PE 2330 Research Paper: Specifics of APA Style

1. PE 2330 Research Paper: Specifics of APA Style

2. TYPING INSTRUCTIONS • Font • Margins • Double Spacing • Paragraphs

3. Pages: begin each of the following parts of your manuscript on a new page arranged in this order: • Cover page • Abstract • Body of the report • References

4. Abstract ...usually written after report is completed ...120-150 words ...indicate the purpose of the study ...summarize the main findings

5. Headings: It is best to use two levels of headings: a centered main heading and a left-justified heading. In our research paper, the left-justified headings will feature the main points of your outline.

6. Abbreviations • Use abbreviations sparingly except for reference list. • An abbreviation is appropriate when it is a word entry in a dictionary. • Do not use contractions such as "don't," "didn't," "they're," and so on.

7. Numbers • Use numerals for numbers which are 10 or greater. • Use numbers for units of measurement or time, ages, times and dates, percentages, page numbers, and series of four or more.

8. Use words (one, two) to express numbers zero through nine and any other number that begins a sentence.

9. Miscellaneous • Avoid first person. Research should be immune from personal influences & references. • This is technical writing. ”Et cetera" or "etc." should not be used.

10. Citations in Text

11. Identify the source of your information whether or not it is directly quoted.

12. You must identify the source or sources when you rephrase something. • Clearly give credit to the person(s) from whom you gained the ideas.

13. Failure to do so is plagiarism and subject to procedures regarding academic dishonesty.

14. Citations provide the reader with a potentially valuable source of information. • In APA style, the author(s) and date of publication are written as a part of the sentence and not as a footnote.

15. Quotations are another way to cite! • Use quotations sparingly when you believe that some meaning will be lost if you rephrase. • Include the page number from which the information was taken.

16. Quotations < 40 words are incorporated in the text and enclosed with double quotation marks ("). • Quotes >40 words are set off in a block without quotation marks

17. Citation Examples • "Professors should be better paid" (James, 1987, p. 421). OR • James (1987) stated that, "Professors should be better paid" (p. 421).

18. a direct quote of this idea might be: With all the problems that are associated with the subject at hand, Smith (1990) asserted: As soon as the semester is over, I'm going to have a nervous breakdown. I worked for it; I owe it to myself; and nobody is going to deprive me of it. My only regret in life is that I did not do this sooner (p. 62).

19. Paraphrasing Examples • There should be better pay for all professors (James, 1987). If you have more than one source saying the same thing • Teachers really should be accountable to the school board (Barnes, 1980; Smith, 1971).

20. An example from two references by the author from the same year but different publications: Smith (1971a) wrote that teachers should be better paid. He also stated that these salaries should be higher than that of the governor of the state (Smith, 1971b).

21. When there are less than six authors, list all of the authors the first time you cite the article (or book or chapter). • After the first time, when there are two authors, continue to use both names.

22. If you cite two authors contained in parentheses, use an ampersand (&) to express "and." • An example would be (James & Lewiston, 1988). If the names are not in parentheses, use the word "and," for example, James and Lewiston (1988).

23. References aka "Bibliography" or "Works Cited"

24. alphabetical order by authors • only the first word of a book or article is capitalized

25. publisher locations is by city only when its location is recognizable (e.g., New York, Boston, Chicago).

26. Reference Examples

27. Journal Article, one author • Brown, G.I. (1960). Which pupil to which classroom climate? The Elementary School Journal, 5, 265-269.

28. Tutin, J. (1987). A multivariate analysis of dropout status by length of stay in a rural community mental health center. Community Mental Health Journal, 23, 40-52.

29. Journal article, two authors, journal paginated by issue • Becker, L. J., & Seligman, C. (1981). Welcome to the energy crisis. Journal of Social Issues, 37(2), 1-7.

30. Unpublished manuscript not submitted for publication • Cullari, S. (1994). A manual to conduct therapeutic relationships with individuals who have persistent mental disorders. Unpublished manuscript.

31. Book • Albor, H. (1980). The structure of education in Cuba. Chicago: Columbus Press.

32. Bugental, J.F.T. (1978). Psychotherapy and process. Reading, MA: Addison Wesley.

33. Edited Book • McGoldrick, M., Pearce, J.K. & Giordano, J. (Eds.). (1982). Ethnicity and family therapy. New York: Guilford Press.

34. Multiple Authors of Book • Strunk, W., & White, E. B. (1979). Secondary social studies (3rd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

35. ERIC (Education Resources Information Center). • Watson, S. D. (1983). Education of exceptional leaders in American schools. Rockford, IL: University of Illinois. (ERIC Documentation Reproduction Service No. ED 011 621).