Transcript How to write an abstract

Writing an Abstract
Dan Barbour
Scimatics Academy Head
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
What is an Abstract?
A short version (50 to 250 words
long) of a completed experiment
using the scientific method.
Abstracts are written for other
scientists interested in the same
problem.
Where to start your Abstract
Title your abstract using eight words or
less
Put a period at the end
Double space after title
TITLE EXAMPLE
Energizer Battery Maintains Voltage in
High Drain Devices.
Organize an Abstract
Four parts, Four paragraphs
Purpose/Objective
Materials/Methods
Results
Conclusions and future
research
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES
paragraph of an Abstract
Write in present tense
First sentence
Explain problem and experiment.
Second sentence
What you wanted to discover.
Third sentence
The experiment's hypothesis.
PURPOSE EXAMPLE
Objective:
The objective of this experiment is to
determine which battery, a non-alkaline or
alkaline AA battery will maintain voltage
for the longest period of time in low,
medium, and high current drain devices.
METHODS
paragraph of an Abstract
Write in past tense
Write one to three sentences
explaining the materials and
methods used
Use words like first, then, lastly
METHODS EXAMPLE
Materials and Procedures
Materials Used
CD player (low drain device), three identical flashlights (medium drain
devices), camera flash (high drain devices), AA size Duracell and Energizer
batteries, AA size "heavy-duty" (non-alkaline) battery (Panasonic),
voltmeter & a AA battery holder, kitchen timer
Procedure
First I numbered and measured each battery's voltage using the voltmeter.
Then I measured voltage again every thirty seconds. I repeated until
voltmeter read 0.9 volts or until the device stopped. Finally, three trials for
each brand of battery were completed in each experimental group.
RESULTS
paragraph of an Abstract
Three to five sentences
Explain the results of the
experiment.
What variables affected the
experiment.
RESULTS EXAMPLE
Results
The Energizer battery maintained its voltage for
approximately 3% longer than Duracell in a low current
drain device. In the medium drain device, Energizer
maintained voltage for approximately 10% longer than
Duracell. In the high drain device, Energizer maintained
voltage for 29% longer than Duracell.
Energizer performs better the higher the current drain of
the device. Heavy-duty non-alkaline batteries do not
maintain voltage as long as alkaline batteries at any
level of current drain.
CONCLUSIONS
paragraph of an Abstract
First sentence
Restate hypothesis. Was the result what you
expected? Why or why not.
Second sentence
How this experiment compares to other experiments
you’ve read about.
Third sentence
How the experiment leads to other questions,
problems, or experiments to be performed in the
future.
CONCLUSIONS EXAMPLE
Conclusions/Discussion
The hypothesis of this experiment is that
Energizer lasts the longest in all devices
tested. Batteries recover some of their
voltage if they are not running in
something. In the future, I will test to
see why and how much voltage each type
of battery can recover after use.
Revise/Edit Abstract
Check and correct
Spelling—read it backwards
Capitalization
Punctuation
Grammar—read it aloud
Count the words, make sure the
abstract is between 50-250 words
Work towards clearer
meaning
Use the correct words
Is there a better way or simpler way to
say the same thing?
What other scientists think?
Did you answer questions other
scientists will ask about your
experiment?
Format Abstract
Typed, single spaced, 12 pt. Times
New Roman font
Double space between paragraphs
Use present tense for Purpose/
Objectives and Results /Conclusion
section
Use past tense for Methods and
Materials
Cite Sources
Other researchers and scientists need to
know what you’ve read
Scientists often read source lists to help
them with their own research
Use APA style to cite sources
Attach references on a separate page
 ISEF requires references attached to the
Experimental Design.
REFERENCES EXAMPLE
References
"Battery." Encyclopedia Britannica. 1990.
"Best Batteries." Consumer Reports Magazine 32 (December 1994):
71-72.
Booth, Steven A. (January 1999 )"High-Drain Alkaline AA-Batteries."
Popular Electronics 62, 58.
"Cells and Batteries." The DK Science Encyclopedia. 1993.
"Fun Learning." The Gillette Company. [cited January 24, 1999].
www.duracell.com/Fun_Learning/index.html.
"Learning Center." Eveready Battery Company, Inc. [cited January 24,
1999]. www.energizer.com/learning/default.asp.
You’re done!
Remember the due date
Hand it in on time
When you get it back, make corrections
and plenty of copies for the judges!!!!