Before we dig into the details of how to write a summary of research, it is necessary to take a brief look at what a research summary is. This way, it will be easier to comprehend the finer details of something you can define. A research summary is a professional piece of writing that describes the research to a given group of readers in a brief manner. It takes the length details of the research project and condenses them for the reader to get an overview of what a researcher.
But what is the difference between a summary and conclusion? That is a good question. When we talk about a summary, we are referring to that part of the paper found at the paper’s beginning to allow the reader to capture what the paper contains. With the summary, they can elect to skip reading the entire paper without missing essential detail. However, a conclusion is that section of the paper that is located at its end. It shows the reader the details of how you have arrived at the logical closing of the entire paper. Having clarified the difference, we are now ready to look at the details of what you need to draft an excellent summary.
Get a higher-level comprehension of issue at hand
Before you write a good summary of research paper, it is necessary to have a broader understanding of what you are writing about. This way, you will know how to give the reader a short background of the work you are describing. Also, you will be better placed to capture the significant details of what your work entails and its results.
Develop the initial copy
Developing the initial copy is critical when it comes to how to write a research summary paper. It is necessary you draft the initial copy while following the original order of your research paper. In this first draft, you should include the following details:
- A concise explanation of the significance and implications of the results of the study so that they can connect to the hypothesis
- A brief description of the results and significance of the research
- It is critical to balance between summarizing and clarity. Your summary should have all the necessary words that can help the reader to understand what you are trying to say
- The draft needs to include the hypothesis that needs testing
- It needs to contain the research question and provide the reader with the necessary proof that underscores its importance
- It should also contain the methods you used in the research. It is necessary to include the procedures, materials, and the analysis of the data you gathered during of the study
Refine the first draft
The summary of your paper is just as important as the original paper. Do not assume that since you edited the original draft, the summary is going to reflect the same perfection by default. You can make serious typing errors while transferring that information. In addition, you can make grave grammar mistakes while condensing the details. Therefore, you need to take the refining process seriously because you will be applying a different skill to write the summary. While checking your initial copy, you should look out for these following issues:
Completeness
Writing a summary of a research article is different from removing details and information. You will be rewriting the same details using fewer words. Therefore, your primary concern should not be the shortness of the draft, but its completeness. When editing, you have to ensure that you have included all the ideas, and not just the terms and words you captured in the research so that the reader does not miss anything they need. If you find out that you have forgotten any necessary detail, you should go back and include it. It is better to use a few more words than to engage in a “cut out” spree and deny your readers the critical information they need to benefit and make sense out of your summary.
Consistency and coherence
Another key that will help you attain perfection when it comes to how to summarize a research paper is checking it to ensure it is consistent and coherent. You need to ensure that the ideas you have presented in the summary are consistent with what you captured in the original paper.
Spelling and grammar accuracy
In addition, your editing should make the summary free from all grammar and spelling errors. You have to do this beyond the ability of word processors and grammar programs to highlight spelling mistakes. As a diligent scholar, use your brain and eyes as the final determinant of accuracy since these programs are limited in their ability to detect some errors. For example, an average spelling checker may not know there is an error when you write a statement like, “I was choked” when you meant to say, “I was shocked.”
Get some feedback
Just as two good heads can reason better than one, two pairs of eyes are better than one. It is beneficial to hand your trusted classmates a copy of your summary to go through so they can tell you what you need to improve, remove, and add to your summary. This way, you will benefit from their experiences and present your readers with a more refined version of the copy. Your friends can pick out very minute, but embarrassing faults that could have negatively affected the quality of your summary.
Mind your style
Since you are writing a custom summary of research that will be read by a specific audience, adjust and customize it to fit their needs, tastes, interests, and preferences. That is why you ought to pay attention to the style of presenting the summary so that it is appropriate to your target audience. When you use an appropriate style, your readers will not just find it easy to understand, but also interesting to read.
Do not be wordy
You need to remember you are writing a summary. The essence of all summaries is to say the same thing using fewer words. Therefore, you need to use as few necessary words as possible. For instance, you can shorten this statement and retain the meaning:
“From the findings of the study, it is absolutely evident that we did not observe any significant variations in the behavior patterns of the people we interviewed.”
A summarized version of the above statement could read:
“Findings show little variations in our sample’s behavior patterns.”
In the second sentence, we have used only one-third of the words we used in the first statement. Here, we have used nine words to say what 27 words said without losing the meaning.
Be specific
As you draft your paper’s summary, it is critical to use specific language. Don’t confuse terms because that will make the paper look vague and hard to understand. For instance, don’t say we faced many “issues” when you are referring to “challenges. “The word “issues” is an abstract generality that could have both negative and positive meanings depending on the context of what you are saying.
Do not be a citation “parrot”
When writing the summary of your paper, make sure you don’t make a direct quotation of everything you reference. You should learn how to paraphrase your work and only give the references the reader needs to countercheck them. By paraphrasing your work, you prove to your instructors that you have read and digested the materials you are referring to.
Learn from others
Whether you are a student or a practicing professional, you can bolster the summary of your paper by learning from what others have written. It is not a weakness to get some inspiration from those who have gone ahead of you as long as it is not an excuse for laziness. By so doing, you will learn what is unique and strong about those examples and stand a higher chance of working on your personal weaknesses.
Don’t fear to use jargon
When writing a research paper summary, you are dealing with a purely scientific assignment. Therefore, you are free to use the jargon of the area of study you are handling. Just make sure that you use these terms in moderation and their right context.
Widen and optimize your vocabulary
Widening your vocabulary and using it optimally are other ways of writing your summary. When you say, “I need to write my summary of research to make a greater impact,” you will need to master the art of summarizing and know various words that can say the same thing in a shortened way. This way, you will present your summary in a balanced way that captures both the brevity and completeness of meaning.
Closing remarks
This post has given you more power in your hands to perfect your skills in writing a research paper summary. If you need more summary of research help online, you can talk to our team of experts to enjoy our excellent summary of research writing service.