The abstract is an important section of your APA format paper. It is typically the first section of your paper other than the title page. The abstract is a brief summary of your paper. It is supposed to concisely convey to readers the key points of your research. While it is a short section, the abstract is extremely important. For many readers, the abstract is the only section they read before moving on to read another paper. It can influence whether they choose to read your paper in its entirety or move on to another. For this reason, you must craft your abstract carefully. In this article, we will cover the basic components and structure of an APA style abstract and provide some tips for writing an effective one.
The overall structure and organization of an APA abstract follows a standard format. The abstract should be between 150-250 words and is written in block format. This means that the entire abstract is not indented, unlike the main body paragraphs of your paper, which are typically indented five spaces. The abstract contains the following key elements:
Heading – The word “Abstract” is centered at the top of the page and is not bolded or underlined.
Brief overview statement – The first sentence should provide a general overview of the purpose or topic of the paper. This is sometimes called the “background statement.”
Method summary – Describe briefly but systematically the methodology of the research study, including details such as the research design, participants, materials and apparatus used, and procedures followed. The goal is to concisely explain how the study was conducted or designed.
Results summary – Summarize the major results found in the research study without providing specific quantitative details or statistics. The key is to convey the major outcomes found as a result of the methodology used.
Conclusions – The final sentence or two should relate the importance or implications of the results and their applications or limitations. Do not introduce any new information not stated earlier in the paper or abstract. Simply draw conclusions about the study based on the results.
While following the standard structure and format, here are some additional tips for crafting an effective abstract:
Use parallel structure in your sentences. For example, if describing the study design, participants, and procedure, use parallel verbs like “assessed,” “surveyed,” “examined,” etc. This improves readability.
Use the past tense to describe the study and results since the research has already been conducted. Use present tense for conclusions and implications that remain valid.
Focus on defining the variables, concepts, theories being tested or examined rather than going into excessive detail about the background literature. The goal is brevity.
Avoid subjective evaluations, opinionated or speculative statements, and salesmanship. Present only objective facts without bias. Use precise but understandable language for your field.
Proofread carefully for clarity, conciseness, and proper APA style. Have others proofread as well to ensure understanding as a standalone text without context of the full paper.
Test the abstract by ensuring readers understand the purpose, methods, results, and conclusions without reading the full paper. It should effectively function as an accurate micro view of the entire study.
Remember that the purpose of an APA style abstract is to serve as a brief but accurate and complete representation of your entire paper in miniature form. It allows readers to quickly understand your purpose, methodology, key findings, and implications without digesting the full paper. Following the standard structure and applying best practices will help you write an effective abstract that serves its purpose. Properly crafting the abstract is crucial for communicating your research and influencing whether readers choose to engage further with your full paper.