Abstract

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General definition

Abstraction is the inductive process of omitting all non-essential information and secondary aspects, and then generalizing them, to make the more fundamental structures visible. This inductive process contains the similarity between the basis of the term abstract art and the term abstract that is used internationally by academics.

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Academic abstract

In academia, an abstract can have two meanings. It can be a short summary of an academic article, paper or research, or it can serve as a response to a Call for Papers.

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1. A short summary

The short summary aims to quickly inform the reader of the content. It should give potential readers a quick insight into the content of the article.

This type of abstract contains:

• the purpose of your research

• your methods

• the results and conclusions of your academic research

• some keywords. These must be specific and representative. In other words: specific for the research field and representative of the results of your research.

Online databases categorize their collection based on keywords. Users of the database find articles by searching for keywords relevant to them. It is therefore important to choose the keywords carefully for the findability of your research.

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An abstract is included at the beginning of the research report. The length of the abstract is somewhat dependent on the total length of your research, although you should always try to keep the abstract as short and concise as possible. After reading the abstract, the reader determines whether they will read the paper.

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2. A response to a Call for Papers

An abstract is also used in response to a Call for Papers. In it, a publisher of a bundle or an academic journal or an organizer of a conference calls on academics to send in a proposal for a contribution. They can respond by means of an abstract. This is, as it were, their 'application' for participation.

This type of abstract contains:

• the context

• the specific research problem

• the key themes and case studies

• the result: the most important point or the contribution to the development of the academic field that the article or presentation will make

• the word count as required in the Call

• a (provisional) title, in which the word "abstract" does not occur.

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Note that elements of an abstract partly correspond to elements of an Introduction.

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Tips for an abstract in response to a Call for Papers​

• Do not mention generalities that are irrelevant to your abstract in response to a Call for Papers, for example about the general operation or influence of art or about the life of the artist.

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• Do not include wishful thinking, for example about the great significance that you think your research will have for the scientific debate on the subject in question. Don't confuse wishful thinking with formulating an achievable goal. If you go beyond the goals that are realistic and achievable with your research, you sound too ambitious and overconfident.

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• Indicate as specifically as possible what your contribution is about and why it fits the theme of the collection or the conference.

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• Do this right at the start of your abstract so that the panel members who assess the contributions immediately see the information most important to them. By making your point at the beginning, you immediately set the tone.

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• Demonstrate your knowledge of the field, even if you have yet to write your contribution, so that you do not appear insecure.

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• Make sure that the ratio between information on relevant context and information on your own research is approximately one third / two thirds. After all, making your contribution known is the goal of your abstract.