Final answer:
The abstract is placed at the beginning of the research plan, acting as a summary that includes the purpose, methods, and main findings of the research. It is important for readers to obtain a quick overview of the study.
Step-by-step explanation:
The abstract should be placed at the beginning of the research plan. Although it is written after the main content of the proposal has been developed, its position precedes the main body of the text. It serves as a concise summary of the research, including the purpose, methodology, and main findings. The abstract enables readers to quickly grasp the essence of the research plan or paper and decide whether to delve deeper into the document.
A typical structure for a scientific paper includes the abstract, introduction, data and methods, results, and conclusion, often referred to as the "IMRAD" format. The purpose of the abstract is to give a clear and concise overview of what the reader can expect to find in the rest of the research plan. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is: C. The abstract is at the beginning of the research plan.