Steve Tippins Ph.D.Helping doctoral students get their dissertation accepted, succeed in their careers, & change the world | Academic Career Advisor | Dissertation Chair & Founder, Beyond PhD Coaching | 35 + years of experience.

What Your Abstract Really Needs to Do

13 Sept 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:41

In this brief instructional video, Steve Tippins, Ph.D., explains that a dissertation abstract should function as a concise sales pitch rather than a miniature chapter or proposal. He emphasizes that the abstract must quickly convey what was studied, why the study matters, the key findings, and the broader significance—all within a single page. The speaker stresses the need for precision and efficiency in wording and invites viewers to join a free dissertation help community for further assistance.

Chapters

Your abstract is not your entire dissertation. It sells your research. It sells what you've done and is a hook to allow people a gateway into reading all of what you've done. And that's what your abstract can do for you. Don't think of it as a mini Chapter 1. Don't think of it as a mini proposal. It's an overview of what you did. That's what the abstract is. So you're going to look at what you studied, why it mattered, what you found, and what it means. All within the confines of one page. So yes, you're going to have to be concise. Precise and efficient with your wording. If you would like help with your abstract or any part of your dissertation, join our free dissertation help community.