[[INFO 5200: Concept Briefing Template (doc.

##): When using this template for YOUR Concept

Briefing document, delete this note and replace all text in brackets (and the brackets).

Full Name
Semester Year
INFO [5200 or 4200] [section identifier]
Concept Briefing

[Abstracts and abstracting]

Abstract
[This briefing focuses on the concept of abstracts and abstracting, discussing their role in

academic research and communication. The objectives of the briefing are to help readers

understand the purpose and function of abstracts, identify different types of abstracts, learn best

practices for writing them, and recognize the importance of abstracting and indexing services.

Abstracts and abstracting are defined as the process of summarizing the content of a research

article, report, or presentation. The purpose of abstracts is to enable readers to quickly evaluate

the relevance and importance of the research without reading the entire document. Abstracts are

typically structured to include the main purpose, methodology, results, and conclusions of the

research. Abstracting refers to the process of creating abstracts manually or automatically using

various indexing and abstracting services. Indexing and abstracting services are databases that

provide access to a wide range of scholarly literature and are used by researchers, librarians, and

information professionals to locate and retrieve information on a specific topic. The briefing

discusses the advantages and disadvantages of abstracting, including concerns about bias,

quality, and consistency. Examples of research paper abstracts are provided, and the importance

of writing effective abstracts is emphasized.]

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Introduction

[Abstracts and abstracting are an essential component of academic research and communication,
providing a concise summary of a research article, report, or presentation

Objectives

The briefing enables the reader to; (1) Understand the purpose and function of abstracts, and

their role in academic research and communication, (2) Identify the different types of abstracts,

including descriptive, informative, and structured abstracts, and their characteristics, (3)Learn

best practices for writing abstracts, including how to write a clear and concise summary of

research findings while conveying its significance and relevance and (4) Recognize the

importance of abstracting and indexing services in facilitating access to scholarly literature and

research.]

Definition

[Abstracts and abstracting refer to the process of summarizing the content of a research article,

report, or presentation, typically in a concise paragraph or a set of paragraphs. Abstracts are used

in scholarly communication to provide readers with an overview of the research, enabling them

to quickly determine whether the full text is relevant to their interests. Abstracting is the activity

of creating abstracts, which can be done manually or automatically using various indexing and

abstracting services(Bodenheimer, 2011). In information organization, abstracts are used as a

means of metadata, aiding in the identification, discovery, and retrieval of information. ]

Purpose and implications

[Expansion on definition

Abstracts and abstracting are an integral part of scholarly communication, providing a brief and

concise summary of the content of a research article, report, or presentation. The purpose of an
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abstract is to enable readers to quickly evaluate the relevance and importance of the research,

without having to read the entire document. Abstracts are typically structured to include the main

purpose, methodology, results, and conclusions of the research, providing readers with a clear

and comprehensive overview of the study. Abstracting refers to the process of creating abstracts,

which can be done manually or automatically using various indexing and abstracting services.

Indexing and abstracting services are databases that provide access to a wide range of scholarly

literature, including abstracts, and are used by researchers, librarians, and information

professionals to locate and retrieve information on a specific topic. In information organization,

abstracts are an important form of metadata that aid in the identification, discovery, and retrieval

of information. Abstracts serve as a brief summary of the content of a research article or report,

enabling users to quickly evaluate its relevance and significance (Hamilton, 2011). Effective

abstracts should accurately and concisely convey the main findings, purpose, and significance of

the research, while also providing enough information to enable users to decide whether to read

the full text.

Importance of Abstracts and abstracting concept

Purpose of Abstracts

Abstracts serve the purpose of providing a concise summary of a research article, report, or

presentation. They give readers an overview of the research, enabling them to quickly determine

whether the full text is relevant to their interests. This helps researchers to identify relevant

materials quickly and efficiently, saving time and effort. Effective abstracts should accurately

and concisely convey the main findings, purpose, and significance of the research, enabling

readers to quickly assess the value of the work.

Use in Organizing and Accessing Information

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Abstracts are a crucial component of metadata, aiding in the identification, discovery, and

retrieval of information. They provide key information about the content of a research article or

report, making it easier for users to locate relevant materials when searching databases or other

information resources. These services are databases that provide access to a wide range of

scholarly literature, including abstracts, and are used by researchers, librarians, and information

professionals to locate and retrieve information on a specific topic (Blobaum, 2012).

Implications for organizing and accessing information

Advantages of abstracting

Abstracting plays a significant role in organizing and accessing information by providing a quick

and accurate overview of research content. It helps researchers and information professionals to

save time and effort in locating and evaluating information relevant to their interests. Abstracts

provide a concise summary of the main findings, purpose, and significance of the research,

which aids in identifying and retrieving relevant documents.

Disadvantages of abstracting

However, abstracts may not always capture the nuances and complexities of the research, leading

to a loss of some valuable information. Also, the quality and accuracy of abstracts may vary

depending on the skill of the abstractor or the indexing and abstracting service used.

Professional Issues, Concerns, and Challenges

Abstracting involves making decisions about what information to include and exclude, which

can be a subjective process. This subjectivity can lead to issues of bias, especially when abstracts

are used for evaluation or decision-making purposes. Moreover, the use of automated abstracting

tools raises concerns about the quality and consistency of abstracts, which can affect the

reliability and trustworthiness of the information.]

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Examples

[1. Research paper abstract

An abstract for a research paper summarizes the main ideas and findings of the paper. For

example, a research paper on the impact of social media on mental health may have an abstract

that briefly discusses the research question, methodology, and main findings.

2. Conference presentation abstract

An abstract for a conference presentation provides an overview of the presentation topic and key

points. For instance, an abstract for a conference presentation on the use of virtual reality in

education may include a brief summary of the benefits of virtual reality in the classroom.

3. Indexing and abstracting service

A database such as PubMed or Web of Science provides abstracts of articles indexed in the

database. These abstracts enable researchers to quickly identify relevant articles for their

research]

Conclusion

[Abstracts are important in scholarly communication as they provide a brief overview of research

articles or presentations, allowing readers to evaluate their relevance. Abstracting helps

researchers locate and retrieve relevant materials, saving time and effort. However, subjectivity

in the abstracting process can lead to issues of bias, and automated tools raise concerns about

quality and consistency. Information professionals have a responsibility to ensure accurate and

fair abstracts.]
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References [No length limitation]

[Bodenheimer, L. (2011). Abstracts and abstracting: A genre and set of skills for the twenty-first

century. Cataloging & Classification Quarterly, 49(2), 140-142.

doi:10.1080/01639374.2011.541735

Hamilton, V. (2011). Abstracts and abstracting: A genre and set of skills for the twenty-first

century. Library Review, 60(3), 258-259. doi:10.1108/00242531111117308

Blobaum, P. M. (2012). Abstracts and abstracting: A genre and set of skills for the Twenty-First

Century. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 100(4), 324.

doi:10.3163/1536- 5050.100.4.020]