How To Write Keywords In Abstract: Examples

Last updated on April 11th, 2025 at 05:53 am

To write keywords for an abstract, identify the most important terms and phrases from your research that accurately reflect its core concepts. Then, list them concisely, comma-separated, following any specific formatting guidelines provided by the journal or publisher.

This article explains how to write keywords in abstract with examples and best practices for ensuring your research is discovered by the right audience.

Why Are Keywords Important in Abstracts?

Keywords in abstracts act as the cataloging system for your research to be indexed and found efficiently and deliver your work to the right audience.

According to Pening de Vries et al. (2020), “Keywords are the lifeline of research abstracts, determining discoverability and reach.” A poorly written abstract with missing or irrelevant keywords can severely limit your paper’s visibility, resulting in your research never being found.

“Did you know that over 70% of research papers are overlooked simply because they lack the right abstract keywords?”

Key Benefits of Using Keywords in An Abstract

Including precise and relevant keywords in an abstract ensures:

• Improved Discoverability: Enhances the chances of appearing in search results.
• Better Indexing: Helps databases classify different types of abstracts and research accurately.
• Higher Engagement: It attracts relevant readers searching for similar studies.

As noted by Müngen, A. A., & Kaya, M. (2018). “Precise and strategically chosen keywords ensure that your research resonates with your target audience.”

Example: For ‘A study on the impact of social media on teenagers’ mental health, you should incorporate keywords like “social media addiction,” “mental health effects,” and “teenagers.” This ensures that your research appears in searches conducted by scholars interested in those specific topics.

Selecting the Right Keywords

Selecting the right keywords requires strategic planning, according to Alexandrov, A. V., & Hennerici, M. G. (2007). 

Here’s a breakdown of strategies you can use:

1. Extract Keywords from Your Research Title

• Your title already contains primary themes—use them as a starting point.
• Example: A study titled “The Effects of Renewable Energy on Economic Growth” may include keywords like “renewable energy,” “economic growth,” and “sustainability.”

2. Use Domain-Specific Terminology

Avoid generic terms like “study” or “research.”

Example: Instead of “disease,” specify “cardiovascular disease” or “oncology.”

3. Include Synonyms and Related Terms

• Journals and databases use varied terminologies—consider synonyms.
• For example, “Artificial Intelligence” can be complemented by “machine learning” and “neural networks.”

4. Limit the Number of Keywords

• Most journals recommend 4–6 keywords.
• Overloading keywords can make indexing inefficient.

5. Consult Journal Guidelines

• Each journal may have specific formatting and keyword selection rules.

Check if keywords need to be listed in a specific order or formatted differently

How to Write Keywords In an Abstract: Best Practices

1. Specificity is Key

Don’t settle for generic keywords like “research” or “education.” Focus on terms that accurately reflect your research topic, methodology, and findings.

Example: ‘A study on the effectiveness of a new teaching method’ wouldn’t benefit from the generic keyword “teaching.” Instead, consider more specific terms like “flipped classroom,” “active learning,” or “student engagement.”

2. Discipline-Specific Language

Each field has its own vocabulary. Use keywords in abstracts commonly understood within your research area.

Example: A medical researcher wouldn’t use the term “sick” but “pathophysiology” or “disease etiology.” Understanding the jargon and terminology specific to your field ensures your research is discoverable by scholars familiar with that language.

3. Balance Popularity with Uniqueness

While including popular keywords in abstracts is helpful, consider incorporating a few niche terms to stand out from the crowd. Research popular keywords within your field and use them as a foundation.

Example: Consider adding one or two less common keywords that specifically reflect the unique aspects of your research. This approach ensures your work is discoverable by those searching for broad topics within your field while also attracting scholars interested in the specific details of your study.

4. Consult Existing Research

Review other research papers in your field to identify relevant keywords and terminology.

Example: Explore the keywords in abstracts of highly cited papers within your area of study. This can provide valuable insights into the language and terminology scholars within your field typically use to describe their research.

5. Naturally Integrate Keywords into the Abstract

Keywords should appear organically in the abstract text, ensuring readability.

Example:
“This study explores the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity, with a focus on sustainable farming practices.”

6. Prioritize Relevance

• List keywords from most to least relevant.
• Do not include terms that are too broad or unrelated.

7. Avoid Keyword Stuffing

• Overuse of keywords disrupts readability and may lead to journal rejection.
• Ensure a natural flow in the abstract.

8. Use Acronyms and Full Forms

• Include both versions if they are commonly used in your field.
• Example: Use both “ADHD” and “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.”

Engaging Your Audience with Keywords

Engaging Your Audience with Keywords

Effective keywords not only enhance visibility but also engage your target audience. Consider the following:

• Align Keywords with Research Goals: Ensure your keywords reflect the purpose and outcomes of your research. This alignment helps in attracting the right audience.
• Consider Future Research Trends: Anticipate future developments in your field and incorporate emerging terms that may gain traction.

Examples of Keywords in Abstracts

Here are a few examples demonstrating how keywords can be incorporated into an abstract:

Example 1: Basic Keyword Integration

Abstract:
This research examines the relationship between renewable energy adoption and economic growth in developing countries. Through regression analysis, the study identifies key drivers such as policy frameworks and technological innovation.
Keywords: renewable energy, economic growth, developing countries, policy frameworks, technological innovation.

Example 2: Keyword Phrases

“This research explores the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for reducing stress in healthcare workers.

Keywords: mindfulness-based interventions, stress reduction, healthcare workers, burnout, well-being.”

Example 3: Keyword Categories

“This paper examines the application of machine learning techniques in fraud detection.

Keywords: machine learning, fraud detection, anomaly detection, classification algorithms, financial security.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid In Writing Abstract Keywords

Klimova, B. F. (2013) states that very careful attention must be devoted to writing an abstract, which authors should avoid to succeed in having their articles published. 

These include:

1. Using Too Many Keywords

• Stick to the journal’s limit, usually 3-6 keywords.

2. Selecting Irrelevant Keywords

• Ensure keywords match the subject of your study.

3. Ignoring Journal Formatting Guidelines

• Some journals require alphabetical order or specific formatting rules.

4. Repeating the Same Word Forms

• Avoid redundancy. Instead of listing “AI” and “artificial intelligence” separately, choose only one.

Tools and Resources for Selecting Abstract Keywords

The use of appropriate tools for selecting abstract keywords is important, according to Harrison et al. (2020).

Some notable tools and resources are:

• Google Scholar: Identify frequently used keywords in top papers.

• PubMed & Scopus: Explore trending keywords in your field.
• Keyword Research Tools: Platforms like Ahrefs and SEMrush help refine search visibility.

Statistics and Case Studies

• Statistic: A study published in the Journal of Academic Librarianship found that articles with well-defined keywords in their abstracts received 30% more downloads than those without (Smith, 2020).
• Case Study: A research team investigating climate change impacts on coastal ecosystems strategically used keywords such as sea-level rise, coastal erosion, ecosystem resilience, and climate change adaptation in their abstract. As a result, their article was highly ranked in search results and received significant attention from policymakers and environmental organizations (Jones et al., 2022).

FAQS

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding how to write keywords in an abstract is critical for enhancing the visibility and impact of your research. By selecting relevant, specific, and audience-targeted keywords, you can significantly improve your article’s discoverability and engagement.

Utilize the strategies and examples provided throughout this article to refine your keyword selection process. As demonstrated through case studies and statistics, effective keyword usage can lead to increased citations and greater influence within the academic community.

Let your research shine and contribute to the ongoing advancement of knowledge in your field!

References

Alexandrov, A. V. & Hennerici, M. G. (2007). Writing good abstracts. Cerebrovascular Diseases, 23(4), 256-259.

Penning de Vries, B. B. P., van Smeden, M., Rosendaal, F. R., & Groenwold, R. H. (2020). Abstract and keyword searching resulted in the poor recovery of articles in systematic reviews of epidemiologic practice. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 121, 55-61.

Harrison, H., Griffin, S. J., Kuhn, I., & Usher-Smith, J. A. (2020). Software tools to support title and abstract screening for systematic reviews in healthcare: an evaluation. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 20, 1-12.

Klimova, B. F. (2013). Common mistakes in writing abstracts in English. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 93, 512-516.

• Jones, M., Smith, R., & Taylor, A. (2022). Navigating Climate Change: Impacts and Adaptations. Journal of Environmental Studies, 15(3), 210-225.
• Smith, L. (2020). The Importance of Keywords in Academic Publishing. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 46(5), 102-110.

Müngen, A. A., & Kaya, M. (2018). Extracting abstracts and keywords from context for academic articles. Social Network Analysis and Mining, 8, 1-11.

Tennant, J. P., Crane, H., Crick, T., Davila, J., Enkhbayar, A., Havemann, J.,… & Vanholsbeeck, M. (2019). Ten hot topics around scholarly publishing. Publications, 7(2), 34.

Gill Navjyot

My journey in academia began as a dedicated researcher specializing in the fascinating world of biochemistry. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring Master’s and PhD students, collaborating on research papers that pushed the boundaries of knowledge.
Now, post-retirement,  I guide aspiring scholars with practical PhD solutions and methodologies, literature reviews, theses and dissertations, academic writing, formatting, and navigating the publication process.