Introduction to APA Format for Research Papers
The American Psychological Association (APA) style guide is commonly used for citing references in research papers, especially in science, medical, and social science disciplines. APA format research paper example pdf outlines the main guidelines for formatting research papers including the title page, abstract, citations, and references. This article covers the essential sections of an APA format paper and includes an example title page and paper.
APA Format Research Paper Sections and Order
The major sections of an APA format research paper include:
Title Page – The title page should contain a running head, the title of the paper, the author’s name, and affiliation. The running head is a shortened version of the title in all caps and left justified on the header of each page.
Abstract – The Abstract is a brief summary of the paper, between 150-250 words. It provides a preview of the paper by briefly describing the purpose of the study, methodology, results, and conclusions.
Body – The body of the paper begins on a new page and should clearly articulate the purpose and findings of the research study. The body may contain various sections including:
Introduction – Background information on the topic, purpose and rationale for the study, and thesis statement.
Method – Description of participants, materials, measures, design, and procedures.
Results – Discussion and visual representation of the findings through charts, graphs, tables, and statistics.
Discussion – Interpretation and discussion of the study results and conclusion. Address limitations of the study and future directions.
References – The references section should begin on a new page after the body. Include an alphabetized list of all sources cited in the paper.
Headings – Section headings organize the paper and differentiate between levels of information. Level 1 and 2 headings are centered. Level 3-5 headings are left justified.
APA Format Research Paper Example Title Page
The example title page below is formatted according to APA style guidelines. Note the running head on the header of each page should be a shortened version of the full title in all caps. The header should also be left-justified.
Title of Paper
(use uppercase and lowercase)
Student Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course Name and Number
Instructor Name
Date (day month year)
The title should capture the main idea of the paper concisely in a few words. Keep it under 12 words and avoid unnecessary subtitles or terms. Student and instructor names along with course name, number, and date should be centered on separate lines in the upper half of the page.
Example Body Paragraph in APA Format
Body paragraphs should be double-spaced and indented 5-7 spaces (called a hanging indent). This format is used for all paragraphs except for the abstract which is written in block format without indentations. Sample paragraph:
Several of the primary theories explaining aggression include evolutionary, social learning, and neurobiological perspectives. From an evolutionary standpoint, aggression serves important adaptive functions like securing resources for survival and reproduction (Buss & Shackelford, 1997). Alternatively, social learning theory emphasizes how aggression is acquired through mimicry and reinforced via rewards and punishments (Bandura, 1973). Recent neuroscientific evidence also suggests inherent physiological differences in serotonin levels and impaired prefrontal cortex function correlate with heightened aggression (Nelson & Trainor, 2007). Overall, an integrated theoretical model accounting for biological, psychological, and social factors best explains human aggression.
Citations appear in the body of the paper and reference list in APA format. In-text citations give the last name of the author(s) and year of publication immediately after the quoted or paraphrased content. For a direct quotation, the page or paragraph number is also included.
(Bandura, 1973; Buss & Shackelford, 1997; Nelson & Trainor, 2007).
Reference List in APA Format
The reference list begins on a new page with the centered label “References.” Only include sources referenced in the text of the paper in alphabetical order. Formatting and style rules must be followed consistently across all references.
References
Bandura, A. (1973). Aggression: A social learning analysis. Prentice-Hall.
Buss, D. M., & Shackelford, T. K. (1997). From vigilance to violence: Mate retention tactics in married couples. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 72(2), 346–361. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.72.2.346
Nelson, R. J., & Trainor, B. C. (2007). Neural mechanisms of aggression. Nature Reviews. Neuroscience, 8(7), 536–546. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2174
Conclusion to APA Format Research Paper Guidelines
Following the APA style guidelines ensures a professional paper format and consistency across research papers. The key sections, order of pages, formatting rules, and citation examples outlined in this article provide the basic structure and style requirements for an APA format research paper. Students are encouraged to consult the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for more comprehensive and detailed rules on formatting papers and referencing sources in APA style. Mastering APA format demonstrates attention to detail and organized scholarship valued in academic and scientific writing.
Andrew Stroud