APA

1. APA

2. Formatting • 1” margins • Times New Roman font • Double-spaced • Running head in all caps at top left of every page • Page number at top right of every page

3. Writing Style • Scientific writing does not have to lack style or be dull • Present findings directly, but in a way that conveys involvement in the problem • Address differing positions of researchers in a professional, non-combative way • Use specific and concise language • Avoid poetic or figurative language • Vary sentence length and complexity to add interest

4. Writing Style, cont’d • Maintain continuity and smoothness of expression with punctuation, transitions, consistent verb tense • Use third person, unless otherwise specified • Use active voice as much as possible • Be precise and clear • Don’t add words for the sake of length • Don’t repeat yourself for emphasis • Avoid colloquialisms, which weaken meaning • Avoid overusing jargon

5. Guidelines for Reducing Bias • Describe at the appropriate level of specificity • When in doubt, be more specific rather than less • Avoid terms that are loaded with innuendo, such as “at risk,” unless you are defining your use of the term. • Be specific and sensitive when describing or discussing age, racial groups, sexual orientation, marital status, disabilities, etc.

6. Guidelines for Reducing Bias, cont’d • Be sensitive to labels • Respect preferences – call people what they prefer to be called • Remember that preferences can change over time and that individuals within groups may disagree • Avoid labeling whenever possible • Labels can cause participants in a study to lose their individuality and/or personhood

7. Guidelines for Reducing Bias, cont’d • Acknowledge participation • Write about people in a way that acknowledges their participation and is consistent with the traditions of the field • Accepted terms include “participants” and “subjects” • Avoid the term “failed,” because it can imply a personal shortcoming rather than a research result

8. Essential Parts • Title Page • Abstract • Main Body • References

9. Title Page • Running head • Running head: TITLE OR SHORTENED TITLE • The words “Running head:” only appear on the title page. Subsequent pages will only include the title • Page number • Centered on top half of the page: • Title of Paper • Name • Institution Name

10. Abstract • Running head and page number in header • “Abstract” centered on first line, first line of paragraph will not be indented • 150-250 words, double-spaced • Brief, comprehensive summary of paper • Not an introduction to the paper • Will not contain citations

11. Main Body • Title centered on top of first page • Headings • Citations

12. Headings • Used to separate sections of the paper and establish information hierarchy • Use in order, beginning with Level 1 • Level 1 • Centered, Boldface, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading • Level 2 • Left-aligned, Boldface, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading

13. Headings • Level 3 • Indented, boldface, lowercase heading with a period. • Level 4 • Indented, boldface, italicized, lowercase heading with a period. • Level 5 • Indented, italicized, lowercase heading with a period.

14. In-Text Citations • Used whenever directly quoting or paraphrasing from another author’s work • When paraphrasing, use author, date format: • (Author last name, year) • A citation for a direct quote should also include a page number: • (Author, year, p. #) • Quotations 40 words or longer should be placed in a freestanding block • If no author is given, used a shortened version of the title in the citation

15. In-Text Citations • If the publication date is unknown, use “n.d.” in its place • For works with two authors, list both and use an ampersand: (Smith & Jones, 2010) • For works with 3 or more authors, list all in the first citation: (Smith, Jones, & Brown, 2010), in subsequent citations, list the first author and “et al.”: (Smith et al., 2010) • Classical works such as the Bible are only cited in-text. Include the reference and version used: (1 Cor. 13:1, Revised Standard Version)

16. References • Include running head and page number • Center “References” at the top of the page • Every line after the first line of a reference entry should be indented one-half inch from the margin • References are listed in alphabetical order by author name • Authors are listed last name first, followed by first and middle initials

17. References • All titles except journal titles have only the first word capitalized • Always capitalize proper nouns • Capitalize the first word after a colon • Article titles do not use quotation marks, underlines, or italics • Book titles should be italicized

18. Reference List • Book Author, A. A. (Publication Year). Title of work: Subtitle. Location: Publisher. • Separate multiple authors with commas • Up to 7 authors • For more than 7, follow with ellipsis (…), skip to last author, list final author • Use an ampersand (&) instead of the word “and” • Article in a periodical Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume # (issue #), page #s.

19. Reference List, cont’d • Article from an online periodical (with DOI) • The digital object identifier (DOI) is a reference number assigned to online periodical content • Searchable in online databases (like an ISBN) Author, A. A. (Date). Title of article. Title of Online Periodical, volume # (issue #), pp-pp. doi:xx.xxxx

20. Reference List, cont’d • Article from an online periodical (without DOI) Author, A. A. (Date). Title of article. Title of Online Periodical, volume # (issue #), pp-pp. Retrieved from http://www.fullurl.com • A web site Author, A. A. (Date). Title of document. Retrieved from http://www.fullurl.com

21. APA Resources • PowerPoint presentation • http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=12268 • APA Manual • Purdue’s Online Writing Lab • http://owl.english.purdue.edu

22. The Writing Centers • Undergraduate Writing Center • Office hours: M-F, 8 am – 5 pm • undergradwriting@liberty.edu • (434) 592-3174 • Graduate Writing Center • Office hours: M-F, 9 am – 5 pm • graduatewriting@liberty.edu • (434) 592-4727