An abstract serves as a concise summary of a research paper, article, thesis, or other scholarly document. Its primary purposes are:

1. Summarization: It provides a brief overview of the main points of the document, including the research question or problem, methodology, results, and conclusions.

2. Accessibility: It helps readers quickly understand the content and significance of the document, enabling them to decide whether to read the full text.

3. Indexing: It aids in the indexing and retrieval of the document in databases and search engines, making it easier for researchers to find relevant literature.

4. Contextualization: It gives readers a framework to understand the detailed content that follows, providing context for the study’s relevance and scope.