Abstract Examples

Writing the Research Abstract

Anytime that you submit a proposal for a presentation you hope to do at an academic or professional conference, you will be asked to provide a Research Abstract.

Though sometimes called something else (e.g. Research brief, submission description, proposal summary), what we are talking about as a Research Abstract is a concise, description of (1) your research/work, and (2) its significance, importance, urgency, or innovativeness, and (3) what the presentation that will be offered to the conference audience will involve.

Typically, conferences will give you Evaluation Criteria (as we have, see below) for how your abstract/submission will be assessed for possible inclusion into the conference. Paying attention to this criteria, and any examples, resources, or guidance conferences give you around writing will help you provide a proposal submission that scores highly, and earns a place in the conference. Some general suggestions for all conference submissions include:

Using clear, concise language, and not overly technical or complicated terminology (You don't know who exactly is reading your submission)
Clearly stating the topic/problem driving your research, and your research question (Be clear with this core-element of all research)
Ensuring you describe what research data, findings, and insights your presentation will share with the audience (even if you aren't completely done, let the conference know what you expect to share - even if it changes a bit)

Below, find a rough draft example, and a more refined example, of a research abstract that a student might submit for the CCS Student Research Symposium.

Rough Draft Example

This rough draft is a good start to a research abstract. It clearly shows the research is located in Chicana/o Studies, communicates what the author is invested in and thinks is important, and describes the topic (Ethnic Studies in schools), why that topic matters/is important, and the type of research (Qualitative, data collected through interviews) that was done. But a few things make this a less effective conference-proposal abstract to submit.

Common missteps present in this first draft include:

Using overly complicated language or terminology, trying to be 'more academic' rather than being clear
Not clearly stating the specific Research Question
Run-on sentences, contractions, and other editing errors
Not explaining what the presentation will offer, or actually involve you sharing about

This is a good start, but a revision can make it even stronger!

RESEARCH PROJECT PROSPECTUS.pdf

RESEARCH PROJECT PROSPECTUS REFINED.pdf

Revised Draft Example

The rough draft we started with did many things well, but note here how the revision address those key issues, and now better ensures it is responsive to ALL the evaluation criteria.

In this new version:

Complicated, 'fancy' language that might seem to 'sound' more impressive is replaced with clear, concise phrasing
The research question is clearly stated
Editing errors have been corrected
Additional sentences were added to explain what the presentation would offer and share with audiences during the symposium

As written here, this abstract would receive high marks upon review. It meets each of the evaluation criteria well, and clearly describes the research that was done, and the presentation that is proposed.

Note also that while it extends the ~300 word count of the original draft, it is not a full 500 words. That's perfectly acceptable! 500 words is the max, not the requirement!

Evaluation Criteria

Remember that the following criteria will be used in assessing submissions for possible inclusion in the symposium:

Technical Quality: The proposal is well written, free from errors, and the ideas and organization of the submission are clear.
Research Quality: The submitted proposal outlines a clear research problem, a clear research question, identifies key research methods, and discusses significant findings (or what these are anticipated to be), with clarity and focus.
Analysis: The proposal clearly demonstrates the author is centering Chicana/o/x studies in their research, with inquiry into intersectional experiences/issues of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, etc. as primary elements of the research analysis.
Innovativeness and Impact: The research question, methods, and/or problem that the proposal addresses are intriguing and compelling, and reflect unique and original student research and inquiry work.

If you have any further questions about these criteria, or need any help or guidance with your submission, please feel free to reach out to Profe Domínguez at michael.dominguez@sdsu.edu

You are also encouraged to come to our drop-in advising Submission Proposal Coaching Session, held Monday, March 2nd, from 2-4pm in AL 355

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