Abstracts of Papers With Sub-Headings

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When abstracting a paper that has headings and sub-headings, use those to help you identify key parts of the paper for your abstract. The following sample abstract, based on a research paper, uses the introduction, subjects, methods, results, and discussion headings from the original paper.

Note: The numbers in this abstract are for illustration purposes only. Number 1 designates a concise statement of the main point and "problem" prompting the research. Number 2 designates a summary of the selection of research subjects. Numbers 3 and 4 correspond to summaries of research methods and results, respectively, and Number 5 designates a summary of conclusions.

(1) "Students in networked classrooms" examines the question of whether students in a computer classroom are more likely to engage in peer review than students in traditional classrooms. (2) To test this question, two classes in each environment were studied. (3) An observer participated in all four classes for the duration of a semester, noting the nature of the interaction between students. Further, the observer interviewed both students and teachers about the nature of peer interaction and review. (4) Based on this sample, the study finds that students in computer classrooms are more likely, by a ratio of 2:1, to engage in peer review.(5) As a result of this finding, the paper concludes that for this one variable, computer classrooms are a more effective environment in which to teach writing.

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