Final answer:
The correct format for the running head on the abstract page of a manuscript is 'Running head: THIS IS A RUNNING HEAD', with the phrase 'Running head:' followed by a simplified paper title in all caps and not exceeding 50 characters.
Therefore, the correct answer is: option " Running head: THIS IS A RUNNING HEAD".
Step-by-step explanation:
For APA format, the running head includes a shortened version of the title of the document IN CAPITAL LETTERS, as well as the page number.
The proper format for the running head on the abstract page of a manuscript, according to the American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines, is a simplified version of the title of your paper. It should not exceed 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation.
The running head appears in the header of each page, aligned to the left, in all capital letters.
On the title page and abstract page, the phrase 'Running head:' is included before the running head itself. For subsequent pages, only the running head itself (without 'Running head:') should be included.
Here's how it should look on the abstract page: Running head: THIS IS A RUNNING HEAD