-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
1/37
A Guide for Writing Research Papers
based on Styles Recommended by
The American Psychological Association
The purpose of this document is to provide a common core of elements of APA style that all
members of an academic department can adopt as minimal standards for any assignment that
specifies APA style. This Web document is itself nota model of APA style. For an example of a
complete article formatted according to APA style go to
http!""###.vanguard.edu"uploadedfiles"faculty"ddegelman"prayer.pdf. For an example of an
undergraduate research proposal go to
http!""###.vanguard.edu"uploadedfiles"faculty"ddegelman"psychproposal.pdf. To do#nload a
$icrosoft Word template of an APA%style paper go to
http!""###.vanguard.edu"emplibrary"files"psychapa.doc.
I. General &ocument Guidelines
A. Margins:One inch on all sides (top, bottom, left, right)B. Font Size and Type:12-pt. font (Times Roman or Courier are acceptable
typefaces)
C. Spacing:ouble-space throughout the paper, including the title page, abstract, bodyof the document, references, appendi!es, footnotes, tables, and figure captions.
D. Alignment:"lush left (creating une#en right margin)
E. Paragraph Indentation:$-% spaces
F. Pagination:The page number appears one inch from the right edge of the paper onthe first line of e#ery page (e!ceptFigures), beginning &ith the title page.
G. Manuscript Page Header:The first t&o or three &ords of the paper title appear fi#espaces to the left of the page number on e#ery page (e!cept Figures), beginning&ith the title page. 'anuscript page headers are used to identify manuscript pages
during the editorial process. sing most &ord processors, the manuscript pageheader and page number can be inserted into a header, &hich then automaticallyappears on all pages.
H. Active voice:s a general rule, use the acti#e #oice rather than the passi#e #oice."or e!ample, use *+e predicted that ...* rather than *t &as predicted that ...*
I. Order of Pages: Title Page, Abstract, 'ody, References,Appendixes,Footnotes, Tables,Figure (aptions, Figures
II. Title Page
A. Pagination:The Title age is page 1.
B. Key lements:aper title, author(s), author affiliation(s), and running head.
C. Paper Title:ppercase and lo&ercase letters, centered on the page.
D.Author(s):ppercase and lo&ercase letters, centered on the line follo&ing the
title.
E. Institutional affiliation:ppercase and lo&ercase letters, centered on the linefollo&ing the author(s).
F. !unning head:The running head is typed flush left (all uppercase) follo&ing the&ords *Running head* on the line belo& the manuscript page header. t should note!ceed $/ characters, including punctuation and spacing. The running head is ashort title that appears at the top of pages of published articles.
G. "ample of APA#formatted Title Page:http!""###.vanguard.edu"psychology"titlepage.pdf
III. Abstract!The abstract is a one-paragraph, self-contained summary of the most importantelements of the paper.
A. Pagination:The abstract begins on a ne& page (page 2).B. Heading:bstract (centered on the first line belo& the manuscript page
header)
C. Format:The abstract (in bloc0 format) begins on the line follo&ing the bstractheading. The abstract should not e!ceed 12/ &ords. ll numbers in the abstract(e!cept those beginning a sentence) should be typed as digits rather than&ords.
D. "ample of APA#formatted A$stract:http!""###.vanguard.edu"psychology"abstract.pdf
IV. 'ody
A. Pagination:The body of the paper begins on a ne& page (page ). ubsections ofthe body of the paper do notbegin on ne& pages.
1
http://www.vanguard.edu/uploadedfiles/faculty/ddegelman/prayer.pdfhttp://www.vanguard.edu/uploadedfiles/faculty/ddegelman/psychproposal.pdfhttp://www.vanguard.edu/emplibrary/files/psychapa.dochttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.cfm?doc_id=796#figureshttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.cfm?doc_id=796#figureshttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.cfm?doc_id=796#figureshttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#titlehttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#abstracthttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#bodyhttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#referenceshttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#referenceshttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#appendixhttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#appendixhttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#appendixhttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#footnoteshttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#tableshttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#tableshttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#captionshttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#captionshttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#figureshttp://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/titlepage.pdfhttp://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/abstract.pdfhttp://www.vanguard.edu/uploadedfiles/faculty/ddegelman/prayer.pdfhttp://www.vanguard.edu/uploadedfiles/faculty/ddegelman/psychproposal.pdfhttp://www.vanguard.edu/emplibrary/files/psychapa.dochttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.cfm?doc_id=796#figureshttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.cfm?doc_id=796#figureshttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#titlehttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#abstracthttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#bodyhttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#referenceshttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#appendixhttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#footnoteshttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#tableshttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#captionshttp://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796#figureshttp://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/titlepage.pdfhttp://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/abstract.pdf -
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
2/37
B. Title:The title of the paper (in uppercase and lo&ercase letters) is centered on thefirst line belo& the manuscript page header.
C. Introduction:The introduction (&hich is not labeled) begins on the line follo&ing thepaper title.
D. Headings:3eadings are used to organi4e the document and reflect the relati#eimportance of sections. "or e!ample, many empirical research articles utili4e 'ethod,
Results, iscussion, and References headings. n turn, the 'ethod section often hassubheadings of Participants,Apparatus, and Procedure. "or an e!ample of -formatted headings, go to http!""###.vanguard.edu"psychology"headings.pdf
1. 'ain headings (&hen the paper has either one or t&o le#els of headings)use centered uppercase and lo&ercase letters (e.g., 'ethod, Results,iscussion, and References).
2. ubheadings (&hen the paper has t&o le#els of headings) are italici4ed anduse flush left, uppercase and lo&ercase letters (e.g., Participants,Apparatus,and Procedureas subsections of the 'ethod section).
V. Text citations!ource material must be documented in the body of the paper by citing theauthor(s) and date(s) of the sources. The underlying principle is that ideas and &ords of
others must be formally ac0no&ledged. The reader can obtain the full source citation from thelist of references that follo&s the body of the paper.
. +hen the names of the authors of a source are part of the formal structure of thesentence, the year of publication appears in parentheses follo&ing the identificationof the authors. Consider the follo&ing e!ample
+irth and 'itchell (1556) found that although there &as a reduction in insulin dosageo#er a period of t&o &ee0s in the treatment condition compared to the controlcondition, the difference &as not statistically significant. 7)ote!andis used &henmultiple authors are identified as part of the formal structure of the sentence.Compare this to the e!ample in the follo&ing section.8
B.+hen the authors of a source are notpart of the formal structure of the sentence,
both the authors and years of publication appear in parentheses, separated bysemicolons. Consider the follo&ing e!ample
Re#ie&s of research on religion and health ha#e concluded that at least some typesof religious beha#iors are related to higher le#els of physical and mental health(9artner, :arson, ; llen, 1551< =oenig, 155/< :e#in ; >anderpool, 1551< 'aton ;argament, 15?%< aloma ; endleton, 1551< ayne, @ergin, @ielema, ; Aen0ins,1551). 7)ote!&is used &hen multiple authors are identified in parentheticalmaterial. Bote also that &hen se#eral sources are cited parenthetically, they areordered alphabetically by first authors surnames.8
C. +hen a source that has t&o authors is cited, both authors are included e#ery time thesource is cited.
. +hen a source that has three, four, or fi#e authors is cited, all authors are included
the first time the source is cited. +hen that source is cited again, the first authorssurname and *et al.* are used. Consider the follo&ing e!ample
Re#ie&s of research on religion and health ha#e concluded that at least some typesof religious beha#iors are related to higher le#els of physical and mental health(ayne, @ergin, @ielema, ; Aen0ins, 1551).
ayne et al. (1551) sho&ed that ...
D. +hen a source that has si! or more authors is cited, the first authors surname and*et al.* are used e#ery time the source is cited (including the first time).
". D#ery effort should be made to cite only sources that you ha#e actually read. +hen itis necessary to cite a source that you ha#e not read (*9rayson* in the follo&inge!ample) that is cited in a source that you ha#e read (*'ur4yns0i ; egelman* in thefollo&ing e!ample), use the follo&ing format for the te!t citation and list only thesource you ha#e read in the References list
Grayson *as cited in $ur+yns,i - &egelman //01 identified four components
of body language that #ere related to 2udgments of vulnerability.
9. To cite a personal communication (including letters, emails, and telephoneinter#ie&s), include initials, surname, and as e!act a date as possible. @ecause apersonal communication is not *reco#erable* information, it is not included in the
References section. "or the te!t citation, use the follo&ing format
2
http://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/headings.pdfhttp://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/headings.pdfhttp://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/headings.pdf -
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
3/37
'. F. S,inner *personal communication February 3 /451 claimed ...
3. To cite a +eb document, use the author-date format. f no author is identified, use thefirst fe& &ords of the title in place of the author. f no date is pro#ided, use *n.d.* inplace of the date. Consider the follo&ing e!amples
&egelman and 6arris *37771 provide guidelines for the use of APA #riting style.
(hanges in Americans8 vie#s of gender status differences have been
documented *%ender and Society n.d.1.
VI. 9uotations!+hen a direct Euotation is used, al&ays include the author, year, and pagenumber as part of the citation.
. Euotation of fe&er than 6/ &ords should be enclosed in double Euotation mar0sand should be incorporated into the formal structure of the sentence. D!ample
atients recei#ing prayer had *less congesti#e heart failure, reEuired less diuretic and
antibiotic therapy, had fe&er episodes of pneumonia, had fe&er cardiac arrests, and&ere less freEuently intubated and #entilated* (@yrd, 15??, p. ?25).
@. lengthier Euotation of 6/ or more &ords should appear (&ithout Euotation mar0s)apart from the surrounding te!t, in bloc0 format, &ith each line indented fi#e spacesfrom the left margin.
VII. References!ll sources included in the References section must be cited in the body of thepaper (and all sources cited in the paper must be included in the References section).
A. Pagination:The References section begins on a ne& page.
B. Heading:References (centered on the first line belo& the manuscript pageheader)
C. Format:The references (&ith hanging indent) begin on the line follo&ing the
References heading. Dntries are organi4ed alphabetically by surnames of firstauthors. 'ost reference entries ha#e three components
1. uthors uthors are listed in the same order as specified in the source,using surnames and initials. Commas separate all authors. +hen there arese#en or more authors, list the first si! and then use *et al.* for remainingauthors. f no author is identified, the title of the document begins thereference.
2. Fear of ublication n parentheses follo&ing authors, &ith a period follo&ingthe closing parenthesis. f no publication date is identified, use *n.d.* inparentheses follo&ing the authors.
. ource Reference ncludes title, Gournal, #olume, pages (for Gournal article)or title, city of publication, publisher (for boo0). talici4e titles of boo0s, titlesof periodicals, and periodical #olume numbers.
D. "ample of APA#formatted !eferences:9o tohttp!""###.vanguard.edu"psychology"references.pdf
E. Official APA &lectronic !eference Formats& document:9o tohttp!""###.apastyle.org"elecref.html
F. "amples of sources
1. :ournal article
'ur4yns0i, A., ; egelman, . (155H). @ody language of &omen andGudgments of #ulnerability to se!ual assault. Journal of Applied SocialPsychology, 26, 1H1%-1H2H.
2. 'oo,
alout4ian, R. ". (155H). Invitation to the psychology of religion (2nd ed.).@oston llyn and @acon.
3. Web document on university program or department Web site
egelman, ., ; 3arris, '. :. (2///).APA style essentialsRetrie#ed 'ay1?, 2///, from >anguard ni#ersity, epartment of sychology +ebsite httpII&&&.#anguard.eduIfacultyIddegelmanIinde!.cfmJdocKidL%5H
4. Stand%alone Web document *no date1
3
http://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/references.pdfhttp://www.apastyle.org/elecref.htmlhttp://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/references.pdfhttp://www.apastyle.org/elecref.html -
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
4/37
Bielsen, '. D. (n.d.). !ota"le people in psychology of religionRetrie#edugust , 2//1, from httpII&&&.psy&&&.comIpsyreligIpsyrelpr.htm
5. Stand%alone Web document *no author no date1
#ender and society. (n.d.). Retrie#ed ecember , 2//1, from
httpII&&&.trinity.eduIMm0earlIgender.html
6. :ournal article from database
3ien, ., ; 3oneyman, T. (2///). closer loo0 at the drug abuse-maternalaggression lin0. Journal of Interpersonal $iolence, %,$/-$22.Retrie#ed 'ay 2/, 2///, from roNuest database.
7. Abstract from secondary database
9arrity, =., ; egelman, . (155/). Dffect of ser#er introduction on restauranttipping. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 2',1H?-1%2. bstract
retrie#ed Auly 2, 2//1, from sycB"O database.
8. :ournal article ;nternet%only 2ournal
@ergen, . (2//2, pring). The role of pretend play in childrens cogniti#ede#elopment. arly hildhood *esearch & Practice, +(1). Retrie#ed"ebruary 1, 2//6, from httpIIecrp.uiuc.eduI#6n1Ibergen.html
9. Article or chapter in an edited boo,
hea, A. . (1552). Religion and se!ual adGustment. n A. ". chuma0er(Dd.), *eligion and ental health(pp. %/-?6). Be& For0 O!fordni#ersity ress.
10. &iagnostic and Statistical $anual of $ental &isorders
merican sychiatric ssociation. (2///). -iagnostic and statistical anualof ental disorders(6th ed., te!t re#ision). +ashington, C uthor.
VIII. Appendixes! common use of appendi!es is to present unpublished tests or todescribe comple! eEuipment or stimulus materials.
A. Pagination:Dach ppendi! begins on a separate page.
B. Heading: f there is only one appendi!, ppendi! is centered on the first line belo&the manuscript page header. f there is more than one appendi!, use ppendi! (or@ or C, etc.). ouble-space and type the appendi! title (centered in uppercase and
lo&ercase letters).C. Format:ndent the first line $-% spaces.
D. "ample of APA#formatted Appendi":http!""###.vanguard.edu"psychology"appendix.pdf
IX. Footnotes! Content footnotes are occasionally used to support substanti#e information inthe te!t..
A. Pagination:"ootnotes begin on a separate page.
B. Heading:"ootnotes is centered on the first line belo& the manuscript page header.
C. Format:ndent the first line of each footnote $-% spaces and number the foonotes(slightly abo#e the line) as they are identified in the te!t.
D. "ample of APA#formatted Footnotes:
http!""###.vanguard.edu"psychology"footnote.pdf
X. Tables! common use of tables is to present Euantitati#e data or the results of statisticalanalyses (such as BO>). ee the Pu"lication .anual(2//1, pp. 16%-1%H) for detailede!amples. Tables must be referred to in the te!t.
A. Pagination:Dach Table begins on a separate page.
B. Heading: Table 1 (or 2 or , etc.) is typed flush left on the first line belo& themanuscript page header. ouble-space and type the table title flush left (italici4ed inuppercase and lo&ercase letters).
C. "ample of APA#formatted Ta$les:http!""###.vanguard.edu"psychology"table3.pdf
XI. Figure (aptions and Figures! common use of "igures is to present graphs,photographs, or other illustrations (other than tables). ee the Pu"lication .anual(2//1, pp.
4
http://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/appendix.pdfhttp://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/footnote.pdfhttp://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/table2.pdfhttp://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/appendix.pdfhttp://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/footnote.pdfhttp://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/table2.pdf -
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
5/37
1%H-2/1) for detailed e!amples. "igure Captions pro#ide, on a single page, captions for thefigures that follo&.
A. Pagination:The "igure Captions page is the final numbered page of the paper. The"igures that follo& the "igure Captions page do BOT ha#e page numbers ormanuscript page headers.
B. Heading for Figure 'aptions:"igure Caption(s) is centered on the first line belo&
the manuscript page header. ouble-space and type /igure %(or 2 or , etc.)italici4ed and flush left, follo&ed by the caption for the figure (not italici4ed),capitali4ing only the first letter of the first &ord and any proper nouns.
Books
Typical boo0 entry -- single author
Arnheim R. */41.Art and visual perception. 'er,eley!
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
6/37
Ae)#"$ /s,hoo%#" o#et,.
Reprinted or republished chapter
Freud S. */01. The ego and the id. ;n :. Strachey *Bd. and Trans.1
The standard edition
of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud(Vo. 19& . 366.
:o$do$'
Ho%")th /)ess. (;)#%#$" o)k #shed 1923
Follo#ing the entry enclose =Eriginal #or, published= in
parentheses noting the original date.
Chapter in a #olume in a series
$accoby B.B. - $artin :. */5C1. Sociali+ation in the context of the
family! Parent%child
#$te)"t#o$. I$ /.H. sse$ (e)#es Ed. < E.. Hethe)#$%to$ (Vo. Ed.&Handbook
of child psychology: ol. !. Sociali"ation# personality# and social development
(4th ed.& . 1101. e o)k' !#e,.
Citing multi#olume &or0s
Wilson :. G. - Fraser F. (. *Bds.1. */44%/451. Hand$oo* of
teratology*ols. %>1.
e o)k' /e$ /)ess.
;n listing a multivolume #or, the publication dates should be
inclusive for all volumes. The volumes should be identified in
parentheses immediately follo#ing the boo, title. &o not use a
period bet#een the title and the parenthetical information close the
entire title including the volume information #ith a period.
Ddited collections
6iggins :. *Bd.1. */551. Psychology. )e# Dor,! )orton.
or
Grice 6. P. - Gregory R. ?. *Bds.1. */051. arly language
development.
e o)k' G)"H#.
Citing specific editions of a boo0
'roc,ett E. */541. History of the theatre*@th ed.1. 'oston! Allyn and'acon.
;mmediately after the boo,8s title note the edition information in
parentheses *for example =@th ed.= or =rev. ed.=1. &o not use a
period bet#een the title and the parenthetical information.
Translated &or0s
Freud S. */471An outline of psychoanalysis*:. Strachey Trans.1.
)e# Dor,!
6
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
7/37
o)to$. (;)#%#$" o)k #shed 1940
The original publication date is the last portion of the entry and
should be in parentheses #ith the note =Eriginal #or, published=
follo#ed by the date.
roceedings
&eci B.?. - Ryan R.$. *//1. A motivational approach to self!
;ntegrataion in personality.
I$ =. D#e$st#e) (Ed.&Nebraska Symposium on $otivation: ol. %&. 'erspectives
on motivation(. 237288. :#$o$' *$#+e)s#t, o- e)"sk" /)ess.
or
(ynx :. Williams 6. - )ottebohm F. *//31. 6emispheric diffencesin avian song
d#s)#"t#o$.'roceedings of the National (cademy of Sciences# )S(# &*& 1372
1375.
:ournals
Citing articles in Gournals &ith continuous pagination
Passons W. */041. Predictive validities of the A(T SAT and high
school grades
-o) -#)st seeste) G/A "$d -)esh"$ o)ses.+ducational and 'sychological
$easurement# ,-#11431144.
Citing articles in Gournals &ith non-continuous pagination
Sa#yer :. */001. $easurement and prediction clinical and
statistical. Psychological
ulletin# // (3& 178200.
'ecause pagination begins ane# #ith each issue of this 2ournal it is
necessary to include the issue number in parentheses after the
volume number. )ote that there is a comma bet#een the issue
number and the page numbers but no comma bet#een the itali+ed
volume number and the issue number. ;f the periodical does not use
volume numbers include =pp.= before the page numbers so the
reader #ill understand that the numbers refer to pagination.
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
8/37
Be&spaper articles
$onson $. *//C September 01.
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
9/37
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
10/37
Citing computer soft&are
Arend &ominic ). *//C1. (hoices *ersion >.71 I(omputer soft#areJ.
(hampaign ;?!
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
11/37
Sometimes authors are not identified and there is no date sho#ing
for the document. &ate #ebsite #as accessed should be used and
efforts should be made to identify the sponsoring
author"organi+ation of the #ebsite. ;f none is found do not list an
author.
ocument from uni#ersity program or department
$c)eese $.). *3771. 1sing technology in educational settings2
Retrieved Ectober C 377
-)o *$#+e)s#t, o- othe)$ #ss#ss##& Ed"t#o$" :e"de)sh# "$d =ese")h
!e s#te'
htt'det.s.eded"
D-'ail, ne&sgroups, online forums, discussion groups and electronic
mailing lists
Personal communications #hich are not archived should not
included in reference lists and cited #ithin the text only! Smith Fred
*=personal communication= :anuary 3 ///1
f archi#ed
6ammond Tl *3777 )ovember 371. DA6(! 6andle Parameters &E;
Genres etc. $essage posted
to =e-:#$ks eet)o$# "##$% #st& ")h#+ed "thtt'.do#.o)%"#")h#+e)e-#$ks%00088.ht
C.
"ample of APA#formatted Figure 'aption and Figure.
6eadingsProbably three levels of headings #ill suffice for most college and
high%school papers. *)otice the double%spacing #ithin the
headings. 'old and other font variants Icolor fancy fonts etc.J
are neither reKuired nor appropriate.1
>he F#)st :e+e& Ce$te)ed #th
*e)"se "$d :oe)"se >,#$%
eo$d :e+e& Fsh:e-t& *$de)#$ed He"d#$%s
>h#)d e+e& #$de$ted& $de)#$ed& oe)"se ")"%)"h
he"d#$% e$d#$% #th " e)#od.
Reference: Newspaper Articles, EditorialsLetters to the Editor, etc.
I- the ")t#e #s s#%$ed (th"t #s& ,o k$o the "tho)Js $"e& e%#$ #th th"t "tho)Js
$"e. (ot#e ho d#so$t#$os "%es ")e $oted "$d se")"ted , o"s. Do $ot
o#t the >he -)o the t#te o- " $es"e) ($#ke the :A teh$#Ke.
/o#)ot& C. (2004& ")h 17. HIV )e+e$t#o$ # %oes e,o$d Jo)$#$% "-te)J. The
Hartford 1ourant#. F1& F6.
11
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
12/37
I- the "tho)Js $"e #s $ot "+"#"e& e%#$ the )e-e)e$e #th the he"d#$e o) t#te #$ the
"tho) os#t#o$.
e e" -o) doto) o- -t)e. (1989& ")h 15. The New 4ork Times#. B10.
I- the tet e#$% #ted #s -)o "$ ed#to)#" o) ette) to the ed#to) #$d#"te the $"t)e o- the
so)e #$ )"kets "-te) the t#te "$d d"te.
#+e)"$& /.H. (2004& $e. Ge$et# E$%#$ee)#$% ?:ette) to the ed#to)@. The (tlantic#
,*%14.
Reference: Nonprint Resources (Film, Recording, Video, television or radio
program, etc.
>he so)e #s #de$t#-#ed #$ )"kets "-te) the t#te
=ed-o)d& =. (D#)eto). (1980. ee+#s#o$ )o"d"st@. H")t-o)d'
!FB.
(s#" )eo)d#$%'
B")e)& . (1995. Ceo o$"t". ;$arber?CD@. e o)k' EI =eo)ds :td.
#andling $uoted %aterial
ho)t Kot"t#o$s (-ee) th"$ 40 o)ds ")e #$o)o)"ted #$to the tet "$d
e$osed , doe Kot"t#o$s ")ks (.
:o$% Kot"t#o$s o- 40 o) o)e o)ds ")e d#s",ed #$ " does"ed ok
o- t,e)#tte$ #$es #th $o Kot"t#o$ ")ks. >he A/A s%%ests th"t ,o do
not single spaceL hoe+e)& soe #$st)to)s # )eK#)e th"t #$de$ted
Kot"t#o$s e s#$%es"ed& ese#", he$ Kot#$% oet),& h#h oses
soe o- #ts -o)" h")"te)#st#s he$ does"ed. Chek #th ,o)
#$st)to) e-o)e s#$%es"#$% Kot"t#o$s. I$de$t -#+e s"es -)o the e-t
")%#$ "$d t,e the e$t#)e Kot"t#o$ o$ the #$de$ted ")%#$ withoutthe s"
oe$#$% ")"%)"h #$de$t"t#o$. I- the Kot"t#o$ #s o)e th"$ o$e ")"%)"h&
12
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
13/37
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
14/37
E. !he$ the )e-e)e$e #s to " o)k , to "tho)s& #te oth $"es e"h t#e the
)e-e)e$e "e")s.
E"e'
e"seet#o$ theo), o-te$ h"s ee$ sed to eo)e "tte)s o- +")#os #$set "t#$%(Aok < >ho)$h#& 1983 M Aok "$d >ho)$h# (1983 "so deo$st)"te M
F. !he$ the )e-e)e$e #s to " o)k , th)ee to -#+e "tho)s& #te " the "tho)s the -#)st
t#e the )e-e)e$e "e")s. I$ " sseKe$t )e-e)e$e& se the -#)st "tho)Js "st $"e
-ooed , et ". (e"$#$% "$d othe)s.
E"e o- " sseKe$t )e-e)e$e'
/"tte)$s o- ,P"$t#$e #$t)#%e h"+e o$% "%ed the #$te)$" o#t#s o- o$#t,
oe%e "d#$#st)"t#o$ #$ >e"s (Do%"s et ".& 1997
!he$ the )e-e)e$e #s to " o)k , s# o) o)e "tho)s& se o$, the -#)st "tho)Js $"e
-ooed et ". #$ the -#)st "$d " sseKe$t )e-e)e$e. >he o$, eet#o$s to th#s )e
")e he$ soe o$-s#o$ #%ht )est e"se o- s##") $"es o) the s"e "tho) e#$%
#ted. I$ th"t "se& #te e$o%h "tho)s so th"t the d#st#$t#o$ #s e").
G. !he$ the )e-e)e$e #s to " o)k , " o)o)"te "tho)& se the $"e o- the
o)%"$#P"t#o$ "s the "tho).
E"e'
=et#)ed o--#e)s )et"#$ "ess to " o- the $#+e)s#t,Js ed"t#o$" "$d )e)e"t#o$"
-"##t#es (Co#" *$#+e)s#t,& 1987& . 54.
H. /e)so$" ette)s& teeho$e "s& "$d othe) "te)#" th"t "$$ot e )et)#e+ed ")e $ot
#sted #$ =e-e)e$es t ")e #ted #$ the tet.
E"e'
esse oo)e (teeho$e o$+e)s"t#o$& A)# 17& 1989 o$-#)ed th"t the #de"s. M
I. /")e$thet#" )e-e)e$es ", e$t#o$ o)e th"$ o$e o)k& ")t#"), he$ #de"s
h"+e ee$ s")#Ped "-te) d)"#$% -)o se+e)" so)es. t#e #t"t#o$s shod e
"))"$%ed "s -oos.
E"es'
1. :#st to o) o)e o)ks , the s"e "tho) #$ o)de) o- the d"te o- #"t#o$'
(God& 1987& 1989
2. D#--e)e$t#"te o)ks , the s"e "tho) "$d #th the s"e #"t#o$ d"te , "dd#$%
"$ #de$t#-,#$% ette) to e"h d"te'
(Boo& 1987"& 1987
3. :#st o)ks , d#--e)e$t "tho)s #$ "h"et#" o)de) , "st $"e& "$d se se#oo$s
to se")"te the )e-e)e$es'
(God& 1989L #th& 1983L >t#e)& 1989.
14
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
15/37
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
16/37
Reference! Blectronic and Enline Resources"h3L
A. General ;nformation
Blectronic correspondences such as e%mail or discussions on bulletin
boards or discussion groups is regarded by the APA as personal
communication *li,e phone conversations or memos1 because it is not
recoverable by others. Personal communications are cited only #ithin the
text and not on the reference page.
6o#ever if the information is in fact retrievable the follo#ing elements
are necessary for the reference page!
Author(s), I. (date or "n.d." if not date is posted). Title of work. (Online), date
retrieved. Name of Database or Internet address of the specific document. Specify
URLexactly. [Do not end your entry with a period when ending with an URL.]
The dateshould be the year of publication or the most recent update. ;f the
date of the source cannot be determined provide the exact date you
retrieved the information on the ;nternet.
The path information should be sufficient for someone else to retrieve the
material. For example specify the method used to find the material! the
protocol *6TTP Telnet FTP etc.1 the directory and the file name. (o not
end the path statement ,ith a period after a file name or )e$ address2
:ust about everything of serious interest on the ;nternet is no# available
through the hypertext transfer protocol *the familiar 6TTP1. Some items
ho#ever may still be discovered through FTP GEP6BR TB?)BT etc. *Forinstance some universities might enable a professor to archive articles
etc. on a server accessible only through File Transfer Protocol *FTP1. ;f you
need to cite such sources as, your instructor or consult the AP
Publication $anual. ;t is not a good idea to cite resources that are available
only #ith a pass#ord unless that pass#ord can be established freely and
easily *some online ne#spapers have pass#ord%protected archives li,e
that1. Also do not refer your reader to a course Website that is pass#ord
protected unless you ,no# that all your potential readers have access to
that material.
'. Sample References
Enline article
(entral ein Ecclusion Study Group. *//C. Ectober 31. (entral vein
occlusion study of photocoagulation! $anual of operations I04@
paragraphsJ. Enline :ournal of (urrent (linical Trials IEn%line serialJ.
Available! &oc )o. /3
16
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
17/37
En%line abstract
Dou can cite an entire Web site #ithin your text but do not include it in
your list of References. For instance you could say something incredibly
profound you learned from this Web page and cite the
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
18/37
(phone conversation):
According to Connie May Fowler, the sources for her novel Sugar Canewere largely
autobiographical (personal phone conversation, July 22, 2003).
Reference! An Bdited olume
*Anthology or Reference 'oo,1
Stanton, D. C., & Farbman, E. (Eds.). (2003). The female autograph: Theory and practice
of autobiography.Middletown, CT: Ibis Bookstore Press.
;f you are refering to an article or signed chapter in an edited volume your
reference #ould loo, li,e this!
Pepin, R. E. (2002). Uses of time in the political novels of Joseph Conrad. In C. W.
Darling, Jr., J. Shields, & E. C. Farbman (Eds.), Chronological looping in political
novels(pp. 99-135). Hartford: Capital Press.
)otice that there are no Kuote mar,s around the title of the article and that
only the first #ord of a title is capitali+ed. The names of editors are listed
first%initials%first *not reversed1. The inclusive page numbers are preceded
by the abbreviations for =pages=! pp.
Annotated 'ibliography
An annotated bibliography #ill have the same basic layout as a Reference
page. There are three ma2or differences ho#ever. First you can include in
your bibliography #or,s that you thin, #ould be useful to your reader that
you might not have used in the #riting of this particular paper or article.
Second you can brea, do#n the references into useful categories and
arrange those categories in #ays that you thin, #ould be helpful to your
reader. Third you can add commentary to the references telling your
reader the particular virtues *or if necessary the shortcomings1 of that
resource. (ommentaries should be concise economical summaries
#ritten in sentence fragments if related fragments should be connected
#ith semicolons. The commentary should begin on a ne# line indented
slightly from the preceding line.
Bxample!
National Institute of Mental Health. (1982). Television and behavior: Ten years of
scientific progress(DHHS Publication No. A 82-1195). Washington, DC: U.S.
Government Printing Office.
18
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
19/37
Documents connections between children's lack of attention in school and hours
of television watching; provides scientific evidence of changed viewing habits
over ten years.
Reference! 'oo, #ith T#o or $ore AuthorsNatarajan, R., & Chaturvedi, R. (2003). Geology of the Indian Ocean Floor.Hartford, CT:
Merganser University Press.
Ligon, M., Carpenter, K., Brown, W., & Milsop, A. (1983). Computers in the world of
business communications. Hartford, CT: Capital Press.
)otice the hanging indent style *about half an inch after the initial line1. The
abbreviation et al. *for =and others=1 is not used on the Reference pageregardless of the number of authors although it can be used in the
parenthetical citationof material #ith three to five authors *after the inital
citation #hen all are listed1 and in all parenthetical citations of material
#ith six or more authors. )otice that all authors are listed last%name%first
*unli,e $?A style1 and that an ampersand M - M is used before the last
name.
Reference! 'oo, Without Author or Bditor ?isted
Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary.(1961). Springfield, MA: G. & C. Merriam.
To alphabeti+e such an entry on your Reference page use the first
significant #ord of the title *ignoring the articles =a= =an= and =the=1.
Reference! &ictionary
Shorter Oxford English dictionary(5th ed.).(2002). New York: Oxford University Press.
Reference! &issertation or &issertation Abstract
When you have used an abstract of the dissertion found on microfilm in
(issertation A$stracts International 3(AI42;f you are using a microfilm
source include in parentheses at the end of your entry the university
microfilm number.
Darling, C. W. (1976). Giver of due regard: the poetry of Richard Wilbur.Dissertation
Abstracts International, 44,4465. (AAD44-8794)
When you have used the actual dissertation *usually from the shelves of
the
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
20/37
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
21/37
To refer to a single volume include only the relevant date and volume
number. When you are referring to more than one volume include all the
relevant volume numbers *as in the above example1. The date after the
author or editor8s name should include the range of years of publication
*say if the #or, appeared over a number of years1.
Reference! Scholarly :ournal
$any scholarly 2ournals number their pages consecutively throughout a
given volume. Thus volume one might end on page C>@ and the first page
of volume t#o #ould be number C>@. &o not use p. or pp. to indicate page
numbers. )otice that proper nouns are capitali+ed in an APA%style title but
other #ords are not. A comma separates the title of the 2ournal from the
volume number but the volume number *as #ell as the comma that
follo#s1 is also italici+ed.
Christie, John S. (1993) Fathers and virgins: Garcia Marquez's Faulknerian Chronicle of
a Death Foretold.Latin American Literary Review, 13,2129.
;f that article #ere found in a 2ournal in #hich each issue has pages
numbered separately *each issue begins #ith a page 1 the issue number
is given in parentheses but not in italics after the volume number.
Christie, John S. (1993) Fathers and virgins: Garcia Marquez's Faulknerian Chronicle of
a Death Foretold.Latin American Literary Review, 13(3), 2129.
Reference! Secondary Resources
O'Connor, C. O. & DeLoatch, K. L. (2003). Whatever happened to the humanities? In I.
Rubenzahl (Ed.), Studies in Byzantine Intrigue(pp. 235278). Hartford, CT:
Merganser University Press.
To use material that is Kuoted or paraphrased else#here #hen you do not
use the original resource your reference #ill include the source of your
language *or idea1.
;n your text you #ould Kuote or paraphrase the idea that E8(onnor and
others have Kuoted or used as follo#s!
As V#" t)e$h"$t, o#$ts ot& /e)h"s the o$-#t sees so st)o$% e"se the st"kes
")e so o ("s #ted #$ ;JCo$$o) < De:o"th& 2003.
Reference! Single%Author 'oo,
- Part of a 'oo,
Alverez, A. (1970). The savage god: A study of suicide.New York: Random House.
21
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
22/37
Garner, B. A. (2003). Garner's Modern American Usage.New York: Oxford University
Press.
)otice that #ords li,e =
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
23/37
*film #ith limited circulation1!
Holdt, D. (Producer), & Ehlers, E. (Director). (2002).River at High Summer: The St.
Lawrence[Film]. (Available from Merganser Films, Inc., 61 Woodland Street,
Hartford, CT 06105)
*(assette1!
Lake, F. L. (Author and speaker). (1989).Bias and organizational decision making
[Cassette]. Gainesville: Edwards.
*Television program1!
Safer, M. (Narrator). (2004). Torture at Abu Ghraib[Television broadcast]. Hartford:
WFSB.
*$usical recording1!
'arber S. *//@1. (ello Sonata. En 5ar$erI(&J.
)e# Dor,! B$; Records ?td.
6andling 9uoted $aterial Short quotations (fewer than 40 words) are incorporated into the text and
enclosed by double quotations marks (").
Long quotations of 40 or more words are displayed in a double-spaced block
of typewritten lines with no quotation marks. The APA suggests that you do
not single space; however, some instructors will require that indented
quotations be single-spaced, especially when quoting poetry, which loses
some of its formal characteristics when double-spaced. Check with your
instructor before single-spacing quotations. Indent five spaces from the left
margin and type the entire quotation on the indented margin withoutthe usual
opening paragraph indentation. If the quotation is more than one paragraph,
indent the first line of the second and additional paragraphs five spaces from
the already indented margin, approximately an inch from the left margin.
If you have a quotation within a block quotation, enclose it in double (")
quotation marks. If you have a quotation within a short quote (one
incorporated within the text), enclose it within single quotation marks (').
Ellipsis points are used to indicate omitted material. Type three periods with a
space before and after each period to indicate omission within a sentence
(). To indicate an omission between sentences type a punctuation mark for
the sentence followed by three spaced periods (. ) (? ) (! ). Your date
23
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
24/37
processing software probably provides especially typed characters that will
create ellipses that will not be broken, inappropriately, at the end of a line.
!he$ " e)#od o) o" o)s #th os#$% Kot"t#o$ ")ks& "e the
e)#od o) o" #th#$ the os#$% Kot"t#o$ ")k. /t "$, othe)
$t"t#o$ ")k ots#de the Kot"t#o$ ")ks $ess th"t ")k #s ")t o- the
Koted "te)#".
$A)
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
25/37
The title itself is typed in uppercase and lo#ercase letters centered on the
page. ;f the title reKuires more than one line double%space bet#een all the
lines.
Within the text paragraphs are indented five to seven spaces *#hich
translates into about a half%inch indent on #ord%processors1. The only
exceptions to this reKuirement are the abstract bloc, Kuotations titles and
headings entries in the reference list table titles and notes *if any1 and
figure captions #hich reKuire no indents.
All typing is done flush%left not right 2ustified nor full 2ustified. ;n other
#ords leave the right margin uneven or =ragged right.= &o not brea,
*hyphenate1 #ords at the ends of lines. Type a line short or 2ust beyond the
right%hand margin rather than brea, a #ord at the end of a line.
The title page should have the title of the paper centered on the page. The
Short Title and page number appear at the top right of the title page. The
student8s name appears one double%space belo# the title. The institutional
affiliation *name of the college or high%school for #hich the paper has been
#ritten1 appears one double%space belo# student name. *;f there is no
institutional affiliation the city and state or city and country of the author
should be identified instead.1
Page t#o is the Abstract for the paper. ;t is a brief *77%@7 #ords1
comprehensive summary of the research paper. The Short Title and the
number 3 are typed in the upper right%hand corner of the page. The #ord
Abstract is centered as the first line of type on this page. Type the abstract
as a single paragraph in bloc, format *i.e. #ithout paragraph indentation1.
Page three is the beginning of the body of the paper. The title of the paper
appears *centered1 one double%space belo# the Short Title. The first line of
the body of the paper appears one double%space belo# the title.
25
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
26/37
The reference list begins on a ne# page. Type the #ord References
*Reference in the case of only one1 centered at the top of the page. &ouble%
space all reference entries. The initial line of each entry is indented about
half an inch *hanging indent style1.
Parenthetical (itation
The APA system of citing sources indicates the author8s last name and the
date in parentheses #ithin the text of your paper.
A. A typical citation of an entire #or, consists of the author8s name and the
year of publication.
Example:
Charlotte and Emily Bronte were polar opposites, not only in their personalities but in
their sources of inspiration for writing (Taylor, 1990).
Use the last name only in both first and subsequent citations, except when there is more
than one author with the same last name. In that case, use the last name and the first
initial.
26
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
27/37
'. ;f the author is named in the text only the year is cited.
Example:
According to Irene Taylor (1990), the personalities of Charlotte. . .
(. ;f both the name of the author and the date are used in the text
parenthetical reference is not necessary.
Example:
In a 1989 article, Gould explains Darwin's most successful. . .
&. Specific citations of pages or chapters follo# the year.
Example:
Emily Bronte "expressed increasing hostility for the world of human relationships,
whether sexual or social" (Taylor, 1988, p. 11).
B. When the reference is to a #or, by t#o authors cite both names each
time the reference appears.
Example:
Sexual-selection theory often has been used to explore patters of various insect mating
(Alcock & Thornhill, 1983) Alcock and Thornhill (1983) also demonstrate
F. When the reference is to a #or, by three to five authors cite all the
authors the first time the reference appears. ;n a subseKuent reference use
the first author8s last name follo#ed by et al. *meaning =and others=1.
Example of a subsequent reference:
Patterns of byzantine intrigue have long plagued the internal politics of community
college administration in Texas (Douglas et al., 1997)
When the reference is to a work by six or more authors, use only the first author's name
followed et al. in the first and all subsequent reference. The only exceptions to this rule
are when some confusion might result because of similar names or the same author being
cited. In that case, cite enough authors so that the distinction is clear.
G. When the reference is to a #or, by a corporate author use the name of
the organi+ation as the author.
Example:
Retired officers retain access to all of the university's educational and recreational
facilities (Columbia University, 1987, p. 54).
27
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
28/37
6. Personal letters telephone calls and other material that cannot be
retrieved are not listed in References but are cited in the text.
Example:
Jesse Moore (telephone conversation, April 17, 1989) confirmed that the ideas.
;. Parenthetical references may mention more than one #or, particularly
#hen ideas have been summari+ed after dra#ing from several sources.
$ultiple citations should be arranged as follo#s.
Examples:
4. List two or more works by the same author in order of the date of publication:
(Gould, 1987, 1989)
5. Differentiate works by the same author and with the same publication date by adding
an identifying letter to each date:
(Bloom, 1987a, 1987b)
6. List works by different authors in alphabetical order by last name, and use semicolons
to separate the references:
(Gould, 1989; Smith, 1983; Tutwiler, 1989).
Spacing and Punctuation
The APA Pu$lication Manual no# calls for one space to appear after all
punctuation mar,s. This is undoubtedly in response to the capabilities of
modern #ord%processing devices to determe the correct aesthetic distance
bet#een punctuation mar,s and subseKuent letters. To double%space after
a punctuation mar, defeats that capability. ;f you are using a mono%space
font *such as (ourier1 you may consider using t#o spaces after end%
periods and colons but consult your instructor first.
Bxceptions!
No space after internal periods in abbreviations (a.m., i.e., U.S.).
No space after the colon in ratios (6:1)
Tables and FiguresThe use of tables and figures is too complicated to treat #ithin thisdocument students should consult the APA Pu$lication Manual. Generally
ho#ever it is useful to label each and every table and figure #ith the #ord
Table or Figure and an arabic numeral identifying it. Titles should be
underlined. The text accompanying tables and figures must be double%
spaced.
The APA suggests that all tables and figures appear at the end of the paper
each on a separate page. Some schools and colleges ho#ever reKuire
these elements to appear #ithin the body of the paper. A great deal may
28
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
29/37
depend on the capabilities of the #ord%processing machine you are using.
(onsult #ith your instructor before deciding #here to place tables and
figures.
$a,ing (orrections on the $anuscript)o#adays #ith the use of modern #ord processing eKuipment ma,ing
corrections after something is printed is usually unnecessary. Dour paper
should be M essentially M perfect. &o not sacrifice entire forests to avoid
inserting a comma ho#everO
Do not use correction paper, fluid, or tape to cover and type over an error.
Insert a typed correction directly above the word or line to be corrected (not in the
margin).
Retype the page if it has many corrections.
Renumber the pages if a page must be inserted or removed after the numbering is
completed.
Do not number inserted pages with, for example, "4a."
Do not type vertically in the margin.
Do not strike over a letter.
Do not type inserts on slips and attach them to pages.
Do not write on the manuscript.
A Sample 1
Running head: A SAMPLE PAPER ACCORDING TO THE PUBLICATION MANUAL
A "e /"e) Ao)d#$%
to the Pu$lication Manual of the
American Psychological Association
Dour )ame
Dour Affiliation
A Sample
A "e /"e) Ao)d#$% to the
Pu$lication Manual of the
American Psychological Association Fifth Bdition 377
29
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
30/37
This sample paper #ill attempt to simplify the usage of the Pu$lication
Manual of the American Psychological Association Fifth Bdition 377. ;t is
meant to be used primarily by the alencia students enrolled in
Professions of (aring 6S(7 and should serve as an introduction to
APA style. The sources cited in the Reference list do not exist but do
reflect the types of sources #hich might be used in a paper. The te!t of the
paper isleft%2ustified and double-spaced< this sample paper is single spaced to
sa#e space.The margins should be one inch on all sides. se the tab 0ey to
indent paragraphs. This document does not indent paragraphs because of html
coding< ne& paragraphs are indicated by a double space. Be& pages are
indicated in this sample paper by a hori4ontal line.
The title of the sample paper follo#s the format given on page C70 of the
manual. As you prepare the title page ,eep in mind the follo#ing
reKuirements starting from the top of the paper and #or,ing do#n.
1. >he "%e $e) st e o$ " "%es o- the "e)& #$d#$% the t#te "%e. *se
A)"# $e)"s "$d os#t#o$ the "%e $e) o$e #$h -)o the )#%ht h"$d ed%eo- the "e)& #$ the s"e etee$ the to ed%e o- the "e) "$d the -#)st #$e o-
tet.
A Sample !
2. >he "%e he"de) #de$t#-#es e"h "%e o- the "e) #th the -#)st tototh)eeo)ds -)o the t#te. >he "%e he"de) #s os#t#o$ed #$ the e) )#%ht o)$e)
"o+e& o) -#+e s"es to the e-t o- the "%e $e).3. >he )$$#$% he"d& o) ")e+#"ted t#te& "e")s o$, o$ the t#te "%e. It #s #$ e)
"se "$d st $ot eeed 50 h")"te)s& #$d#$% $t"t#o$ "$d s"es. I- the
t#te o- ,o) "e) #s e$%th,& e$d the )$$#$% he"d "t the e$d o- " o)dL do $ot
s#t the o)d. >,e the )$$#$% he"d -sh "t the e-t ")%#$& ")o#"te, -o)#$es& o) to does"es eo the "%e he"de). >he te) )$$#$% he"d #s
#$ded& "s #st)"ted o$ "%e 306 o- the "$"& t #s $ot o$ted "s ")t o- the
50 h")"te)s "$d #s $ot e) "se.4. >he t#te o- the "e) #s t,ed #$ e) "$d oe) "se ette)s& "$d #s e$te)ed
etee$ the e-t "$d )#%ht ")%#$s "$d os#t#o$ed #$ the e) h"- o- the "%e. I-the t#te #s to o) o)e #$es #$ e$%th& doe s"e etee$ the #$es.
5. I- the t#te o- ,o) "e) #s o$, o$e o) to o)ds& the "%e he"de)& )$$#$% he"d
"$d "e) t#te # e #$de$t#".
6. >he ,#$e "$d #$st#tt#o$" "--##"t#o$ oe $et. >he "tho)Js $"e (,o) $"e#s t,ed #$ e) "$d oe) "se ette)s "$d #s e$te)ed o$ the #$e& o$e doe
s"e eo the "st #$e o- the t#te. >he #$st#tt#o$" "--##"t#o$ o) "ss #s "so
t,ed #$ e) "$d oe) "se& #s e$te)ed o$ the #$e& "$d #s o$e does"e
eo the "tho)Js $"e.
A Sample "
Papers #ritten in the APA style must document sources in the body of the
paper. Pages 374 to 3> of the APA manual provide a general overvie# of
citing references in the text. Dour paper #ill include a Reference list at the
end #hich #ill list the articles boo,s etc. you cite in your paper. The
Reference list must provide the information necessary to identify and
retrieve each source used. ;t is very important to remember that each
source on the Reference list must be cited in the body of the paper and
conversely each source cited in the body of the paper must be on the
Reference list.
30
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
31/37
As indicated on page 374 of the manual the basic format used by the APA
to cite sources in the body of the paper is the author and date method of
citation that is the surname of the author*s1 and the year of publication
are inserted in the text at the appropriate point. This can be accomplished
in one of t#o #ays. ;f the author8s name is mentioned in the text of the
paper as in =Smith stated that . . . .= then only the date need be cited. ;f the
author8s name is not mentioned in the text of the paper then both the name
and the date must be cited. Parentheses are used to enclose the author and
date or date alone. Separate the name and the date #ith a comma if both
are listed. ;n some cases as you #ill see later in this paper page numbers
either must or may be included.
Give credit to your sources #henever you either Kuote an author directly or
paraphrase an author.
A Sample #
Emitting credit is plagiarism or the presentation of another8s #ords or
ideas as if they #ere your o#n. Plagiarism is academic theft and is treated
as an ethical crime in the academic community not only #ill you fail the
assignment but in most cases the course as #ell.
The APA treats paraphrases and Kuotations differently. ;f a passage is
summari+ed rearranged or other#ise changed in some manner it isparaphrasing and Kuotation mar,s are not necessary. (redit must be given
to the original author*s1 though.
9uotations are treated differently by the APA depending on the length of
the Kuoted source. 9uotations of less than >7 #ords should be
incorporated in the text and be enclosed by Kuotation mar,s. ?ong
Kuotations are treated differently as illustrated by the follo#ing from the
Pu$lication Manual of the American Psychological Association.
Di$pla% &u'(a(i'n$ ') "* '+ m'+e ,'+d$ in a )+ee$(anding -l'./ ')
(%pe,+i((en line$0 and 'mi( (he &u'(a(i'n ma+/$ S(a+( $u.h a
block
quotation'n a ne, line0 and inden( (he -l'./ a-'u( 12 in 31!
.m0
'+ )i4e $pa.e5 )+'m (he le)( ma+gin 3in (he $ame p'$i(i'n a$ a ne,
pa+ag+aph5
I) (he+e a+e addi(i'nal pa+ag+aph$ ,i(hin (he &u'(a(i'n0 inden(
(he )i+$(
line ') ea.h addi(i'nal 12 in The en(i+e &u'(a(i'n $h'uld -e
d'u-le6
$pa.ed 3**10 p 1175
A Sample 8
When Kuoting al#ays provide the page number in addition to the author
and year of publication. =When paraphrasing or referring to an idea
contained in another #or, authors are not reKuired to provide a location
reference. )evertheless authors are encouraged to do so especially #hen
it #ould help an interested reader locate the relevant passage. . . .=
*Pu$lication Manual 377 p. 31 Bven though this sample paper consists
of fictitious references it #ill include the page numbers in examples #hen
possible. )ote that the preceeding Kuote is C/ #ords long thus it is
included in the text of the paper and is enclosed by Kuotation mar,s.
31
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
32/37
When citing from a full%text electronic source you may not have page
numbers to include in your parenthetical reference. ;n that case use the
author*s1 and year of publication only. Dour reader #ill be able to access
the specific text by using the =Bdit= and =Find= feature of the bro#ser to
locate the specific passage cited. ;f you retrieve an article from a database
#hich uses =real page= technology such as the Adobe Acrobat Reader list
the page numbers as they #ill accurately correspond to the original print
source.
This sample paper #ill consider each source cited in the References list
and explain both the actual citation and sho# ho# the source #ould be
cited in the text of the paper.
The Reference list uses a hanging indent the first line of each reference is
flush #ith the left margin subseKuent lines of the same reference areindented. he t#te o- the o)$" oes $et& -ooed , the +oe $e)& "$d #-")o)#"te& the #sse $e). I- the o)$" ses o$t#$os "%#$"t#o$& #e& #t )$s
"%e $e)s th)o%hot " ,e") o) +oe& $o )e-e)e$e to "$ #sse $e) #s$eeded. I$ th"t "se& the t#te o- the o)$" #s #t"##Ped& "s e "s the +oe
$e).
E"e'0ancet# ,&*#
I- the o)$" #s )e"%ed #sse , #sse& #e& e"h #sse h"s " "%e $e) 1& the$the #sse $e) st -oo the +oe $e). >he #sse $e) #s #$
")e$theses t #s $ot #t"##Ped.
E"e''ublic Health# ,=,(5
A Sample 9
6. >he "st ")t o- the #t"t#o$ #s the "%#$"t#o$. >h#s #s -ooed , " e)#od to e$d
the #t"t#o$. >he "%e des#%$"t#o$ #s $ot sed eet he$ #t#$% $es"e)
")t#es.7. I- the o)$" #s -)o "$ eet)o$# d"t""se& )et)#e+" #$-o)"t#o$ st e
#$ded h#h st"tes the d"te o- )et)#e+" "$d the )oe) $"e o- the d"t""se.
Fo) e"e'=et)#e+ed , 19& 2001& -)o A"de# e")h /)e#e) d"t""se.
8. >he Ae)#"$ /s,hoo%#" Asso#"t#o$ h"s #shed " e h"$dot #th
#$st)t#o$s -o) doe$t#$% eet)o$# )eso)es'APAStyle.org
32
http://www.apastyle.org/elecref.htmlhttp://www.apastyle.org/elecref.htmlhttp://www.apastyle.org/elecref.html -
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
33/37
9. "e o$e "-te) e)#ods th"t se")"te the ")ts o- the #t"t#o$& "$d o$e "-te) the
e)#ods o- the #$#t#"s #$ e)so$" $"es.
10. ;-te$& $o o$e e"e -)o the "$" o) -)o th#s "e) # -#t ,o) )e-e)e$ee"t,L #$ th"t "se& -oo the osest e"e oss#e o) o#$e ")o)#"te
eee$ts -)o to e"es.
The follo#ing are some general rules to ,eep in mind #hen citing boo,s on
the References list.
1. *se the "tho)Js s)$"e "$d #$#t#"(s o$,. Do $ot se -#)st $"es& ed#"
de%)ees& ). "$d the #ke.2. C#te " "tho)s #sted -o) the ook #$ the o)de) the, ")e #sted.
3. Foo the "tho)Js $"e #th the ,e") o- #"t#o$. >h#s # e #$ ")e$theses.
4. >he t#te o- the ook #s $et "$d #t #s #t"##Ped. ;$, the -#)st o)d #$ the t#te #s"#t"#Ped "s e "s "$, )oe) $"es.
5. >he #t, o- #"t#o$ -oos. I- the #t, #s )e"t#+e, os)e& #$de the to
ette) ode -o) the st"te.
A Sample
6. >he #she) o- the ook #s #sted "st -ooed , " e)#od.
7. "e o$e "-te) e)#ods th"t se")"te the ")ts o- the #t"t#o$ "$d o$e "-te) thee)#ods o- the #$#t#"s #$ e)so$" $"es.
8. ;-te$& $o o$e e"e -)o the "$" # -#t ,o) #t"t#o$ e"t,L #$ th"t "se
-oo the osest e"e oss#e o) o#$e ")o)#"te eee$ts -)o to
e"es.
>he F#)st =e-e)e$eAdam$0 ;A0 < =u/')$/%0 SP 315 I $a4ed m% pa(ien( ,i(h (he APA
American Journal of Public Health,72,9*169"! Re(+ie4ed Augu$(
1!0 **10
)+'m Heal(h and >ellne$$ Re$'u+.e Cen(e+ da(a-a$e
The first source on the Reference list is a scholarly 2ournal from an
electronic database 6ealth and Wellness Resource (enter #hich uses
continuous pagination. *Dou can tell the pagination is continuous because
of the high number 57 of the page number.1
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
34/37
The second source on the Reference list is to a boo, by a single author.
T#o #ays to cite this reference in the body of the paper follo#.
Bxample! 'urgess *//5 p. CC1 concluded that the APA #as the easiest
style manual to use.
Bxample! ;n a recent comparison of style manuals *'urgess //5 p. CC1
the APA #as 2udged to be easier to use than the $?A style manual.
>he >h#)d =e-e)e$eB%+d0 P 310 ;ul%2Augu$(5 Bed6$ide manne+ ,i(h (he APA
Hospital tiquette0 16! Re(+ie4ed Augu$( 10 **10 )+'m
A.ademi. Sea+.h P+emie+ da(a-a$e
The third source on the Reference list is a maga+ine article obtained from
the Academic Search Premier database. (ite the source in the body of the
paper li,e the previous 'urgess citation a source #ith one author.
Pagination is included as this article #as available in Adobe Acrobat or
=real page= technology.
A Sample 11
>he Fo)th =e-e)e$e@in/'0 P0 M.C'nnell0 C0 S('ne0 S0 '+ehand0 S0 Bl'ndeau0 @0 he e+e$th =e-e)e$eNe,-%0 S0 P+'.('+0 P0 S('ne0 S0 ;'ne$0 B < M.C'nnel0 C 315
The APA 4$ (he MLA: Ma% (he -e$( $(%le manual ,in &onsulting
Psychology
Journal' Practice an" (esearch, )*350 1*6!8
The seventh source on the Reference list is a 2ournal article #ith five
authors. :ournal articles #ith three four or five authors are all treated the
same in terms of parenthetical references. This 2ournal pages each issue
separately.
A Sample 1!
The first time this source is referenced in the body of the paper all five
authors must be listed as #ell as the year of publication and the page
number if appropriate. *Again this applies to articles #ith three four or five
authors.1
Bxample! )e#by Proctor Stone :ones and $c(onnell */// p. C@1 found
in their research that the APA #as an excellent manual.
Bxample! The definitive study on the APA style manual *)e#by Proctor
Stone :ones - $c(onnell /// p. C@1 #as published recently.
;n subseKuent references to the same article cite only the last name of the
first author follo#ed by et al.. ;f the subseKuent reference is in the same
paragraph as the first citation the year and page number need not be
listed.
Bxample! Additional research proves the APA style manual is very easy to
use *)e#by et al.1.
;f the subseKuent reference is in a different paragraph the year must be
listed as #ell as the page number if appropriate.
Bxample! )e#by et al. */// p. C@1 discovered that there #as a great deal
of interest in the latest edition of the APA style manual.
35
-
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
36/37
Again ,eep in mind that this rule applies to 2ournal articles #ith three four
or five authors. Articles #ith six or more authors list only the first surname
follo#ed by et al. and articles #ith one or t#o authors list all authors each
time the article is referenced.
A Sample 1"
The eighth source on the Reference list is for the APA style manual #hich
#as cited earlier in this paper.
>he #$th =e-e)e$eSal('n0 DC 3190 Ma+.h5 Se0 lie$ and (he APA Psycoloquy
Re(+ie4ed Augu$( 1!0 **10 )+'m h((p:22,,,li-n.$uedu2
$(a./$2p$%.'l'&u%6indeh(ml
The last source on the Reference list is to a non%proprietary electronic2ournal available over the ;nternet. ;n the body of the paper this #ould be
referenced by the author8s last name and the year of publication.
Some final suggestions #hich may help you #rite and document an
excellent paper for this class follo#.
1. I- ,o h"+e "$, Kest#o$s& AROO
2. I$#t#",& the A/A st,e ", see o$-s#$%& t #- ,o -oo d#)et#o$s ,o #
do -#$e.
3. I- ,o ")e " V"e$#" Co$#t, Coe%e stde$t e # e +e), h", to"$se) ,o) A/A Kest#o$s o+e) the ho$e (4075821432 o) +#"s0-a-:ibrarian.
4. /"$ to do "t e"st " -e d)"-ts o- the "e). ;$e ,o h"+e " )oessed o, o-
the "e)& o$e o- the #)")#"$s # e h", to ook o+e) ,o) #$tet )e-e)e$es
"$d =e-e)e$e #st& t # $ot )e"d the "e) -o) %)"")& st)t)e& "$d the #ke.5. "ke "$ "o#$te$t "t the !)#t#$% Ce$te). >he#) $e) #s 4075821356 "$d
the, ")e o"ted #$ 7240.
6. Good :kO
A Sample 1#=e-e)e$es
Adam$0 ;A < =u/')$/%0 SP 315 I $a4ed m% pa(ien( ,i(h (he APA
American Journal of Public Health,72,9*169"! Re(+ie4ed Augu$(
1!0 **10
)+'m Heal(h and >ellne$$ Re$'u+.e Cen(e+ da(a-a$e
Bu+ge$$0 ? 3195 Mastering the APA in 600 easy lessons3Re4 ed5
O+land': Ha+.'u+(
B%+d0 P 310 ;ul%2Augu$(5 Bed6$ide manne+ ,i(h (he APA Hospital
tiquette0 #! Re(+ie4ed Augu$( 10 **10 )+'m A.ademi. Sea+.h
P+emie+
da(a-a$e
@in/'0 P0 M.C'nnell0 C0 S('ne0 S0 '+ehand0 S0 Bl'ndeau0 @0
Le%-'ld0 ;
3**15 >e )'ugh( (he APA and (he APA ,'n !he Journal of the
American
Me"ical Association, 276,17619#
Le$$'n plan$ 'n in(+a4en'u$ ine.(i'n$ ,i(h (he APA 3170 ;anua+% 75
!he #e$ %ork !imes0 p C"7
Mille+0 ?P 3190 O.('-e+ 95 H', (' +e)e+en.e a -ed pan a..'+ding
(' (he APA #e$s$eek0 1 Re(+ie4ed Augu$( 1!0 **10 )+'m Heal(h
and
>ellne$$ Re$'u+.e Cen(e+ da(a-a$e
Ne,-%0 S0 P+'.('+0 P0 S('ne0 S0 ;'ne$0 B0 < M.C'nnell0 C 315
The APA 4$ (he MLA: Ma% (he -e$( $(%le manual ,in &onsulting
Psychology
Journal' Practice an" (esearch, )*350 1*6!8
Publication manual of the American Psychological Association
36
http://www.askalibrarian.org/ask/vrl_intro.asp?library=FLCC2900http://www.askalibrarian.org/ask/vrl_intro.asp?library=FLCC2900http://www.askalibrarian.org/ask/vrl_intro.asp?library=FLCC2900http://www.askalibrarian.org/ask/vrl_intro.asp?library=FLCC2900 -
8/12/2019 A Guide for Writing Research Papers APA Style
37/37
3#(h ed5 3**15 >a$hing('n0 DC: Ame+i.an P$%.h'l'gi.al
A$$'.ia(i'n
Sal('n0 DC 3190 Ma+.h5 Se0 lie$ and (he APA Psycoloquy
Re(+ie4ed Augu$( 1!0 10 )+'m h((p:22,,,li-n.$uedu2
$(a/.$2p$%.'l'&u%6indeh(ml
Co,)#%ht 19972004V"e$#" Co$#t, Coe%e !est C"s :=C
>h#s s"e "e) "s )e")ed , d# De:#se:"st )e+#sed 9 Deee) 2004