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Research Findings – Types Examples and Writing Guide

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Research findings are the core results of a study, providing answers to research questions and supporting or refuting hypotheses. They present essential information about what was observed, measured, or discovered during the research process. Effectively writing research findings allows researchers to convey their results in a clear, organized, and credible manner. This guide explores the types of research findings, provides examples, and offers a writing guide to help you present your findings effectively.

Research Findings

Research findings are the conclusions drawn from data analysis, presenting the outcomes of the study based on collected evidence. They offer insights, patterns, and knowledge about the research topic, helping to bridge theory and real-world application.

Types of Research Findings

• Description : Descriptive findings summarize the data without making interpretations or drawing conclusions. They present statistics or visual data representations like means, medians, percentages, or frequencies.
• Example : “75% of survey respondents indicated a preference for digital banking over traditional banking methods.”
• Description : Comparative findings analyze differences or similarities between groups, categories, or conditions. They help researchers understand how variables relate to each other.
• Example : “Group A, which received the new curriculum, scored 15% higher on the final exam compared to Group B.”
• Description : These findings show relationships between variables without implying causation. They use statistical measures to determine if variables are related, positively or negatively.
• Example : “There is a positive correlation (r = 0.62) between hours studied and test scores among high school students.”
• Description : Causal findings identify cause-and-effect relationships, often determined through controlled experiments. They provide evidence that one variable influences or causes a change in another.
• Example : “The new drug significantly reduced symptoms in 80% of patients, suggesting it is an effective treatment for the condition.”
• Description : Inferential findings use statistical analysis to make inferences or predictions about a population based on sample data. They often involve hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, and p-values.
• Example : “With a 95% confidence interval, the data suggests that the new intervention reduces recovery time by an average of 10 days.”
• Description : Exploratory findings emerge from studies with no prior hypothesis, often revealing patterns or insights that may lead to further research questions. They are common in qualitative research.
• Example : “Participants frequently mentioned ‘community support’ as a key factor in overcoming challenges, suggesting a potential area for future study.”

Examples of Research Findings

• Study : Impact of Online Learning on Student Performance.
• Finding : “Students who participated in online learning had a 12% higher completion rate compared to those in traditional classes.”
• Study : Patient Experiences with Telehealth Services.
• Finding : “Most participants felt that telehealth offered greater convenience and flexibility, although 30% reported concerns about the lack of face-to-face interaction.”
• Study : Relationship between Social Media Usage and Anxiety.
• Finding : “A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.45) was observed between daily social media use and self-reported anxiety levels.”
• Study : Consumer Preferences for Product Packaging.
• Finding : “60% of respondents preferred eco-friendly packaging over plastic, while only 15% expressed no preference.”
• Study : Effectiveness of Two Job Training Programs.
• Finding : “Program A led to a 20% higher employment rate among participants than Program B, indicating a significant difference in outcomes.”

Writing Guide for Research Findings

Writing research findings requires clarity, accuracy, and organization. Here’s a step-by-step guide for structuring and presenting your findings effectively:

Step 1: Begin with a Clear Overview

• Example : “The study found a positive correlation between daily physical activity and mental health among participants.”

Step 2: Organize Findings by Research Question or Hypothesis

• Example : For a study on student engagement, organize findings by engagement metrics, academic performance, and satisfaction levels.

Step 3: Use Visual Aids to Enhance Understanding

• Example : A bar chart comparing average test scores between experimental and control groups.

Step 4: Report Data in a Clear and Concise Manner

• Example : “The experimental group’s average score was 85, compared to 70 in the control group, indicating a significant improvement.”

Step 5: Include Relevant Statistical Details

• Example : “The difference between groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05).”

Step 6: Compare Findings to Existing Literature

• Example : “These results align with previous research by Smith et al. (2020), which found a similar correlation between exercise and mental health.”

Step 7: Interpret Key Findings

• Example : “The significant improvement in the experimental group suggests that the new curriculum enhances student performance.”

Step 8: Acknowledge Limitations and Unexpected Findings

• Example : “While the study shows positive results, the small sample size limits generalizability.”

Step 9: Conclude with a Summary of Findings

• Example : “Overall, the study indicates that telehealth services improve accessibility and convenience, though further research is needed to address the concerns about personal interaction.”

Tips for Writing Research Findings

• Be Objective : Report findings without inserting personal opinions or biased interpretations.
• Keep it Concise : Avoid unnecessary detail; focus on the essential results that answer the research questions.
• Use Consistent Terminology : Use terms consistently to avoid confusing readers, especially if the study includes multiple variables or technical terms.
• Provide Enough Context : Ensure readers understand the significance of each finding by offering context where needed.
• Proofread : Ensure all figures, data points, and statistical values are accurate and match the information in your data tables or appendices.

Example of Writing Research Findings

Findings Overview

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of online learning on student engagement and performance. Data was collected from 300 undergraduate students over a semester.

Engagement Metrics

• Students in online learning sessions participated actively, with 80% reporting higher engagement levels compared to traditional classroom settings.
• A notable increase in discussion board activity was observed, averaging 10 posts per student per week.

Academic Performance

• The average final exam score for the online learning group was 82%, compared to 74% in the control group.
• Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in performance (t = 2.34, p < 0.05), suggesting online learning positively influenced academic outcomes.

Student Satisfaction

• 78% of online learners expressed satisfaction with the flexibility of online sessions, though 25% mentioned concerns about reduced instructor interaction.
• A survey of participants indicated that flexibility was the most valued aspect of online learning (rated 4.5 out of 5).

Limitations

While the results suggest benefits of online learning, the limited sample size and short study duration may restrict generalizability. Further research is recommended to confirm these findings across different institutions.

Writing research findings requires a balance of clarity, accuracy, and conciseness. By organizing data around research questions, using visual aids, and offering thoughtful interpretation, researchers can present findings that communicate valuable insights to readers. This structured approach to writing findings not only enhances readability but also strengthens the credibility and impact of the research.

• Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches .
• Patten, M. L., & Newhart, M. (2017). Understanding Research Methods: An Overview of the Essentials . Routledge.
• Punch, K. F. (2014). Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches . Sage Publications.
• Walliman, N. (2017). Research Methods: The Basics . Routledge.
• Maxwell, J. A. (2013). Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach . Sage Publications.
• Yin, R. K. (2017). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods . Sage Publications.
• Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook . Sage Publications.
• Fraenkel, J. R., Wallen, N. E., & Hyun, H. H. (2018). How to Design and Evaluate Research in Education . McGraw-Hill Education.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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How to Summarize a Paper: Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve ever written (or read!) a research paper, you know they are long . And you also know it’s not always realistic to read every research paper that pertains to your work or field of study. This is why many people turn to research paper summaries.

As a student, you might be wondering how to summarize a paper effectively. As with any other kind of summary, the key to summarizing a research paper is keeping it concise, objective, and focused on the original paper’s main points rather than its details.

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What is a research paper summary?

A research paper summary is a short overview of a research paper. Generally, a research paper summary is about 300–400 words long, though with longer papers, they’re usually no more than 10 percent the length of the original paper.

Research paper summaries play an important role in academia. Because research papers can be quite long and dense, often ranging between fifteen and twenty-five pages, it just isn’t always efficient for everybody to read the whole thing. This is where summaries come in—when readers and collaborators need to know a paper’s key points but not necessarily all its details, a summary brings them up to speed.

You’ll find research paper summaries in a variety of documents, such as literature reviews and academic journals. A paper’s abstract is a specific type of summary that’s often part of a research paper. It’s not uncommon for individuals to read a paper’s summary for their own understanding or to prepare for academic discussions about the paper’s subject.

When you write a research paper summary, be sure to summarize , not paraphrase . Paraphrasing, or presenting a shortened version of the text verbatim, is often confused with summarizing. Other common mistakes include oversimplifying the paper’s subject, failing to properly credit the paper’s author, and including personal opinions, all of which we’ll discuss further in a moment.

Understanding research paper summarization

Whether it’s for a news article, book, case study, research paper, or any other type of writing , a summary is a concise overview that highlights the original’s main points . The difference between a research paper summary and other types of summary is its source material.

Summarizing a paper effectively is an important skill to develop as a student. If you pursue an advanced degree, a career in academia, or a scientific career, you will likely continue to use this skill regularly because academic and scientific papers can be long, dense, and complex.

When you’re doing research or searching for academic sources to cite, summaries make it easy to quickly discern which papers are relevant to your work and which aren’t. When you summarize academic papers , you’re helping other researchers navigate these papers for themselves. You also make it easier to discuss papers with collaborators, especially through written communication like email.

Preparing to summarize a research paper

Before you start writing a research paper summary, it’s important that you read the paper in its entirety and understand its purpose, methodology, results, and conclusions. If you’re summarizing your own research paper, this is easy—you’re the one who did the research!

However, if you’re summarizing somebody else’s work, this step can take some time. This is especially true when the paper is from a different research field than yours. Before diving into the paper, read its abstract, introduction, and conclusion. These sections include the paper’s thesis statement and overviews of the work, which present key information like:

• The researcher’s hypothesis
• How the research was conducted
• When it was conducted
• The results of the research
• Findings from the research

Take notes on these subjects to guide your understanding as you read the paper itself. Don’t skip this latter part—although your summary is essentially a highlight reel of the paper, fully comprehending all of its components positions you to write a stronger summary.

Identify the research paper’s structure

As you read the research paper, you’ll find context for the main points in its structure. Typically, a research paper begins with an introduction, followed by an explanation of the research methodology used, the results, and a conclusion section. You’ll find the paper’s thesis statement in its introduction, which should act as the foundation for your summary. In other words, the other points you include, such as important details about the research and an explanation of its findings, should tie back to the thesis statement in an obvious way.

Understanding the author’s research question, the hypothesis they tested, and the theoretical framework they worked in can help you determine the key points to include in your summary. In fact, they could even be the key points in your summary.

Steps to summarize a research paper effectively

With a research paper summary, it’s important to include the paper’s highlights. These generally include:

• Data collected
• Research question
• Purpose of the research

Although it may be tempting to include your interpretations or opinions about the implications of the data, don’t. Like any other piece of academic writing, a research paper summary needs to be objective.

With your notes from the paper, it can be helpful to write an outline before you write your summary. In an outline, you can organize the paper’s key points and determine where to include each piece of supporting evidence. You can also see the summary’s flow through the outline structure, which can make it easier to write it.

Be sure to include citations where necessary, including citations for any generative AI assistance you used. Proper citations in your work are important for maintaining academic integrity and can help you avoid plagiarism . Cite any time you include specific data, a direct quote from the original, or a direct quote from generative AI. Navigate responsible AI use with Grammarly’s  AI checker , trained to identify AI-generated text.

Lastly, make sure the writing is in your own words. In this regard, summarizing research papers can be uniquely challenging because they often deal with complex, jargon-heavy subjects that you might not be well-versed in enough to discuss without borrowing from the experts. To handle this, try explaining the subject in the most basic terms possible. Pretend you’re explaining it to somebody who has no experience with the subject and write down a few different versions of your explanation. Opt for plain language, not jargon; when jargon cannot be avoided, find a way to define it through context or a brief explanation. This will likely result in a somewhat clunky first draft, but don’t worry—you’ll polish it up through the revision process .

Tips for effective research paper summaries

When you’re summarizing a research paper, it’s important that you maintain the same objective, academic tone the author used in their work. Though you shouldn’t aim to mirror their voice, your summary should be free of personal bias and use the type of vocabulary found in academic works.

Your summary also shouldn’t be long. Keep it below four hundred words, or if you’re summarizing a fairly long research paper, about 10 percent of the original’s word count.

Avoid plagiarism by citing relevant sources when necessary. For example, you might need to cite the author of the original paper by name in your summary or the name of an author whose work the original cites. Similarly, do not simply repurpose the original author’s words as your own—this is plagiarism.

Example of a research paper summary

See a summary of a research paper example below. Keep in mind that, while this is one example of a research paper summary, ultimately the format of the summary should be tailored to suit the specific context and purpose of the research paper while effectively communicating the study’s main points and contributions.

This research paper conducts a comparative analysis of the basketball careers and legacies of Michael Jordan and LeBron James, two of the most prominent figures in the history of the NBA. Through an examination of their respective achievements, accolades, and contributions both on and off the court, this paper aims to provide insights into the ongoing debate surrounding their status as the greatest basketball player of all time. The paper begins by outlining Jordan’s unparalleled success during his career, including his six NBA Championships, Olympic gold medals, and numerous NBA All-Star Game appearances. Additionally, Jordan’s lasting impact on the sport of basketball is highlighted through his records and achievements. Furthermore, the paper examines James’s achievements outside of basketball, such as his roles in film and his historic financial milestone. Finally, the paper concludes with a discussion on the enduring question of who is the better player, offering arguments in favor of Jordan based on his unparalleled impact on the game and cultural significance.

Tools and resources for summarizing research papers

Using Grammarly’s free summarizing tool can make summarizing research papers easy. You can also use Grammarly’s free citation generator and plagiarism checker to ensure you don’t inadvertently plagiarize the paper or any others you cite in your work.

Research paper summarization FAQs

What is summarization.

Summarization is the process through which a writer condenses a research paper (or other text) into a short overview of the original.

How do I ensure my paper summarization is unbiased and objective?

To ensure your paper summary is unbiased and objective, write it using neutral, professional language. Do not include any of your own interpretations or opinions of the original or its topic; just note its thesis statement and any other relevant points.

How do I avoid plagiarism when summarizing?

Avoid plagiarism when summarizing a research paper by writing your own words rather than restating the original words and citing the original’s title and/or author any time you reference specific data or points from it. Use Grammarly’s plagiarism checker to easily detect plagiarism in your text.

How can I use AI to summarize papers?

Grammarly’s free AI summarization tool can make it easier to summarize papers. Paste the text you’d like to summarize into the field, then instantly generate an accurate summary.

Scientific Journal Article Summary Example: Best Practices

We can all agree - condensing complex scientific research into an accurate, engaging summary is tricky.

But with the right approach, you can craft summaries that effectively convey key details and implications to various audiences.

In this post, you'll uncover best practices for summarizing scientific journal articles. You'll learn how to identify core findings, summarize methodologies precisely, convey results properly, and synthesize everything into a cohesive narrative. An example APA-formatted summary is also provided to see these tips in action.

Introduction to Scientific Journal Article Summaries

Summarizing scientific journal articles is an important skill for researchers and students. It allows you to concisely communicate the key objectives, methods, findings, and conclusions of a study to various audiences.

The Art of Condensing Complex Research

When summarizing scientific research, it is essential to identify and highlight the core elements that capture the essence of the study. This involves analyzing complex details and data to extract the most critical information. Key steps include:

Clearly articulating the central research question or objective

Condensing the methods into a simple overview

Highlighting key results and statistics

Summarizing the conclusions and implications

Skills like active reading, critical thinking, and concise writing help distill multidimensional research into accessible summaries.

Target Audience: Tailoring Summaries for Different Readers

Scientific article summaries should be adapted based on the intended reader. For example:

Emphasize key learning points

Define discipline-specific terminology

Focus on practical applications

Academic Peers

Use precise disciplinary language

Include technical details on methodology

Highlight novel contributions to the field

Scientific Journal Article Summary Example for Students

Here is an example summary of a microbiology study tailored specifically for a student reader:

A 2022 study on antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) found that a synthetic AMP named “peptoid-1” effectively killed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in lab tests. The peptoid-1 molecule disrupted the bacterial cell membranes of MRSA, including difficult-to-treat biofilms. The research demonstrates the potential of synthetic AMPs as a promising new class of antibiotics to combat drug-resistant superbugs like MRSA. This has important implications for developing urgently needed antibiotics to address the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance.

This summary briefly explains the key learning points of the study in straightforward language appropriate for students. Technical details are avoided, and emphasis is placed on articulating the essential findings, applications, and implications.

How do you write a summary for a scientific journal article?

A well-written summary of a scientific journal article should cover three main points:

Why the research was done

The first section of your summary should provide background information and context about why the research was conducted. This includes:

The research goals, questions, or hypotheses being investigated

Gaps in existing knowledge the study aims to address

The overall importance of the research topic

For example:

This study investigates the effects of climate change on crop yields in sub-Saharan Africa. Prior research has not examined how higher temperatures may impact staple crops in this region specifically. Understanding climate change effects on agriculture is critical for food security policymaking across developing nations.

What happened in the experiment

The second section should explain the methodology and highlight key findings from the study's experiments, data analysis, or other research activities. Use concise language to describe:

The study sample, materials, and procedures

Statistical analysis techniques

Major results that relate to the research questions

For instance:

Researchers compiled 30 years of temperature data and crop production records from six countries. Using regression analysis, they found higher temperatures significantly reduced wheat and maize yields by an average of 15% and 12%, respectively.

What conclusions the author drew

Finally, summarize the researchers' conclusions, implications, and recommendations based on their results. Mention any limitations noted and future research suggested.

The authors conclude rising temperatures from climate change could seriously impact food security in sub-Saharan Africa. They call for policies to help farmers adapt through heat-tolerant crop varieties and improved irrigation access. Additional research is needed to develop effective adaptation strategies.

Following this basic structure will help you efficiently summarize the essential information in a scientific journal article.

What is journal article summary?

A journal article summary concisely overviews the main points and key takeaways from a scientific paper published in an academic journal. It allows readers to quickly understand the core findings and arguments of the original article without having to read the full text.

An effective summary should:

Identify the main objective or research question the authors aimed to address

Highlight the key methods, data sources, and analytical approaches used

Summarize the major results and main conclusions

Note any limitations or unanswered questions for future research

For example, a summary of a psychology paper might overview the hypothesis tested, experiment methodology, participant demographics, statistical analyses conducted, and whether the findings supported or rejected the original hypothesis.

Summaries are a useful way for scientists to stay current with latest developments across broad fields of research. They also help readers determine if they should invest time reading the full article based on whether the topic and findings are relevant to their own work. As such, summaries should provide enough detail and context to evaluate the scope and implications of the research.

Formatting a Journal Article Summary

When writing a journal article summary, the exact formatting can vary depending on the target publication or audience needs. However, some key elements tend to be consistent:

Citation: Include a full citation of the original paper using the required scholarly style

Background: 1-2 sentences placing the research in context of current knowledge state

Objective: 1 sentence stating the purpose/focus of the study

Methods: 1-2 sentences summarizing the experiment, data, analyses performed

Results: 2-3 sentences describing the major findings

Conclusion: 1-2 sentences covering implications and future directions

The full summary is typically 150-250 words or 8-15 sentences. Brevity and precision are key when condensing a complex study into such a compact overview.

What is the general format for summary of a journal article?

Summarizing a scientific journal article requires capturing the key details while maintaining brevity. Here are some best practices:

Follow the structure of the original paper

Like an abstract, organize your summary by:

Introduction - Cover the background, purpose, and hypothesis.

Methods - Briefly describe the experimental design.

Results - Highlight the main findings without going into excessive detail.

Discussion - Summarize the author's interpretation and conclusions.

Focus on key information

Identify and extract only the most critical details:

Research goals

Sample characteristics

Variables examined

Statistical analyses performed

Major results obtained

Conclusions reached

Maintain objectivity

Present the findings in a neutral tone without inserting your own opinions or judgments.

Use paraphrasing

Summarize points in your own words instead of relying heavily on direct quotes. However, scientifically precise terminology should be retained.

Follow formatting guidelines

Adhere to style formatting per journal or publisher requirements. Most scientific summaries require American Psychological Association (APA) citations.

Keeping summaries clear, accurate, and concise requires practice. But following these research article summary guidelines will help ensure quality. With wisio.app 's tools for discovering papers and translating terminology, scientists can efficiently produce summaries to advance their work.

How do you summarize a journal article in APA?

When summarizing a journal article in APA style, it is important to follow some key guidelines:

Use Your Own Words

Read through the full article and highlight the key points

Write the summary using your own words while staying true to the original meaning

Avoid directly quoting chunks of text from the original

Focus on Relevant Elements

Identify the critical elements like purpose, methods, findings, conclusions

Summarize only details directly relevant to the core focus of the article

Keep contextual details brief or exclude if non-essential

Maintain Clear Distinction

Clearly indicate in the summary which ideas are yours versus the author's

Do not interject your own analysis, evaluation, or interpretation

Keep the summary objective and descriptive in nature

Follow APA Formatting

Include a citation to the original article

Apply proper in-text citations for any verbatim short quotes

Format the summary using standard APA guidelines for font, spacing, etc.

Keep it Brief

Strive to keep the summary less than 10-15% of the original length

Tighten long summaries by removing non-vital details

Aim for brevity while preserving meaning and scientific accuracy

Following these basic tips will help produce an APA-style summary that accurately conveys the essence of the journal article in a clear and concise manner.

Understanding the Structure of Scientific Articles

Delve into the typical structure of scientific journal articles to understand the framework from which summaries are derived.

Dissecting the IMRaD Format

The IMRaD (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) format is a standard structure used in scientific writing. Understanding this structure is key when summarizing journal articles.

The Introduction presents background context, defines key terms, and states the research objective and hypothesis. When summarizing, capture the main research goals and questions driving the study.

The Methods section provides details on the experimental design, materials, data collection procedures, and statistical analysis. Identify the overall methodology without delving into granular specifics.

The Results present objective findings from the data analysis. Highlight key quantitative outcomes and discoveries in your summary.

The Discussion section interprets the results, explores their significance, compares them to other studies, acknowledges limitations, and suggests future work. Summarize the main conclusions, implications, and next steps discussed.

Decoding Abstracts and Conclusions

Article abstracts concisely overview the purpose, methods, findings, and implications covered in the full text. Leverage abstracts when first assessing articles for relevance.

Conclusions summarize the key points and provide final thoughts. Use them to validate your understanding of the central themes.

Both provide a helpful frame of reference when synthesizing summaries.

Critical Reading for Effective Summarization

Carefully analyze each section and subsection

Annotate and highlight meaningful passages

Identify connections between key ideas

Focus on what findings reveal about the research problem

Capture enough detail to convey original intent

Synthesize using clear, concise language

Thoughtful critical reading builds comprehension essential for quality summarization.

How to Summarize a Research Article

Summarizing a research article requires identifying the core findings and contributions, accurately capturing the methodologies, conveying the key results and implications, and crafting a cohesive narrative. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Identifying Core Findings and Contributions

When summarizing a research article, it is essential to pinpoint the most significant findings and contributions of the study. Key steps include:

Read the abstract and conclusion to understand the major findings.

Highlight unique discoveries, breakthroughs, or advances made.

Note the implications and importance communicated by the authors.

Identify knowledge gaps filled or new frameworks proposed.

Focusing on these elements will help determine the core essence to convey in your summary.

Summarizing Methodologies with Precision

While summarizing the methodologies, avoid oversimplifying complex research processes. Key tips include:

Use concise yet precise language to describe methods applied.

Specify instruments or tools leveraged in the research.

Provide sample sizes and measures captured if relevant.

Note statistical or analytical techniques utilized.

Maintaining key methodological details demonstrates analytical rigor when sharing the research with others.

Conveying Results and Their Implications

An effective summary should clearly communicate the study's results and why they matter. To accomplish this:

Report quantitative findings or qualitative discoveries made.

Contextualize results using benchmarks, comparisons, or real-world impacts.

Connect results back to the research aims and knowledge gaps identified.

Discuss limitations along with future research needed.

This enables readers to grasp the meaningfulness of the results.

Crafting a Cohesive Narrative

Finally, structure the various summary elements into a cohesive overview:

Organize content using section headers around aims, methods, results, and conclusions.

Use transition words (e.g. “additionally,” “in contrast,” “as a result”) to improve flow.

Focus on information that supports the core findings and contributions of the work.

Avoid excessive details and maintain brevity.

Following these steps will produce a concise yet insightful summary showcasing the relevance of the research.

Scientific Journal Article Summary Example APA Format

Adhering to proper formatting guidelines is critical when summarizing scientific journal articles, especially for academic purposes. The American Psychological Association (APA) style provides clear standards that enable precise, uniform communication across scientific disciplines.

Adhering to APA Style in Summaries

Following APA style lends credibility and ensures readers can easily reference sources. Key elements include:

Properly formatting in-text citations and references

Using headings and subheadings to organize content

Applying title case capitalization

Using active voice and clear language

Formatting title page with running head, page numbers, and other elements

Adhering to these conventions helps establish summaries as reputable academic works worthy of consideration.

Example of an APA-Formatted Summary

Here is an example of a properly formatted APA summary:

Smith, J. (2021). The impact of climate change on coral reef ecosystems. Marine Biology , 166 (3), 201–215. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-021-03876-8

This study examined the effects of rising ocean temperatures and acidification on coral reef health over 5 years. The author tracked changes in coral cover and biodiversity across 12 reef sites in the Caribbean Sea. On average, coral cover declined by 18.7% and species richness decreased by 22.4% on reefs exposed to prolonged marine heatwaves. The declines were attributed to mass coral bleaching triggered by unusually warm water temperatures. The findings suggest climate change may severely degrade coral reef ecosystems within decades. Further research into mitigation strategies is warranted to preserve these valuable marine habitats.

Key elements like the citation, use of third-person perspective, headings, and formal academic language adhere to APA conventions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in APA Summaries

When writing APA-style summaries, writers should avoid:

Neglecting to include a full citation for the original work

Using first-person pronouns like “I” or “we”

Inserting opinions or commentary from the summarizer

Failing to use headings to organize content

Including direct quotes from the original text

Avoiding these pitfalls will ensure an APA-compliant summary format.

Practical Tips for Writing Scientific Summaries

Language and terminology: clarity above all.

When summarizing scientific research, it is crucial to use clear, precise language and terminology. Avoid vague or ambiguous phrasing, and opt for specificity whenever possible. Define key terms, acronyms, or concepts that may be unfamiliar to readers. Simplify complex statistical analysis or scientific jargon for general audiences without losing integrity. Stick to plain language with straightforward syntax to ensure readers grasp the key findings.

Brevity vs. Completeness: Striking the Right Balance

Balancing brevity and completeness presents a challenge when summarizing scientific papers. Focus on highlighting the central objective, methodology, results, and conclusions. Resist dwelling on intricate experimental details or tangential discussions. However, take care not to oversimplify complex research. Seek to distill the essence without omitting information that substantively impacts the interpretation or reproducibility of the study. Adhere to word limits when required but avoid excluding key facts, figures, or takeaways in the quest for brevity.

Ethical Considerations in Summarizing Research

When writing scientific summaries, it is vital to represent the original piece fairly and avoid misconstruing the author's intent. Exercise caution when paraphrasing specialized statistical analysis or scientific terminology. Cite sources properly, and refrain from plagiarizing significant portions of the original text. Also, recognize the limitations of summarization; for complete details, readers should consult the primary literature. By maintaining high ethical standards, scientific summarizers uphold the integrity of research communication.

Conclusion: Synthesizing the Essentials

Summarizing scientific journal articles effectively requires adhering to several key best practices. By focusing on the article's key findings, methodology, and conclusions, skilled summarizers can efficiently communicate the essential information to readers.

Recapitulating Best Practices for Summary Writing

When summarizing a scientific article, it's important to:

Highlight the important methods, data, and analyses used in the study

Note the study's core findings and conclusions

Maintain the authors' original meaning and intent

Follow applicable formatting guidelines (e.g. APA style)

Adhering to these principles helps preserve the accuracy and integrity of the research while making the information more readily digestible.

Summary of a Research Article Example

Here is an example summary incorporating the best practices covered in this article:

Smith et al. (2021) set out to understand the effects of climate change on crop yields. The authors analyzed 30 years of temperature, rainfall, and corn production data across major farming regions of the U.S. Midwest. They found that increased temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns have already caused measurable declines in corn yields over the past decade. Based on predictive climate models, the authors expect these negative impacts on crop productivity to accelerate in the coming years if mitigation measures are not adopted. This clearly structured summary concisely conveys the objective, methods, key results, and conclusions of the article while maintaining authorial intent and voice. The formatting adheres to APA guidelines.

In this way, skillful summarization enables efficient scientific communication while upholding standards of accuracy and integrity.

Antonio Carlos Filho @acfilho_dev

How to write a research summary

AI for Research

A research summary is a required task during academic research, and sometimes, you might need to prepare one during an organization’s research project.

Most people find a research summary challenging. You must condense complex research material into an informative, easy-to-understand article, usually with a minimum of 300-500 words.

This blog article will guide you through all the steps required to make writing your research summary easier. 

What is a Research Summary?

A  research summary  is a concise overview of a research paper or project. It is designed to provide the reader with essential research insights without reading the entire document. Research summaries are commonly required in academic settings and are fundamental in disseminating knowledge concisely.

The key components of a Research Summary

Objective writing.

It is crucial to maintain objectivity when writing a research summary. The summary should reflect the author’s ideas and findings without including personal opinions. This requires the summarizer to convey the main points and intent of the original research accurately while remaining neutral.

Focus and Clarity

Determining the focus of the summary is a critical first step. It involves deciding whether to create a “global” summary, which covers all main ideas, or a “selective” summary, which focuses on specific aspects of the research. The summary should be clear, engaging, and concise, capturing the essence of the study in a brief format.

Essential Elements

A good summary should include the research’s foundation, the theoretical framework, and a clear outline of the empirical findings. It should also identify any research gaps addressed by the study. The content should be well-organized, starting with a brief introduction to the topic and then discussing the research methods, results, and conclusions.

Tips for writing a compelling Research Summary

Below is a checklist of helpful research paper tips worth considering when writing research summaries:

Considering the target audience 

The golden rule of writing is always to consider your target audience; a research summary is no exception. Why? Different people have different needs, and your paper should meet the needs and preferences of the target audience. Ask yourself, “Who am I writing for?” write down the answer, and you’ll find it easier to pinpoint research articles for the summary.

• Being aware of the bigger picture

Remembering a complete and coherent picture of the story delivered by the original article is crucial. It might be helpful to reread or scan the content to remind yourself of the declared goals, hypotheses, key evidence, and conclusions—this awareness offers a constant sense of direction, which ensures that no written sentence is out of context.

• Research outline

Consider writing a detailed research outline before writing a summary research draft. 

Sketch the main elements of the conclusion before writing it for several reasons:

• Validate/invalidate hypotheses.
• Enumerate key evidence supporting or invalidating them and list potential implications.
• Mention the subject’s importance.
• Mention study limitations and future directions for research.

Consider writing the introduction and discussion last. It makes sense first to list hypotheses, goals, questions, and results. The information in the introduction and discussion can be adapted as needed (for instance, to match a word count limit). Additionally, based on written paragraphs, you can quickly generate your discussion with the help of a conclusion tool.

• Visual representation 

it’s not just about writing a long text and analysis of some subject by using the information you find, both research and its summary need visuals for full effect. Sometimes, a simple diagram or graph can say much of the information you tried to convey. A common mistake students make is leaving visuals for the original file and omitting them in the summary. Feel free to include tables, figures, and other visual supplements to this paper too.

• Avoiding plagiarism

It is very tempting to “borrow” or quote entire phrases from an article, provided how well-written these are. However, you need to summarize your paper without plagiarizing; only paraphrasing is allowed, and it’s best to do it carefully. The best way to stay safe is by formulating your thoughts from scratch.

• Keeping the word count in check

The general rule of thumb is that the summary should meet the criteria of no more than 10% of the number of pages in the original document. In most cases, it takes 2 and 4 pages.

The writing style  

When summarizing content, it should be impersonal, precise, and purely evidence-based. A personal view or an attitude should be provided only in the critical section.

Ask a colleague to read your summary and test whether they can understand everything without reading the article—this will help ensure that you haven’t skipped any vital content, explanations, concepts, etc.

• Using dedicated AI Tools

Leveraging tools like Wiseone can help by generating a thorough summary with key takeaways to remember, ensuring it remains concise and focused on the main ideas.

How to write a Research Summary

Once the requirements of the fundamentals for starting a research summary are satisfied, you can begin to write using the following format:

• Why was the research done?  – A clear description of why the research was embarked on and the hypothesis being tested.
• Who was surveyed?  – The research study should have details of the source of your information. If it was via a survey, you should document who the survey participants were and why they were selected.
• What was the methodology?  – Discuss the methodology regarding what kind of survey method you adopted. Was it a face-to-face interview, a phone interview, or a focus group setting?
• What were the key findings? – This is perhaps the most vital part of the process. What discoveries did you make after the testing? This part should be based on raw facts free from any personal bias.
• Conclusion: What conclusions were drawn from the findings?
• Takeaways and action points: This is where the views and perceptions can be reflected. Here, you can now share your recommendations or action points.
• Identify the article’s focal point: To grasp the content covered in the research paper, you can skim the article first to understand the essential part of the research paper. 
• Analyze and understand the topic and article: Writing a research paper summary involves familiarizing yourself with the current state of knowledge, key definitions, concepts, and models. This information is often gleaned while reading the literature review. Please note that only a deep understanding ensures efficient and accurate content summarization.
• Make notes as you read:  Highlight and summarize each paragraph as you read. You would further condense your notes to create a draft forming your research summary.

How to Structure Your Research Summary

The title announces the exact topic/area of analysis and can even be formulated to briefly announce key finding(s) or argument(s) delivered.

An abstract is a concise and comprehensive description of the study, present virtually in any academic article (the length varies greatly, typically within 100-500 words). Unlike a scholarly article, your research summary is expected to have a much shorter abstract.

• Introduction  

The introduction is an essential part of any research summary, which provides the necessary context (the literature review) that helps introduce readers to the subject by presenting the current state of the investigation, an important concept or definition, etc. This section describes the subject’s importance (or may not, for instance, when it is self-evident). Finally, an introduction typically lists investigation questions and hypotheses advanced by authors, which are usually mentioned in detail in any research summary (obviously, doing this is only possible after identifying these elements in the original paper).

• Methodology

Regardless of location, this section details experimental or data analysis methods (e.g., experiments, surveys, sampling, or statistical analysis). Many of these details would have to be omitted in a research summary; hence, it is essential to understand what is most important to mention.

• Results section

This section lists evidence obtained from all experiments with some primary data analysis, conclusions, observations, and primary interpretations being made. It is typically the most significant section of any analysis paper, so it must be concisely rewritten, which implies understanding which content is worth omitting and keeping.

• Discussion  

The discussion is where experts discuss results in the context of current knowledge. This section contains interpretations of results, theoretical models explaining the observed results, study strengths and limitations, complementary future exploration, conclusions, etc. All these are essential elements that need to be conveyed in summary.

• Conclusion  

In the conclusion, hypotheses are revisited and validated or denied, based on how convincing the evidence is (key lines of evidence could be highlighted).

• References  

References mention those cited works directly in your summary – obviously, one has to provide appropriate citations, at least for the original article (this often suffices). Mentioning other works might be relevant when your critical opinion is also required (supported with new unrelated evidence).

Writing a practical research summary involves a blend of comprehension, objectivity, and clarity. Focusing on the main ideas, maintaining neutrality, and organizing the summary effectively can create a valuable and insightful overview that serves the audience’s needs, whether for academic purposes or general knowledge.

What is a research summary?

What are the key components of a research summaries.

Objectivity : Maintaining objectivity is crucial when writing a research summary. The summary should reflect the author’s ideas and findings without including personal opinions. This requires conveying the main points and intent of the original research accurately while remaining neutral.

Clarity and focus: Determining the focus of the summary is a critical first step. It involves the decision to create either a “global” summary, which covers all main ideas, or a “selective” summary, which focuses on specific aspects of the research. The summary should be clear, engaging, and concise, capturing the essence of the study in a brief format.

Essential elements: A good research summary should include the research’s foundation, the theoretical framework, and a clear outline of the empirical findings. It should also identify any research gaps addressed by the study. The content should be well-organized, starting with a brief introduction to the topic and then discussing the research methods, results, and conclusions.

What are the tips for writing a compelling research summary?

Thinking about the target audience 

• Keeping the writing style in check

What is the structure of a research summary?

• Introduction

In the conclusion, hypotheses are revisited and validated or denied based on how convincing the evidence is (key lines of evidence could be highlighted).

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How to Write a Research Paper Summary

One of the most important skills you can imbibe as an academician is to know how to summarize a research paper. During your academic journey, you may need to write a summary of findings in research quite often and for varied reasons – be it to write an introduction for a peer-reviewed publication , to submit a critical review, or to simply create a useful database for future referencing.

It can be quite challenging to effectively write a research paper summary for often complex work, which is where a pre-determined workflow can help you optimize the process. Investing time in developing this skill can also help you improve your scientific acumen, increasing your efficiency and productivity at work. This article illustrates some useful advice on how to write a research summary effectively. But, what is research summary in the first place?  

A research paper summary is a crisp, comprehensive overview of a research paper, which encapsulates the purpose, findings, methods, conclusions, and relevance of a study. A well-written research paper summary is an indicator of how well you have understood the author’s work. 

Table of Contents

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• 2. Invest enough time to understand the topic deeply 

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• Mistakes to avoid while writing your research paper summary 

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Frequently asked questions (faq), how to write a research paper summary.

Writing a good research paper summary comes with practice and skill. Here is some useful advice on how to write a research paper summary effectively.  

1. Determine the focus of your summary

Before you begin to write a summary of research papers, determine the aim of your research paper summary. This will give you more clarity on how to summarize a research paper, including what to highlight and where to find the information you need, which accelerates the entire process. If you are aiming for the summary to be a supporting document or a proof of principle for your current research findings, then you can look for elements that are relevant to your work.

On the other hand, if your research summary is intended to be a critical review of the research article, you may need to use a completely different lens while reading the paper and conduct your own research regarding the accuracy of the data presented. Then again, if the research summary is intended to be a source of information for future referencing, you will likely have a different approach. This makes determining the focus of your summary a key step in the process of writing an effective research paper summary. 

2. Invest enough time to understand the topic deeply

In order to author an effective research paper summary, you need to dive into the topic of the research article. Begin by doing a quick scan for relevant information under each section of the paper. The abstract is a great starting point as it helps you to quickly identify the top highlights of the research article, speeding up the process of understanding the key findings in the paper. Be sure to do a careful read of the research paper, preparing notes that describe each section in your own words to put together a summary of research example or a first draft. This will save your time and energy in revisiting the paper to confirm relevant details and ease the entire process of writing a research paper summary.

When reading papers, be sure to acknowledge and ignore any pre-conceived notions that you might have regarding the research topic. This will not only help you understand the topic better but will also help you develop a more balanced perspective, ensuring that your research paper summary is devoid of any personal opinions or biases. 

3. Keep the summary crisp, brief and engaging

A research paper summary is usually intended to highlight and explain the key points of any study, saving the time required to read through the entire article. Thus, your primary goal while compiling the summary should be to keep it as brief, crisp and readable as possible. Usually, a short introduction followed by 1-2 paragraphs is adequate for an effective research article summary. Avoid going into too much technical detail while describing the main results and conclusions of the study. Rather focus on connecting the main findings of the study to the hypothesis , which can make the summary more engaging. For example, instead of simply reporting an original finding – “the graph showed a decrease in the mortality rates…”, you can say, “there was a decline in the number of deaths, as predicted by the authors while beginning the study…” or “there was a decline in the number of deaths, which came as a surprise to the authors as this was completely unexpected…”.

Unless you are writing a critical review of the research article, the language used in your research paper summaries should revolve around reporting the findings, not assessing them. On the other hand, if you intend to submit your summary as a critical review, make sure to provide sufficient external evidence to support your final analysis. Invest sufficient time in editing and proofreading your research paper summary thoroughly to ensure you’ve captured the findings accurately. You can also get an external opinion on the preliminary draft of the research paper summary from colleagues or peers who have not worked on the research topic. 

Mistakes to avoid while writing your research paper summary

Now that you’ve understood how to summarize a research paper, watch out for these red flags while writing your summary. 

• Not paying attention to the word limit and recommended format, especially while submitting a critical review 
• Evaluating the findings instead of maintaining an objective , unbiased view while reading the research paper 
• Skipping the essential editing step , which can help eliminate avoidable errors and ensure that the language does not misrepresent the findings 
• Plagiarism, it is critical to write in your own words or paraphrase appropriately when reporting the findings in your scientific article summary 

We hope the recommendations listed above will help answer the question of how to summarize a research paper and enable you to tackle the process effectively. 

Summarize your research paper with Paperpal

Paperpal, an AI academic writing assistant, is designed to support academics at every step of the academic writing process. Built on over two decades of experience helping researchers get published and trained on millions of published research articles, Paperpal offers human precision at machine speed. Paperpal Copilot, with advanced generative AI features, can help academics achieve 2x the writing in half the time, while transforming how they research and write.

How to summarize a research paper with Paperpal?

To generate your research paper summary, simply login to the platform and use the Paperpal Copilot Summary feature to create a flawless summary of your work. Here’s a step-by-step process to help you craft a summary in minutes:

• Paste relevant research articles to be summarized into Paperpal; the AI will scan each section and extract key information.
• In minutes, Paperpal will generate a comprehensive summary that showcases the main paper highlights while adhering to academic writing conventions.
• Check the content to polish and refine the language, ensure your own voice, and add citations or references as needed.

The abstract and research paper summary serve similar purposes but differ in scope, length, and placement. The abstract is a concise yet detailed overview of the research, placed at the beginning of a paper, with the aim of providing readers with a quick understanding of the paper’s content and to help them decide whether to read the full article. Usually limited to a few hundred words, it highlights the main objectives, methods, results, and conclusions of the study. On the other hand, a research paper summary provides a crisp account of the entire research paper. Its purpose is to provide a brief recap for readers who may want to quickly grasp the main points of the research without reading the entire paper in detail.

The structure of a research summary can vary depending on the specific requirements or guidelines provided by the target publication or institution. A typical research summary includes the following key sections: introduction (including the research question or objective), methodology (briefly describing the research design and methods), results (summarizing the key findings), discussion (highlighting the implications and significance of the findings), and conclusion (providing a summary of the main points and potential future directions).

The summary of a research paper is important because it provides a condensed overview of the study’s purpose, methods, results, and conclusions. It allows you to quickly grasp the main points and relevance of the research without having to read the entire paper. Research summaries can also be an invaluable way to communicate research findings to a broader audience, such as policymakers or the general public.

  When writing a research paper summary, it is crucial to avoid plagiarism by properly attributing the original authors’ work. To learn how to summarize a research paper while avoiding plagiarism, follow these critical guidelines: (1) Read the paper thoroughly to understand the main points and key findings. (2) Use your own words and sentence structures to restate the information, ensuring that the research paper summary reflects your understanding of the paper. (3) Clearly indicate when you are paraphrasing or quoting directly from the original paper by using appropriate citation styles. (4) Cite the original source for any specific ideas, concepts, or data that you include in your summary. (5) Review your summary to ensure it accurately represents the research paper while giving credit to the original authors.

Paperpal is a comprehensive AI writing toolkit that helps students and researchers achieve 2x the writing in half the time. It leverages 21+ years of STM experience and insights from millions of research articles to provide in-depth academic writing, language editing, and submission readiness support to help you write better, faster.  

Get accurate academic translations, rewriting support, grammar checks, vocabulary suggestions, and generative AI assistance that delivers human precision at machine speed. Try for free or upgrade to Paperpal Prime starting at US$19 a month to access premium features, including consistency, plagiarism, and 30+ submission readiness checks to help you succeed.  

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