To include an abstract in your research paper means to

• A. Provide an overview or summary for your reader that immediately states the topic of your paper
• B. Write a long introduction
• C. List all the figures
• D. Present the conclusion only

Answer: (A)

An abstract is a brief, standalone summary that gives readers a quick snapshot of the whole study. It should start by stating the topic or purpose so readers immediately know what the paper is about. A good abstract usually covers the aim or research question, the methods or approach, the main results, and the conclusions or implications. It’s not a long introduction, it doesn’t list all figures, and it shouldn’t present only the conclusion. The purpose is to help readers decide whether to read the full paper and to aid in indexing and searching.