APA Style

RCS 6080

September 7, 2006

Why Use APA Style?

Allows readers to cross-reference your sources easily

Provides consistent format within a discipline

Gives you credibility as a writer

Protects you from plagiarism

Cross-Referencing Your Sources

Cross-referencing allows readers to locate the publication information of source material. This is of great value for researchers who may want to locate your sources for their own research projects.

“Because one purpose of listing references is to enable readers to retrieve and use the sources, reference data must be correct and complete. …” (APA, 2001, p. 216).

Using a Consistent Format

Using a consistent format helps your reader understand your arguments and the sources they’re built on.

It also helps you keep track of your sources as you build arguments.

52 APA primary journals; as many as 1000 more in social sciences and psychology use APA as their style guide.

Establishing Credibility

The proper use of APA style shows the credibility of writers; such writers show accountability to their source material.

“[Because] authors are responsible for all information in their reference lists. Accurately prepared references help establish your credibility as a careful researcher” (APA, 2001, p. 216).

Avoiding Plagiarism

Academic honesty and integrity! Proper citation of your sources in APA style can help

you avoid plagiarism, which is a serious offense. It may result in anything from failure of the assignment to expulsion from school.

You are academically dishonest if: Someone writes your paper for you You purchase a paper You copy a paper from online You fail to cite your sources Your present someone else’s ideas as your own

Quick Background of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

1928: Meeting of editors of anthropological and psychological journals.

February 1929: 7 page article in Psychological Bulletin. Just recommended a standard procedure – did not dictate the

style to authors. 1952: 1st edition – 60 page supplement to Psychological Bulletin. 1974: 2nd edition – 136 pages 1983: 3rd edition – APA style became a major guide for publishing 1994: 4th edition – APA style became more specific and sensitive 2001: 5th edition – Builds on 4th edition and is now a whopping

439 pages!

APA Style

Content & Organization of a Manuscript Expressing Ideas & Reducing Bias in

Language Editorial Style Reference List

Content & Organization

Parts of a Manuscript Title Page Abstract Introduction Method Results Discussion Multiple Experiments References Appendix Author Note

Title Page

Title (centered, upper ½ of page, ds) Author’s name (1 ds below title) Institutional affiliation or course identification

(ds below author’s name) Manuscript page header (upper right corner,

1st 2 or 3 words of title, 5 spaces, then page #)

Running head

Running Head

Abbreviated title Maximum 50 characters including letters,

punctuation, and spaces All CAPS Left-justified below manuscript page header Example:

Running head: GENERATION X

Disability Attitudes 1

Running head: DISABILITY ATTITUDES IMPLICIT ASSOCIATION TEST

The Development and Psychometric Validation of

the Disability Attitudes Implicit Association Test

Steven R. Pruett

University of Florida

Abstract

Brief comprehensive summary Usually no more than120 words Concise Self-contained Non-evaluative Coherent Readable

Note: Manual has specific guidelines for empirical studies, reviewsand theoretical pieces, methodological works, and case studies.

Abstract

Objectives: Develop and validate the Disability Attitude Implicit Association Test (DA-IAT). Participants:

Two hundred twenty three rehabilitation counseling students. Outcome Measures: DA-IAT, Attitude

Toward Disabled Persons Scale (ATDP), Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, Collett-Lester Fear of

Death Scale, Internal and External Motivation to Respond without Prejudice Toward People with

Disabilities Scales, Contact with Disabled Persons Scale, and Demographics. Results: DA-IAT congruent

associations (disability+negative/non-disabled+positive) occurred more frequently than incongruent

associations (disability+positive/non-disabled+negative). DA-IAT had no relationship with ATDP, an

explicit attitude measure. Demographics did not predict DA-IAT scores. Contact with Disabled Persons

Scale was the dominant predictor for the DA-IAT. Conclusions: The DA-IAT has potential of becoming a

useful measure of implicit group disability attitudes based on experience versus belief.

[Abstract=117 words]

Keywords: Attitudes Measurement, Disabled (Attitude Towards), Psychosocial Factors, Demographics, Student Attitudes

First Page of Text

Includes manuscript page header Full title is centered on the top line of the

page DS, only, between title and first line of text

Note. Double space, only, throughout the entire document.

Headings

The levels of heading are established by format or appearance

The hierarchy of sections help orient the reader to the structure of the manuscript – they function as an outline

Topics of equal importance have the same level of heading throughout the manuscript.

Start each section with the highest level of heading, even if one section may have fewer levels of subheading than another section

Headings - Continued

CENTERED UPPERCASE HEADING(Level 5)

 Centered Uppercase and Lowercase Heading(Level 1)

 Centered, Italicized, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading(Level 2)

Flush Left, Italicized, Uppercase and Lowercase Side Heading(Level 3)

Indented, italicized, lowercase paragraph heading ending with a period.

(Level 4)

One Level Heading

Centered Uppercase and Lowercase Heading

(Level 1)

Engagement

Assessment

Planning

Implementation

Evaluation

Two levels (use level 1 & 3)

Centered Uppercase and Lowercase Heading(Level 1)

Flush Left, Italicized, Uppercase and Lowercase Side Heading(Level 3)

 

Engagement

Techniques

Orientation of Client

Three levels (Use level 1, 3 and 4)Centered Uppercase and Lowercase Heading

(Level 1)Flush Left, Italicized, Uppercase and Lowercase Side Heading

(Level 3)  Indented, italicized, lowercase paragraph heading ending with a period. (Level 4)

Assessment

Development

Early childhood.

Adolescent.

Handling Quotes in Your Text If directly quoted from another

author’s work should be reproduced word for word

Short quotations (fewer than 40 words) are incorporated into the text, enclosed with double quotation marks.

Must be accompanied by a reference citation with a page number

Example of a Short Quotation

Matkin (1985) stated “the compensation principle and accident prevention form an intertwined relationship whereby one enhances the other” (p. 29).

At end of sentence – close quoted passage with quotation marks, cite the source in parentheses after marks, and end with the period or other punctuation outside the final parenthesis.

Example of Mid-Sentence Quote

He found “Assessment or decision-making interviews are generally more focused” (Zastrow, 1998, p. 86) than other types of interview formats.

In midsentence - End the passage with quotation marks, cite source in parentheses immediately after the quotation marks, and continue the sentence.

Use no other punctuation unless meaning of sentence requires it.

Example of Long Quote

Wang, Thomas, Chan, and Cheing (2003) stated the following: Conjoint analysis has the potential to augment the study of attitudes

toward disabilities in rehabilitation psychology research. Specifically, as an indirect measurement, conjoint analysis is less prone to social desirability effects. The trade-off method used in conjoint analysis to study people’s attitudes toward disability closely approximates human decision making in real life. Hence both conjoint measurements and conjoint analysis could increase the ability of rehabilitation psychology researchers to understand factors contributing to the formation of attitudes/preferences in multiple social contexts. (p. 200-201)

At end of block quote – Cite the quoted source in parentheses after the final punctuation mark

Do not single space long quotes. Indent 5-7 spaces from the left margin without the usual paragraph indent.

Numbers

General rule is to use figures to express numbers 10 and above

  The client is 25 years oldMr. Roberts has had 12 arrests

 

  Use words to express numbers below 10

  Nora Edwards has had three previous marriages.

Exceptions

Always as numerals: Dates, Ages, Exact sums of money, scores and points on a scale, numbers and precise measurements Each item on the Beck Depression Index is

scored on a 5-point scale The client receives $8 per completed hour.

Always as words: Any number that begins a sentence, common fractions Twelve participants were involved in the focus

groups; one-half of them were female. 

Parenthetical (Within-Text) Citations Author’s(s’) last name Year of publication Page number (if quoting) Example:

(Chan, 2000, p. 17)

Parenthetical CitationsMultiple Authors 2 authors – cite both names separated by &

Example: (Rubin & Roessler, 2002, p. 127)

3-5 authors – cite all authors first time; after first time, use et al. Example: (Chan et al., 2000)

6 or more authors – cite first author’s name and et al.Example: (Rosenthal et al., 1992)

Parenthetical Citations Multiple Citations Multiple sources from same author –

chronological order, separated by comma.

Example: (Thomas, 1998, 1999, in press)

Within same year: Example: (Chan, 1998a, 1998b, 1999, in press)

Parenthetical Citations Multiple Citations Continued Multiple sources – separated by semicolon,

alphabetical order Example: (Chan, 1998; Pruett, 2005; Thomas, 1992)

Handling Parenthetical Citations

If the source has no known author, then use an abbreviated version of the title:

Full Title: “California Cigarette Tax Deters Smokers”

Citation: (“California,” 1999)

Handling Parenthetical Citations A reference to a personal

communication:

Source: email message from Hanoch Livneh

Citation: (H. Livneh, personal communication, November 22, 2002)

A general reference to a web siteSource: University of Florida web site

Citation: (http://www.ufl.edu)

Reference Citations in Text

If author(s) name is part of narrative, cite only year of publication in parentheses

 Hess, Marwitz and Kreutzer (2003) report treatment planning following a spinal cord injury should include methods for identifying cognitive deficits.

On rare occasions you may have the year and author with no parentheses.

In 2000 Walker compared reaction times

Keys to Parenthetical Citations

Readability Keep references brief Give only information

needed to identify the source on your reference page

Do not repeat unnecessary information

Handling Quotes in Your Text

There are many different combinations and variations within APA citation format.

If you run into something unusual, look it up!

                                  

Reference List – General Guidelines

On a separate page References (the title) is centered

on top line Alphabetical list of works cited If same author cited more than

once, chronologically listed Double spaced Hanging indent Titles of works and volume

number in italics

Reference List – Journal Article

Garske, G. G. (2000). The significance of rehabilitation counselor job satisfaction. Journal

of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 31(3), 10- 13.

Shaw, L. R., & Tarvydas, V. M. (2001). The use of professional disclosure in rehabilitation counseling. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 45, 40-47.

Weinrach, S.G., Thomas, K.R., Pruett, S.R., & Chan, F. (in press). Scholarly productivity of three American counseling and counseling

psychology journals. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling.

Reference List – Book

Falvo, D. (2005). Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Chronic Illness and Disability. Sudbury, MA:

Jones and Bartlett.

Zaretsky, H.H., Richter, E.F., & Eisenberg, M.G. (Eds.) (2005). Medical Aspects of Disability

(3rd ed.). New York: Springer Publishing.

American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Reference List – Book Chapter

Chan, F., Pruett, S.R., Miller, S., Frain, M., & Blalock, K. (2006). Internet utilization by people with disabilities: Applications

and research direction. In K. Hagglund, & A.W. Heinemann (Eds.), Handbook of Applied Disability and Rehabilitation Research (pp. 263-278). New York: Springer Publishing.

Reference ListElectronic Media

Internet articles based on a print source (exact replicate – usually a pdf file)Smith, S., & Jones, T. (2001). The impact of authoritative supervisors on job retention {Electronic version}. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 12(2), 110-112.

Internet articles that are not exactly as the printed article (i.e., htlm, doc, or txt files)Smith, S., & Jones, T. (2001). The impact of authoritative supervisors on job retention. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 12(2), 110-112. Retrieved October 13, 2001, from http://jarc.org/articles

Reference ListElectronic Media

Articles in an Internet only journal James, T. (2001, March 7). Cultivating positive emotions to

optimize health and well-being. Prevention & Treatment, 3, Article 01a. Retrieved November 20, 2000, from http://journals.apa.org/articles

Stand alone document, no author identified, no date.Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (n.d.).

Retrieved August 8, 2000, from http://www.ahrq.gov

APA Writing Style Rules:Abbreviations

Avoid abbreviations except for long familiar terms (MMPI).

Explain what the abbreviation means at the first occurrence: American Psychological Association (APA).

If an abbreviation is commonly used as a word, it does not require explanation (IQ, LSD, RAM).

Use two-letter postal codes for U.S. state names.

Language Exerts a Powerful Influence

Avoiding Biased and Pejorative Language Be more specific, not less

Use age ranges rather than broad categories Use the phrase Men and women – rather than generic

“mankind” Avoid the generic “he” Specific ethnic or racial labeling

Mention differences only when relevant

Be Sensitive to Labels

Use person-first language when describing and individual or group of people with a disability. Example: people over

the age of 65, people with learning disabilities

Standards of Comparison

Be aware of hidden standards that compare the study group to an invisible (standard) group.Example: “culturally deprived” (by what standard?)

Unparallel nouns

Example: man and wife - Instead: husband and wife

Acknowledge Participation

Replace the impersonal term “subjects” with- participants

- individuals

- college students

- children

Where Do I Find APA Style and Format?

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th ed. http://www.apastyle.org

Some other good links: http://www.docstyles.com/apacrib.htm

http://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/amoebaweb/index.aspx?doc_id=2415

Software for APA Style

APA Style Helper 5 Walks you through a paper as you create it Helps format references, headings etc Includes a reference builder Works with most word processors From APA – costs $40

MS Word Template for APA format Headings and Format in APA style (no help with

references) From Microsoft Office Web site, Free, only good with

Microsoft Word.

Software for APA Style

Citation Software EndNote 9.0 (endnote.com) ProCite 5.0 (procite.com) Software Reference Manager 11.01 (refman.com) Biblioscape 6.0 (biblioscape.com)

All have versions for Mac (OS X) as well as Windows (98 – XP) & support a variety of word processors (except Biblioscape – Windows only)

Cost: $110 – $200 (Education prices)

A Word (or two) on Purchases

NOTE: I am not recommending you purchase ANY of these software products. I do not use any of them and do not know how well they work. The purpose of this list is to let you know what is out there, but you should practice the maxim “let the buyer beware.”

I would recommend you purchase the APA Publication Manual (5th ed.).