Which of the following elements is commonly included in an abstract?

An abstract serves as a concise summary of a research paper, typically encapsulating the main elements of the study in a brief format. Including a summary of the study's findings in the abstract allows readers to quickly grasp the essential outcomes and conclusions without delving into the entire paper. This element is crucial because it helps potential readers assess the relevance and importance of the study in their own research or practice, ultimately facilitating informed decision-making about whether to read the full text.

In contrast, detailed methodologies are generally reserved for the full text to provide comprehensive insights into the procedures and processes employed during the study. Similarly, an introduction to the author's background does not belong in the abstract, as this information is more appropriate for an introduction or acknowledgments section in the main body of the paper. Finally, a list of references is not included in abstracts since it is typical to present citations and sources within the main text or в отдельном разделе работы.