Research Article Abstracts in Management Sciences Written by Thai EFL Scholars: An Analysis of Rhetorical Moves, Verb Tenses and Voices

Abstract

Research article (RA) abstracts play a critical role in disseminating research findings, particularly challenging for non-native English speakers. While prior studies have explored the move analysis of RA abstracts across various subjects, the management sciences—a globally prominent field—have received less attention. This study addresses this gap by examining the rhetorical move patterns, verb tense usage, and voice constructions in 200 RA abstracts from Thai tier 1 management journals written by Thai scholars. The results showed that: 1) the Purpose-Method-Product structure was the most commonly employed move pattern; 2) present simple tense was mostly found in the Introduction, Purpose, and Conclusion sections, while past simple tense was preferred in the Method and Result sections; and 3) active voice was frequently used in the Introduction, Purpose, Product, and Conclusion sections, with a mix of active and passive voice mainly appearing in the Method section. The findings of the present study offer valuable insights for academic writing course developers, material designers, lecturers, and novice researchers, enhancing their understanding of RA abstract writing and supporting their integration into scientific communities.