What is the primary objective when authors summarize the work of others?

The primary objective when authors summarize the work of others is to provide a condensed version of the original material. This approach allows researchers to distill key findings, arguments, and methodologies from prior studies while omitting extraneous details. Summarizing in this manner is essential for demonstrating how previous work informs or relates to one’s own research, enabling readers to grasp important concepts without wading through lengthy original texts.

While the other options suggest various approaches, they do not capture the core intent of summarization. An exhaustive account or inclusion of all details is impractical in a summary, as it defeats the purpose of conciseness. Additionally, while reinterpretation of material can be important in research, it is more relevant when integrating that work into one's own study rather than in the act of summarizing. Summaries are about clarity and brevity, focusing on critical information that supports further research or discussion.