How To Write Keywords In Abstract: Examples

Last updated on January 31st, 2025 at 07:31 am

Abstract keywords are pivotal in scholarly publishing, enabling your research to be discoverable in academic databases and search engines.

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.

This article explains how to write keywords in an abstract with examples and outlines best practices to ensure your research receives the right audience.

Why Are Keywords Important in Abstracts?

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

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.

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 your research appears in searches conducted by scholars interested in those specific topics.

How to Choose Keywords for Abstract

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

Follow these steps to ensure effectiveness:

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.
• 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 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.”

Examples of Keywords in an Abstract

Example 1

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

Title: Advancements in Cancer Immunotherapy
Keywords: cancer immunotherapy, T-cells, checkpoint inhibitors, clinical trials, monoclonal antibodies

Example 3

Title: Strategies for Reducing Plastic Waste in Marine Ecosystems
Keywords: plastic pollution, marine ecosystems, environmental policy, sustainability, waste management

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, H., 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.

FAQS

Conclusion

Well-chosen keywords enhance research discoverability, ensuring that academic work reaches the intended audience. By selecting specific, discipline-appropriate, and strategically formatted keywords, researchers can improve visibility and indexing.

Studies confirm that optimized abstracts significantly enhance research accessibility Tennant, J. P., et al (2019).

Following best practices in keyword selection helps maximize the impact of scholarly contributions in an increasingly competitive academic landscape.

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.

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.

Navjyot Gill

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’ve embarked on a new chapter, sharing my academic expertise on social platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn, among others.

Here, I guide aspiring scholars with practical PhD solutions and methodologies, literature reviews, theses and dissertation writing, formatting, and navigating the publication process.