Writing an abstract for a master's thesis: Tips and examples

Learn how to write a concise and meaningful abstract for your master's thesis, which optimally presents the key points of your research.

What is an abstract?

An abstract is a brief summary of your master's thesis that compactly presents the most important aspects of your research. It allows readers to quickly get an overview of the topic, the methods used, the results and the conclusions of your work. Typically, an abstract for a master's thesis comprises about 200 to 300 words and is placed either before or after the table of contents in accordance with the guidelines of your university.

Since the abstract is often the first point of contact for potential readers, it should be clear, informative, and well-structured. It should be understandable as a self-contained text without requiring further information from the work.

Important components of a successful abstract

A compelling abstract for your master's thesis should include the following elements:

Problem statement and objectives:Briefly explain the central theme of your work and the specific objectives you are pursuing. What research questions or hypotheses are at the center?
Methodology:Describe the methods and approaches you used to answer your research questions. Did you use qualitative or quantitative methods? Were there any special procedures?
Results:Summarize the most important findings of your research. What key results were you able to achieve?
Conclusions:What is the significance of your results for the field? What implications or recommendations arise from them?

By considering these elements, you ensure that your abstract provides a comprehensive overview of your master's thesis.

Tips for writing an effective abstract

Note the following tips to create an impactful abstract for your master's thesis:

Write the abstract last:After you have completely finished your master's thesis, you can best summarize the essential points.
Pay attention to the word limit:Adhere to the specifications of your university, usually between 200 and 300 words.
Clarity and comprehensibility:Use a clear and simple language. Avoid unnecessary jargon and complicated sentences.
Objectivity:Present the information factually and avoid personal opinions or evaluations.
No quotations or references:The abstract should do without direct quotations or literature references.
Correct Tenses:Use the present tense for general statements and the past tense or perfect tense for completed actions and results.
Careful Revision:Read your abstract several times and have it checked by other people if necessary to avoid errors and increase comprehensibility.

Differences between Abstract, Introduction, and Conclusion

Although the abstract, introduction, and conclusion may have similar content, they differ in function and level of detail:

Abstract:A brief summary of the entire work, which provides the reader with an overview without going into detail.
Introduction: Introduction to the topic, presentation of the problem and research questions, and an overview of the structure of the work.
Conclusion: Summary of the most important results, answering the research questions, and outlook on future research.

While the abstract is independent and compact, the introduction and conclusion are more detailed and part of the main text of your master's thesis.

Example of an abstract for a master's thesis in journalism

Master's thesis in journalism

"This master's thesis examines the influence of fake news on the public's trust in traditional media in Germany. The aim of the study is to analyze how the spread of false information via social networks affects trust in established news sources. For this purpose, a mixed-methods research was conducted, consisting of a quantitative online survey with 400 participants and qualitative interviews with 20 media consumers. The results show that frequent confrontation with fake news leads to increased skepticism towards traditional media, especially among younger age groups. In addition, a high level of media literacy has a positive effect on trust. The work recommends promoting media literacy through educational initiatives and suggests that traditional media should strengthen their transparency and credibility in order to regain public trust."

This example shows how an abstract summarizes the central elements of a master's thesis and provides the reader with a clear overview of content and results.

Common Mistakes When Writing Abstracts

To ensure the quality of your abstract, you should avoid the following common mistakes:

Too much detail:The abstract should not contain detailed analyses or background information.
Unclear statements:Avoid vague formulations and be precise in your language.
Missing results:An abstract without a clear presentation of the results does not fulfill its purpose.
Overlength:Do not exceed the specified word count to maintain the reader's attention.
Grammar and spelling errors:Such errors can leave an unprofessional impression and should be avoided.

Further information and resources

For further assistance in writing your master's thesis, visit our page on Writing a Master's Thesis.