Abstract Guidelines

Guidelines Tips for Writing Abstracts What is an Abstract? An abstract is a short statement about your research or project designed to give the reader a complete, yet concise, understanding of your paper’s research and findings. It gives a thorough overview of your paper or project. What is the Purpose of an Abstract? A well-prepared abstract allows a reader to quickly and accurately identify the basic content of your research or project. Readers should be able to read your abstract to see if the related research is of interest to them. What Should be in an Abstract? A model abstract should contain the following elements: a statement of the purpose of your study the research methods/methodology used to arrive at your results and/or conclusions the results observed the conclusions drawn from your study and their significance 1 How to Structure an Abstract The abstract should be no more than 250 words. 1. PURPOSE: Explain the purpose of your study/paper. Ideally in 1-3 sentences, state the primary objectives and scope of the study or the reasons why the document was written. Also state the rationale for your research. Why did you do the research? Is the topic you are researching an ignored or newly discovered one? Why is it significant? Here you should include your hypothesis if appropriate. 2. METHODS: In terms of methodology (research methods), clearly state the techniques or approaches used in your study. For papers concerned with non-experimental work (such as those in the humanities, some social sciences, and the fine arts) describe your sources and your use/interpretation of the sources. 3. RESULTS: Describe your results (the findings of your experimentation), the data collected, and effects observed as informatively and concisely as possible. These results may be experimental or theoretical, just remember to make note of that in your abstract. Give special priority in your abstract to new and verified findings that contradict previous theories. Mention any limits to the accuracy or reliability of your findings if appropriate. 4. CONCLUSION: Your conclusions should in essence describe the implications of the results: Why are the results of your study important to your field and how do they relate to the purpose of your investigation? Two Examples of a Well-Structured Abstract Dryland Grain Sorghum Water Use, Light Interception, and Growth Responses to Planting Geometry J. L. Steiner ABSTRACT Crop yields are primarily water-limited under dryland production systems in semiarid regions. This study was conducted to determine whether the growing season water balance could be manipulated through planting geometry. The effects of row spacing, row direction, and plant population on the water use, light interception, and growth or grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moenchl were investigated at Bushiand, TX, on a Pullman clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Torrertic Paleustoll)]. In 1983, which had a dry growing season, narrow-row spacing and higher population increased seasonal evapotranspiration (ET) by 7 and 9cvo, respectively, and shifted the partitioning of ET to the vegetative period. Mediurti population crops yielded 6.2 and 2.3 Mg/ha of dry matter and grain, respectively. High population resulted in high dry matter (6.1 Mg/ha) and low grain yield (1.6 Mg/ha), whereas low population resulted in low dry matter (5.4 Mg/ha) and high grain yield (2.3 Mg/ha). Row direction did not affect water use or yield. In 1984, dry matter production for a given amount of ET and light interception was higher in the narrow-row crops. Evapotranspiration was less for a given amount of light interception in the narrow-row crops and in 2Crop yields are primarily water-limited under dryland production systems in semiarid regions. This study was conducted to determine whether the growing season water balance could be manipulated through planting geometry. The effects of row spacing, row direction, and plant population on the water use, light interception, and growth or grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moenchl were investigated at Bushiand, TX, on a Pullman clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Torrertic Paleustoll)]. In 1983, which had a dry growing season, narrow-row spacing and higher population increased seasonal evapotranspiration (ET) by 7 and 9cvo, respectively, and shifted the partitioning of ET to the vegetative period. Mediurti population crops yielded 6.2 and 2.3 Mg/ha of dry matter and grain, respectively. High population resulted in high dry matter (6.1 Mg/ha) and low grain yield (1.6 Mg/ha), whereas low population resulted in low dry matter (5.4 Mg/ha) and high grain yield (2.3 Mg/ha). Row direction did not affect water use or yield. In 1984, dry matter production for a given amount of ET and light interception was higher in the narrow-row crops. Evapotranspiration was less for a given amount of light interception in the narrow-row crops and in 2 the north-south row crops. In conclusion, narrow row planting geometry appears to increase the partitioning of ET to the transpiration component and may improve the efficiency of dryland cropping systems. Inequalities Embedded in the Unites States Legal System through the Lens of Tribal Governments Jessica Arthur Kathleen