Using APA FormatWeek 11

Page SequenceTitle page (page 1)Abstract, start on separate page (page 2)Introduction, start on separate page (page 3)MethodsResultsDiscussionConclusionReferences, start on separate pageTables, each on separate pages (if any)Figure captionsFigures, each on separate pagesAppendices (if any), start each on a separate page

Type Face & MarginsThe entire paper (including title page) should be __________

Use standard-sized paper with _______ on all sides.

____________ font, with _______ font is preferred forAPA publications

General Writing TipsWrite in an _______Example: The survey was conducted in a controlled setting (passive) The authors conducted the survey in a controlled setting (active)

_______

Use _______ for the results, and the _______ for variables manipulated and outcomes measures

Abbreviations must be written out the first time use, abbreviate thereafter;do not abbreviate units of timeExample: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

In-Text CitationsUse in-text citations, if you are referring to ________________________.

In-text citations should follow the author-date citation method. This meansthat the author's last name and the year of publication should appear in the text.

A complete reference should appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.

Example (one to five authors): Jones, 2010; Jones, Johnson, & Brown, 2010

After three to five are cited the 1st time, use et al. Example: Jones et al., 2010

Six or More Authors: Use the first author's last name followed by et al.

Two or more cited works within the same parentheses are __________

Title PageTitleRunning headAuthor by-lineInstitutional affiliation Author note

Identify title page with page number 1 (upper right hand corner, pages are number consecutively)

Running HeadInclude a page header(also known as the running head) at the top of every page.

Insert running head flush to the __________________________.

The running head is a shortened version of your paper's title typed all in caps, and ____________________ including spacing and punctuation

Page 1: Running head: HOW TO USE APA FORMATPage 2+: HOW TO USE APA FORMAT

TitleA well-written title provides a:

The title should be typed in title-case centered in the upper halfof the page.

Your title be __________________, and it should not containabbreviations or words that serve no purpose.

AbstractAbstracts provides a complete, but very succinct summary of thecontents of the article; it should be ________________. The abstract should summarize each section of the paper in oneor two sentences; limited to the essential details

It shouldnt be too technical, too vague, or overly-wordy.

The abstract is _________________________________.

A good abstract is:

_______________: reflects purpose and content of the manuscript_______________: report, do not evaluate_______________: written in clear, concise language; written in inactive voice- present tense for the results, past tense for variables manipulated and outcomes measures _______________: brief, yet each sentence is maximally informative

IntroductionIntroduces:

It also provides a broader sense of the research topic and howthis research fits within previous research.

The author uses the introduction to frame his/her research in acompelling way, ______________________________________.

It does not carry a heading labeling it the introduction; all other sections of the article do carry a heading

Questions to answer when writing an introduction:

1)2)3)4)5)

A good introduction does this in a few pages, and by summarizingthe relevant arguments and past evidence, gives the reader a sense of what was done and why

MethodsDescribes in detail how the study was conducted including ______________.

It is conventional to use subsections in the method section, including participants or subjects, materials, and procedure.

Provide detailed enough information to replicate:

Subjects:

Materials and Apparatus:

Procedure:

Results___________________________________________.

___________________________________________.

______________________________; state if variables are significant (refer to tables/graphs) Are the results significant?

What did the statistics reveal in relation to the variables? Do the results support the hypothesis or were they unexpected?

Any adverse events or side-effects? Note any subject attrition.

How do the results relate to previous findings?

Discussion & ConclusionThis is where you tie everything together: _________________________.

_____________________________________________

Interpret the data- state whether or not the data support hypothesis and the theoretical, practical, clinical implications. Take into account: GeneralizabilitySources of potential biases or confounds Imprecision of measuresThe effects size observedOther weakness or limitations

End the discussion with a objective and justified commentary on theimportance of your findings.

Speculate the implications of the findings for future studies. What questionsremain unresolved or arise because of your findings?

End with a strong concluding paragraph(s)

Reference ListYour alphabetized reference list appears at the end of your paper. _______________________________________________________________.

Your references begin on a new page separate from the text and labeled References centered at the top of the page; references should be double-spaced.

Journal article:Harlow, H.F. (1983). Fundamentals for preparing psychology journal articles. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 55(1), 893-896. DOI: if available

Every type of publication (print or electronic, including websites) uses different formatting (refer to chapter 7 for specific examples)

Plagiarism Plagiarism is:

It is scientific _______, just as serious as data fabrication or falsification.

If you use an author's specific word(s), you must place those words within quotation marks and you must credit the source.

Even if you use your own words, if you obtained the information or ideas you are presenting from a source, you must document the source.

As important as original words are, for scientist their original ideas are evenmore valued (intellectual property) , and might view theft of ideas as a more serious offense.

________ must be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. They must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author.

________ involves putting a passage from source material into your own words. A paraphrase must also be attributed to the original source. Paraphrased material is usually shorter than the original passage, taking a somewhat broader segment of the source and condensing it slightly.

________ involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the main point(s). Once again, it is necessary to attribute summarized ideas to the original source. Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of the source material.

QuotationsUse direct quotations sparingly. DO NOT CUT AND PASTE

If you are directly quoting from a work, you must include the author, year of publication, and the page number for the reference.

Example: Jones (2008) found "students often had difficulty using APA style" (p. 199)

Place direct quotations that are 40 words, or longer, in a free-standing block of typewritten lines, and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, indented 1/2 inch from the left margin.

Jones and Smiths (2008) study found the following: Students often had difficulty using APA style, especially when it was their first time citing sources. This difficulty could be attributedto the fact that many students failed to purchase a style manual (p. 199)

How to ParaphraseA paraphrase is...your own rendition of essential information and ideas expressed by someone else, presented in a new form. one legitimate way (when accompanied by accurate documentation) toborrow from a source. a more detailed restatement than a summary, which focuses concisely on a single main idea.

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill because...it is better than quoting information from an undistinguished passage. it helps you control the temptation to quote too much. the mental process required for successful paraphrasing helps you to grasp thefull meaning of the original.

6 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing:

Reread the original passage until you understand its full meaning.

Set the original aside, and write your paraphrase on a note card.

Jot down a few words below your paraphrase to remind you later how you envision using this material. At the top of the note card, write a key word or phraseto indicate the subject of your paraphrase. Check your rendition with the original to make sure that your version accurately expresses all the essential information in a new form.

Use quotation marks to identify any unique term or phraseology you have borrowed exactly from the source.

Record the source (including the page) on your note card so that you can credit iteasily if you decide to incorporate the material into your paper.

Recommended Resources

Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6thEd.). (available in the bookstore and library)

APA reference: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

Friday: bring your APA publication manual to class, we will be using it fora graded in-class assignment