Writing an Abstract for a Bachelor Thesis: Tips and Examples

Learn how to write a compelling abstract for your bachelor thesis that provides a clear overview of your research.

What is an Abstract?

An abstract is a concise summary of your bachelor thesis, which presents the essential points of your research in a compact form. It serves to give the reader a quick overview of the content and relevance of your work without requiring them to read the entire document. Typically, an abstract comprises about 150 to 250 words and is placed either before or after the table of contents, depending on the specifications of your university.

The abstract should be understandable as a stand-alone text and cover all the important aspects of your work. It is often the first thing potential readers see, so it is important that it is clear, informative, and well-written.

Key Elements of an Effective Abstract

A successful abstract should contain the following elements:

Problem Statement and Objectives:Briefly explain the topic of your work and what goals you are pursuing. What research question(s) do you want to answer?
Methodology:Describe how you proceeded with your research. What methods and procedures did you use?
Results:Summarize the most important findings of your work. What did you discover?
Conclusions:What is the significance of your results? What recommendations or implications arise from them?

By considering these elements in your abstract, you give the reader a comprehensive overview of your bachelor thesis.

Tips for Writing a Successful Abstract

Here are some proven tips to help you write your abstract:

Write the Abstract Last:After you have completely written your bachelor thesis, it will be easier for you to summarize the most important points.
Observe the Word Limit:An abstract should be between 150 and 250 words. Stick to this guideline to remain precise.
Clarity and Conciseness:Use simple and clear language. Avoid technical jargon and complicated sentences so that readers outside your field can understand the content.
Objectivity:Write in an objective tone and avoid personal opinions or evaluations.
No quotes or sources:The abstract should be self-contained and should not contain any direct quotes or references.
Correct tenses:Use the present tense for general statements and the simple past for completed actions or results.
Revision:Read your abstract several times and correct any errors. A clear structure and error-free language leave a good impression.

Differences between Abstract, Introduction and Conclusion

Abstract, introduction and conclusion are often confused because they may contain similar information. There are, however, clear differences:

Abstract:A short, self-contained summary of the entire work. It contains all the important elements (topic, method, results, conclusions) in compressed form.
Introduction: Introduces the reader to the topic, presents the research question and the objective, and provides an overview of the structure of the work. It is more detailed and part of the main text.
Conclusion: Summarizes the results, answers the research question and provides an outlook on future research. It reflects the work and draws conclusions.

While the abstract is self-contained and compact, introduction and conclusion provide more detailed information and are integral parts of the work.

Abstract example for a bachelor thesis in economics

Bachelor thesis in economics

"This bachelor thesis analyzes the impact of e-commerce on the purchasing behavior of consumers in Germany. The aim of the thesis is to find out how online shopping influences traditional shopping habits and which factors play a crucial role. To answer the research question, a quantitative survey was conducted with 500 participants, supplemented by expert interviews with industry insiders. The results show that convenience, price comparison options, and a greater product variety are the main reasons for the increase in online trade. At the same time, concerns regarding data protection and security were identified as obstacles. The work concludes with the recommendation that stationary retailers expand their online presence and pursue omnichannel strategies to remain competitive."

This example shows how an abstract summarizes the most important aspects of a bachelor thesis in a compact manner. It includes the problem statement, the methodology, the results and the conclusions.

Common mistakes when writing the abstract

To write a convincing abstract, you should avoid the following common mistakes:

Too much detail:The abstract should not contain detailed analyses or background information.
Unclear focus:Focus on the main points of your work and avoid trivialities.
Use of abbreviations and jargon: These can make understanding difficult, especially for readers outside of your field.
Grammar and spelling errors:An error-free abstract looks professional and leaves a good impression.
Non-compliance with specifications:Note the specific guidelines of your university regarding length, formatting, and placement of the abstract.

Further Information

For more tips on writing your bachelor thesis, visit our page on Writing a Bachelor Thesis.