Qualitative Methods
Writing Qualitative
Research Papers
Writing Qualitative Research Papers
Abstract
Although the Abstract is printed at the beginning of the article, after the title and author, it is generally written after the article has been completed. Abstracts provide a brief, but very specific summary of the article. The number of words allowed for the abstract can vary by journal, but it is generally between 150 and 250 words. The abstract serves as a concise overview of what will be found in the manuscript. Abstracts should include the central conceptual focus of the work, the theoretical approach used, the methods employed (sample, data collection, and analysis), and the key findings. If applicable it may also include any policy or practice implications.
Review any of the main journals within sociology that publish contemporary qualitative research and notice the patterns of information contained in the abstracts.
Reading published qualitative works is a great way to become familiar with how social science articles and books are written.
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