Writing a research paper in APA style is different from other formats in several ways. Here are some of the key differences in writing in APA style compared to other formats:
Structure – APA papers include four main sections: the title page, abstract, main body, and references. These sections are arranged in a particular order to provide readers essential context for your research.
Title Page – The title page includes the title of the paper, author’s name, and school affiliation. It should be centered and include a running head, which appears at the top of every subsequent page of your paper in all caps.
Abstract – The abstract is a concise summary of the key aspects of your research. It should be between 150-250 words and appear on the second page of the paper. Summarize your research objective, methods, results, and conclusions. Do not include references in the abstract.
Citations – APA papers use an author-date citation style. This means that citations in the main text include the author’s last name and year of publication only, like (Smith, 2020). Include page numbers if you quote or paraphrase directly. Include all citation information in your references list as well.
References List – The references list appears at the end of the paper and includes full details of all sources cited within the text. It is double spaced with hanging indentation, and sources are listed alphabetically by author’s last name. Provide author, date, title and source (book, journal, website, etc.) for each entry.
Formatting – APA papers use Times New Roman 12 point font, double spaced lines throughout with 1-inch margins. Number pages consecutively starting with the title page. Indent the first line of each paragraph 0.5 inches.
Headings – Use five levels of section headings in APA style to structure your paper and indicate hierarchy. Level 1 is centered and bold. Level 2 is left aligned and bold. Level 3 is indented, bold, with ending period. Level 4 is indented and italicized, ending with a period. Level 5 is indented, italicized, with ending period and follows a period.
Now let’s delve deeper into the process of writing an APA research paper:
Develop a Research Question
Your research should address or seek to answer a specific question. Formulate this as your paper’s focus.
Conduct a Literature Review
Search academic databases and sources to review existing research and perspectives on your topic. Summarize relevant studies without direct quotes at this stage.
Create an Outline
Structure your paper by dividing it into logical sections with subsections as needed. Indicate headings and subheadings in your outline.
Write the Introduction
Provide context for your research question and summarize key points of the literature review to introduce the need for your study. State your purpose clearly at the end.
Describe Your Methodology
Explain how you conducted your research – procedures, materials, participants, variables, etc. Use past tense and include sufficient detail for others to replicate.
Present Your Results
Objectively share what you found from your research without interpretation. Use tables and figures appropriately to summarize quantitative data.
Discuss Your Findings
Analyze and interpret the results in context of other studies. Compare to literature and acknowledge unexpected outcomes. Explain implications and limitations.
State Your Conclusions
Review your research question and summarize how your study addressed it based on results and discussion. Suggest directions for future research.
Proofread and Reference Check
Ensure correct in-text citations, reference list formatting, spelling errors, grammatical issues, and adherence to APA style. Proofread multiple times before submission.
Publish and Share Your Work
Submit final paper to instructor or conference. Store electronic copy for future reference. Possibly publish or present findings to broader audience through open access journals or conferences.
By carefully following the structure and reference guidelines of APA style, researchers can effectively communicate their methods and findings for critical review and to further knowledge in their field. The consistent format also facilitates comprehension and allows work to be build upon more effectively.