APA POINTERS:How to organize & format research papers,

construct a strong thesis,integrate research,

cite sources, create a reference list,and avoid plagiarism. 1

Created byThe Kinkel Center for Academic Resources

Dr. Jane Snyder, Director Contact information for Writing Specialists:

Teresa Sweeney719-3608

tsweeney@fontbonne.eduPeggy Muldoon

889-4725pmuldoon@fontbonne.edu

2

Reasons to use research:

• To provide background or context for exploration of a topic.• To support ideas, analysis, & claims.• To explain concepts.• To give credibility to

an argument.• To counter opposing arguments.

3

Research Paper Formats• “General” Research Paper• Culminating Project (Capstone, Senior

Synthesis, etc.)

4

APA Format

• Use 12 pt. font, usually Times New Roman or Courier New.

• Create 1 inch margins at top, bottom, left, and right.

• Maintain double spacing throughout paper.• Provide headings to support clear

organization.

5

“General” Research Paper Structure

• Title Page• Introduction• Abstract [if required]• Body – develops one idea within each body paragraph– may be divided into sections using section headings

• Conclusion

6

APA Title Page• Use 12 pt. font, usually Times New Roman or Courier

New.• Create 1 inch margins at top, bottom, left, and right.• Number title page (in upper right corner) as 1.• Provide a running head, flush left, which consists of a

word or phrase from your title in capital letters, preceded by a colon and the phrase “Running head.”

• Center title. Title should capture focus of paper in a clear and concise manner.

• Provide student, class, and instructor information at bottom of page.

7

Running head: GLOBAL WARMING 1

Global Warming: Causes and Effects

Teresa SweeneyENG 102

Professor SmithMay 10, 2010 8

Abstract (if required)

• Number Abstract 2.• Center the title—Abstract—one inch from top of

page.• Provide a clear and concise (100-200 word

paragraph) overview of your essay.

9

IntroductionI. Draws the reader in with a hook

A. An anecdote or story that illustrates the thesis ORB. A quotation that gets to the heart of the topic (and relates to the thesis) ORC. A compelling definition of the topic (NOT from the dictionary).

II. Moves from the “hook” to a general statement that includes the topic

III. Establishes context & provides a lead-in to thesisIV. Provides a clear, concise, and ordered thesis

A. Provides clear indication of focus (topic) and purpose (explaining, arguing, comparing & contrasting, etc.)B. Establishes organization of paper by specifying key points; order of points presented in thesis should be followed in body paragraphs.

10

Constructing a strong thesis:

• A strong thesis offers a narrow, specific, and concise statement.

• A strong thesis often answers a research question.

• A strong thesis provides a foundation for your paper.

• A strong thesis can be either expository or argumentative.

11

Types of Thesis Statements

• Thesis derived from research question

• Expository thesis

• Persuasive thesis

• Comparison & contrast thesis

12

Thesis Statement Derived from Research Question

• The following example is taken from A Pocket Style Manual, 5th ed., by Diana Hacker (2008):

RESEARCH QUESTION• How has the managed care system affected the role of

nurses on health care teams?

POSSIBLE THESIS• As HMOs seek to increase their profitability with new

cost-control methods, nurses have taken on more job responsibilities, but not always with adequate compensation.

13

Persuasive Thesis Statements

• What democracy requires is public debate, not just information. (claim)

• Stress in the workplace causes employee low productivity and ill health. (cause & effect claim)

• Even though debate is still raging, global warming has been shown to be a scientific fact. (taking a position on an issue)

14

Expository Thesis Statement

• Several proven methods insure employee retention: __________, __________, and ____________.

15

Comparison & Contrast Thesis Statement

16

• While for-profit and nonprofit organizations have some similarities, they also have key differences.

Body Paragraph 1

I. Opens with a topic sentence that focuses paragraph and provides main idea.II. Provides sentences that develop and support the topic.III. Uses outside sources to provide background, define concept, offer

expert testimony about subject, support claims, or refute opposition. A. Uses a signal phrase to introduce a quotation or a paraphrase.B. Follows APA in-text citation format.C. For paraphrase, explains idea in student’s own words.D. For quotation, provides concise, clear, and effective quotations.

IV. Closes with a sentence that reiterates focus of paragraph and that may also forecast topic of the next body paragraph.

17

Body Paragraph 2 and BeyondI. Opens with a transitional phrase or sentence to

connect to first body paragraph.II. Provides a clear and focused topic sentence.II. Follows pattern described in Body Paragraph 1.

18

Integrating researchWhether using books, web documents, or field research, you must integrate research into your paper in a clear, correct, and coherent manner. 19

Integrating research(continued)

• Support your argument, analysis, or findings with quotations, summary, or paraphrase.

• Place source material in context by framing the quotation or paraphrase.

• Use signal phrases to introduce paraphrase and quotations.• Use either past tense (argued) or present perfect tense (has

argued) in signal phrases or when referring to research material. • Reproduce quotation verbatim (exactly as written). • Enclose quotation within quotation marks. • Set off quotations of 40 words or more in block format.• Cite all use of source material that is not common knowledge.• Follow use of quotation or paraphrase with interpretive comments

that link quotation to topic of paragraph.

20

Signal phrases help to provide coherency and clear attribution of sources.

Signal phrase introducing a paraphrase:• Researchers Jones and

Yi (2004) provided a compelling argument against this theory, stating that researchers had based their theory on results obtained from too small of a sample size (p. 41).

Signal phrase introducing a quotation:• As Smith (2008) has

indicated, “The design of the experiment led to its failure” (p. 265).

• According to Meyers (2009), “Television viewing has contributed to voter apathy” (p. 23).

21

Conclusion or

I. Wraps up the paper by summarizing the main points.

II. May make a connection (if appropriate to do so) between thesis and the reader's life.

III. May “frame” paper by connecting to “hook” used in introduction.

IV. Ends with a bang, not with a whimper!

22

Reference Page

• Center title—References—at top of page.• Alphabetize reference list according to last name

of author.• Provide only initial of author’s first name.• Use a hanging indent: first line of entry is flush

left; second line of entry is indented five spaces.• Provide essential information: author, year of

publication, title, publisher of work and/or retrieval date if accessed through the internet.

23

References:• Citation format for a book:Sweeney, T. (2009). APA pointers: How to construct

a strong thesis, format research papers, integrate research, cite sources, and create a reference list. St. Louis: Fontbonne University Press.

• Citation format for a magazine article:

Sweeney, T. (2009, March 5). APA pointers: How to construct a strong thesis, format research papers, integrate research, cite sources, and create a reference list. Fontbonne University Press, 160-164.

• Citation format for article from a database:

Sweeney, T. (2009). APA pointers: How to construct a strong thesis, format research papers, integrate research, cite sources, and create a reference list. Fontbonne University Press, 75(1), 12-16. doi: 12.1129/erci.2009.1345

References provide a key to your research; therefore, it is important to provide an accurate, correct, and complete list.

24

References

Corack, G. (2008) . Happy times. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.

Hillburn, T. R. (2004, April 3). Panel urges vote on bond issue. The New York

Times, p. B 13. Retrieved from http://nytimes.com/

Sweeney, T. (2009). APA pointers: How to organize & format research

papers, construct a strong thesis, integrate research, cite sources, create

a reference list, and avoid plagiarism. St. Louis: Fontbonne University

Press.

25

Culminating Project Structure• Cover Page• Abstract [if required]• Introduction– Research question [if required]– Hypothesis [if required]

• Literature Review [if required]• Method• Results• Discussion• Conclusion• References

26

Research Question & Hypothesis

• Rather than providing a thesis statement, the culminating project often contains a research question and a hypothesis. Thus, these two components will often complete the introduction of a capstone or senior synthesis project.

27

Literature Review

What it IS: • An effective Literature

Review is an essay (or section of a longer paper)organized around topics (not sources) that synthesizes the findings of previous research.

What it is NOT:• It is NOT an annotated

Bibliography.• It is NOT a research

paper.• It is NOT a summary of

sources.

28

Literature Review(continued)

• An effective Lit Review points out trends and themes in the literature as well as the gaps, for example:

A number of studies have reported that employee stress is the main reason for quitting a job and thatbad bosses are the main cause of employee stress (Haley, Barnes & Tupak, 2008; La Belle, Ferner & Jolly, 2009). However, further studies need to beconducted to assess the possible correlation between employee stress and health problems.

29

Literature Review(continued)

• The Lit Review is used to establish the need for the current study.

30

Literature Review (continued)

• The Literature Review should analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the research being reviewed.

31

Literature Review(continued)

• The literature review should use direct quotes sparingly and should avoid reporting the details of the literature being cited.

32

Use sources appropriately!Avoid the “Scarlet P” for plagiarism.• Cite any idea, concept, theory, words,

graphics, photos, or other source material that is not common knowledge.

• Introduce quotation or paraphrase with a signal phrase.

• Enclose quotation within quotation marks.• Attribute author through an in-text citation.• Provide your own words and sentence

structure for paraphrases.

33

Definition of Plagiarism• According to the Fontbonne University website (2005-2010),

“Plagiarism is the representation of the words and ideas of another as one’s own in any academic exercise.”

• Plagiarism includes– Failing to give a citation for a direct quotation from a work

from another person or source;– Failing to give a citation for a paraphrase or a summary

from a work from another person or source;– Failing to enclose direct quotation within quotation marks;– “Plugging in” synonyms but retaining sentence structure

of original passage;– Presenting “copy and pasted” work as original student

writing; and– Purchasing or “borrowing” someone else’s work and

presenting it as one’s own work.34

Academic Honesty

• It is imperative that students understand and follow accepted academic principles as delineated on the Fontbonne University website (2005-2010):

Honesty and integrity are foundational values in education. Students, teachers, and administration are held to the same standards for the conducting and reporting of research, and all are expected to follow strict guidelines when the work of others has been used. Violations of academic integrity can be intentional or unintentional, but neither is excusable.

35

Consequences for Plagiarism

The following consequences for plagiarism are described on the Fontbonne University website(2005-2010):

Faculty who observe violations of academic integrity are asked to report all violators to the Office of Academic Affairs where

records of violations will be maintained for five years. University review and action may include tutorials on the appropriate use of materials, academic probation, or expulsion, depending on the nature of the offense.

36

Helpful Internet Sites

• www.plagiarism.org offers a basic tutorial on plagiarism.

• www.plagiarized.com is a site for checking for internet-based plagiarism.

37