APA STYLE WORKSHOP

Components of a Research Paper

Title pageAbstractIntroductionMethodologyResultsDiscussion & ConclusionReferencesAppendix

General Requirements

1-inch marginsDouble-space12-point font – Times Roman or Courier Sections in proper orderPage headerTitle of paper

Title Page

Title should describe focus of paperAll information is centeredOrder of title page information:

Page header – first 2-3 words of title & page number

Title of PaperAuthor’s name Institution’s name

Title Page - Sample

Page Header

Title

AuthorAffiliation

Effects of 1

Effects of Exercise on

State Anxiety

Jane M. Smith

Alvernia College

Abstract

Place on separate pageDouble-space the textDo not indent first lineSingle paragraph120 words or lessSummarizeBe brief

Effects of 2

Abstract

The purpose of thisstudy was to investigate the effects of acute aerobic exercise on state anxiety. For good physical health, The American College of Sports…

Body of the Paper

Runs continuously from the Introduction to the Discussion / ConclusionInclude full title at top of the page at beginning of body of paperDouble-space text and indent when starting a new paragraphCenter heading of each section

SAMPLE:

Effects of 3

Effects of Exercise on State Anxiety

Stressful events have become

common occurrences in modern

society. The results are increased

feelings of stress and anxiety that

have detrimental effects on both

physical and mental health, leading to

CITATIONS

Citations

Paraphrase and direct quote cite source

Paraphrase – take an idea from another author

Direct Quote – take a sentence or multiple sentences, word-for-word, from another author

Citations

Paraphrasing:Must include author’s last name & year of publication. Page number is not required, but strongly encouraged.

Direct Quote:Must include author’s last name, year of publication, and page number.

Citations

Citing within the text:

Example:Smith (1990) found that there was a strong correlation between exercise duration and state anxiety levels.

Citations

Citing at the end of a sentence:

Example:Exercise duration and state anxiety levels were found to be closely related (Smith, 1990).

Types of Citations

One Work – One or Two Authors:Cite the author’s name(s) every time the reference occurs

One Work – Three-Five Authors:Cite all authors the first time and then the last name of the first author and et al. all subsequent times

Example:1st Time – (Williams, Kline, & Jennings, 1990)Rest of Time – (Williams et al., 1990)

Types of Citations

One Work – Six or More Authors:Cite only the last name of the first author followed by et al.

Example: Whitman et al. (2002)(Whitman et al., 2002)

Groups of Authors:Groups that appear as authors are usually spelled out each time they are cited in a text.

Example: Cornell Press (2001)(Cornell Press, 2001)

Types of Citations

Work with No AuthorsCite the first few words of the titleFor an article or chapter, use quotation marksFor a periodical or book, use italics

Example:According to The Bond (1990, p.434)(The Bond, 1990, p.434)

Types of Citations

Authors with the Same Last Name:Include the author’s initials in the text citation

Example:A. C. Jones (1997) and T. R. Jones (2000) found that ….

R. M. Wilson and Goodwin (1998) and C. L. Wilson and Lee (2001) reported that…

Types of Citations

Two or More Works Within the Same Parentheses:

Same author, different publication dates –organize by year

Example:(Wynewood & Cathberg, 1995, 1997)

Types of Citations

Two or More Works Within the Same Parentheses:

Same author with same publication year – add suffixes a, b, c, & so on

Example: (Peters, 1998a, 1998b, 1998c)

Types of Citations

Two or More Works Within the Same Parentheses:

Two or more works by different authors, organize in alphabetical order by last name

Example: (Bradford, 1995; Caldwell, 1998)

REFERENCES

References

Placed on separate page after the body of the paperIncludes sources from which you obtained informationReferences in alphabetical orderFirst line of each reference is flush left and then following lines are indented

ReferencesEffects of 1

References

Breniere, Y. (2003). Strategy of velocity modulation. Journal of Motor Development, 35, 215-221. Retrieved October 14, 2003, from PsycInfo database. Morris, G. & McKee, K. (2003). Environmental education for at-risk students [Abstract]. Educational Research Abstracts, 25, 131. Smith, H. & Kline P. (1990). Classroom management. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

RESOURCES