APA: Citation &

FormattingA General Introduction to formatting a Lab Report using APA

1Psychology 240Suzanne van den Hoogen, MLISOctober 2013

In today’s class we will look at the sections of a lab report:

TitleAbstractIntroductionMethodResultsDiscussionReferences

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What is APA?Publication Manual of the

American Psychological Association

Sets standards for writers in APA journals, books and databasesDescribes a uniform style for format, citations and reference listsWidely used in the social sciences

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Psychology Department Guide

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http://sites.stfx.ca/psychology/undergraduate_information

Formatting: The Basics…

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Title Page: Example

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Abstract

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Abstract: 5 Important Points1. Purpose: what research question is under

investigation

2. Participants: very basic info, typically the number, species, etc.

3. Brief method: keep it really short

4. Results: report specific findings (means, or inferential statistics if available)

5. Conclusions & Implications: indicate why the study is important, what the results can show us

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Abstract: Example

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to replicate the Muller-Lyer effect using a

computerized task. The 89 participants completed an on-line Java-based task. In 194

trials they judged the length of a 100 pixel Muller-Lyer line against a comparison line

that varied in length. As expected, participants tended to think the Muller-Lyer line

was bigger. Participants did not judge the lines to be equal until the comparison line

was at least 112 pixels in length. This shows that participants demonstrated the

Muller-Lyer illusion. The Muller-Lyer Illusion’s implications for human visual

perception are discussed.

Introduction = Title of PaperThe introduction is:

Labeled with the title of your paper, centered, NOT bold.

Includes a review of the literature relevant to your topic.

Introduces the problem and the importance of your topic.

Provides enough relevant and background material on your topic for the reader to conclude that the research is important and your hypotheses are reasonable.

Provides evidence to support the development of your research question.

Provides an overview of the specific linkage between your major purpose and the research procedures you will employ. 10

Method: 3 PartsParticipants: •describes the participants( i.e., human or animal, sex, age)•the procedures for selecting and assigning participants•the agreements and payments made

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Materials/Apparatus/Stimuli: •presents the apparatus, materials, or test(s) used in the experiment•provides the name and description of tests (describe questionnaires; do not just give title)•lists lab equipment used•detailed descriptions of complex apparatus may be included in an appendix

Procedure:•summarizes each step in the execution of the experiment•includes the order of completion of the tasks involved, their duration, the variable(s) measured and scoring procedure(s) •The procedure begins only when data collection begins•Includes the design of the experiment, the names and levels of the independent variables under study and the dependent variables measured•REPLICATION: Provides a detailed and accurate description of how the data was collected.

Results• This section summarizes the data

collected and the statistical treatment used.

• All data and results (even those that run counter to the hypothesis) must be reported here, but not interpreted or discussed.

• No inferences should be made. • Descriptive as well as inferential

statistics may be presented in this section.

• Very often, figures (graphs) and tables are included.

Examples:

Inferential statistics:•Example: The effect for age was statistically significant, F(1,44) = 8.29, p < .01.

Text:•Example: The mean score for men on the verbal test was 23.6.

Parentheses:•Example: Women had a slightly higher score than men on the verbal test (M = 23.61, SD = 2.10 for men, M = 26.94, SD = 1.98 for women).

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Discussion

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In this section, the goal is to discuss and evaluate your results, and whether or not the results confirm your

hypotheses.

Two major points MUST be present:

1.A clear statement of support or non-support for your original hypotheses.

2.Similarities and differences between your results and those of other researchers

Discussion: Tips

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Start with specific statements which then become increasingly more general.

Evaluate and interpret the implications of the results with respect to your hypotheses.

Include a discussion of the theoretical implications of your results.

Highlight the shortcomings of your study.

Indicate future directions this research could take.

Suggest explanations which account for hypotheses that were not confirmed.

Remember to point out sources of error or bias.

Suggestions for future research should always be made.

REFERENCES: IN-TEXT CITATIONS 15

In-Text Citation: (Author, Date)• Author-date citation: acknowledge the source in your text by

listing the author and date of publication in parentheses:

(Galloti, 2011)

• This points to a complete listing in the Reference List at the end of your paper:

Galloti, K.M. (2011). Cognitive development: Infancy through adolescence. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

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In-Text Citation: “Quotations”• If you are quoting directly from a text, you need to use quotation

marks and include a page number:

Galloti (2011) states, “Language development begins with infants’ exposure to their parents’ speech” (p. 132).

• Long quotations (over 40 words) are typed as a separate paragraph, indented and double-spaced, without quotation marks.

NO DIRECT QUOTES FOR YOUR ASSIGNMENT!

PARAPHRASE! 17

In-Text Citation: Multiple Authors

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Two authors: (Smith & Jones, 2003)

Three to five authors:First citation (Smith, Jones & Brown, 2004)

Subsequent citations: (Smith et al., 2004)

Six or more authors:(LeBlanc et al., 2006)

In-Text Citations: Citing Indirect Sources

Citing an author mentioned in your source

• Clarify in your sentence, but cite your source, NOT the original author:

Smith, as quoted by Jones, states….(Jones, 2009, p. 35)

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REFERENCE LIST 20

Reference List

Provides the information which readers will need to find the sources cited in your paper

Must be on a separate page at the end of the paper, with “References” as the title, boldface, centered

You must include every source you cited, and every source in the list must be cited in the paper

Hanging indent!21

Reference List: Authors• One author:

• Two authors:

• Three to seven authors:

• Seven or more authors:

• Organization as author:

• Two or more works by an author:

• Works by the same author from the same year:

• Smith, J. G.

• Smith, J. G. & Jones, B. A.

• Smith, J. G., Jones, B. A., Green, D. H., & Duncan, M. L.

• Smith, J. G., Jones, B. A., Green, D. H., Duncan, M. L., Mason, J. N., Radcliffe, E. M.,…Peabody, A. M.

• American Psychological Association.

• Smith, J. G. (2004) Smith, J. G. (2009)

• Smith, J. G. (2005a) Smith, J. G. (2005b)

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Reference List: Books

Basic format:Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work:

Capital letter also for subtitle. Location: Publisher.

Example:Smith, J. A. (2004). Language development in

infants: A new study. London: Penguin.23

Reference List: Articles from Print Journals

Basic format:Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C.

(Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume number (issue number), pages.

Example:Jones, B. A., Radcliffe, E. M., & Peabody, A. M.

(2003). Findings in infant speech development. Language and Speech, 42 (3),

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Reference List: Articles from Online Journals

Articles with a DOI:Jones, B. A., Radcliffe, E. M., & Peabody, A. M. (2003). Findings in

infant speech development. Language and Speech, 42 (3), 58-75. doi:10.1108/03090560710821161

Articles without a DOI:Jones, B. A., Radcliffe, E. M., & Peabody, A. M. (2003). Findings in

infant speech development. Language and Speech, 42 (3), 58-75. Retrieved from: http://las.com/vol42.html

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Reference List: OTHER…

There are a number of types of sources you may be asked to cite:

Articles in PeriodicalsBooksOther Print SourcesElectronic SourcesOther Non-Print Sources

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APA: Other Resources

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StFX Writing Centre

You can also visit, e-mail or phone the Library Reference desk (reference@stfx.ca, 867-2242)

or chat online with a librarian via LiveHelp

Questions?

For more information, visit or email the Library Reference desk reference@stfx.ca

Or contact your Psychology Librarian:Suzanne van den Hoogen svandenh@stfx.ca

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