ABSTRACT
Chapter 16 focuses on step 10 of the research process: synthesizing and reporting the findings in a meaningful way. The chapter begins by introducing the abstract as a critical piece of the research paper. The authors offer suggestions about how to write an effective abstract. Writing an effective abstract is critically important because it is often the piece that people read to determine if they will read the entire research paper. The chapter also includes an example of an effective abstract. The rest of Chapter 16 is devoted to describing the importance of synthesizing research findings in order to answer the research question(s) posed in the study, and to provide thoughtful recommendations for future research. When offering recommendations, the authors note the importance of knowing the audience who will benefit from reading the research article. The length, style, and language of the reports done must recognize and be prepared for the appropriate audience. This process of keeping the audience in mind when reporting findings is characterized as ethical reporting by the authors. This chapter is especially useful for researchers who are seeking guidance in summarizing key findings in a research project.
