Abstract Guidelines

The research paper requires us “to go beyond our personal knowledge and experience. We undertake research when we wish to explore an idea, probe an issue, solve a problem, or make an argument that compels us to turn to outside help. We then seek out, investigate, and use materials beyond our personal resources. The findings and conclusions of such an inquiry appear in the research paper.” (Joseph Garibaldi, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th edition, [Modern language Association of America, NY 2003])

Work presented need not have been done at Howard University, but if not, you must identify the site and director of the work as well as the Howard University faculty member who directed the project or research report, if any. Student must have endorsement of site director as well as the Howard University faculty member.

Abstracts for Personal or Reflective Essays will NOT be accepted.

Students should remember that there is a difference between the research paper and the talk/presentation that is based on the research paper. The paper comes first, is longer, more developed, and fully referenced with notes and bibliography; the talk is more narrowly focused, presents either the main points of the paper, or a section of it, and since the presentation time is limited to 10-15 minutes including questions and slides or power point presentations, probably needs to run no more than 7-8 double-spaced pages depending on how fast you speak and click.

Please see Presentation Guide for evaluation factors.

The abstract for the symposium is an abstract of  your talk and does not necessarily cover the same ground as an abstract for your full paper.

An abstract is a short statement about your paper designed to give the reader a complete, yet concise, understanding of your paper's research and findings. It is a mini-version of your paper. Abstracts should contain a minimum of 150 words and a maximum of 250 words.

Duplicate abstracts submitted by different authors will be automatically rejected. However a collaborative effort among multiple authors is acceptable when submitted as one project. *All authors must be identified at the time of the abstract submission.
*Authors participating in a collaborative effort must share any monetary award received.

A well-prepared abstract allows a reader to quickly and accurately identify the basic content of your paper. Readers should be able to read your abstract to see if the related research is of interest.

Abstracts from all Divisions for the COAS Research Symposium should succinctly address the following four categories, as applicable, and not necessarily in the order shown, in not more than 250 words:

1. What is your research topic? What question are you trying to answer? What problem are you trying to solve? What phenomenon are you trying to explain?
2. What are your conclusions? What is the impact of your research/ conclusions? This statement should highlight why your topic matters, how your answer contributes to your field of research, what is novel or controversial about your conclusion, if at all. (*Turabian 127)
3. How did you arrive at your conclusion(s)? (eg. method, evidence, data, theory, findings...)
4. Is this a new conclusion and does it challenge or reaffirm the conventional/ existing scholarly wisdom?

*Kate L. Turabian,  A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, revised by Wayne . Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams and the University of Chicago Press Editorial Staff. 7th edition. University of Chicago Press. Chicago and London 2007.

Many of the following suggestions come from the American National Standard for Writing Abstracts published by the Council of National Library and Information Associations.

Explain the purpose of your study/paper. Ideally in one sentence, 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?

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.

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.

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? Often conclusions are associated with recommendations, suggestions and both rejected and accepted hypotheses.

Dryland Grain Sorghum Water Use, Light Interception, and Growth Responses to Planting GeometryJ. L. SteinerCrop 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 the north-south row crops. Narrow row planting geometry appears to increase the partitioning of ET to the transpiration component and may improve the efficiency of dryland cropping systems.

More sample abstracts

• Write your paper first, and then write the abstract.
• A good abstract should not exceed 250 words. (Remember that each word in print can cost up to $0.12.)
• Proofread your abstract several times - submit your very best work.
• A good abstract is usually followed by a good paper. The opposite also tends to be true.
• A reader does not want to wade through complicated and unfamiliar terms in the abstract.
• Know your audience and target your abstract accordingly.
• Have a peer read your abstract and then tell you what your research is about. If he or she has difficulty explaining your research, chances are your abstract requires revision.
• Abstracts that show lack of care or quality control as evidenced by grammatical punctuation, spelling, and typographical errors will be reviewed less favorably. Work must be proofread carefully before submission.

All abstract submissions will be reviewed according to the criteria outlined above. Please note that there will be no appeals process or opportunity to resubmit once an abstract has not been accepted.