Difference Between Abstract and Introduction(With Table)

There are some parts in a scientific paper that is important to know when there is mention of the abstract and introduction. The main difference between them is where they are mentioned, what content they include, and the different types of these parts. The following blog can help us understand the complete difference between these two terms.

You Can Also Read: Formative and Summative Assessment

What Is Abstract?

An abstract is a brief summary of a research article, thesis, or book. It is typically used to help readers decide whether to read the full work. An abstract is not an introduction; rather, it is a stand-alone piece of writing that provides an overview of the main points covered in the larger work. It may be included in a published work or may be published on its own.

Moreover,  an abstract should be:

• Accurate: A good abstract accurately reflects the content of the paper.

• Concise: An effective abstract should be concise—typically no more than 200 words.

• Objective: The tone of an abstract should be objective and professional.

• Detailed: While an abstract should be brief, it should still provide enough information for readers to understand the key points of your paper.

Types of Abstract

• Descriptive Abstract – Briefly describing the abstract, a descriptive abstract is typically between 100 and 200 words long. It describes the purpose of writing, the goals, and the research techniques employed, as well as the type of content that will be presented in the article.

• Informative Abstract – As the name implies, this is a thorough abstract that highlights every significant finding from the research. In addition to the aim, goal, and methods employed, it also includes the findings and recommendations.

What Is Introduction?

An introduction is the first section of a research paper, journal article, book chapter, or other piece of writing. It should present the research question, literature review, methodology, and results in a concise and easy-to-read format.

An introduction typically contains a thesis statement, which states the main argument or claim of the work. It may also provide an overview of the key points to be discussed in the body of the work. The introduction should be concise and focused, providing the reader with a clear understanding of what the work is about and why it is important.

Abstract Vs Introduction – Main Difference

The abstract is a brief summary of the main points of the paper, usually presented at the beginning of the paper. On the other hand, the introduction is the first section of the paper and provides background information on the topic.

The main difference between the two is that an abstract gives a brief overview of the entire paper, while an introduction provides background information on the topic.

An abstract is typically shorter than an introduction, and it does not include any results or conclusions from the research. An introduction should provide enough background information to allow the reader to understand the purpose and significance of the paper.

Abstract Vs Introduction(Comparison Chart)

Key Differences Between Abstract and Introduction

The key differences between the abstract and introduction are explained as follows; 

• An abstract refers to a short summary of a document. It should cover the document’s main points, conclusions, and recommendations. An introduction, on the other hand, refers to the first section of a document. It should provide an overview of the document and its purpose.

• An abstract is typically shorter than an introduction.

• Secondly, an abstract focuses on the main points of a document, while an introduction provides an overview of the entire document.

• An abstract is written after a document is completed, while an introduction is written at the beginning of a document.

• An abstract can be published separately from a document, while an introduction cannot.

• While an abstract can be read without reading the entire document, an introduction must be read in order to understand the rest of the document.

• Abstracts are typically more formal than introductions.

• Finally, an abstract should not contain any new information that is not in the document, while an introduction can contain background information.

Conclusion

To sum up, the main difference between an abstract and an introduction is that an abstract is a brief summary of a document or article, while an introduction is the first section of a document or article. There are a few exceptions to this rule, though. For instance, some academic papers may have an abstract before the introduction. In general though, if you want to know whether something is an abstract or introduction, you can check to see if it’s at the beginning of the document and whether it provides a brief overview of what’s to come.