Final answer:
When documents are too large, a summary is a condensed version that captures main ideas, aiding in efficient research.
Step-by-step explanation:
When original documents are too voluminous to permit careful examination, a good alternative is to create a summary. A summary is a condensed version of a longer text that captures its main ideas. This brief representation is crafted in your own words and highlights the text's essential points. It's particularly useful when details in the original document are unnecessary or irrelevant to your research question. A summary allows one to consume and understand large amounts of information quickly, thus facilitating more effective and efficient research.