How to Write a Research Paper in APA format - PapersOwl
Becoming academically successful is not easy. In order to accurately and academically write about research results, you have to get acquainted with the rules of formatting a research paper. Hi, I’m Julia from PapersOwl and in this video, I’ll help you decide how to write a research paper in APA format. APA style is used worldwide for formatting and referencing sources used in research papers. APA formatting guidelines allow authors to efficiently organize their arguments and properly credit secondary literature to avoid plagiarism. What is APA? A set of guidelines when writing a piece of literature not only makes the organization of arguments easier but also enables better readability. The APA style has been created by the American Psychological Association as a language to be used in research papers and higher education. The APA research paper format allows writers to be consistent with their writing, which increases efficiency concerning research and organizing arguments. Using APA in-text citations and references in the bibliography can prevent writers from accidental plagiarism. Besides enabling the organization of ideas and preventing plagiarism, using APA provides writers with credibility as the use of APA style proves that one can 'speak' the language of academia. General Requirements for APA Format Paper Length Given that the APA style is usually used in the literature about the scientific field, the authors must remain concise and precise. Professional language is key, and the main ideas should be written clearly. Margin Requirements APA formatting rules call for papers to be typed on a standard-sized paper of 8.5 inches times 11 inches. The text in the paper should be double-spaced with a one-inch margin on all four sides. The font used should be easily readable; however, 12-point Times New Roman is generally used . Title Page Components A student paper will include the title of the paper, the author's name, institutional affiliation, course name, and number, the name of the instructor, and the due date of the assignment.
The title should be centered and in boldface and should be one or two lines long. Running Heads Running heads are not required for student papers, however, professional papers include a running head. Table of contents The table of contents is an important part of an academic paper as it provides readers with a roadmap for the paper. Adding a table of content is not compulsory in APA, but is recommended for lengthier papers. The table of contents should be in the same font and double-spaced such as the paper. The table of contents should begin with a centered heading of "Table of Contents" in boldface at the top of the page. Outline A solid outline forms the foundation of a well-organized paper. An APA paper is broadly divided into three parts, namely, the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Abstract The abstract is written after the title page. Although generally overlooked, the abstract serves as a pivotal part of any well-written research paper. The purpose of an abstract is to provide the readers with a summary of the research paper. Body An APA-style paper broadly consists of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. This part of the paper contains indented paragraphs. Reference Page The APA format reference page consists of a detailed list containing information regarding the sources used throughout the paper. Guides for Writing in APA Format How to Use References in APA APA referencing can be divided into two components: reference list and in-text citation. The core elements of an APA citation format are author rules, date rules, title rules, publisher rules, and the "Retrieved from…URL" if the source is found online. Rules for Abbreviations In a research paper in APA format, abbreviations should be used sparingly. Excessive use of abbreviations can make the comprehension of the paper difficult for the reader, which is the opposite of what one aims to achieve when writing a research paper.
How to Use Numbers in APA In APA, the golden rule for using numbers is to write out numbers less than 10 in text and leave numbers above as is, for example: 14 kilograms seven individuals However, some exceptions apply such as number can be left as it is in tables, in case of measurements, when displaying a math equation, or when mentioning time and age. Rules for Punctuation In APA style, general rules for punctuation are applicable. Writers should keep some pertinent guidelines in mind. One space is applicable after most punctuation marks. Moreover, the Oxford comma should be used in APA style format. Usage of Graphics in APA Format Graphics in APA should be numbered according to how they appear in the paper. When using tables, the information should be: 12pt font and single or double-spaced. The spacing should be consistent across all tables. All headings should be centered and information should be left-aligned . In the case of photographs, they should be black and white. Moreover, if adapted or reproduced information is used, it should be cited. Formats such as APA serve as an essential element in the field of academia. A set of guidelines that are recognized worldwide relieves the effort required to format a paper for the authors and improves readability for readers. THANKS FOR WATCHING! More information you can find on video description. If you like this video please subscribe to our channel and press bell icon for latest updates. See you soon. Bye bye.
The title should be centered and in boldface and should be one or two lines long. Running Heads Running heads are not required for student papers, however, professional papers include a running head. Table of contents The table of contents is an important part of an academic paper as it provides readers with a roadmap for the paper. Adding a table of content is not compulsory in APA, but is recommended for lengthier papers. The table of contents should be in the same font and double-spaced such as the paper. The table of contents should begin with a centered heading of "Table of Contents" in boldface at the top of the page. Outline A solid outline forms the foundation of a well-organized paper. An APA paper is broadly divided into three parts, namely, the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Abstract The abstract is written after the title page. Although generally overlooked, the abstract serves as a pivotal part of any well-written research paper. The purpose of an abstract is to provide the readers with a summary of the research paper. Body An APA-style paper broadly consists of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. This part of the paper contains indented paragraphs. Reference Page The APA format reference page consists of a detailed list containing information regarding the sources used throughout the paper. Guides for Writing in APA Format How to Use References in APA APA referencing can be divided into two components: reference list and in-text citation. The core elements of an APA citation format are author rules, date rules, title rules, publisher rules, and the "Retrieved from…URL" if the source is found online. Rules for Abbreviations In a research paper in APA format, abbreviations should be used sparingly. Excessive use of abbreviations can make the comprehension of the paper difficult for the reader, which is the opposite of what one aims to achieve when writing a research paper.
How to Use Numbers in APA In APA, the golden rule for using numbers is to write out numbers less than 10 in text and leave numbers above as is, for example: 14 kilograms seven individuals However, some exceptions apply such as number can be left as it is in tables, in case of measurements, when displaying a math equation, or when mentioning time and age. Rules for Punctuation In APA style, general rules for punctuation are applicable. Writers should keep some pertinent guidelines in mind. One space is applicable after most punctuation marks. Moreover, the Oxford comma should be used in APA style format. Usage of Graphics in APA Format Graphics in APA should be numbered according to how they appear in the paper. When using tables, the information should be: 12pt font and single or double-spaced. The spacing should be consistent across all tables. All headings should be centered and information should be left-aligned . In the case of photographs, they should be black and white. Moreover, if adapted or reproduced information is used, it should be cited. Formats such as APA serve as an essential element in the field of academia. A set of guidelines that are recognized worldwide relieves the effort required to format a paper for the authors and improves readability for readers. THANKS FOR WATCHING! More information you can find on video description. If you like this video please subscribe to our channel and press bell icon for latest updates. See you soon. Bye bye.