Task 2. Working with abstracts

The Abstract is probably the most important paragraph in your whole paper. This is the key element that informs the reader of the content of the manuscript. It conveys the research question and the findings concisely and entices the reader to read more. That and the title are the parts that get the widest exposure. The Abstract is read by more people than the article itself. It should be eye-catching and informative at the same time.

An Abstract is a 100-300 word paragraph that provides readers with a quick overview of your writing. It should express your main idea and your key points; it might also briefly suggest any implications or applications of the research you discuss in the paper.

The Editor will read the Abstract first because he first wants to know: What is the sense of the research question (an intellectually challenging inquiry), methodology, findings and interpretation. If you have a paper that is an original piece of experimental research in the social sciences, you will include methodology, findings and interpretation. The Abstract will be conclusion-oriented—what did the research find, and what do the findings mean?

The Abstract goes at the beginning of the paper. But writing the Abstract involves summarizing the whole manuscript. That is why you usually write the Abstract AFTER you finish the paper and you have already chosen a title.

Use past tense for what was done and found. Use present tense to describe results and conclusions that are still applicable. Don’t be afraid to use passive if necessary. Either way is correct: The study investigated the incidence of ___. The incidence of ___ was studied.

Don’t overload your Abstract with methods or references to the lit.

Give your Abstract to a friend/colleague (preferably one not familiar with your work, and ask him if it makes sense.)

2.1 Read Abstracts А and В below. What features саn уоu identify?

Essential background information___________________

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Abstract A

In the last 20 years, several researchers have described the changes that computers may bring to the field of language testing. Since the review carried out by the University of Fredericktown (Huntley-Gordon, 2008), writers in the Candleford Language Testing and Assessment Series have made various predictions as to how computer technology could change the testing of foreign language skills. The enthusiasm for much greater use of computers in language testing is based on the idea that computer-based tests will be better than traditional pencil-and-paper tests. This paper sets out to examine the accuracy of this belief and will suggest some important advantages of computer-based testing, together with some words of caution.

Source:McCormack, J., & Slaght, J. (2012). Extended Writing & Research Skills. Reading: Garnet Education.

Abstract B

Assessment of observed teaching practice sessions on teacher training courses is viewed in general by the teaching profession as a flawed but necessary method of evaluation. The nature of observations means that criteria must be flexible to account for diverse teaching styles, while at the same time providing the observer with the guidance to make an informed decision on the trainee’s performance. Inevitably, observers have their own set of personal theories that affect their assessment, resulting in inconsistency of grades warded by different observers. The results suggest that standardization can help effect greater observer agreement, but the limitations of the study mean that the results need ratification through further research. It was found that discussion of grades raised issues such as the need for clearer criteria for grades, the need to limit the list of attributes graded and the importance of high-inference factors in teaching.

Source:McCormack, J., & Slaight, J. (2012). Extended writing & Research Skills. Reading: Garnet Education.

2.2 Соmраrе your ideas with the list of features below and tick (٧) the features you have identified

2.3 Based оn your reading of each abstract, suggest what you think the titles of the projects or papers A and B

Date: 2016-01-05; view: 1758