AuthorAID ‘Research Writing in the Sciences’ Course

Instructions for the ‘research abstract’ activity

If you are involved in a research project at this point, write an abstract by following the instructions
below:

 Your abstract should contain a single paragraph (without headings) and it should be
between 150 and 300 words long. Use the space under these instructions to prepare your
abstract.
 Follow the advice on writing an abstract given in the relevant lessons of the course. Points to
check in your abstract:
1. Does the abstract begin with some background information to put your research in
context?
2. Is the purpose or goal of your research clearly mentioned?
3. Is there at least a brief mention of the methods you have used?
4. Have you included at least one key result or finding?
5. Is the abstract structured in the form of a single paragraph (without headings), and
is it 150 to 300 words long?
6. Have you run a spelling/grammar check using your word processing software (eg,
Microsoft Word)?
 Write a title as well (between 5 and 20 words long).
 Save this document with a file name that includes the title of your abstract. Do not enter
your own name in the title or anywhere in this document. Submit the completed proposal
on the activity page in .DOC or .DOCX format. Do not change it to PDF or any other format.

Use the space below to prepare your abstract.

Title:

Abstract: