Abstract vs Introduction – Dissertation FAQs

Last Updated on: 3rd June 2022, 11:22 am

What’s the difference between an abstract and an introduction? You asked, we’ll answer. In this article, we answer all of your questions about dissertation abstracts. 

What Is the Difference Between an Abstract and an Introduction?

An abstract and an introduction both come towards the beginning of your dissertation, but they serve very different purposes. The introduction presents the reader with what you’re going to be discussing in your dissertation. It’s very brief and doesn’t address what happened in your study or how you did it. The introduction is a quick overview and shows what you intend to do in the study. The introduction sets up the reader for what will follow.

The abstract, on the other hand, is a very short version of the entire document. It is a very concise, one-page description of what you set out to do and what you found in your study. It doesn’t give lots of details about methodology or the results. The abstract is a very quick way for a reader to say “Oh, this is what this is about, and this is what they found.”

When looking for articles or dissertations to read, people who want to use their time wisely will look at the abstract first and find the results, methodology, and what the researcher set out to do. Then, they can decide whether it will be applicable to their intended purpose.

Similarities Between an Abstract and Introduction

While they have different purposes, there are some similarities between an abstract and an introduction. The beginning of most abstracts will say what the researcher set out to do in the study. The sole purpose of the introduction is to say, “Here’s what we set out to do in this study.” However, that is where the similarities end. An abstract goes on to discuss the results of the study.

Abstract vs Rationale

A rationale is where you provide support for what you want to do in the study. It is not normally part of the abstract. The rationale shows the reader and dissertation committee that there is support for doing the study.

The Difference Between an Abstract and Background

In a dissertation, you will usually have a section in Chapter One that is the background of the study. The background is where you show the reader an abbreviated literature review, what’s out there, what’s been done, and why your study needs to be done. These topics are more fully expanded in your literature review, which is typically Chapter Two.

The abstract contains very little about the background. Every once in a while, you may see a citation for one study, but it’s nowhere near as in-depth as the background or literature review. Some dissertation rubrics even ask you not to include citations in the abstract.

What Comes First, an Abstract or an Introduction?

In the body of the paper, the introduction comes first; however, the abstract comes before the body of the paper. The abstract comes first so that it’s convenient for readers to quickly determine whether they want to read the document.

In the writing process, an abstract is usually written last, after you have completed the rest of the dissertation. It’s a succinct version of what you’ve done, what you set out to do, how you did it, and what you found. You can’t complete the abstract until you’ve finished your research. You might be able to write little bits of it early, but it’s typically completed after the entire dissertation has been written.

Do the Abstract and Introduction Go on the Same Page?

The abstract and introduction are rarely, if ever, found on the same page. The locations of an abstract and introduction depend on your institution’s guidelines. Usually, the abstract goes on its own page at the beginning of the document. Later, you will begin Chapter One with the introduction. 

Abstract vs Conclusion

Your conclusion addresses what your study’s results mean, how your study relates to the previous literature, and what future research should be done. Lastly, there is a concluding section to wrap everything up. The abstract also has some of that information. But while the conclusion wraps up the entire study, the abstract simply says, “Here’s what we found.”

Final Thoughts

Many people think of an abstract as an afterthought: “I’ve finished my document. Oh wait, I’ve got to do the abstract.” But your abstract is one of the most important parts of your dissertation. It functions as a marketing piece, because that’s what people see first. Take some time to craft your abstract so that it tells potential readers what’s in your document and entices them to read your work.