Overview of APA 6th
Dr Randy HollandsworthPiedmont College
School of EducationTeaching and Learning
Fall 2009
APA Goals
1. Accuracy of scientific knowledge2. Protection of rights and welfare of
research participants3. Protection of intellectual property
rights
(APA, 2010, p. 11)
Types of Manuscripts
Empirical studies Keep all data for 5 years
Lit ReviewsTheoretical articlesMethodological articlesCase studiesOther- book reviews, letters, etc..
(APA, 2010)
Sections in Literature Reviews
1. Identify and clarify problem2. Summarize what the literature
indicates3. Identify relationships, contradictions,
gaps, & inconsistencies4. What is the next step in solving
problem or future research?
(APA, 2010, p. 10)
Key Issues in APA 6thSection 1.09-1.10
Duplicate publicationsPiecemeal publicationsPlagiarismSelf-plagiarism
Ethical Checklist
Permission to use unpublished stuff Citing of published stuff Questions on IRB, informed consent,
debriefing, confidentiality, and humane care of animals
Authors agree on responsibility and order of authorship
Permission to use copyrighted stuff
(APA, 2010)
Elements of a Manuscript
Title page Abstract Introduction Method Results Discussion References Appendices
Dr. H’s Hints for APA 6th Sections
1. Title page includes -2.011. Running head2. Title3. Byline/Affiliation4. Author Notes
2. Abstract - 2.041. Use separate page - Center word “Abstract” in bold2. 75-100 word summary3. Meets these criteria (APA, 2010, p. 6)
1. Accurate2. Non-evaluative3. Coherent4. Concise
Dr. H’s Hints for APA 6th Sections
3. Introduction- 2.051. No heading called Introduction - Use title2. Elements
1. Importance of the problem2. Describe relevant literature3. State hypotheses and how it corresponds to research
4. Method5. Results6. Discussion7. References - see samples8. Footnotes
1. Strengthening content with supporting info2. Copyright permissions 2.12
9. Appendices
Headings for Method - Result - Discussion
APA 6th Guidelines
Document1. Typed – Serif typeface , 12 points (Times New Roman or
Courier)2. Double spaced3. 1” margins4. Number in upper right hand corner with running title5. No graphics or fancy fonts
Writing Style1. Active over Passive Verbs2. Agreement of Subject and Verb3. Conciseness and Clarity
1. Avoid jargons2. Avoid redundancy
4. Organization of Ideas5. Avoid anthropomorphism6. Avoid bias in writing style
APA 6th Guidelines
Periods 1 space
Quotation marks Quotations Highlight a word the first time, but not after that Single quotation marks within double quotation marks
Italics Titles of books, films, etc.. New technical term, only use once Volume numbers in periodicals
Abbreviations Plurals- Phds not italicized & no apostrophe
Dr. H’s Hints for APA 6th Consistent Headings
Centered, Boldface, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading (referred to as title case)
Flush Left, Boldface, Upper and Lower Case
Indented, boldface, lowercase paragraph heading end w/ period.
Indented, boldface, italicized, lowercase paragraph heading end w/ period.
Indented, italicized, lowercase paragraph heading end w/ period.
Dr. H’s Hints for APA 6th Consistent Seriation
Separate paragraphs or sentences in a series:1. Paragraph , followed by a period, no parenthesis.2. Sentence, followed by a period, no parenthesis.
In a paragraph or sentence, use lowercase in parenthesis for 3 or more:The students were (a) collaborative, (b) smart, and ( c) quick.
Use of bullets or numbers okay within a sentence w 3 more - see sampleIn accordance with this theory, these items are marked by• quotation marks; • question marks;• periods (Smith, 2008, p. 45).
Dr. H’s Hints for APA 6th Use of Tables
Dr. H’s Hints for APA 6th Use of Figures
Dr. H’s Hints for APA 6th - Citing Others
40 or less words, quotation marks in sentence (Author, 2009, p. 45).
40 or more words, no quotations marks and use in a free-standing block of text with citation at end.
For page quotes, use (Author, 2009, p. 45)
For paragraph quotes, use (Author, 2009, para. 4).
Dr. H’s Hints for APA 6th - Citing Others
Inserting Citations1. If name is part of narrative use Walker (2000) compared reaction……2. If not part of narrative, use (Walker, 2000).------ period goes here.3. If quoting, use quotation marks and cite page number.4. Use (Smith, 2002) initially in a paragraph, but after that use (Smith) if the
same citation.5. Multiple authors
1. Two authors – (Smith & Jones, 2000) every time.2. Three + authors – First citation (Smith, Jones, & Jackson, 2000)
1. Second Citation in paragraph (Smith et al., 2000) or Smith et al. (2000) found …….
2. Subsequent citations in a paragraph (Smith et al.) or Smith et al. found .,……..
6. Personal communication – T. K. Lutes (personal communication, April 18, 2005)
7. Classical works - (Aristotle, trans. 1931)8. Secondary Sources - All;port’s diary (as cited in Nicholson, 2003).
Dr. H’s Hints or APA 6th - Reference Page
Running Head: I WANT TO BE A GRAD STUDENT 34
References
Aldrich, C. (2004). Simulations and the future of learning: an innovative (and perhaps revolutionary)
approach to e-learning. Journal of Elearning, 154, 256-259. Doi:10.3456778990.134.2.258
Allen, M. W. (2003). Michael Allen’s guide to e-learning: Building interactive, fun, and effective
learning programs for any company. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Dr. H’s Hints for APA 6th - Referencing Works
Journal Article, One AuthorSimon, A. (2000). Perceptual comparisons through the mind’s eye. Memory &
Cognition, 23, 635-647.
Journal Article, Two Authors - with digital object identifiers (DOI)Becker, M. B., & Rozek, S. J. (1995). Welcome to the energy crisis. Journal of
Social Issues, 32, 230-343.doi:10.1037/0789-09876.45.2.225
Journal Article, Two AuthorsBecker, M. B., & Rozek, S. J. (1995). Welcome to the energy crisis. Journal of
Social Issues, 32, 230-343.
Magazine Article, one authorGarner, H. J. (1997, July). Do babies have a universal song? Psychology
Today,102, 70-77.
Newspaper Article, No AuthorStudy finds free care used more. (1982, April 3). Wall Street Journal, pp. A1, A25.
Dr. H’s Hints for APA 6th - Referencing Works
Book, Two AuthorsStrunk, W., & White, E. B. (1979). The elements of style (3rd ed.).
New York: Macmillan.
Edited BookLetheridge, S., & Cannon, C. R. (Eds.). (1980). Bilingual education.
New York: Praeger.
Article or Chapter in an Edited Book, Two EditorsSheets, B. (2006). The cost of lingering arm injuries. In B. Selig,. & W.
Selig (Eds.), A compilation of long stories (pp. 211-234). Milwaukee, WI: MB Press.
Dr. H’s Hints for APA 6th - Electronic Referencing
Journal Article, Two Authors - with digital object identifiers (DOI)Becker, M. B., & Rozek, S. J. (1995). Welcome to the energy crisis. Journal of
Social Issues, 32, 230-343.doi:10.1037/0789-09876.45.2.225Journal Article, online source - without digital object identifiers (DOI)
Becker, M. B., & Rozek, S. J. (1995). Welcome to the energy crisis. Journal of Social Issues, 32, 230-343. Retrieved from http://www.piedmont.edu
Electronic version of book Becker, M. B. (1995). Welcome to the energy crisis. [Adobe Digital Editions
version]. doi:10.1037/0789-0987Web Page with Private Organization as Author
Midwest League. (2003). Pitching, individual records. (NIH Publication No. 02-33333). Retrieved from http://www.midwest.com.html
Blog postEarlyChild. (2003, January 23). Pitching, individual records [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.midwest.com.html
Some examples
Example: Print Book
Friere, P. (2005). Pedagogy of the oppressed.
New York, NY: The Continuum International.
References (Piece by Piece)
AuthorDate Title (In Italics)
Publisher location
Publisher (Without the Publisher, Group, or Inc part of the name)
Example Online Book
Friere, P. (2005). Pedagogy of the oppressed.
Retrieved from http://www.libbooks.com
Online information(You will notice that they are no longer asking for retrieved from dates)
No period for electronic references
Remember only first word is capitalized.
Print Journal
Harlow, H. F. (1983). Fundamentals for preparing psychology journal articles. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 55, 893-896.
Examples Title of article
Journal title (In italics)
Volume Number
Page Numbers
References
American Psychological Association (2010) Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.