Final answer:
The essential components of an abstract for a research paper are problem, methods, results, and discussion, matching option c and aligning with the IMRaD structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The important parts of an abstract for a published research paper typically include the problem, methods, results, and discussion. This format aligns with the conventional IMRaD structure, which stands for Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. Therefore, the correct answer is c. problem, methods, results, discussion.
An abstract serves as a concise summary of the entire study, providing readers with an overview of the research's purpose, the methods used, the key findings, and the significance of the research. Moreover, the abstract may discuss the implications of the results or highlight the importance of the research within the field.
When crafting an abstract, researchers should aim to briefly but accurately represent the contents of their paper, setting the stage for the subsequent detailed sections which will include an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and finally the conclusions drawn from the research.