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Types Of Thesis Abstracts

Thesis abstracts come in two main types: informative thesis abstracts and descriptive thesis abstracts (the other, a critical thesis abstract, is rare).

Main Similarities And Differences

This list is merely a guide of some features and forms: thesis abstract types are not fixed as overlaps and variations exist.

• thesis parts: both thesis abstract types cover various parts of a thesis (e.g. aim, method), but descriptive abstracts do not usually provide actual results;
• disciplines: each thesis abstract is common in certain disciplines (e.g. informative in English literature and descriptive in scientific studies);
• detail: informative abstracts encapsulate the thesis while descriptive abstracts provide much less detail and often just describe what is in the thesis;
• research length: informative for longer technical research but descriptive for shorter research;
• abstract length: descriptive abstracts are often around 100 words but informative abstracts are usually longer (e.g. around 300 or even more, though sometimes less);
• focus: descriptive abstracts tend to focus on the process while informative abstracts often value the findings and implications;
• approach/phrasing: informative abstracts actually give all the specific main information (The thesis concludes that . . .) while descriptive abstracts often mainly tell what the thesis gives (The thesis provides recommendations on . . .).

Informative thesis abstracts and descriptive thesis abstracts are therefore different.

Informative Thesis Abstracts

Informative thesis abstracts proportionally cover all main sections of the thesis, including results and implications, and they actually give the main content (e.g. statistical data, if applicable). No main thesis sections or primary points are omitted. Informative thesis abstracts are dense as they contain much, and they are extremely condensed yet structured, connected and readable. See them as microcosms of the whole thesis.

Structured Thesis Abstracts

A structured thesis abstract is a subtype of informative thesis abstracts but has a clear, marked layout, usually with each aspect (e.g. Introduction, Aims, Methods) in separate paragraphs and bold subheadings. Commonly used in specific disciplines and subject areas (e.g. medical), a structured thesis abstract also sometimes fits requirements (e.g. style guide) or requests (e.g. university, supervisor). They are common in specific scientific journals, where writers often follow the IMRaD form: Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion.

Descriptive Thesis Abstracts

A descriptive thesis abstract briefly describes certain thesis sections (e.g. purpose, methods – not results) and indicates thesis content but makes no judgement, specific conclusions or recommendations, though it can refer to these (e.g. The thesis gives conclusions . . .). Thus, descriptive thesis abstracts, unlike other approaches, don't give readers the information in the thesis; instead, they tell readers what the thesis will do.

Conclusion: Which Thesis Abstract Type?

If you don’t receive direct instructions from your supervisor or guidance from your university, style guide or subject requirements, check the word limitation (under or around 100 usually indicates a descriptive thesis abstract) or other thesis abstracts that have been written in your discipline. If you're in any doubt, ask and get official confirmation for the type of thesis abstract you need to write.