The 10 Main Sections of an APA Research Paper
When writing a research paper in APA style, there are 10 main sections that should typically be included:
Title Page
The title page should contain a running head, the title of the paper, the author’s name, and the institutional affiliation. The running head is a shortened version of the title in all caps that will appear at the top of every page. The title should capture the major variables and themes of the paper and is limited to 12 words or fewer. The author’s name appears below the title in the center of the page. Finally, the institutional affiliation is the name of the school or university that the work is being submitted to.
Abstract
The abstract is a 150-250 word overview of the entire paper that summarizes the key points. It introduces the research topic, identifies the research question or hypothesis, describes the methodology, and summarizes the major findings and conclusions. The abstract should be a single paragraph written in block format (without indentation). The word “Abstract” should appear in the center of the page, not bolded, underlined or italicized.
Introduction
The introduction section provides background information on the research topic and clearly states the purpose of the study and research question or hypothesis. The introduction should establish the relevance and importance of the research topic. It should review and synthesize previous literature to build a rationale for the study. The hypothesis or research question should relate directly to the information presented in the literature review. The introduction concludes with a brief overview of the methodology and main findings of the study.
Method
The method section describes the procedures that were employed to collect and analyze data in the study. This includes describing the research design, participants, materials, and procedure. Enough information should be provided that another researcher could replicate the study. This typically includes describing the type of design, participant characteristics and inclusion criteria, any measures or instruments used, and procedures including any interventions or manipulations. For experiments, this section should also describe the independent and dependent variables, control groups, and conditions.
Results
The results section presents the statistical analysis of the data collected during the experiment or study. This section answers the research questions or tests the hypotheses outlined earlier. Descriptive statistical analysis is reported for each variable. Tables and figures are used when possible to visually present findings. The text in this section should summarize key trends or patterns in the data without interpreting their meaning or significance. Direct comparisons should be made between control and experimental groups.
Discussion
The discussion section provides an interpretation of the results and what they mean in the broader context of the research literature. This is where the “so what” of the study is addressed. Results are explained, compared to predictions and hypotheses, and contrasted with previous research. Limitations and sources of potential error should be acknowledged. Discussion ends with conclusions and implications for future research and applications. Conclusions should relate directly back to the original hypotheses and research questions.
References
The references section lists all sources of information cited in-text arranged alphabetically by author’s surname. Only sources that are directly cited in the paper are included. References are double spaced and use a “hanging indent,” where the first line of each reference is set flush left and subsequent lines are indented.
Tables
Tables are a visual way of presenting numerical or categorical data that supplements but does not duplicate the text. Tables should be as sparse as possible while providing readers with necessary details to understand the data. Each table begins on a separate page with a number (“Table 1”) and title centered above. Within the table, column headings and units of measurement are included. Tables are discussed briefly in the text but all data discussed must be presented in the table itself. Readers should not have to consult the text or figures to understand the table.
Figures
Figures can include charts, graphs, diagrams, photographs, and other visuals that present trends or relationships in the data. Like tables, figures should supplement but not duplicate text and each should begin on a new page with a label and title (“Figure 1. Title”). Captions describing key aspects of the figure are placed below the visual. Figures are briefly mentioned in the text, with a clear description of what readers should note. Units are included on axes as needed. Figures appear in the document close to where they are first referenced in the text.
Appendices
The appendices section contains supplemental material not essential for understanding the results and discussion but that may provide useful context or additional depth. This could include raw data, examples of stimuli or measures, additional analyses, or copies of letters of consent or debriefing forms. Appendices are labeled Appendix A, Appendix B, etc. and each begins on a new page. They may be referred to but not discussed at length in the body of the paper.
Using these 10 core sections will help writers structure an APA formatted research paper and provide all necessary context and methodology to allow other researchers to understand and replicate the study. The logical flow progresses from introducing the topic to outlining methods to presenting results and discussing implications. Adhering to APA style guidelines helps establish credibility by conforming to an established standard of scientific writing in psychology. Following this template makes the research transparent and findings accessible to other scholars in the field.
Andrew Stroud