Your abstract needs to do one thing: tell readers what your dissertation is about. Cut every word that doesn't earn its place, include your problem statement once, and aim for 230 words max. Wordsmith it until nothing can be removed.
You've got to be really careful with your wording. Yes, put your problem statement in there, but you don't need to list it 5 times. Don't expand upon it. Be very concise. I've heard people say every word has to earn its way in there. So you want to make sure that the words count. Again, going back to that school that said no more than 230 words, every word is important. So you're going to wordsmith many times. If you would like help with your abstract or any part of your dissertation, join our free dissertation help community.
