The document provides guidance on writing effective research paper abstracts, emphasizing key components such as the inclusion of keywords, addressing current problems, and summarizing research findings. It highlights practical examples, particularly in the area of paraxial ray optical cloaking and quantum circuits, demonstrating cost-effective and accessible experimentation methods for educational purposes. Additionally, it dispels the myth that abstracts should be written only after the main paper, suggesting instead that drafting an abstract can help focus the researcher's ideas.

1. Writing a Research Paper
Abstract 101
Rafey Iqbal Rahman
Gold Medal Recipient, 33rd IEEEP Multi-Topic International Symposium 2018

2. How your Abstract Should Be?
A good abstract has the following ingredients:
● A keyword in the first half of the first sentence.
● The first sentence depicting the current, problematic scenario, hinting towards a better solution.
● Followed by providing an overview of the research work and the findings.
Information courtesy: English for Writing Research Papers by A. Wallwork, https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319260921

3. A Good Abstract: An Example
Following is a non-fictitious example of an abstract. This abstract belongs to my paper published in SPIE
Proceedings Volume 11561 (Original link to the paper).
Different cloaking technologies exist but have not yet been practically applicable as a phenomenon in itself and a wide variety of applications owing to the
treatment of the phenomenon initially with a mathematical approach, hence turning the interesting phenomenon into a boring, cumbersome and an impractical
one by neglecting the feasibilities involved at a particular yet crucial stage. This paper discusses the phenomenon of paraxial ray optical cloaking with a practical
approach, void of heavy mathematical equations. The technique elaborated in this paper is not dependent upon the distance between the pairs of lenses since
lenses with the same focal lengths have been used in the experiment, contrary to which was done in prior researches and experiments. It is noted that the perfect
paraxial optical ray cloaking is observed at a very low cost when compared to other experimental setups. This low cost helps in setting up experiments for the
education sector. The experiments for the achievement of the invisibility can be performed by students of even secondary and higher secondary standards due to
the affordability. However, it is also observed that this experimental setup is currently not applicable for hiding or 'cloaking' objects larger in size, but larger objects
can be hidden or 'cloaked' if the diameter of the lenses is increased.
© (2020) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

4. A Good Abstract: An Example
Different cloaking technologies exist but have not yet been practically applicable as a phenomenon in itself and a wide variety of applications owing to the
treatment of the phenomenon initially with a mathematical approach, hence turning the interesting phenomenon into a boring, cumbersome and an impractical
one by neglecting the feasibilities involved at a particular yet crucial stage. This paper discusses the phenomenon of paraxial ray optical cloaking with a practical
approach, void of heavy mathematical equations. The technique elaborated in this paper is not dependent upon the distance between the pairs of lenses since
lenses with the same focal lengths have been used in the experiment, contrary to which was done in prior researches and experiments. It is noted that the perfect
paraxial optical ray cloaking is observed at a very low cost when compared to other experimental setups. This low cost helps in setting up experiments for the
education sector. The experiments for the achievement of the invisibility can be performed by students of even secondary and higher secondary standards due to
the affordability. However, it is also observed that this experimental setup is currently not applicable for hiding or 'cloaking' objects larger in size, but larger objects
can be hidden or 'cloaked' if the diameter of the lenses is increased.
© (2020) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).
Keyword

5. A Good Abstract: An Example
Different cloaking technologies exist but have not yet been practically applicable as a phenomenon in itself and a wide variety of applications owing to the
treatment of the phenomenon initially with a mathematical approach, hence turning the interesting phenomenon into a boring, cumbersome and an impractical
one by neglecting the feasibilities involved at a particular yet crucial stage. This paper discusses the phenomenon of paraxial ray optical cloaking with a practical
approach, void of heavy mathematical equations. The technique elaborated in this paper is not dependent upon the distance between the pairs of lenses since
lenses with the same focal lengths have been used in the experiment, contrary to which was done in prior researches and experiments. It is noted that the perfect
paraxial optical ray cloaking is observed at a very low cost when compared to other experimental setups. This low cost helps in setting up experiments for the
education sector. The experiments for the achievement of the invisibility can be performed by students of even secondary and higher secondary standards due to
the affordability. However, it is also observed that this experimental setup is currently not applicable for hiding or 'cloaking' objects larger in size, but larger objects
can be hidden or 'cloaked' if the diameter of the lenses is increased.
© (2020) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).
Keyword
Stating the current scenario

6. A Good Abstract: An Example
Different cloaking technologies exist but have not yet been practically applicable as a phenomenon in itself and a wide variety of applications owing to the
treatment of the phenomenon initially with a mathematical approach, hence turning the interesting phenomenon into a boring, cumbersome and an impractical
one by neglecting the feasibilities involved at a particular yet crucial stage. This paper discusses the phenomenon of paraxial ray optical cloaking with a practical
approach, void of heavy mathematical equations. The technique elaborated in this paper is not dependent upon the distance between the pairs of lenses since
lenses with the same focal lengths have been used in the experiment, contrary to which was done in prior researches and experiments. It is noted that the perfect
paraxial optical ray cloaking is observed at a very low cost when compared to other experimental setups. This low cost helps in setting up experiments for the
education sector. The experiments for the achievement of the invisibility can be performed by students of even secondary and higher secondary standards due to
the affordability. However, it is also observed that this experimental setup is currently not applicable for hiding or 'cloaking' objects larger in size, but larger objects
can be hidden or 'cloaked' if the diameter of the lenses is increased.
© (2020) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).
Keyword
Stating the current scenario The problem

7. A Good Abstract: An Example
Different cloaking technologies exist but have not yet been practically applicable as a phenomenon in itself and a wide variety of applications owing to the
treatment of the phenomenon initially with a mathematical approach, hence turning the interesting phenomenon into a boring, cumbersome and an impractical
one by neglecting the feasibilities involved at a particular yet crucial stage. This paper discusses the phenomenon of paraxial ray optical cloaking with a practical
approach, void of heavy mathematical equations. The technique elaborated in this paper is not dependent upon the distance between the pairs of lenses since
lenses with the same focal lengths have been used in the experiment, contrary to which was done in prior researches and experiments. It is noted that the perfect
paraxial optical ray cloaking is observed at a very low cost when compared to other experimental setups. This low cost helps in setting up experiments for the
education sector. The experiments for the achievement of the invisibility can be performed by students of even secondary and higher secondary standards due to
the affordability. However, it is also observed that this experimental setup is currently not applicable for hiding or 'cloaking' objects larger in size, but larger objects
can be hidden or 'cloaked' if the diameter of the lenses is increased.
© (2020) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).
Keyword
Stating the current scenario The problem
Research work and findings

8. A Good Abstract: Another Example
Following is another non-fictitious example of an abstract. This abstract belongs to the paper
co-authored by one of my peers, Muhammad Miqdad Khan (Original link to the paper).
Quantum circuits are ideal for most of the modern world problems. They are more efficient and reliable for many computations that are a challenge for classical
computers. Beside this they are themselves more complex to deal with and too much costly to build. Cost is the most crucial factor for designing or implementation
of any circuit but when it comes to quantum circuits it becomes the most unavoidable part of design technique. The hadamard-unitary sandwich technique has an
amazing cost reduction potential in quantum circuits. In this paper we have discussed about how H-U-H sandwich technique came up with a break through
minimizing the circuit complexity and played leading role in cost reduction of quantum circuits by minimizing number of gates used. This method also helps in
achieving high computation power and efficiency with more feasibility.
© (2020) COPYRIGHT Advanced Journal of Science and Engineering.

9. A Good Abstract: Another Example
Quantum circuits are ideal for most of the modern world problems. They are more efficient and reliable for many computations that are a challenge for classical
computers. Beside this they are themselves more complex to deal with and too much costly to build. Cost is the most crucial factor for designing or implementation
of any circuit but when it comes to quantum circuits it becomes the most unavoidable part of design technique. The hadamard-unitary sandwich technique has an
amazing cost reduction potential in quantum circuits. In this paper we have discussed about how H-U-H sandwich technique came up with a break through
minimizing the circuit complexity and played leading role in cost reduction of quantum circuits by minimizing number of gates used. This method also helps in
achieving high computation power and efficiency with more feasibility.
© (2020) COPYRIGHT Advanced Journal of Science and Engineering.
Keyword

10. A Good Abstract: Another Example
Quantum circuits are ideal for most of the modern world problems. They are more efficient and reliable for many computations that are a challenge for classical
computers. Beside this they are themselves more complex to deal with and too much costly to build. Cost is the most crucial factor for designing or implementation
of any circuit but when it comes to quantum circuits it becomes the most unavoidable part of design technique. The hadamard-unitary sandwich technique has an
amazing cost reduction potential in quantum circuits. In this paper we have discussed about how H-U-H sandwich technique came up with a break through
minimizing the circuit complexity and played leading role in cost reduction of quantum circuits by minimizing number of gates used. This method also helps in
achieving high computation power and efficiency with more feasibility.
© (2020) COPYRIGHT Advanced Journal of Science and Engineering.
Keyword Stating the current scenario

11. A Good Abstract: Another Example
Quantum circuits are ideal for most of the modern world problems. They are more efficient and reliable for many computations that are a challenge for classical
computers. Beside this they are themselves more complex to deal with and too much costly to build. Cost is the most crucial factor for designing or implementation
of any circuit but when it comes to quantum circuits it becomes the most unavoidable part of design technique. The hadamard-unitary sandwich technique has an
amazing cost reduction potential in quantum circuits. In this paper we have discussed about how H-U-H sandwich technique came up with a break through
minimizing the circuit complexity and played leading role in cost reduction of quantum circuits by minimizing number of gates used. This method also helps in
achieving high computation power and efficiency with more feasibility.
© (2020) COPYRIGHT Advanced Journal of Science and Engineering.
Keyword Stating the current scenario The problem

12. A Good Abstract: Another Example
Quantum circuits are ideal for most of the modern world problems. They are more efficient and reliable for many computations that are a challenge for classical
computers. Beside this they are themselves more complex to deal with and too much costly to build. Cost is the most crucial factor for designing or implementation
of any circuit but when it comes to quantum circuits it becomes the most unavoidable part of design technique. The hadamard-unitary sandwich technique has an
amazing cost reduction potential in quantum circuits. In this paper we have discussed about how H-U-H sandwich technique came up with a break through
minimizing the circuit complexity and played leading role in cost reduction of quantum circuits by minimizing number of gates used. This method also helps in
achieving high computation power and efficiency with more feasibility.
© (2020) COPYRIGHT Advanced Journal of Science and Engineering.
Keyword Stating the current scenario The problem Research work and findings

13. Busting a Myth (Because Why Not?)
You may have heard from your course instructor of the Academic Writing class or from your research
supervisor (in case you are undergoing a research) that an abstract should be written at last.
However, sorry to break this to you but there is no such hard and fast rule in the first place. I’ll bust this
myth by quoting excerpts from 02 books. Both books encourage to begin with an abstract.
● Writing Your Journal Article in 12 Weeks: A Guide to Academic Publishing Success, W.L. Belcher
● English for Writing Research Papers, A. Wallwork

14. Busting a Myth (Because Why Not?)
Excerpt from English for Writing Research Papers:
“In reality, it is best to start with the Abstract as this will help you to focus / orient your ideas on what are the key aspects of your research. In any
case, if you are going to present your work at a conference, the organizers will ask you to submit an abstract before you write the related paper –
you can still change the Abstract when you have finished writing the actual paper.”
Excerpt from Writing Your Research Paper in 12 Weeks:
“One of the best ways to get started on a revision of your journal article is to write an abstract—something that describes your article’s topic and
argument. Unfortunately, many scholars see writing an abstract as the last step to publication.”
No rights reserved by the author. The above pieces of text belong to their respective owners.

15. Queries?
Rafey Iqbal Rahman
rafey.iqbal16@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/rafeyirahman