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Phil Druker/Department of English/ University of Idaho |
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Sample Abstract Here are two sample abstract. The first one is weak as it merely describes what's in the report. The second one works much better as it provides details readers need on the report's results and conclusions. Weak
abstract: Lamb Production and Survival in
Lambing Areas and Summer Ranges of a Bighorn Sheep Population Wintering on Big
Creek in Central Idaho This report discusses current
population trends in Rocky Mountain
bighorn sheep (Ovis Canadensis) that live in the Big Creek drainage of the Frank
Church River of No Return Wilderness. Concerns exist because of population die
offs caused by Pasteurella spp. Extensive
monitoring of the population was completed in the summer of 2001 and compared
with data collected from 1988 to 1990. The
report discusses the average number of lambs born in different lambing areas
over three different time periods. The
report shows when lambs die. Conclusions
are presented and recommendations for further fieldwork are provided. Notes:
This abstract is weak because it merely describes what the
report covers (like a table of contents). It
does not provide details on the main results or conclusions. Check out the next
sample. Strong
abstract: Lamb Production and Survival in Lambing Areas and Summer Ranges of a Bighorn Sheep Population Wintering on Big Creek in Central Idaho The Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis
Canadensis) population in the Big Creek drainage of the Frank Church-River of No
Return Wilderness in Central Idaho experienced a sudden and dramatic population
decline from 1988 to 1990 as a result of a Pasteurella spp. related die-off.
Extensive monitoring of the population during that period provided information
on lamb production and survival during the die-off phase of a Pasturella
die-off. After ten years of minimal monitoring a lamb production, a survival
survey was conducted on the Big Creek population during the summer of 2001. The
results of this survey established the average number of lambs:100 ewes for
three different lambing areas across three different time periods. These were
compared to similar data collected during the summers of 1989 and 1990.
Chi-square analysis of the data showed significant differences between total
die-off and 2001 ratios (p <.001) but not between lambing areas in each of
the die-off and 2001 periods (p >1, p >1, respectively). Results show a
high survival ratio through the beginning of August 2001(avg. 86:100) compared
with a significantly lower ratio in August 1989 (avg. 19:100) and August 1990
(avg. 12:100). This suggests that the 2001 Big Creek bighorn sheep population is
not experiencing late-summer Pasteurella mortality. Rather, mortality is occurring at a different time of the
year and continued monitoring is needed to make an accurate determination of the
time period and cause. Notes: 1.The author summarizes the whole report here. 2.The author emphasizes: Main point/background, Results, and specific conclusions/recommendations. This abstract is not better because it's longer; it's better because it's gives useful details.
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