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 endDouble space after title

TITLE EXAMPLEEnergizer 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 sentenceThe 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 tenseWrite 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.

RESULTSparagraph of an Abstract

Three to five sentences Explain the results of the experiment.

What variables affected the experiment.

RESULTS EXAMPLE

ResultsThe 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.

CONCLUSIONSparagraph 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/DiscussionThe 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 sourcesAttach 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 timeWhen you get it back, make

corrections and plenty of copies for the judges!!!!