Apa General Format Summary - American Psychological Associat

Apa General Formatsummaryapa American Psychological Association Styl

APA (American Psychological Association) style is most commonly used to cite sources within the social sciences. This resource, revised according to the 6th edition, second printing of the APA manual, offers examples for the general format of APA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the reference page. For more information, please consult the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, (6th ed., 2nd printing). Contributors: Joshua M. Paiz, Elizabeth Angeli, Jodi Wagner, Elena Lawrick, Kristen Moore, Michael Anderson, Lars Soderlund, Allen Brizee, Russell Keck Last Edited: :06:24 Please use the example at the bottom of this page to cite the Purdue OWL in APA.

To see a side-by-side comparison of the three most widely used citation styles, including a chart of all APA citation guidelines, see the Citation Style Chart. You can also watch our APA vidcast series on the Purdue OWL YouTube Channel.

Paper For Above instruction

APA style is a widely adopted format for writing research papers and citing sources within the social sciences. Developed by the American Psychological Association, this style provides standardized guidelines to ensure clarity, uniformity, and credibility in academic writing. Fundamental aspects of APA style include specific formatting rules for the entire document, precise in-text citations, and comprehensive reference lists that enable readers to locate sources efficiently.

Introduction to APA Style

The primary purpose of APA style is to facilitate clear communication of ideas among researchers, students, and professionals by establishing conventions for writing and citing sources. It emphasizes the importance of accurate attribution through detailed guidelines that cover various source formats, including books, journal articles, electronic sources, and multimedia materials. Adhering to APA style not only enhances the professionalism of a paper but also respects intellectual property rights and reduces instances of plagiarism.

Formatting Guidelines

According to the 6th edition of the APA manual, research papers should be typed, double-spaced, on standard 8.5" x 11" paper with 1-inch margins on all sides. A legible, highly readable font such as 12-point Times New Roman is recommended. Each page should include a page header, also called a "running head," consisting of the abbreviated title of the paper in uppercase letters flush left, and the page number flush right. The running head should not exceed 50 characters including spaces and punctuation.

Major Sections of an APA Paper

The typical APA research paper includes four major sections: the Title Page, Abstract, Main Body, and References. The Title Page features the paper title, author's name, and institutional affiliation, with the header specifying the running head and page number. The abstract begins on a new page, centered at the top, providing a concise summary of the research, including key points such as research questions, participants, methods, results, and implications. The main body contains the introduction, method, results, and discussion sections. The References list all sources cited in the text, formatted according to APA guidelines.

Title Page and Abstract

The title should be brief, clear, and centered in the upper half of the page, ideally no more than 12 words. The author's name follows, without academic titles or degrees. The institutional affiliation indicates where the research was conducted. The abstract, formatted on a separate page, should be between 150-250 words, beginning with the word "Abstract" centered at the top. It summarizes the research topic, questions, methods, findings, and significance. Keywords may be included to aid discoverability.

In-Text Citations and References

In-text citations in APA include the author's last name and the publication year, e.g., (Smith, 2020). Paraphrased information and direct quotes both require citations, with page numbers for quotes. The reference list provides full publication details, formatted according to APA rules. Entries should be alphabetized by the last name of the first author. Accurate and consistent citation practices are vital to academic integrity and scholarly communication.

Tables and Figures

Tables and figures should be used judiciously to clarify and enhance the text. Tables must include a descriptive title, and APA style prescribes specific formatting like horizontal lines above and below headers and at the bottom. Figures should be numbered consecutively, with captions placed below the figure. Both should be referenced appropriately within the text. Proper formatting ensures clarity and professionalism.

Conclusion

Mastering APA style is essential for students and researchers aiming to produce credible and recognizable scholarly work. It promotes clarity, consistency, and ethical scholarship by providing clear guidelines for writing, citing, and formatting research papers. Familiarity with the APA manual and online resources, such as the Purdue OWL, supports the development of proper citation skills and adherence to academic standards.

References

  • American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). APA.
  • Angeli, E., Wagner, J., Lawrick, E., Moore, K., Anderson, M., Soderlund, L., & Brizee, A. (2010). General format. Retrieved from https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html
  • Purdue OWL. (n.d.). APA formatting and style guide. Retrieved from https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide.html
  • American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). APA.
  • Brizee, A., Angeli, E., & Swerdzewski, P. (2010). Formatting research papers. Purdue Online Writing Lab. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/apa_sample_paper.html
  • American Psychological Association. (2019). APA style guidelines. https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines
  • Gibaldi, J. (2003). MLA handbook for writers of research papers (6th ed.). Modern Language Association.
  • Council of Science Editors. (2014). Documenting sources in scientific papers. CSE Manual.
  • Walden University Writing Center. (2021). APA style and formatting. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/apa
  • University of Michigan Library. (n.d.). How to cite sources in APA. https://guides.lib.umich.edu/c.php?g=282846&p=1885435

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