surgical performance, with an average reduction in error rate of 35%.

The difference between the virtual reality group and the control group was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The mean error rate for the virtual reality group was 12.5%, compared to 19.2% for the control group. This represents a 35% reduction in errors in the virtual reality group.

While our study provides evidence for the effectiveness of virtual reality training in improving surgical performance, further research is needed to determine the optimal duration and frequency of training. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that virtual reality training could be a valuable tool for improving surgical training and patient outcomes.

In summary, the results section of an abstract should be the longest part of the abstract and contain as much detail about the findings as the word count permits. It should summarize the main findings of the study, provide specific details about the results, and briefly discuss any limitations or implications of the findings.

While writing a summary of obtained results care should be taken regarding comparative analysis statements.

For example, it is wrong to write  “Leaf Disease detection rates differed significantly between C-Means Fuzzy based clustering and K-Means Clustering“.  From this, no conclusion can be drawn by the reader.  It can be written as  “Leaf Disease detection rate was higher in C-Means Fuzzy based clustering than in  K-Means Clustering ”

Some authors even write “ Our results are excellent as compared to the method employed by John[]“.  No author’s work should be degraded. It can be stated as “Our results are comparable to the results obtained through the Backpropagation network implemented in the earlier work“.

Details regarding “how to write the results section for a research paper”  is presented in one of my posts. The blog post will help you in extracting, transforming, and representing data in various data visualization formats.

The Conclusion Section of The Abstract

The conclusion section of an abstract is the final portion and serves as the researcher’s final say on the subject of the research. The conclusion should contain the most important message that the researcher wants to convey to the reader about the work carried out in a few clearly worded sentences.

Here are some tips for writing the conclusion section of an abstract:

1. Restate the main finding: Begin the conclusion section by restating the main finding of the study in a clear and concise manner.

Example: “Our study found that the use of machine learning algorithms improved the accuracy of medical diagnosis by 25%.”

2. Discuss the implications of the findings: Provide a brief discussion of the implications of the findings for the field of study, as well as any potential practical applications.

Example: “Our findings suggest that machine learning algorithms could be a valuable tool for improving medical diagnosis, potentially leading to more accurate and timely treatments for patients.”

3. Mention any limitations or areas for future research: Briefly mention any limitations of the study or areas for future research.

Example: “While our study provides evidence for the effectiveness of machine learning algorithms in improving medical diagnosis, further research is needed to determine the optimal methods for integrating these algorithms into clinical practice.”

4. Avoid emotional language: As with the rest of the abstract, avoid using emotional language in the conclusion section. Instead, use a neutral and objective tone.

Example: “In conclusion, our study provides evidence for the potential benefits of machine learning algorithms in improving medical diagnosis, and suggests that further research in this area could have significant implications for patient care.”

Here’s an example of a conclusion section for a research paper on the effectiveness of machine learning algorithms for improving medical diagnosis:

Conclusion: Our study found that the use of machine learning algorithms improved the accuracy of medical diagnosis by 25%. Our findings suggest that machine learning algorithms could be a valuable tool for improving medical diagnosis, potentially leading to more accurate and timely treatments for patients.

While our study provides evidence for the effectiveness of machine learning algorithms in improving medical diagnosis, further research is needed to determine the optimal methods for integrating these algorithms into clinical practice.

In conclusion, our study provides evidence for the potential benefits of machine learning algorithms in improving medical diagnosis and suggests that further research in this area could have significant implications for patient care.

In summary, the conclusion section of an abstract should contain the most important message that the researcher wants to convey to the reader in a few clearly worded sentences. It should restate the main finding, discuss the implications of the findings, mention any limitations or areas for future research, and avoid emotional language.

For the entire paper you need to write the conclusion section covering the details of the entire paper including the methodology, results, and analysis, You can visit my blog post for further details in  conclusion section. 

10 Simple Steps  for Writing an Abstract

Now how to go about fitting the critical points from the entire paper— why the research was carried out, what were the objectives, how these were addressed with different methodologies, what the main findings were and what were the unexpected outcomes into a paragraph of just 200-300 words. It’s not an easy task, but here’s a 10-step guide that should make it easier:

1. Start writing the abstract only after completing the paper write-up.
2. Explain the domain, subdomain and the historical development in the subdomain in 20-40 words.
3. List the major challenges identified ( from the research gap of the survey section) in 20-40 words.
4. Explain the objectives you have set for the research in 20-40 words.
5.  Describe the Methodology you have used to solve the problem in  30-50 words.
6.  Explain how the results are presented( in the form of graphs, charts or tables etc)in 20-30 words.
7. Share your opinion on the results obtained and unexpected observations made while listing the results in 10-20 words.
8. Make sure that the  abstract does not contain
   • New information that is not present in the paper.
   • Undefined abbreviations or group names.
   • A discussion of previous literature or reference citations.
9. There must be consistency between the information presented in the abstract and the paper.
10. Check whether the abstract meets the guidelines of the target journal (word limit, type of abstract, recommended subheadings, etc).

Common Academic Phrases that can be used in Abstract Section

Here’s a table that shows some common academic phrases that can be used in the abstract section of a paper or research article:

Phrase	Example
This paper explores/analyzes/investigates/considers/evaluates/examines/argues/discusses…	“This paper examines the performance of machine learning algorithms in predicting customer churn in the telecommunications industry.”
The purpose of this study/research is to…	“The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of cybersecurity awareness training on employee behavior in a corporate environment.”
The results/findings of this study/research indicate/suggest/demonstrate/reveal/show/illustrate…	“The results of this study demonstrate that deep learning models can outperform traditional machine learning models in image classification tasks.”
The implications/significance of this study/research are…	“The implications of this research are important for software developers seeking to improve the security of their applications.”
This paper contributes to the field of X by…	“This paper contributes to the field of computer networks by proposing a new routing algorithm that reduces network congestion and improves performance.”
This study/research addresses/fills a gap in the literature on X by…	“This research fills a gap in the literature on data privacy by examining the impact of differential privacy techniques on machine learning performance.”
The methodology/approach used in this study/research is…	“The methodology used in this study involved a user study with a sample size of 100 participants to evaluate the usability of a new mobile application.”
The limitations/challenges of this study/research are…	“The limitations of this research include a lack of diversity in the participant pool and the limited generalizability of the results to other populations.”
Future research in this area could explore/investigate/address…	“Future research in this area could investigate the impact of quantum computing on cryptography and explore new encryption methods that are resistant to quantum attacks.”
In conclusion/To sum up, this paper/study/research provides insights into/advances our understanding of X.	“In conclusion, this research provides insights into the effectiveness of natural language processing techniques in sentiment analysis and advances our understanding of text mining applications.”

Example of  an Abstract for a Research Paper

The topic of extracting useful leaf disease features using image processing methods has been investigated by the image processing community for decades.

Image processing research for leaf spot disease identification has matured significantly throughout the years, and many advances in image processing techniques continue to be made, allowing new techniques to be applied to new and more demanding pathological problems.

In this paper, a method for the detection and classification of leaf spot diseases affecting the Pomegranate crop is developed using  Deep learning Neural networks.

Throughout, we have presented tables and charts to compare the performance of the proposed method with state-of-the-art techniques.

Experimental results show that the Deep Neural Networks handle uncertainty effectively and they can be trained with limited data sets.

The paper has also made suggestions for future research directions.

Example of  an Abstract for a Survey Paper

Extraction of meaningful leaf disease features by applying image processing techniques is a problem that has been studied by the image processing community for decades.

Image processing research for leaf disease identification has matured significantly throughout the years, and many advances in image processing techniques continue to be made, allowing new techniques to be applied to new and more demanding pathological problems.

In this paper, we have reviewed recent advances in the data extraction of diseased leaf images, focusing primarily on three important Soft computing techniques namely: Neural networks, Fuzzy logic and  Genetic algorithms.

Throughout, we have presented tables that summarize and draw distinctions among key ideas and approaches. Where available, we have provided comparative analyses and made suggestions for analyses yet to be done.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Can I submit my research paper abstract to two different conferences?

Ans: It should be acceptable to present a paper orally more than once; The issue arises if the conference organisers want you to submit an abstract or perhaps a full paper for publication; in that case, you are required to transfer your copyrights to the conference organizers.