APA Style

APA style has its roots in the American Psychological Association (APA), a professional organization representing psychologists and scholars in related fields. In the early 20th century, as academic writing in psychology and social sciences expanded, there was a need for a consistent and uniform style guide to promote clear communication and facilitate the dissemination of research findings.

In 1929, the APA published its first style guide, which provided guidelines for formatting manuscripts, citing sources, and organizing research papers. Over the years, APA style evolved and expanded to address the changing needs of academic writing, incorporating technological advancements and adapting to new research practices.

The APA Publication Manual, currently in its 7th edition, is the authoritative resource for APA style. It is regularly updated to reflect advancements in research methods, electronic publishing, and changes in writing conventions.

APA style's influence has extended beyond psychology to various disciplines in the social sciences, education, nursing, and other related fields. Its emphasis on clarity, objectivity, and proper attribution has made it a widely adopted and respected style guide in academic writing.

1. Paper Formatting:

   • Use 12-point Times New Roman font.
   • Set 1-inch margins on all sides of the paper.
   • Double-space the entire document, including the title page, abstract, main body, and references.

2. Title Page:

   • Include a running head (a shortened version of the title) at the top left corner of the page.
   • Center-align the full title of the paper, your name, and the institutional affiliation below the running head.
   • Add a page number at the top right corner of the page.

3. In-text Citations:

   • Use parenthetical citations within the text, including the author's last name and the publication year.
   • For direct quotations, include the page number(s) as well (e.g., Author, Year, p. XX).
   • If a work has multiple authors, list them in the same order as they appear in the source.

4. Reference List:

   • Create a separate page titled "References" at the end of the document.
   • List all sources alphabetically by the authors' last names.
   • Include the author(s), publication year, title of the source, and publication information (e.g., journal name, publisher, URL).
   • Use a hanging indent format, where the first line of each reference is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented.

5. Quotations and Paraphrasing:

   • Use quotation marks for direct quotes, and provide the author, year, and page number(s) for the source.
   • Paraphrase with proper attribution to the original author, using the author and year within the text or in parentheses.

6. Headings:

   • Organize the paper with clear headings and subheadings.
   • APA style allows for up to five levels of headings, formatted consistently using bold, italics, capitalization, and alignment.

7. Abbreviations:

   • Define any abbreviations or acronyms upon first use in the text.
   • Use standard abbreviations (e.g., APA, HIV) and provide explanations for less common ones.

8. Numbers:

   • Use numerals for numbers 10 and above and for any numbers representing time, dates, ages, scores, or measurements.
   • Spell out numbers below 10 and for approximations (e.g., three participants, approximately five years).

9. Tables and Figures:

   • Number tables and figures sequentially, providing a title and notes below the table or figure.
   • Refer to tables and figures in the text, explaining their relevance.

10. Citations for Different Scenarios:

    • Adapt in-text citations based on the number of authors, group authors, personal communication, or secondary sources. Follow the appropriate format.

There are five levels of heading in APA Style. Level 1 is the highest or main level of heading, Level 2 is a subheading of Level 1, Level 3 is a subheading of Level 2, and so on through Levels 4 and 5.

The number of headings to use in a paper depends on the length and complexity of the work.

• If only one level of heading is needed, use Level 1.
• If two levels of heading are needed, use Levels 1 and 2.
• If three levels of heading are needed, use Levels 1, 2, and 3 (and so on).

Use only the number of headings necessary to differentiate distinct sections in your paper; short student papers may not require any headings. Furthermore, avoid these common errors related to headings:

• Avoid having only one subsection heading within a section, just like in an outline.
• Do not label headings with numbers or letters.
• Double-space headings; do not switch to single spacing within headings.
• Do not add blank lines above or below headings, even if a heading falls at the end of a page.

In-text citations are references within the body of a research paper or academic document that provide brief information about the source of a particular idea, concept, or piece of information. They are used to give credit to the original authors or sources and to enable readers to locate the complete reference in the list of references or bibliography at the end of the document.

In-text citations are important for several reasons:

1. Crediting sources: In-text citations give proper credit to the authors or creators of the information you are using in your work. It acknowledges their intellectual contribution and upholds academic integrity.

2. Avoiding plagiarism: Plagiarism, the act of using someone else's work without giving proper credit, is a serious ethical offense. In-text citations help you avoid unintentional plagiarism by clearly indicating when you are using someone else's ideas or words.

3. Providing evidence and supporting claims: In-text citations lend credibility and support to your arguments by referencing reputable sources. They allow readers to verify the information and follow up on the sources if they wish to explore the topic further.

4. Demonstrating research skills: Properly citing sources demonstrates your research skills and understanding of academic conventions. It shows that you have conducted a thorough review of existing literature and have integrated relevant sources into your work.

5. Facilitating further research: In-text citations provide readers with the necessary information to locate the full publication details of the sources you have cited. This enables them to delve deeper into the subject matter or verify the accuracy of your citations.

Overall, in-text citations play a vital role in academic writing by giving credit, supporting claims, promoting intellectual honesty, and facilitating further research. They are essential for maintaining scholarly standards and fostering a transparent and respectful scholarly community.

Sample Reference List