Q: Can a paper be published without an abstract?
As I was browsing for literature reviews, I came across one article without an abstract. Is it acceptable?
Generally, it is not acceptable for journal articles to be published without an abstract. This is because the abstract provides the reader with information about what to expect in the paper. Thus, by reading an abstract, a reader can decide whether or not to read the entire article. However, there is a possibility that some journals might not require an abstract for certain types of articles, particularly short ones, such as short communications or letters to the editor. However, in general, an abstract is considered mandatory for all full-fledged articles.
The reason why you didn't find the abstract for an article during your literature search, could, however, be different, and is probably related to the database rather than the journal. Some databases provide access to full-text articles, while others only supply article citations, with or without abstracts. It is possible that the database where this article is stored does not supply the abstract.
Related reading:
This content belongs to the Manuscript Writing Stage
Translate your research into a publication-worthy manuscript by understanding the nuances of academic writing. Subscribe and get curated reads that will help you write an excellent manuscript.