What is an Abstract?

An abstract is a brief, concise summary of a research paper or article. It provides a brief overview of the paper's topic, research question, methods, results, and conclusions.

Why is an Abstract Important?

Abstracts are important because they:

• Help readers quickly understand the main points of a paper
• Allow readers to decide whether they want to read the full text
• Help researchers find papers that are relevant to their research

When writing an abstract in the American Psychological Association (APA) style, follow these steps:

1. Begin with a concise, attention-grabbing title that accurately reflects the content of the paper.
2. Start the abstract with the heading "Abstract:" centered at the top of the page.
3. Double-space the text and left-justify it.
4. Use a standard font (e.g., Times New Roman or Arial) and font size (e.g., 12 points).
5. Limit the abstract to a single paragraph of no more than 250 words.
6. Include the following information in the abstract:
   • A brief overview of the topic and purpose of your paper
   • A statement of the research question or hypothesis
   • A description of the methods used in the study (including participants, procedures, and materials)
   • A summary of the main results of the study
   • A brief discussion of the implications of the study
7. Avoid using citations, references, abbreviations, and jargon.

Tips for Writing an Effective Abstract

To write an effective abstract, consider the following tips:

• Use clear, concise language.
• Use active voice and present tense.
• Avoid using overly technical language or jargon.
• Proofread carefully for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Examples of Abstracts

Here are two examples of abstracts in APA format:

Example 1:

Abstract:

This study examined the relationship between social media use and mental health in adolescents. Adolescent participants (N = 100, ages 13-18) completed a survey assessing social media use and mental health symptoms. Results showed that adolescents who spent more time on social media were more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety. Additionally, adolescents who used social media to compare themselves to others were more likely to experience low self-esteem. These findings suggest that social media use may have negative effects on adolescent mental health.

Example 2:

Abstract:

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention in reducing stress in college students. College participants (N = 50) were randomly assigned to either the mindfulness-based intervention or a control condition. The mindfulness-based intervention consisted of eight weekly sessions that taught participants how to practice mindfulness meditation. The results showed that the mindfulness-based intervention was effective in reducing stress levels and improving mood and sleep quality in college students. These findings suggest that mindfulness-based interventions may be beneficial for reducing stress in college students.

Conclusion

By following the guidelines and tips outlined in this article, you can write an effective abstract that will make your paper more likely to be read and cited.