How to Summarize a Research Paper

It can be easy to write a summary of a research paper, but the first step is to read the document thoroughly. A paper's abstract can act as a guide for the summary, but it does not substitute for reading the whole research paper. The sections of the paper can help outline the summary paragraph. Some papers have more sections than others, so adjust the summary accordingly.

Instructions

    • 1

      Read the research paper. Make note of the different sections of the research paper. This will provide the outline for the summary paragraph.

    • 2

      Find the introduction to the paper. This will indicate the purpose of the research and will typically contain the thesis of the research. Use this to guide your introductory sentence to the summary.

    • 3

      Identify the literature review section of the paper. Note whether the literature supports or refutes the main thesis argument of the paper. Construct a sentence summarizing the stance of the literature.

    • 4

      Find the methodology section and summarize the methods the researcher used to conduct his research. Include such details as calculations, variables and experimental methods used.

    • 5

      Go to the data analysis section. Construct a sentence summarizing the author's analysis of the data he obtained from his research.

    • 6

      Write a sentence summarizing the results of the research. This can include what the data showed, what the researcher observed or what came of the research conducted.

    • 7

      Summarize the discussion section of the research paper. This may require more than one sentence, since it can have multiple points. Include how the researcher interpreted the results, what the researcher saw as the flaws of the research and any future research that may be conducted.

    • 8

      State the author's conclusion as the conclusion of the summary. Do not offer a personal opinion of the research, since this is a summary of the researcher's conclusions of his own work.

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