A well-written dissertation abstract allows the reader to obtain a good idea of the main ideas and arguments presented by the dissertation. It serves as an introduction to the dissertation when it is presented with the thesis, or as a summary of the thesis when presented on its own. The dissertation abstract should present a focused and concise summary of the dissertation and include all of the key terms contained in the dissertation.
There are two common forms of dissertation abstracts, with a third form much less common. The two common forms are descriptive and informative dissertation abstracts. Critical dissertation abstracts are much less common and represent an evaluation or critique of the dissertation.
A descriptive dissertation abstract is more like an outline, presenting a skeleton of the main ideas of the thesis, along with the methodology and scope of the research. Descriptive dissertation abstracts make no attempt to provide conclusions or results of the work.
An informative abstract goes a step beyond descriptive abstracts to present a truncated form of the arguments made by the dissertation, along with a summary of the evidence presented within the thesis that supports the arguments.
The particulars of a dissertation abstract's structure vary from institution to institution. The main title of an abstract is usually titled "Abstract," with the title centered on the page, 2 inches below the margin of the page. Margins should be set at 1 1/4 inches on the top and bottom; 1 1/2 inches on the left, to allow for binding; and 1 inch on the right. The abstract page is generally not numbered but included in the table of contents of the dissertation. Text should be double spaced, using the same typeface as the dissertation. Abstracts ideally run between 300 and 500 words, no longer.
Dissertation abstracts are often included as part of an academic job application. They are also frequently included in journals and online databases. As such, the abstract should contain relevant keywords to facilitate indexing. The dissertation represents a major academic achievement of the writer.
A dissertation abstract should not be longer than two pages. One page is ideal, but this might not be enough for complex subjects. It is better to have the abstract run a bit longer than skimp on the presentation of the main ideas. However, the abstract should not include ideas not presented within the dissertation. Include full citations for sources quoted or excerpted within the abstract.