An APA abstract is a concise 150 to 250-word summary of a research paper’s purpose, methodology, primary results, and conclusions, placed on its own dedicated page (Page 2) directly after the title page. Whether you are preparing an undergraduate psychology thesis, a nursing empirical study, or a journal submission, this guide breaks down the official APA 7th edition formatting rules, step-by-step writing process, and annotated examples.
- Placement: Always starts on a separate page immediately following the Title Page (Page 2).
- Word Count: Strictly between 150 and 250 words unless your module handbook specifies otherwise.
- Heading Format: Write the word Abstract centered and in bold at the top of the page (no italics, quotation marks, or period).
- Paragraph Style: Written as a single block paragraph flush with the left margin (do not indent the first line).
What is an abstract in APA format?
An APA abstract is a self-contained executive overview of your scholarly paper. It sits on Page 2 right after the title page and gives university markers, peer reviewers, and academic database readers an immediate understanding of your entire investigation without reading the rest of the manuscript.
Because academic search engines (such as PsycINFO, PubMed, and Google Scholar) index and display the abstract first, a well-structured APA abstract determines whether other researchers read and cite your work.
Do you need an abstract for an APA paper?
Not every APA-formatted assignment requires an abstract. Whether you need one depends on your academic level and assessment brief:
Student papers
Under the APA 7th Edition Student Paper guidelines, short undergraduate coursework essays typically omit the abstract unless your lecturer or module rubric explicitly requests one. However, final-year honours dissertations, empirical lab reports, and postgraduate capstone papers almost always require an abstract.
Professional papers and journal articles
Professional manuscripts, doctoral theses, and peer-reviewed journal submissions mandatory require an abstract alongside 3 to 5 indexed keywords so research repositories can categorize the study accurately.
APA abstract format: APA 7th edition requirements
The American Psychological Association (APA 7th Edition) enforces strict typographical and layout specifications for the abstract page:
| Formatting Element | APA 7th Edition Official Guideline |
|---|---|
| Length / Word Count | 150 to 250 words (strictly check your university rubric limit) |
| Page Placement | Separate page immediately after the Title Page (Page 2) |
| Section Heading | Abstract — centered and bold at the top of the page |
| First-Line Indentation | None (flush left block paragraph; do NOT indent the first line) |
| Line Spacing | Double-spaced throughout (including the keywords line) |
| Margins | 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all four sides |
| Approved Fonts | 12-pt Times New Roman, 11-pt Calibri, 11-pt Arial, or 11-pt Georgia |
| Keywords Line | Indented 0.5 in below the abstract; Keywords: italicized followed by 3–5 lowercase terms |
What should an APA abstract include?
A First-Class APA abstract synthesizes four core pillars of your study in 1 to 2 crisp sentences each:
1. Research problem and purpose
Open by stating the central problem under investigation, the theoretical gap in existing literature, and your specific research question or hypothesis.
2. Methods and participants
Briefly describe your research design (e.g., randomized controlled trial, cross-sectional survey, or semi-structured qualitative interviews), sample size (N), participant demographics, and analytical instruments.
3. Results and main findings
Report the most important concrete outcomes, statistical trends, or qualitative themes discovered during your data analysis.
4. Conclusion and practical implications
Close with one sentence explaining what your findings mean for theory, clinical practice, or future academic inquiry.
How to write an abstract in APA: step-by-step guide
- Write the abstract last: Always complete your entire paper before drafting the abstract so your summary accurately reflects your final discussion and results.
- State the research objective in Sentence 1: Use clear phrases such as “This study investigates…” or “The present inquiry examines…”.
- Summarize your methodology in Past Tense: Specify participant numbers and instruments (e.g., “A quantitative survey of 180 UK undergraduate students was conducted…”).
- Highlight primary findings in Past or Present Tense: Include key empirical discoveries clearly and objectively.
- State the conclusion and real-world impact: Explain why the study matters.
- Add 3–5 searchable Keywords: Place them on a new indented line right below the paragraph.
- Verify word count and flush-left formatting: Confirm the paragraph is under 250 words with zero first-line indentation.
APA abstract example (Student Empirical Paper)
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between nightly sleep duration, chronotype alignment, and examination performance among final-year undergraduate students across three UK universities. Although prior literature has established a broad link between sleep quality and cumulative GPA, limited empirical research has evaluated acute cognitive alertness shifts during high-stakes assessment periods. A quantitative longitudinal survey design was utilized to collect actigraphy sleep logs and examination marks from 210 undergraduate participants over a four-week assessment window. Regression analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between maintaining 7 to 8 hours of consistent sleep and achieving First-Class module marks (r = .46, p < .001). Conversely, acute sleep restriction (< 5 hours) prior to examination days predicted a 14% decline in analytical problem-solving accuracy. These findings indicate that university student wellbeing interventions should prioritize structured sleep hygiene education alongside academic revision workshops.
Keywords: sleep duration, academic performance, undergraduate students, cognitive alertness, APA assessment
Common mistakes to avoid in an APA abstract
- Indenting the first line: Unlike body paragraphs in APA 7th style, the abstract paragraph must remain flush left.
- Citing external literature: Your abstract should summarize your own study—avoid parenthetical citations unless your paper directly replicates a named author’s scale.
- Including undefined abbreviations or jargon: Spell out terms on first use so interdisciplinary readers can follow your summary effortlessly.
- Exceeding 250 words: Automated journal portals and strict university markers penalize abstracts that run over the 250-word ceiling.
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