A number of tools in modern library and information services organize information and provide information according to users’ needs. The abstractSeveral is one of these tools. The abstract is essentially a fundamental element in establishing and maintaining ongoing communication between producers, produced data, and users. It stores information on the one hand and helps in retrieving and distributing information on the other.
According to the Encyclopedia, “Abstract is a summary as a book, journal, article, or legal document.”.
According to the Encyclopedia, “an abstract is a law and a brief statement that contains the most important points of a long legal document or of several related legal papers.”
So it can be said that the most economical way to summarize the information contained in the document in a concise form is called summarization. That is, the summary is to briefly present the main topic with the bibliographic details of the informational source included in any information document.
Summary Features:
A good piece of writing conveys the essence of the writing to the reader in a few words. It saves the reader time. Each Abstract acts as a self-contained unit. Commonly beneficial conditions with these qualities are discussed below:
1. A good Abstart description should be clear. So that it is useful for everyone;
2. Its content should be a summary of the basic issues;
3. There will be no unnecessary description or information;
4. Must include accurate discussion of key issues;
5. The use of terminology, abbreviations, symbols, formulas, etc. in the description should be used as necessary;
6. The technique of composition should be in the light of the past;
7. Abstract should be non-critical;
8. Word selection should be done sparingly;
9. The sequence of links should be arranged in a linear way;
10. Abstract should contain complete bibliographic information on relevant publications, articles, etc.
Types of Abstract Services:
The Abstract’s basic purpose is to present the main content of a document according to the user’s needs. At present, various types of abstracts are being prepared according to the demand for information. Abstracts are of different types depending on the type of information, formulation method, and method of expression, which enables different methods to be served.
There are five primary categories of abstracts pertaining to information:
Informative Abstract: This summarizes the original publication in some detail. It is a summary containing essential information and acts as a substitute for the original document. The format of the informative abstract is usually between 150 words.
Indicative Abstract: It summarizes the content of a main document very briefly. It gives very little guidance as to the nature, scope and content of the document concerned. It consists of about 50 words.
Critical abstracts: Critical abstracts normally include positive criticism of a document .This type of abstract interpretation is written by the subject expert. A critical abstract is written for a specific target group.
Structured abstract: A structured abstract has the same requirements as an informative abstract, but the concept is written in separate paragraphs and under different headings. For example, in Emerald journal style, the purpose, methodology/research designs, finding, implication, results originality, etc.
Modular Abstract: Modular abstracts are intended as full content descriptions of current entities. An abstract consists of 5 parts: a citation, an annotation, an indicative abstract, an informative abstract, and a critical abstract are the facets of Modular Abstract.
Method of giving abstract service:
Abstract consists of three parts. Abstract services are provided through these three methods:
A) Part 1: Introduction to the original text (bibliographical information): This part contains all the necessary information about the original text so that the reader can easily identify and find the original text.
B) Part 2: This part contains the summary of the actual essence. The work of this section summarizes the main text. By reading it, the reader can get a clear idea about the main article topic.
C ) Part 3: This part contains the names of summary abbreviated factors .
Writing an effective abstract for a research paper is essential because it provides a concise summary of the work, allowing readers to quickly assess the purpose, methods, results, and significance of your study.
Here are some tips and steps for writing a strong abstract:
1. Understand the Purpose
The abstract is a standalone summary, meaning it should be clear and comprehensible even to readers who may not read the entire paper. It highlights the main points and answers key questions such as: What was the study about? How was it conducted? What were the findings? Why do they matter?
2. Follow the Structure
A structured abstract typically includes the following components:
Introduction/Background: Briefly state the context or the problem your research addresses.
Purpose/Objectives: Clearly define the purpose of the study, including the research question or hypothesis.
Methods: Summarize how the research was conducted, including key methods and approaches.
Results: Outline the main findings, highlighting the most critical or novel results.
Conclusions: State the significance or implications of your results. This section should answer the “So what?” question—why is this study important?
3. Write Concisely and Precisely
Use only necessary words; abstracts typically range from 150 to 300 words, depending on journal guidelines. Avoid vague statements and generalizations. Clearly state findings and conclusions rather than making broad claims. Save detailed methodology and data specifics for the paper itself; the abstract should summarize, not delve into every step.
4. Use Keywords Thoughtfully
keywords that best represent your paper’s main topics and themes. These assist in indexing and make it easier for other researchers to find your work.
5. Write in the Past Tense
Since you’re summarizing completed research, use the past tense, e.g., “This study examined…” or “Results showed…”
6. Avoid References and Citations
Abstracts should be self-contained and understandable without needing to refer to other works, so generally, avoid including citations.
7. Edit and Refine
Write your abstract after completing the paper to ensure it accurately reflects the content. Review for clarity, grammar, and flow. Ask yourself if a reader would grasp the essence of your work after reading the abstract alone.
Example of an Abstract
Objective: This study investigates the impact of urban green spaces on mental health among city residents.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 500 residents across 10 urban districts, assessing mental health status using standardized questionnaires and measuring green space exposure through satellite imagery.
Results: Findings reveal that individuals with access to green spaces report 20% lower stress levels and a significant increase in life satisfaction.
Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of urban green spaces for mental health and suggests that city planners should prioritize green space development.
By following these steps, you can create an abstract that effectively conveys the purpose and findings of your research while encouraging readers to explore your work further.
