Abstract, Keywords &

Introduction
Abstract
Abstract - Introduction
 An abstract is a brief summary of a research article, thesis,
review, conference proceeding or any in-depth analysis of a particular
subject or discipline, and is often used to help the reader quickly
ascertain the paper's purpose.

 When used, an abstract always appears at the beginning of a manuscript

or typescript, acting as the point-of-entry for any given academic paper
or patent application.

 The abstract is often the last item that you write, but the first thing
people read when they want to have a quick overview of the whole
paper.

 Abstracting and indexing services for various academic disciplines are

aimed at compiling a body of literature for that particular subject.
Structure
 An academic abstract typically outlines four elements relevant to the
completed work:
 The research focus (i.e. statement of the problem(s)/research issue(s)
addressed);
 The research methods used (experimental research, case studies,
questionnaires, etc.);
 The results/findings of the research; and
 The main conclusions and/or recommendations

 Abstract length varies by discipline and publisher requirements.

Typical length ranges from 100 to 500 words, but very rarely more
than a page and occasionally just a few words
Step-by-Step Process

 Write 1-3 introduction sentences that explain topics, purpose

and research questions
 Write 1-3 sentences describing your research methods (this
may also include the type of data analysis you used)
 Write 1-3 sentences describing the results/findings.
 Write 1-3 sentences containing your conclusions and/or future
recommendations
To Put it Simple

 What the author did?

 How the author did it?
 What the author found?
 What did the author conclude?
DO’S and DON’TS
Abstract SHOULD NOT contain…

 Lengthy background information

 References to other literature
 Incomplete sentences
 Abbreviations or terms that may be confusing to readers
 Any illustrations, figures, or tables
Example
“Subtype of Autism: Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia”
Amanda Babin and Morton Gernbascher (Mentor), Psychology

The purpose of this research is to identify a subtype of autism called

Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia (DVD). DVD is a motor-speech problem,
disabling oral-motor movements needed for speaking. The first phase of the
project involves a screening interview where we identify DVD and Non-DVD kids.
We also use home videos to validate answers on the screening interview. The
final phase involves home visits where we use several assessments to confirm the
child’s diagnosis and examine the connection between manual and oral motor
challenges. By identifying DVD as a subtype of Autism, we will eliminate the
assumption that all Autistics have the same characteristics. This will allow for
more individual consideration of Autistic people and may direct future research
on the genetic factors in autism.
Example:

 Introduction: The purpose of this research is to identify a subtype of autism

called Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia (DVD). DVD is a motor-speech problem,
disabling oral-motor movements needed for speaking.
 Methods: The first phase of the project involves a screening interview where we
identify DVD and Non-DVD kids. We also use home videos to validate answers on
the screening interview. The final phase involves home visits where we use
several assessments to confirm the child’s diagnosis and examine the connection
between manual and oral motor challenges.
 Results: By identifying DVD as a subtype of Autism, we will eliminate the
assumption that all Autistics have the same characteristics.
 Conclusions: This will allow for more individual consideration of Autistic people
and may direct future research on the genetic factors in autism.
Exercise

“Blind Construction: Mixed Media”

Diana Dewi, Jennifer Kittleson, and Wendy Hagedorn (Mentor), Apparel and
Textile Design

The basis of this project was to create a garment using mixed media in order
to mimic the human body. The materials we used to create this piece include:
buckram, copper wire, spray paint, fabric paint, a variety of novelty fabrics,
and chains. The techniques we created in order to manipulate the piece
include: fabric branding and burning, grid painting, sewing, draping, molding
buckram, and coiling. Our overall approach was to create a theatrical
wearable art piece. Upon completion of the assignment we found the piece
aesthetically pleasing because of the way it molds to the human body, but can
be a piece all on its own.
Answer:
Introduction: The basis of this project was to create a garment using
mixed media in order to mimic the human body. The materials we used
to create this piece include: buckram, copper wire, spray paint, fabric
paint, a variety of novelty fabrics, and chains.
Methods: The techniques we created in order to manipulate the piece
include: fabric branding and burning, grid painting, sewing, draping,
molding buckram, and coiling. Our overall approach was to create a
theatrical wearable art piece.
Results: Upon completion of the assignment we found the piece
aesthetically pleasing because of the way it molds to the human body,
but can be a piece all on its own.
Conclusion: aesthetically pleasing because of the way it molds to the
human body, but can be a piece all on its own.
Keyword
Keyword
 Are tools to help indexers and search engines find relevant
papers
 This will increase the number of people reading your
manuscript/article – can lead more citations
 Keywords must be chosen carefully
 They should:
 represent the content of your manuscript/article
 Be specific to your field or sub-field
Choosing your keywords
Keyword
 Most journals require the author to identify three or five
keywords representing the paper’s major concept.

Investigating the Usability of PDAs with Ageing Users

ABSTRACT
Mobile technologies have the potential to enhance the lives of ageing users, especially those
who experience a decline in cognitive abilities. However, diminutive devices often perplex the
aged and many HCI problems exist. This research ultimately aims to develop a mobile
reminiscent application for ageing users entitled MemoryLane. This application will use
artificial intelligent techniques to compose and convey excerpts
from a lifetime’s memories to the user in a multimodal storytelling format. The proposed
deployment platform for MemoryLane is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). The initial stage of
this research, a HCI pilot study was recently conducted with a sample of ageing users, the study
aimed to investigate the usability of a PDA. This paper documents the methodologies employed
in this pilot study and its subsequent
results. The next stages of the research are also identified and discussed.

Keywords
PDA, usability, HCI, elderly, cognitive decline, memory loss,
gerontechnology, storytelling, MemoryLane.
Introduction
Introduction
 Introduction is a very important part of the article. This
would be the section that the reader wants to know what it's
about, to understand its background or context, and to see
its goals or purpose.
 A well-written introduction is important because, quite
simply, you never get a second chance to make a good first
impression.
 Without an introduction, it is sometimes difficult for your
audience to figure out what you are trying to deliver.
 The introduction gives the beginning of the piece of thread
so they can follow it throughout the manuscript/article.
Introduction

 Usually, author do not start their write-up with an

introduction.
 Some authors write the introduction in the middle
of the drafting process once they see the larger
direction of the paper; others write the
introduction last once they know the exact content
of their work.
 However, some of them start with an introduction
first
Introduction
In the Introduction….
 present relevant background or contextual material
In the Introduction….
 define terms or concepts when necessary
In the Introduction….

 explain the focus of the paper and its specific purpose

In the Introduction….

 reveal the plan of organization

Good reference

 https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/purpose