A research paper abstract allows readers to quickly scan a document and understand its key points and purpose. An abstract is a short, standalone summary of a full research paper or report designed to provide a focused introduction to the topic and rationale. Abstracts are especially important in standardized formatting used for academic and scientific publishing like APA style. This article provides an in-depth APA style research paper abstract example and guidelines for writing effective abstracts.
An abstract should be a single paragraph, typically between 150-250 words. It is placed on a separate page before the main body of the paper as the first distinguishing page. The abstract page is numbered as page two even though it precedes the first page of text. This APA style research paper abstract example is 225 words.
The Effects of Positive Emotions on Physical Health
Positive emotions, such as joy, love, and amusement, have been linked to improved psychological and social well-being. Little research has explored how positive emotions specifically impact physical health. The present study investigated this relationship through a survey methodology. A sample of 150 adults between the ages of 25-75 years completed self-report measures of positive affect, health behaviors, and subjective health. Correlational analyses revealed that higher levels of positive emotions were significantly associated with healthier behaviors like exercising regularly and avoiding smoking. Positive affect was also moderately correlated with overall self-rated health and fewer reported illnesses. A regression analysis showed that positive emotions uniquely predicted variance in health status above and beyond traditional indicators like age, gender, and body mass index. These preliminary findings highlight the importance of exploring positive emotions as a predictor of objective health outcomes in future research.
Key elements of this APA style abstract example include:
Headings and structure: There is a running head formatted according to APA style guidelines. The paper topic and type come first, followed by the phrase “running head:” and a shortened version of the title in all caps.
Background and purpose: The first sentence provides context about previous research linking positive emotions to psychological well-being. The second sentence establishes an unexplored area and purpose.
Methods: The third sentence summarizes the study design and methodology used (e.g. survey).
Results: Key results are briefly outlined, focusing on significant correlations and predictive relationships found. Numeric data or precise measurements are usually not included unless they are critical to illustrate significance.
Conclusions: The last sentence or two summarize conclusions and implications, potentially noting limitations and future directions.
These core components help paint an overall picture of the research while engaging the reader and highlighting important findings to pique interest without revealing all methodological details. Proportion of each element will vary based on the specific study, but a properly formatted abstract should clearly and concisely achieve these objectives.
Some additional tips for writing effective APA style abstracts include:
Use the active voice when possible and limit technical jargon that may not be widely understood without context.
Maintain objectivity and avoid qualitative terms like “very” or “extremely.” Do not exaggerate implications beyond data provided.
Keep the abstract self-contained – do not refer to other sections like the introduction or methods. Only directly quoted or paraphrased information should be referenced.
Proofread carefully for clarity, grammar, spelling, and consistency with the full paper. The abstract acts like a mini-paper on its own.
Limit speculative statements and emphasize interpretations supported by results provided. Conclusions should be directly tied to findings.
Have co-researchers or peers review drafts to ensure its accurate representation and engagement for a wide audience. Abstracts require concise yet compelling writing.
Properly formatted abstracts provide a valuable snapshot to quickly evaluate relevance. This example showcases key APA style guidelines to effectively summarize empirical research concisely and coherently. Understanding components like headings, purpose statements, methodological summaries and highlighted conclusions serve as a useful reference for any research project. With practice, clear and engaging abstracts can be crafted to better communicate results and implications.