Abstract vs Introduction: Academic Writing Guide

abstract vs introduction

Are you always torn between abstract vs. introduction when writing academic papers? Maybe you’re wondering whether these parts of a research paper are the same. Well, the difference between abstract and introduction is mainly the purpose that each serves. Each of the two sections provides something to your readers. However, they exist for different reasons.

Unfortunately, many students don’t know the purpose of each of these sections when writing academic papers. And, most research projects or studies require the author to include an abstract and an introduction. So, what is the difference between an abstract and an introduction?

To answer this question, it’s crucial to start by explaining the purpose of each of these sections of a research paper. Read on to find all answers from our custom thesis writing service.

Introduction vs. Abstract: Definition and Purpose

To explain how abstract and introduction differ, it’s crucial to know the meaning of each and its purpose.

What is an abstract?

An abstract can be defined as a summary at the beginning of a research paper, thesis, or scholarly article. The purpose of an abstract is to state the main purpose of a paper and the main conclusion. Essentially, an abstract summarizes what has been studied and the results.

In the abstract, the author should not delve deeper into the background information. They should also not provide research details extensively. An abstract should have a length of around 200 words. As such, it should just tell your readers what was studied, the used method, and what was discovered.

What is an introduction?

An introduction can be defined as the first section of a research paper. It’s the start or beginning of a write-up. Academic papers, novels, and introductions have the introduction section.

The purpose of an introduction is to capture the attention of the reader and provide background information about the subject or topic. In the introduction, the writer should state the hypothesis while telling the readers what makes the topic interesting. A properly written introduction should let the readers know about the topic, understand the research, and decide whether the entire paper or essay is worth reading.

So, is an abstract the same as an introduction? Well, based on their definition and purpose, an abstract is not the same as an introduction. They are different sections of a write-up that serve different purposes.

Difference between an Abstract and an Introduction

A comparison of abstract versus introduction can’t be complete without highlighting the differences between these sections of an academic write-up. Here are some of the things that show the difference between introduction and abstract.

  • An abstract includes the results of a study or experiment while an introduction does not.
  • An abstract provides a conclusion while an introduction provides the major takeaways from the findings of a study.
  • The abstract provides details about the study design and methods. The introduction, on the other hand, provides the briefest information only. This may include phrases like “using mice” and “this study of breast cancer patients”. Details that include numerical values are reserved for the methods and material sections of a paper.
  • The abstract uses a more accessible language for non-specialists. Abbreviations and jargon are avoided in this section and the focus is on communicating the most important information briefly. On the other hand, the introduction can provide more details to capture the attention of interested people in the field. Even abbreviations can be used in the introduction.
  • The abstract provides a brief background part with a maximum of two sentences. On the other hand, the introduction unfolds the background information succinctly and more expansively. This provides the context for asking the research questions and evidence that led you to conduct the study.
  • Another thing that highlights the difference between an abstract and introduction is citations. An abstract will most likely not feature reference citations. On the other hand, an introduction will almost have reference citations always.
  • In most cases, an abstract has a maximum of 250 words. In some journals, introductions are limited to less than 500 words. However, some journals and learning institutions accept introductions that are longer than this.

Abstract vs. Introduction APA: The Purpose Makes all the Difference

Perhaps, you’re wondering whether there is a comparison between APA abstract vs. introduction. Well, the purpose of each of these sections explains why they are not the same.

Based on the definition of an abstract, this section serves the purpose of saving your readers their precious time. Anybody that reads academic journals knows why this is important. Essentially, nobody wants to waste their time reading a paper or essay that they will eventually realize does not provide the information they are looking for. The inclusion of an abstract enables such people to engage in specialized reading. That way, they get the most from their time. By reading the abstract introduction, a reader can determine whether the entire page, paper, or essay is worth spending their time on.

The purpose of an introduction, on the other hand, is to entice and excite the general readers. It should compel or motivate them to read on. An introduction can feature a captivating quote or be anecdotal. It can also provide factual information. However, the presentation of this information should compel a reader to want to find out more. Often, an introduction combines all three elements.

Writing an Abstract and an Introduction

Whether you’re trying to compare abstract vs. introduction scientific paper or lab report, you probably know the difference by now. But, how do you write an abstract and an introduction?

How to write an Abstract

You can write an unstructured or a structured abstract. A structured abstract comprises the headings that guide readers while an unstructured abstract does not. Here are the steps to follow when writing an abstract.

  1. Provide a brief overview of what is known about the topic.
  2. Specify the objective and aim of your paper
  3. Highlight the methods and materials used in the study
  4. Provide an overview of the key findings
  5. Highlight the most important details of the discussion section and the conclusion.

Your abstract should be a concise summary of the important point of the paper. It should also be interesting to make the audience read it to the end.

How to write an introduction

An ideal introduction should have four paragraphs. Each paragraph should be brief and concise.

Here’s how to write an introduction:

  1. Provide background information to set the research study’s context.
  2. Describe what is known about the topic from the previous works and the existing research gap.
  3. Explain why the existing gap should be addressed or why your study is important
  4. Provide a broad overview of your study objectives, aims, and hypothesis.

Whether you had difficulties comparing abstract vs. introduction lab report or research paper, this explanation should guide you. Use it as a guide to help you draft better abstracts and introductions for future write-ups.

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