An abstract is a concise and clear summary of:
• What you set out to do and why
• How you did it
• What you found
• Your conclusions
• Recommendations
Your abstract should be clear to a reader who does not know about your dissertation.
Why did you undertake the study? What were you examining? State your research question clearly and concisely.
Step 1
Practical dissertation
Write a sentence for:
Theoretical dissertation
Write a sentence for:
What the study set out to do/your research question
Step 2
Add further sentences as required until you reach the word count. For a practical dissertation, first add to the results and conclusions and then to the methodology. For a theoretical dissertation, focus on your argument.
Step 3
Edit your sentences for precision, clarity and conciseness.
Step 4
Add further content up to the word limit.
Step 5
Return to your abstract after 24 hours and edit it again.
Voice
Use the active voice in general, e.g. This study aimed to investigate . . .
Use the passive voice if you don’t need to mention who did the action, e.g.
This tool was found to be suitable.
References
An abstract doesn’t normally have references.
Tense
You normally use the present tense to describe results and conclusions that still apply.
Source: This section is adapted from material originally from the University of Plymouth