How long should the abstract be in an APA formatted paper?

In an APA formatted paper, the abstract should typically be structured to provide a succinct summary of the research. According to the APA Publication Manual (7th edition), an abstract is expected to be between 150 and 250 words. This range is designed to give authors enough space to include important elements of the research, including its purpose, methodology, results, and conclusions, while ensuring that the abstract remains concise and to the point.

The choices listed may reflect common misconceptions about the length of abstracts, but the specific range of 150 to 250 words is supported by APA guidelines, making this selection the most accurate and appropriate for ensuring adherence to APA standards.