As an expert in academic writing and research, I have a profound understanding of the various components that constitute an abstract. An abstract is a concise summary of a larger piece of academic or scientific writing, such as a journal article, conference paper, thesis, or dissertation. It is typically written after the main content is completed and serves as a standalone document that can be read without accessing the full text. Here are the key elements that are generally included in an abstract:


1. Purpose: The abstract begins with a clear statement of the research problem or the purpose of the study. It sets the stage for the reader by indicating what the research is about.


2. Methods: This section briefly describes the approach or methodology used in the research. It includes the type of study design, the sample size if applicable, and the techniques or instruments used for data collection and analysis.


3. Results: In some abstracts, particularly those for experimental studies, a brief mention of the key findings or results is included. This is not always the case, especially in descriptive or qualitative studies.


4. Conclusion: While not always explicitly stated, the abstract may hint at the conclusions drawn from the research or the implications of the findings.


5. Keywords: To facilitate indexing and retrieval, abstracts often include a set of keywords that reflect the main topics covered in the research.


6. Scope: The abstract should convey the scope of the research, indicating whether it is broad or narrow in focus.

7.
Originality: It is important for the abstract to highlight the originality or novelty of the research, distinguishing it from existing literature.

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Structure: The structure of an abstract can vary, but it is often organized in a way that reflects the flow of the main document, from the introduction of the problem to the presentation of findings.

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Length: Abstracts are typically brief, ranging from 150 to 250 words for journal articles, although this can vary depending on the publication or conference requirements.

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Style: The language used in an abstract is formal and academic, avoiding the use of first-person pronouns and focusing on the research itself rather than the researchers.

Descriptive abstracts, as mentioned, provide an overview of the content without making judgments or presenting results. They are informative and serve to guide potential readers to decide whether the full text is relevant to their interests or needs.

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Descriptive Abstract. A descriptive abstract indicates the type of information found in the work. It makes no judgments about the work, nor does it provide results or conclusions of the research. It does incorporate key words found in the text and may include the purpose, methods, and scope of the research.May 10, 2018read more >>