Examples of abstracts

An example abstract from a chemistry report

ABSTRACT

In this experiment, chromatography was used to analyse amino acids in solution. Standards were used to identify unknown amino acids in a mixture. Ascending layer chromatography with an isopropanol-based solvent was used to separate the amino acids, which were then detected with ninhydrin. The unknown mixture analysed was found to contain aspartate and histidine. It was observed that hydrophobic amino acids were most mobile. This technique was shown to be an effective way of analysing unknown mixtures of amino acids. A mechanism for ninhydrin binding to amino acids is proposed, based on observations from this experiment.

Description aim/
objective

Method

Results

Conclusion

Further
conclusion

An example abstract from an Engineering scientific report

A detailed comparison of the properties and microstructures of conventionally sintered and microwave sintered samples of 3 mol% and 8 mol% yttria zirconia was performed. Identical thermal profiles were used for both types of heating. For both materials, microwave heating was found to enhance the densification processes which occur during constant rate heating. The 3 mol% yttria zirconia material exhibited a shift in the grain size/density relationship which favours densification, resulting in higher density samples with smaller grain sizes at densities below 96% of theoretical density. At higher densities, significant grain growth occurs. For the 8 mol% yttria zirconia material, the grain size / density relationship remained unchanged. Differences in the response of the two materials are attributed to the differences in the activation energy for grain growth, and in grain boundary mobility. Modulus of rupture and toughness of both microwave and conventionally sintered samples were similar. Following isothermal heating at 13000C, microwave heated samples were found to be significantly more dense than conventionally heated samples. This temperature also restricted grain growth once densification was approaching completion. These findings have significant implications for the commercial application of microwave sintering. It appears that this method of sintering produces a superior product to conventional sintering.

Aim of the research

Method

Summary of overall results

Detailed result for one of the experiment's samples

Detailed result for the other of the experiment's samples

Further results (comparison of two methods of sintering)

Significance of the results

An example of an abstract from a biology report
Footnote

Many plants in Australia have their seeds buried in order for the species to survive fires. The seeds start to germinate under the soil at certain temperatures. Seeds of Acacia terminalis and Dillwynia floribunda were examined in this experiment. It was hypothesised that the seeds need heat for the germination to start.Seeds of the two species were treated in hot and cold water and left to start germinating. Acacia terminalis showed a significant response in germination after the hot water treatment while Dillwynia floribunda did not. Neither seed showed a response in germination after cold water treatment. The results for Dillwynia floribunda were unexpected but may be explained by factors such as water temperature and the length of time the seeds remained in the heated water.

Background Information

Outline of what was investigated in this experiment
Hypothesis

Summary of Method

Summary of Results

Summary of Discussion

Nystrom, B (unpublished manuscript) University of Wollongong.