It's hardly rocket science, but let's spell it out to make sure everyone is on the same page.

The study, the individual parts of the thesis, and the contribution are all summarized and outlined in a brief abstract that is included at the beginning of the PhD.
People that want a high-level overview of a study but don't have the time to read the whole thesis utilize executive summaries.
 

Your initial academic job application abstract (together with your CV and cover letter) will be reviewed by the hiring manager. If you're fortunate, your prospective employer will review it again before choosing whether to make you an offer.
What's the deal with skimming instead of reading? A well-written abstract tells them all they need to know without making them wade through 200+ pages of filler. It's a chance to show them what you've been working on, why it's important, how well you understand the topic, and whether or not you'd be a good match for the department.
 

You should, therefore, take care while writing it.

However, the difficulty of writing a PhD thesis abstract should not be understated. You have to summarize hundreds of pages and years of effort in only a few hundred words (the actual number will vary per institution, so be sure to check in beforehand).An abstract is a brief, paragraph-long synopsis of your whole thesis that includes an overview of the study's background, its methods, and its findings. A lengthier introduction covering solely the background of your work is expected. The purpose of an introduction is to provide context for your work, so expect it to take up at least one full page.

How to create an abstract is a common topic among online articles. Most people will tell you that you should try to wow the examiner with your abstract.
We advise you should do the opposite: although your examiner will read it to make sure you can write well, you should be writing it with your future employer in mind.
The abstract of your thesis may be the only portion of your application packet that a potential employer reads. Since they probably won't have the time or interest to read the whole thesis, the abstract is essential. Assume that your academic reputation is on the line and write accordingly.

How to draft a fantastic abstract that will (hopefully) get you hired is the subject of this tutorial.
If you haven't already, get our PhD Writing Template to utilize with this manual to give your dissertation an extra boost.

 

Some blog entries (like this one; scroll down to see the keywords used to summarize the text) do this. The gist is the same. It's a long list of keywords used to summarize a lengthy study.
The "so what?" should be answered in your dissertation's abstract. What does your thesis add to the existing body of knowledge?

If you've been following our PhD thesis outline, you'll know that your abstract has to answer six specific questions.
I. Why is a thesis being written?
To what extent do existing methods and research voids exist?
3. What is/are the purpose(s) and question(s) of your research?
How have you gone about your research?
5. What do most of the results show?
6. What are the major findings and their relevance?
You can't write your abstract until you've completed the whole research, which should go without saying. It's the very last item (along with the acknowledgements) you'll jot down.