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	Psychology Laboratory Report Writing

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2: Abstract

On the second page of a psychology laboratory report is an Abstract. The word, "Abstract", is generally centred at the top of the page on which the abstract is written. The abstract is generally one paragraph, written single-spaced. An abstract should:

• provide a brief, but comprehensive account of the research that was undertaken;
• be approximately 100-150 words long;
• include 1-2 sentences addressing each of the main sections of the report (that is, Introduction, Method, Results, and Discussion);
• provide a brief statement of the problem to which the research was addressed, and its background and rationale;
• give details of the key aspects of the methodology and of the principal findings;
• outline the conclusions that have been drawn from the research.

The word limit is often very strict and, therefore, an important task is to decide what must be included and what can be omitted. Having said that, abstracts are generally written after all other parts of the report have been finished. In that way, they can more easily be written as a true summary of the report itself.

• Example of an abstract (1st year student)

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Last updated August 30, 2004 | Site credits and information Site contacts - content: Prof. Gail Huon School of Psychology, construction: Belinda Allen EDTeC © The University of New South Wales 2004