What is an Abstract?
An abstract is a summary of your final project report or thesis.
The English abstract doesn’t need to be a direct translation of the Finnish one. The main thing is that the abstract
- informative but concise
- clear and logical
- easy to read.
What is an 'Opinnäytetyö' in English?
AMK - Bachelor's degree
- final project (report)
your study includes an artistic or a development project and a written report reflecting on the process and the results - a Bachelor's thesis
a dissertation reporting on and discussing the results of original research and substantiating a specific view.
YAMK - Master's degree
- a research and development project (report)
your study includes an artistic or a development project and a written report reflecting on the process and the results - a Master's thesis
a dissertation reporting on and discussing the results of original research and substantiating a specific view.
Length
The abstract should be very concise – the maximum length being 50% of one page (outside of the header formatting and keywords line). This means you will need to economize your use of words and tie ideas together. Use the most precise and relevant words to best express the content of the abstract. Abstracts that are too long will have to be re-written. The length is 300 words.
Language Format and Style
Use simple, neutral style: make sentences short - one sentence should be made up of only two or three clauses. Use the same word if you mean the same concept (for example, if you have decided to use the word method of your plan, do not refer to the same by procedure or technique in your abstract).
While first person (“I”, “we”) may be used in the body of the Thesis, you must use third person or passive in the abstract. So, no personal pronouns: I, you, we, also my, your, our. If there is a need to refer to the writer, use the word Author.
Use the simple past tense (imperfekti) to refer to what you did, eg was measured, the tests were found inadequate. There is seldom need for the past perfect tense (have been) constructions.
Use the present tense (preesens) to refer to your written report, e.g. Earlier studies are reported in detail. The drawings show the prefabrication. Also, you may use the present tense when referring to the results. Use present or the future tense when referring to the conclusions. Consider the use of tenses carefully.
Do not include abbreviations or acronyms in your abstract if you can help it, but if you must, don’t use them without explaining them first. For example, the first time you use the abbreviation you must write out the full form and put the abbreviation in brackets. e.g. “Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)” From then on you may use “MRI” for the duration of the abstract.
Do not use headings for your abstract paragraphs. (e.g. Objectives, Methods, Results and Conclusions)
Do not use underlining italics and boldface.
Keep your abstract clear and simple – you are trying to show the key points of your Thesis to attract interest.
Always check your grammar, spelling, and formatting. Use either British English spelling conventions or American English spelling conventions throughout your abstract, but not both. Do not use slang expressions. Do not show your feelings or opinions.
There are differences between degree programmes in the School of Creative Industries. Do check what kind of supervise or proof reading might be available or obligatory in your degree programme.