What does an abstract usually appear as in a publication?

An abstract typically appears at the beginning of a manuscript. Its primary purpose is to provide a concise summary of the key elements of the research, including the background, methods, results, and conclusions. This allows readers to quickly understand the scope and significance of the work before deciding to read the entire article.

Placing the abstract at the beginning serves not only to summarize the content but also to engage the readers and offer them a glimpse of what to expect. By being positioned prominently at the start, the abstract fulfills its role as a critical tool for researchers, helping them identify relevant studies efficiently and effectively.