Research Paper Format Example Abstract (APA Style)
An abstract is a short summary of your (published or unpublished) research paper, usually about a paragraph (c. 6-7 sentences, 150-250 words) long. Academic papers in APA style contain abstracts after the title page or first page. In a research paper, an abstract leads the paper and summarizes the key points.
Some common elements found in an APA-style abstract include:
The problem or issue being addressed in the paper
The purpose and scope of the research conducted
Methods used to conduct the research
Main findings or trends uncovered from the research
Broad implications of the research
Formatting guidelines for an APA style abstract are:
Begin with the running head and page number at the top, just as with the rest of the APA paper.
Center the word “Abstract” at the top of the page without formatting (bold, italics, quotation marks).
Write the abstract in block format – that is, do not indent the first line of each paragraph.
Your abstract should be one paragraph, double-spaced, without any extra spacing between paragraphs or after the period at the end.
Use 11-point Times New Roman font just like the rest of the paper.
Keep the abstract to less than 250 words.
Here is a sample abstract formatted according to APA style:
Abstract
Domestic violence against women affects thousands of individuals and families each year. This qualitative research study explored how women who have experienced domestic violence view and describe help-seeking. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 women ages 25-45 who had sought help for domestic violence within the past 5 years. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Key findings suggest participants felt both empowered and ashamed by seeking help. Participants wanted more compassion and less judgment from helpers. While many found shelter programs useful for safety, counseling was viewed as more helpful for long-term recovery and preventing future abuse. Implications are that domestic violence services and public awareness efforts could benefit from a trauma-informed emphasis on empowerment rather than victimization. Sensitivity to survivors’ complex emotional experiences may improve outcomes and encourage more women to seek the help they need.
Some important points to note about this sample abstract:
The author clearly states the research problem or issue addressed which is domestic violence against women.
The purpose and scope of the research is clearly explained – a qualitative study using interviews to explore how women who experienced domestic violence view help-seeking.
Key methods used are identified – semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 women.
Main findings are highlighted succinctly – feelings of empowerment and shame from seeking help, desire for compassion not judgment from helpers, views on usefulness of shelter programs versus counseling.
Broad implications are noted – improve domestic violence services and awareness through trauma-informed, empowerment-focused approach to better meet complex emotional needs of survivors.
Following APA format guidelines, the abstract provides a concise yet informative summary of the full research paper. Readers gain an understanding of the overall purpose and main takeaways without having to read the entire paper. The sample abstract effectively previews the research problem, goals, methods, findings and implications to pique interest for the full report.
When writing your own APA-style abstract, consider including these core elements:
Clearly state the research issue or problem being addressed
Explain the purpose and scope of your study
Identify key methods used to conduct the research
Highlight major findings or trends from your results
Note broad implications and importance of the research
Keep the language concise and specific. Use the active voice (“Researchers investigated…”) rather than passive (“It was investigated…”). Omit detailed results, citations, figures, or tables. Focus on summarizing the main essence of your paper succinctly within the 250-word limit. Remember, the goal is to provide readers a helpful roadmap rather than repeat the full report. Following APA style guidelines will create a professional abstract that effectively previews your research.