Science Question

Description

How to write an abstract?

What does an abstract include?

1. Introduction. What problem did you study and why is it important? Here, you want to provide some background to the study, the motivation behind the study, and the specific question, hypothesis or knowledge gap you addressed. This section is usually 2-3 sentences.
2. Main goal/Main finding: What is the main contribution of your paper to science? Other variations of this question are: What’s your big new idea? What’s the new perspective you have adopted? or What’s your overall view on the question you mentioned in the introduction? This section is just one sentence and it usually starts by something like: Here I show, Here I report, In this paper I, etc… Since you are the solo author of your paper, you should write this sentence in first person singular (“I” instead of “we”). You should use the first person singular throughout your paper.
3. Other results. What were your key findings? When describing your results, strive to focus on the main finding(s) and list no more than two or three points. Also, avoid ambiguous or imprecise wording.
4. Conclusions. What’s the key impact of your research? We’re looking for a summary of the implications. What’s it all mean? What is new or innovative about the findings? How do your findings affect the field of study? Why should other people care? What can they do with your research. What is the take-home message of your project and its impact? Your conclusions are your study’s contribution to the field. The conclusions section is where you want to drive home the broader implications of your study. Write 1–2 sentences containing your conclusions and recommendations. In writing this section, however, don’t state sweeping generalizations unsupported by the data or say that insights “will be discussed”. Abstract RubricAbstract RubricCriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroduction.5 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks5 pts
   This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMain finding5 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks5 pts
   This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOther results.5 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks5 pts
   This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConclusions.5 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks5 pts
   Total Points: 20Once the abstract is done, please submit the final draft/ full review paper. The rubric for the full review paper is below: Review Paper rubricIntroduction & Background Points*
   Author provides 1-2 sentences of how their study relates to a broader field.
   In this statement(s) the author provides a clear sense of why this knowledge (knowns) may be of interest/relevant to other researchers in that field.
   Author includes 2-3 sentences describing relevant concepts or knowledge (examples from literature) related to their specific objective.
   Statements are comprehensible to an audience of biology seniors.
   Presented information is accurate.
   Problem statement
   Author describes (1-2 sentences) the current gaps (unknowns) and explains how this research can be applied to fill the gaps.
   There is a clear relationship between the background provided (knowns) and the gaps (unknowns).
   Hypothesis/objective
   Author describes the main purpose/objective/hypothesis of the review.
   Author provides a purpose/objective/hypothesis statement for all subsections of review.
   Author provides purpose/objectives/hypotheses that can be addressed within the scope of the assignment (see instructions provided by the
   instructor).
   Literature Review Methods
   Author provides one sentence describing the literature surveyed.
   Author states the number of sources cited in this review, and how many of them are primary research papers.
   Author states the time frame of the literature cited.
   Main body/Conclusions
   Author states the major evidence/trends observed across the literature from each subtopic.
   Author provides a clear connection between the evidence/trends provided and their original purpose/objectives/hypotheses.
   Broader impacts
   Author provides 1-3 sentences of how the results contribute to the field/society/future research.
   Suggested follow-up sollutions/future research a clear transition from results of review.
   Writing style
   Most sentences were clear, mechanical and grammatical errors didn’t interfere with the message (3 or fewer instances).
   Author avoids jargon and acronyms or defines them.
   Author uses mainly active voice throughout the abstract (5 or less instances of passive voice).
   Summary adheres to the word limit for the assignment
   Author maintains a professional scientific writing style (e.g., proper verb tense and no contractions)
   TOTAL:
   *Points correspond to present (1) or absent (0) for each line item