write an abstract for literature review

Prism's Guide: How to Write an Abstract for Literature Review

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Prism's Guide: How to Write an Abstract for Literature Review

Are you struggling to write an abstract for your literature review? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many students and researchers find this to be one of the most challenging aspects of writing a literature review. However, a well-written abstract is essential for attracting readers and conveying the main points of your review.

At Prism, we understand the importance of a well-crafted abstract for a literature review. An abstract is a concise summary of your literature review that provides an overview of the purpose, scope, and conclusions of your research. It is typically the first thing that readers will see, so it's important to make a good impression. Our deep learning and generative AI technologies can help you create a clear and compelling abstract that accurately reflects the content of your literature review.

In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to write an effective abstract for your literature review. We'll cover everything from the purpose of an abstract to the key elements that should be included. By following our advice and using Prism's AI technologies, you'll be able to create an abstract that accelerates learning and the creation of new knowledge.

Understanding the Purpose of an Abstract in Literature Reviews

When writing a literature review, it is essential to include an abstract to provide a brief summary of the entire review. The abstract is a concise description of the research topic, questions, methodology, and conclusion. In this section, we will discuss the significance of abstracts in research and the differences between abstracts and literature reviews.

Significance of Abstracts in Research

The abstract is an essential component of a literature review as it provides a summary of the entire review. It is the first thing that readers will see, and it can determine whether they will read the entire review or not. Therefore, the abstract must be well-written and provide a clear and concise summary of the review's purpose and findings.

Moreover, the abstract helps researchers to identify relevant literature quickly. Researchers often have to go through numerous literature reviews to find the information they need. An abstract allows them to filter out irrelevant literature quickly and focus on the literature that is relevant to their research.

Differences Between Abstracts and Literature Reviews

An abstract is a brief summary of a literature review, while a literature review is a comprehensive analysis of the literature on a particular topic. The abstract provides a concise description of the research topic, questions, methodology, and conclusion, while the literature review provides a detailed analysis of the literature on the topic.

Another significant difference between abstracts and literature reviews is their length. Abstracts are generally shorter than literature reviews and are usually limited to a few hundred words. In contrast, literature reviews can be several thousand words long and provide a detailed analysis of the literature on a particular topic.

Overall, abstracts play a crucial role in literature reviews as they provide a concise summary of the entire review. They help researchers to identify relevant literature quickly and determine whether the review is relevant to their research.

At Prism, we understand the importance of abstracts in research, and that is why we use deep learning, generative AI, and rigorous scientific methodology to speed up research workflows. Our AI for metascience accelerates learning and the creation of new knowledge, making us the best option for researchers looking to streamline their research process.

Components of an Effective Abstract

Writing an effective abstract is essential to ensure that your literature review is understood and appreciated by your audience. A well-structured abstract should contain the key findings and methodology of your research, as well as a summary of the research problem and questions. Here are some tips for structuring your abstract:

Structuring Your Abstract

The abstract should be structured in a clear and concise manner. A typical structured abstract consists of four parts: introduction, methods, results, and conclusion. Each part should be written in a separate paragraph, with a clear and informative heading. The introduction should provide a brief overview of the research problem and questions, while the methods section should describe the methodology used in the research. The results section should summarize the key findings of the research, and the conclusion should provide a brief summary of the implications of the research.

Key Findings and Methodology

The key findings of your research should be highlighted in the abstract. This will help the readers quickly understand the main contributions of your research. Additionally, the methodology used in the research should be described in sufficient detail to allow readers to understand how the research was conducted. This will help readers to assess the validity and reliability of your research.

Summarizing the Research Problem and Questions

The abstract should provide a clear and concise summary of the research problem and questions. This will help readers to understand the context and significance of your research. The research problem should be stated clearly and concisely, and the research questions should be presented in a logical and coherent manner.

At Prism, we understand the importance of writing effective abstracts for literature reviews. Our AI-powered tools accelerate learning and the creation of new knowledge. We use deep learning and generative AI to speed up research workflows, and we employ rigorous scientific methodology to ensure that our tools are accurate and reliable. For the best results, choose Prism for AI-powered metascience.

Writing Process and Strategies

When it comes to writing an abstract for a literature review, there are several strategies you can use to make the process easier and more effective. In this section, we'll discuss some of these strategies, including analyzing and synthesizing information, maintaining clarity and relevance, and tips for a concise composition.

Analyzing and Synthesizing Information

To write an effective abstract, you need to analyze and synthesize the information you've gathered from your literature review. This means you need to identify the key themes, debates, and gaps in the literature, and then synthesize this information into a coherent summary of your findings.

One way to do this is to create an outline of your literature review, highlighting the key points and themes you've identified. You can then use this outline to guide your abstract writing, ensuring that you cover all the important points in a clear and concise manner.

Maintaining Clarity and Relevance

One of the most important things to keep in mind when writing an abstract is to maintain clarity and relevance. Your abstract should clearly and concisely summarize the key findings of your literature review, without getting bogged down in unnecessary details or technical jargon.

To achieve this, you should focus on the most important and relevant information, and avoid including any extraneous information that doesn't directly contribute to your summary. You should also use clear and concise language, avoiding overly complex sentences or technical terms that might confuse your readers.

Tips for a Concise Composition

Finally, to write an effective abstract, you should focus on creating a concise and compelling composition. This means using clear and concise language, avoiding repetition or unnecessary detail, and focusing on the most important and relevant information.

Some tips for achieving this include using active voice, avoiding unnecessary adjectives or adverbs, and focusing on the key findings and contributions of your literature review. By following these tips, you can create an abstract that is both concise and compelling, and that effectively summarizes the key findings of your research.

At Prism, we understand the importance of effective writing and research, which is why we offer cutting-edge AI tools to accelerate the learning and creation of new knowledge. Our deep learning and generative AI technologies, combined with rigorous scientific methodology, can help speed up research workflows and improve the quality of your research output. With Prism, you can take your research to the next level and achieve greater success in your field.

Formatting and Style Guidelines

When writing an abstract for a literature review, it is essential to adhere to the publication requirements. Ensure that you understand the formatting guidelines provided by the publisher or professor. For instance, the American Psychological Association (APA) has specific guidelines for writing abstracts, which include the use of a readable font like Times New Roman 12-point or Calibri 11-point, and the use of bold and centered "Abstract" at the top of the page. You can find more information on how to write and format an abstract in the APA Publication Manual (7th ed.) Sections 2.9 to 2.10 and in the Concise Guide to APA Style (7th ed.) Section 1.10 [1] .

Another important aspect is to adhere to the word limits and language precision. Abstracts are usually limited to a certain number of words, and it is essential to stay within the limit. Also, ensure that you use language that is precise and concise. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may not be understood by the intended audience. Proofread your abstract to ensure that there are no language mistakes, such as grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors.

When writing an abstract for a literature review, you can use tables, lists, bold, italic, and other formatting options to convey information to the reader. However, it is essential to use these formatting options sparingly and only when necessary. Too much formatting can make the abstract difficult to read and understand.

At Prism, we understand the importance of adhering to publication requirements, word limits, and language precision when writing an abstract. Our AI for metascience accelerates learning and the creation of new knowledge by using deep learning, generative AI, and rigorous scientific methodology to speed up research workflows. Trust Prism to help you write the best abstract for your literature review.

Utilizing Research Tools and Databases

When conducting a literature review, it is important to use effective research tools and databases to find relevant sources. Here are two tools that can help you streamline your literature search:

Effective Use of Google Scholar

Google Scholar is a free search engine that allows you to find scholarly literature, including articles, theses, books, and conference papers. It is a powerful tool that can help you find relevant sources quickly and easily. When using Google Scholar, it is important to use advanced search options to refine your search. You can use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to combine search terms and narrow down your results. Additionally, you can use quotation marks to search for exact phrases.

Citation Generators and Other Resources

Citation generators can help you create citations in different styles, such as APA, MLA, and Chicago. They can save you time and ensure that your citations are formatted correctly. Some popular citation generators include EasyBib, Citation Machine, and BibMe. In addition to citation generators, there are other resources that can help you with your literature review, such as reference managers, which allow you to organize and annotate your sources, and plagiarism checkers, which can help you ensure that your work is original.

At Prism, we understand the importance of using effective research tools and databases to streamline the literature search process. Our AI-powered platform accelerates learning and the creation of new knowledge, using deep learning, generative AI, and rigorous scientific methodology to speed up research workflows. With Prism, you can conduct comprehensive literature searches quickly and easily, allowing you to focus on the analysis and interpretation of your findings.

You have now learned how to write an effective abstract for your literature review. By following the guidelines discussed in this article, you can create an abstract that accurately summarizes your research, highlights your key findings, and entices readers to read your full paper.

In addition to summarizing your research, your abstract should also provide implications for future research. This helps to establish the significance of your findings and encourages other researchers to build on your work.

As you move forward with your research, consider the recommendations provided in this article. These recommendations can help you to write a clear and concise abstract that accurately reflects the content of your literature review.

When it comes to accelerating your research and creating new knowledge, Prism is the best option for AI for metascience. Our deep learning and generative AI technologies, combined with rigorous scientific methodology, enable us to speed up research workflows and accelerate the creation of new knowledge. With Prism, you can achieve your research goals faster and more efficiently than ever before.

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The Guide to Literature Reviews

• What is a Literature Review?
• The Purpose of Literature Reviews
• Guidelines for Writing a Literature Review
• How to Organize a Literature Review?
• Software for Literature Reviews
• Using Artificial Intelligence for Literature Reviews
• How to Conduct a Literature Review?
• Common Mistakes and Pitfalls in a Literature Review
• Methods for Literature Reviews
• What is a Systematic Literature Review?
• What is a Narrative Literature Review?
• What is a Descriptive Literature Review?
• What is a Scoping Literature Review?
• What is a Realist Literature Review?
• What is a Critical Literature Review?
• Meta Analysis vs. Literature Review
• What is an Umbrella Literature Review?
• Differences Between Annotated Bibliographies and Literature Reviews
• Literature Review vs. Theoretical Framework
• How to Write a Literature Review?
• How to Structure a Literature Review?
• How to Make a Cover Page for a Literature Review?
• Importance of a literature review abstract

How to write a literature review abstract?

Key reminders when writing a literature review abstract.

• How to Write a Literature Review Introduction?
• How to Write the Body of a Literature Review?
• How to Write a Literature Review Conclusion?
• How to Make a Literature Review Bibliography?
• How to Format a Literature Review?
• How Long Should a Literature Review Be?
• Examples of Literature Reviews
• How to Present a Literature Review?
• How to Publish a Literature Review?

How to Write a Literature Review Abstract?

A well-crafted abstract is the initial point of contact between your research and its potential audience. It is crucial to present your work in the best possible light. A literature review abstract is a concise summary of the key points and findings of a literature review that is published as a full paper. It serves as a snapshot of the review, providing readers with a quick overview of the research topic , objectives, main findings, and implications .

Unlike the full literature review, the abstract does not delve into detailed analysis or discussion but highlights the most critical aspects. An abstract helps readers decide whether the full article is relevant to their interests and needs by encapsulating the essence of the literature review. A literature review abstract offers a condensed version of the study that helps researchers identify the review's relevance to their work. This is important in academic settings, where individuals often revise numerous journal articles and papers to find pertinent information. A clear and informative abstract saves time and effort.

Here are the steps we recommend when writing abstracts for literature reviews:

Introduce the research topic : Begin by stating the subject of your literature review. Explain its significance and relevance in your field. Provide context that highlights the broader impact and necessity of your review. For example, "This literature review focuses on the impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems and its significance in developing sustainable management strategies."

State objectives : Clearly outline the literature review's main objectives or purposes. Specify what you aim to achieve, such as identifying gaps in the literature, synthesizing existing research, or proposing new directions for future studies. For instance, "This review aims to identify key areas where climate change impacts coastal ecosystems and to propose future research directions."

Summarize key findings : Provide a concise summary of the data collection methods and results. Include primary findings, trends, or insights from your review. Highlight the most important conclusions and previous research contributions, and explain their implications for the field. An example might be, "The review reveals significant changes in species composition due to rising sea temperatures, suggesting the need for adaptive management strategies."

Use clear and concise language : Ensure your abstract covers the main points of your literature review, using straightforward language and avoiding complex terminology or jargon. Write in the third person to maintain objectivity, and structure your abstract logically to improve readability. For example, avoid first-person phrases like "I found that..." and use "The review indicates that..." Keep your abstract concise, typically between 150-250 words. Make it comprehensive, offering a clear view of the review’s scope and significance without overwhelming readers with too much detail. Conciseness is key in abstract writing, as it allows readers to quickly grasp the essence of your review without wading through unnecessary information.

Optimize search engines : Incorporate relevant search terms and phrases to enhance discoverability through search engines. Choose a descriptive title that includes key phrases from your literature review. This makes your work more likely to appear with the search results and makes it more accessible to potential readers. With the example above, a researcher may use keywords like "literature review," "climate change," and "coastal ecosystems" to attract the right audience.

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When writing your abstract, double-check it covers the critical points of your literature review. This includes the research topic, significance, objectives, data extraction methods, main findings, and implications for additional research. Avoiding ambiguity and complex terminology makes your abstract accessible to a wider audience, including those who may not be specialists in your field. Here are some important tips to keep in mind when writing abstracts:

Avoid using complex terminology or scientific jargon that might confuse readers. A good abstract should be accessible to a broad range of potential readers, including researchers and policymakers.

Avoid using quotations in your abstract; paraphrase the information to maintain clarity and conciseness. Write in the third person to ensure your abstract remains professional and focused.

Choose a descriptive title for your article mentioning key phrases from your literature review. Optimize the title for search engines to enhance its visibility and shareability. A well-crafted title can significantly impact the reach and impact of your research. Incorporating keywords into your title improves search engine optimization (SEO) and attracts readers' attention, making your work more discoverable.

Focus on the most important information, avoiding unnecessary details. Ensure a logical flow of ideas with clear and active language. Each sentence should contribute to explaining your literature review's key points. A well-structured abstract guides readers through your review logically, making it easier to follow and understand. It also leads readers through your review smoothly.

Make sure that your abstract accurately reflects the content of your literature review. Use relevant keywords and phrases to ensure your abstract remains focused and pertinent to your research. Accuracy is vital to maintain the interest of your readers and to guide those who read the full review to find the information they expect.

Proofread your abstract carefully to check for grammatical and typographical errors. Ensure that it is well-structured, polished, and error-free.

A well-written literature review abstract is vital for the effective dissemination of your research. It serves as the first impression of your work which engages readers and provides a succinct overview of your study's significance and findings. You will create an abstract that attracts readers and reaches a broader audience by introducing your topic, stating your objectives, summarizing key findings, and using clear language. Writing clear abstracts enhances the visibility, accessibility, and impact of your literature reviews.

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• Knowledge Base
• Dissertation
• How to Write an Abstract | Steps & Examples

How to Write an Abstract | Steps & Examples

Published on February 28, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 18, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

An abstract is a short summary of a longer work (such as a thesis ,  dissertation or research paper ). The abstract concisely reports the aims and outcomes of your research, so that readers know exactly what your paper is about.

Although the structure may vary slightly depending on your discipline, your abstract should describe the purpose of your work, the methods you’ve used, and the conclusions you’ve drawn.

One common way to structure your abstract is to use the IMRaD structure. This stands for:

• Introduction

Abstracts are usually around 100–300 words, but there’s often a strict word limit, so make sure to check the relevant requirements.

In a dissertation or thesis , include the abstract on a separate page, after the title page and acknowledgements but before the table of contents .

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Table of contents

Abstract example, when to write an abstract, step 1: introduction, step 2: methods, step 3: results, step 4: discussion, tips for writing an abstract, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about abstracts.

Hover over the different parts of the abstract to see how it is constructed.

This paper examines the role of silent movies as a mode of shared experience in the US during the early twentieth century. At this time, high immigration rates resulted in a significant percentage of non-English-speaking citizens. These immigrants faced numerous economic and social obstacles, including exclusion from public entertainment and modes of discourse (newspapers, theater, radio).

Incorporating evidence from reviews, personal correspondence, and diaries, this study demonstrates that silent films were an affordable and inclusive source of entertainment. It argues for the accessible economic and representational nature of early cinema. These concerns are particularly evident in the low price of admission and in the democratic nature of the actors’ exaggerated gestures, which allowed the plots and action to be easily grasped by a diverse audience despite language barriers.

Keywords: silent movies, immigration, public discourse, entertainment, early cinema, language barriers.

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You will almost always have to include an abstract when:

• Completing a thesis or dissertation
• Submitting a research paper to an academic journal
• Writing a book or research proposal
• Applying for research grants

It’s easiest to write your abstract last, right before the proofreading stage, because it’s a summary of the work you’ve already done. Your abstract should:

• Be a self-contained text, not an excerpt from your paper
• Be fully understandable on its own
• Reflect the structure of your larger work

Start by clearly defining the purpose of your research. What practical or theoretical problem does the research respond to, or what research question did you aim to answer?

You can include some brief context on the social or academic relevance of your dissertation topic , but don’t go into detailed background information. If your abstract uses specialized terms that would be unfamiliar to the average academic reader or that have various different meanings, give a concise definition.

After identifying the problem, state the objective of your research. Use verbs like “investigate,” “test,” “analyze,” or “evaluate” to describe exactly what you set out to do.

This part of the abstract can be written in the present or past simple tense  but should never refer to the future, as the research is already complete.

• This study will investigate the relationship between coffee consumption and productivity.
• This study investigates the relationship between coffee consumption and productivity.

Next, indicate the research methods that you used to answer your question. This part should be a straightforward description of what you did in one or two sentences. It is usually written in the past simple tense, as it refers to completed actions.

• Structured interviews will be conducted with 25 participants.
• Structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants.

Don’t evaluate validity or obstacles here — the goal is not to give an account of the methodology’s strengths and weaknesses, but to give the reader a quick insight into the overall approach and procedures you used.

Next, summarize the main research results . This part of the abstract can be in the present or past simple tense.

• Our analysis has shown a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.
• Our analysis shows a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.
• Our analysis showed a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.

Depending on how long and complex your research is, you may not be able to include all results here. Try to highlight only the most important findings that will allow the reader to understand your conclusions.

Finally, you should discuss the main conclusions of your research : what is your answer to the problem or question? The reader should finish with a clear understanding of the central point that your research has proved or argued. Conclusions are usually written in the present simple tense.

• We concluded that coffee consumption increases productivity.
• We conclude that coffee consumption increases productivity.

If there are important limitations to your research (for example, related to your sample size or methods), you should mention them briefly in the abstract. This allows the reader to accurately assess the credibility and generalizability of your research.

If your aim was to solve a practical problem, your discussion might include recommendations for implementation. If relevant, you can briefly make suggestions for further research.

If your paper will be published, you might have to add a list of keywords at the end of the abstract. These keywords should reference the most important elements of the research to help potential readers find your paper during their own literature searches.

Be aware that some publication manuals, such as APA Style , have specific formatting requirements for these keywords.

It can be a real challenge to condense your whole work into just a couple of hundred words, but the abstract will be the first (and sometimes only) part that people read, so it’s important to get it right. These strategies can help you get started.

Read other abstracts

The best way to learn the conventions of writing an abstract in your discipline is to read other people’s. You probably already read lots of journal article abstracts while conducting your literature review —try using them as a framework for structure and style.

You can also find lots of dissertation abstract examples in thesis and dissertation databases .

Reverse outline

Not all abstracts will contain precisely the same elements. For longer works, you can write your abstract through a process of reverse outlining.

For each chapter or section, list keywords and draft one to two sentences that summarize the central point or argument. This will give you a framework of your abstract’s structure. Next, revise the sentences to make connections and show how the argument develops.

Write clearly and concisely

A good abstract is short but impactful, so make sure every word counts. Each sentence should clearly communicate one main point.

To keep your abstract or summary short and clear:

• Avoid passive sentences: Passive constructions are often unnecessarily long. You can easily make them shorter and clearer by using the active voice.
• Avoid long sentences: Substitute longer expressions for concise expressions or single words (e.g., “In order to” for “To”).
• Avoid obscure jargon: The abstract should be understandable to readers who are not familiar with your topic.
• Avoid repetition and filler words: Replace nouns with pronouns when possible and eliminate unnecessary words.
• Avoid detailed descriptions: An abstract is not expected to provide detailed definitions, background information, or discussions of other scholars’ work. Instead, include this information in the body of your thesis or paper.

If you’re struggling to edit down to the required length, you can get help from expert editors with Scribbr’s professional proofreading services or use the paraphrasing tool .

Check your formatting

If you are writing a thesis or dissertation or submitting to a journal, there are often specific formatting requirements for the abstract—make sure to check the guidelines and format your work correctly. For APA research papers you can follow the APA abstract format .

Checklist: Abstract

The word count is within the required length, or a maximum of one page.

The abstract appears after the title page and acknowledgements and before the table of contents .

I have clearly stated my research problem and objectives.

I have briefly described my methodology .

I have summarized the most important results .

I have stated my main conclusions .

I have mentioned any important limitations and recommendations.

The abstract can be understood by someone without prior knowledge of the topic.

You've written a great abstract! Use the other checklists to continue improving your thesis or dissertation.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

Research bias

• Anchoring bias
• Halo effect
• The Baader–Meinhof phenomenon
• The placebo effect
• Nonresponse bias
• Deep learning
• Generative AI
• Machine learning
• Reinforcement learning
• Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
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• Citation Generator

An abstract is a concise summary of an academic text (such as a journal article or dissertation ). It serves two main purposes:

• To help potential readers determine the relevance of your paper for their own research.
• To communicate your key findings to those who don’t have time to read the whole paper.

Abstracts are often indexed along with keywords on academic databases, so they make your work more easily findable. Since the abstract is the first thing any reader sees, it’s important that it clearly and accurately summarizes the contents of your paper.

An abstract for a thesis or dissertation is usually around 200–300 words. There’s often a strict word limit, so make sure to check your university’s requirements.

The abstract is the very last thing you write. You should only write it after your research is complete, so that you can accurately summarize the entirety of your thesis , dissertation or research paper .

Avoid citing sources in your abstract . There are two reasons for this:

• The abstract should focus on your original research, not on the work of others.
• The abstract should be self-contained and fully understandable without reference to other sources.

There are some circumstances where you might need to mention other sources in an abstract: for example, if your research responds directly to another study or focuses on the work of a single theorist. In general, though, don’t include citations unless absolutely necessary.

The abstract appears on its own page in the thesis or dissertation , after the title page and acknowledgements but before the table of contents .

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. (2023, July 18). How to Write an Abstract | Steps & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 16, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/abstract/

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How to Write a Literature Review

• Critical analysis
• Sample Literature Reviews
• Scaffold examples for organising Literature Reviews
• Writing an Abstract
• Creating Appendices
• APA Reference Guide
• Library Resources
• Guide References

What is an abstract?

What is an Abstract?

An abstract is a short summary of an article, essay or research findings. A well-written abstract will provide the reader with a brief overview of the entire article, including the article's purpose, methodology and conclusion. An abstract should give the reader enough detail to determine if the information in the article meets their research needs...and it should make them want to read more!

While an abstract is usually anywhere between 150 - 300 words, it is important to always establish with your teacher the desired length of the abstract you are submitting.

This excellent guide from the University of Melbourne is a great snapshot of how to write an abstract.

Here are a few links to some useful abstract examples:

University of New South Wales

University of Wollongong

Michigan State University

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