APA style check list
General:
12pt font, double-spaced, no extra spaces between sections
1” margins
Page number (in same font) in header top-right
Running head in header top-left
Numbers: If < 10 or first word of sentence then write-out # in words; if ≥10 use numerals
Sections of a paper (in this order):
Title page
Abstract
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
References
Tables
Figures
Appendix
Use page break after: title page, abstract, end of discussion, references, tables, figures
Sections titles are centered (Abstract, Method, etc.)
Only bold the following section titles: Method, Results, and Discussion
Subsection (level after centered title): left justified, bolded, upper and lower case
Title page:
e.g. “Running Head: WORKING MEMORY” (left justified in header)
(all following pages would just have “Working Memory” left justified)
Title of paper: in caps and non-caps, centered (followed by name, date)
Abstract:
Brief, comprehensive summary of paper; limit to approximately 250 words
On separate page; “Abstract” should on top line, centered (not bolded)
No indent on paragraph
Main document:
Title centered in upper and lower case (not bolded) (should not say “Introduction”)
Method, Results, and Discussion section headers should be centered and bolded
Sub-section headers (level after centered title): left justified, bolded, upper and lower case, on
separate line (next line, indented then paragraph begins)
Introduction:
What is general topic? What do we know from previous research? What is new about the current
paper? What are you going to try to demonstrate? What are the hypotheses?
Use title of paper rather than section header “Introduction”
In-text citations:
1 or 2 authors – use last name(s) and year in parentheses each time referenced
3-5 authors – cite all authors 1st time, then use first author’s name then et al. (year)
6+ authors – use first author’s name with et al. (year) first time referenced
*Never use author’s first names or title of study in body of paper
*Use symbols if info is in parentheses (e.g. &), use word if in sentence (e.g. “and”)
Method:
Subsections left justified, bolded
Possible subsections: Participants (if humans) or Subjects (if animals); Apparatus and/or
Materials, Procedure
Results:
Use italics for all statistical terms (M, SD, etc.)
Put a space around “=” symbol (e.g. M = 3.45, SD = 0.75)
Be consistent with number of decimal places for same dependent variable
Use a 0 before decimal places for numbers under 1, except p values (e.g. p = .001)
References:
On separate page; “References” should be on top line, centered (not bolded)
Format for journal article should be:
Author, A.A., Author, B.B., & Author, C.C. (year). Title of the article. Title of the periodical, volume,
page x-page xx.
(Other formats consult APA style handout or manual.)
Tables and Figures:
Each Table and Figure should appear after References (see order of sections); each on its own
page
Only use horizontal lines (no vertical lines) in tables
Table title above (Table X (then on next line) Title in italics; Note. Under table.)
Label X and Y axis of figures; figure caption under figure left justified “Figure #.” in italics
Tell reader when to look at figures/tables in body of paper (e.g. “see Figure 1”)
Writing clearly:
1. Write an orderly and organized paper (prepare an outline)
2. Use clear and logical communication (work on transitions between sections)
3. Use economy of expression (avoid wordiness by deleting extra words/redundancy)
4. Use formal language (no contractions, e.g. “don’t”)
5. Be specific
Grammatical considerations:
Use past tense – the study has already been conducted (use future tense for proposals)
Do NOT use quotes – put into your own words
Do NOT use the word “prove” – use hedge words such as “support”
Sparingly use 1st person (“I” or “we”) – exception is for hypotheses
Inanimate nouns cannot perform actions (a study can’t find things, researchers do!)
Avoid passive voice
Use unbiased language – do not refer to people by simple characteristic
Do not imply you know feelings or thoughts of researchers you cite. “Feel”≠ “Believe”
Do NOT write “the researchers said…” – just explain then cite it
Careful of plagiarism! We use TurnItIn to catch plagiarism!
Anyone else’s ideas need to be cited. Never use someone else’s wording.
Plan ahead so paper is done in time.
Example Title page:
Example Abstract page.
Example Introduction and method page.
Example Results and discussion page.
Example References page.
Example Table page.