A good abstract tells the whole study in four parts: purpose, method, findings and conclusion. It shapes the reviewer's first impression.
The abstract is the first text your work shares with reviewers. At most congresses the accept decision rests on these 250-500 words alone. The abstract should therefore read as a complete, self-contained account rather than a shortened paper.
Purpose
State the research question and why it matters in the first two sentences. Naming the gap in the literature in a single sentence shows the reviewer your contribution immediately.
Method
Be explicit about your data source, sample size and analysis. Instead of "quantitative methods were used", write "a fixed-effects panel was estimated for 2015-2025".
Findings and conclusion
Summarise findings numerically and tie them to one main conclusion. If the analysis is not yet complete, stating the expected finding is acceptable as long as you say so.
Common mistakes
Adding references: they take space and most congresses do not want them.
Copying keywords from the title: this reduces search visibility.
Using abbreviations without defining them.
