When writing a formal lab report, what are the key differences between the abstract and the introduction? They seem so interchangeable/redundant!

Question

When writing a formal lab report, what are the key differences between the abstract and the introduction?  They seem so interchangeable/redundant!

nechirwan · Answer

yahoo answer said : An abstract is a sort of summary of the entire paper. It should be specific about the main findings and not vague. It will also specify what was the aims and goals of the study. An abstract guides other researchers into whether the full paper is worth a more detailed study. It behooves the author to make life of such persons easier by writing a proper abstract. On the other hand, an introduction leads the reader into the subject of study by giving the state of art of knowledge in the area, the lacunae, and reasons for undertaking the present study. The following may help: http://www.languages.ait.ac.th/el21abst.... http://www.languages.ait.ac.th/el21int.h...