Writing a body research paper using APA style requires adherence to stringent formatting guidelines established by the American Psychological Association. Following APA format ensures consistency across research papers in academic fields that utilize this citation style and allows others to understand and replicate the methods used in a study. This article will outline the structure and key elements of an APA format body research paper, provide examples, and discuss formatting considerations to help write a paper of this type effectively.
The basic structure of an APA format body research paper includes four main sections: the title page, abstract, main body, and references. The title page should contain a running head, page number, title of the paper, author’s name, and institutional affiliation. The abstract, which is on the second page, provides a brief summary of the paper in 150-250 words without citations. It previews the purpose, background, methods, results, and conclusions of the study.
The main body, which begins on the third page, contains the bulk of the paper. It starts with an introduction that establishes the focus of the study by discussing the research problem and hypothesis under investigation. The introduction section ends with a clear thesis statement indicating the purpose of the study. The main body then discusses the method, results, and discussion in separate labeled sections with relevant subheadings.
The method section describes how the study was conducted including details about participants, materials, procedures, measures, and study design. It allows others to understand how the data was collected and analyzed. The results section conveys the analysis and main findings of the study without interpretation. Data is presented in text, tables, or figures with clarifying captions and labels. The discussion section interprets the results in the context of previous research and theory. It addresses how the hypothesis was supported or not supported and limitations. The conclusion restates why the research problem was undertaken and summarizes key results and implications.
The references page is the last section of the paper beginning on a new page. Only sources that are cited in the text are included. References are arranged alphabetically by author’s surname and use a hanging indent. For each source, consult the APA Publication Manual for the specific formatting elements required including author, date, title, source, etc. Properly formatted references allow readers to trace the ideas back to the original source.
Adhering to APA style guidelines ensures body paragraphs are formatted consistently. Each new idea in a paragraph is typically presented in a new indented paragraph five spaces in from the margin. Body text is double-spaced throughout in a legible size 12 font such as Times New Roman. Page headers with the running head and page numbers are included in the top right margin on every page.
Charts, tables, and figures should also follow specific APA rules for numbering, labeling, headings, formatting, and citing. These visual elements are meant to enhance comprehension and should be inserted close to where they are first mentioned in text. Captions are placed below figures/tables and labeled Figure 1, Table 1, etc. in order.
Correctly formatting a body research paper in APA style allows both the writer and reader to focus on the substance of the research rather than mechanics. Proper structure and citation facilitates readers following and understanding the purpose, hypotheses, methods, results, discussion, conclusions, and implications of a study. While APA guidelines may seem prescriptive, following their rules ensures consistency across research papers and clear communication of methods and findings to academic peers. With practice and adherence to these stylistic requirements, students can produce body research papers that effectively convey empirical study results and move research forward in their chosen fields.