Publishing research findings is one of the best ways to showcase academic potential and stand out in university applications. For students aiming to apply to top US universities, publishing papers not only enhances their academic profile but also demonstrates their ability to explore deeply and solve complex problems. However, this process can be challenging for high school students, involving topic selection, experimental design, data analysis, and academic writing.

This is where the Embark Exploration Program can provide support. Since its establishment in 2016, Embark has focused on creating customized research training programs for young people, helping students systematically develop research skills and build a solid research framework. Under the guidance of our 3,000+ mentors, students can explore their areas of interest and connect their research projects to real-world applications, ensuring a thorough understanding of their significance.

Embark mentors have detailed how high school students can write a research abstract. The content includes: the role and purpose of an abstract, basic requirements, specific requirements for the five key elements with related sentence structures and examples, and the basic structure of an abstract. The abstracts discussed are suitable for journal papers, theses, and other research reports.

Role of an Abstract

The role of an abstract can be understood through the contexts in which it appears. In the following scenarios, we first read the abstract of a paper:

Figure 1 Abstract on the first page of the paper

1. The abstract appears on the first page of a paper (except for theses, which may have it after the cover page). After reading the title and author information, the reader first sees the abstract.
2. When searching for literature, we obtain not only the title and author information but also the abstract (the full text may need to be downloaded separately, sometimes at a cost).
3. When editors invite reviewers to review a paper, they usually include the abstract in the invitation letter, not the full text.

Purpose of an Abstract

The purpose of writing an abstract is to allow readers or reviewers to quickly determine whether the paper falls within their area of expertise or interest, helping them decide whether to read, obtain the full text, or review the paper. Given this purpose, there are a few key requirements for abstracts:

• The abstract is a summary of the full text.
• The abstract can be read independently by the target audience or reviewers.

A summary means summarizing the key elements of the full text, and independent reading means that the abstract can be understood without referring to the full text. The abstract shown in Figure 1 does not meet the independent reading requirement because it references figure codes (e.g., Fig. 7, Fig. 4) that are not visible during independent reading.

Basic Requirements of an Abstract

As mentioned earlier, an abstract must be a summary of the full text. How can it achieve this? We first need to understand the key elements of a paper. An abstract that includes these basic elements forms a comprehensive summary without major omissions.

Normal academic papers (including journal articles, conference papers, and theses) contain five basic elements: research topic, purpose of the paper, research methods used, key results or findings, and conclusions (i.e., the significance of the results).

Five Key Elements of an Abstract

As a summary of the full text, an abstract should include the following five elements:

1. Problem Statement

The importance of the problem statement is related to the target audience. If the paper addresses a new issue unfamiliar to the audience, define the problem, explain its significance, and, if necessary, mention the background issue. For papers targeting a broad audience, start with a wider background to attract more readers.

If the problem is not significant or the audience is already familiar with it, the problem statement can be brief or omitted (except in theses, where the problem must be highlighted).

Example Sentences:

• In an era of increasing globalization, the disruptive impact of issues like pandemics on the world economy and cultural exchange is growing, necessitating research into technologies for rapid vaccine deployment.
• Vaccine technology has always been a popular research topic. Unfortunately, due to the long development cycle, it hasn't played a crucial role in controlling outbreaks, requiring further exploration of rapid vaccine development techniques.
• Vaccine side effects have long been a concern, with much work still needed.

Example: The habitable zone is typically defined as the range of distances from a star where liquid water, a key element for life, can exist on a planet's surface. There is increasing interest in exploring other conditions suitable for life in the habitable zone and comparing them with those in the solar system.

2. Purpose or Motivation of the Paper

The motivation should be concise unless the significance of the research goal needs additional explanation. Generally, it can be summarized in one sentence.

Example Sentences:

• Here, we demonstrate/study/propose/solve/report...
• This study aims to clarify the phenomenon observed in...
• The main purpose of this paper is to introduce/provide/develop a method to explain...
• This paper proposes a new method to solve...
• The paper has two objectives: first,...; second,...

Example: Here, we point out that the number of habitable zones suitable for complex aerobic life may be limited compared to microbial life.

3. Research Methods

If using established methods to solve a new problem or extend research, simply state the method used. If methods are extended or new methods are developed, clearly state this and highlight their features and necessity.

If the method usage differs from previous applications, leading to different efficiency or new results, emphasize this distinction.

Example Sentences:

• A certain method has been used to study a problem similar to ours; we also use this method.
• We use a combination of Method A and Method B to study..., allowing us to address shortcomings and consider the impact of...
• To address..., we developed a new method based on..., which solves issues like...
• We used a method derived from..., introducing modifications to improve...
• We used a method to obtain results previously unattainable by employing different materials, environments, or steps.
• Although a certain method has been used for..., a key factor was overlooked. We focus on this factor to solve previously unsolvable issues.
• We used a method characterized by high resolution or accuracy.

Example: We used a one-dimensional radiative-convective climate and photochemical model to delineate habitable zones for complex life based on known toxicity limits of various organisms, proving our concept.

4. Research Results

Science and engineering papers typically emphasize results (humanities may emphasize conclusions). Highlight only the most important, unexpected, or novel results in the abstract. Ideally, summarize no more than three key results.

Example Sentences:

• We found that A causes B.
• Results indicate that as A changes from... to..., B changes from... to...
• According to the study, the minimum value of... occurs at..., due to...
• We determined the size of..., finding it to be...
• Analysis shows X phenomenon can be categorized into three types:... The probability of... is ten times smaller than the other two.
• We proved a theorem predicting.../We derived a theorem for analyzing extreme value problems.
• We extended... to the case of...
• We resolved...

5. Conclusion

For papers where conclusions are crucial, emphasize the value of the research and its impact on the field or society. For universally significant studies, summarize the general value of the results for scientists in the field and beyond.

Example Sentences:

• These results bring new hope for...
• This study narrows the gap between... and...
• This study establishes a link between... and...
• This research resolves a long-standing debate on...
• The results can be used to solve issues like...
• This study opens a new field in...
• This research not only solves a challenging problem but also provides a method applicable to other issues.

Example: These results provide new insights into the distribution of complex life in the universe and have significant implications for the search for biosignatures and technosignatures on exoplanets.

When covering all five elements, also consider other requirements to ensure the abstract is a concise summary and easy for the target audience to read independently. Keep it short, avoid jargon, explain abbreviations, and do not include references, figure codes, or unexplained mathematical symbols. Balancing these elements is key to creating a brief yet comprehensive abstract.

Basic Structures of an Abstract

For journal papers, abstracts are generally a single paragraph, though longer abstracts can be divided into several paragraphs. For theses, abstracts can be split into multiple paragraphs. Regardless of the publication type, some basic structures for writing abstracts can be referenced. The basic structure refers to the inclusion of distinct, meaningful content. Below are five basic structures:

1.Five-Element Structure:

This structure follows the five elements: problem statement, purpose (motivation), methods, results, and conclusion. Most papers use a linear approach from background, motivation, methods, results, to conclusion, making it suitable to address these elements in order in the abstract.

2.Three-Part Structure:

The three parts are: why the work was done, what was done, and what was found. The first part includes the background, objectives, and significance from the problem statement. The second part integrates the motivation, methods, and specific problems solved. The third part presents valuable results and conclusions.

3.Four-Part Structure:

Some disciplines, such as the humanities, may not require a problem statement. In this case, the structure can be divided into four parts: what the work did, how it was done, the data or methods used, and the conclusions. Since results mainly form the basis of the conclusion, specific results may not be detailed in the abstract.

4.Flexible Structure:

Some papers focus on solving several different problems. After introducing the problem statement and overall motivation, the abstract can be divided into sections addressing what was done and what was found for each subproblem. If each problem has its own methods, results, and conclusions, these elements can be combined in the introduction (sometimes with a small motivation placed first), with a final overall conclusion.

5.Journal-Specified or Permitted Structures:

Some journals specify or allow different abstract structures. For example, the journal Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education has abstracts written in sections such as purpose, methods, findings (results), limitations/significance, practical applications, and original value.

Figure 2 refers to the abstract from Mohamed et al. (2020) in this journal

How Embark Helps Students Stand Out Academically

Embark’s core team consists of graduates from top institutions such as the Ivy League, MIT, and Caltech. They are dedicated to providing personalized, one-on-one mentorship to help students develop unique research topics. For example, students can collaborate with Embark mentors to design high-quality projects, delve deeply into STEM fields, and write publishable papers. These papers can not only be published in reputable journals but also serve as significant advantages when applying to top universities.

Additionally, Embark encourages students to apply their research to prestigious STEM competitions, such as Regeneron ISEF and Regeneron STS, further enhancing their global competitiveness.

For more information about Embark and how we help students achieve their research and academic goals, please visit our website.

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