Writing a research analysis paper using APA style can seem like a daunting task. If you understand the basic structure and format of an APA paper, the process becomes much more manageable. This guide will walk you through the structure and formatting conventions for an APA style research analysis paper, including an APA research paper example.
The Basics of APA Format
The American Psychological Association (APA) writing style is commonly used for academic papers and publications in the social and behavioral sciences fields. The basic structure of an APA formatted research analysis paper consists of four key sections:
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 is displayed flush left at the top of the page on all subsequent pages.
Abstract – The abstract is a brief summary of the paper, typically between 150-250 words. It briefly describes the purpose, problem, methods, results, and conclusions of the research.
Main Body – The main body should be organized into clear and concise paragraphs with logically connected ideas. It generally includes an introduction, method section, results section, and discussion section.
References – All sources cited in the body of the paper are listed alphabetically by author’s surname on the references page. Example reference page citations can be found later in this guide.
The title page and abstract page use a different format than the remaining text pages due to special formatting purposes, but the basic paper elements are consistent.
Example Title Page in APA Format
Here is an example title page in APA format:
Running head: RESEARCH ANALYSIS PAPER EXAMPLE
(The “Running head” appears in uppercase letters at the top of each page. On the title page, the running head is preceded by the words “Running head:”. On subsequent pages, just the running head text appears.)
Title: A Research Analysis of Factors Influencing College Student Success
Name: [Your Name]
Institutional Affiliation: [Your School Name]
Example Abstract Page in APA Format
The abstract summary is always typed as a single paragraph, without indentation, and in blocked form. Here is an example:
Abstract
This research analysis examines factors that influence college student success based on a review of literature. Several key variables were identified including family income level, first-generation college status, academic preparedness, financial stress levels, and on-campus involvement. Previous studies have also recognized these factors as impacting college completion rates and grade point averages. The current analysis evaluated peer-reviewed studies published between 2015-2020 that analyzed various combinations of these influential variables. Results demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between higher family incomes, higher academic preparedness levels, lower financial stress, and greater on-campus involvement leading to higher GPAs and college completion rates. Limitations and implications for further research are also discussed.
(The abstract ends in a period and is formatted as a single paragraph, without indentation, in blocked form.)
Example Body Sections in APA Format
The main body sections of the research analysis paper are formatted with 1-inch margins, double-spaced text, and left-justified paragraph text. Here are examples of the different body sections:
Introduction
College student success is a widely researched topic due to the many benefits of degree attainment at both individual and societal levels (National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, 2020). Several studies have identified common factors that influence student outcomes such as cumulative GPAs, college completion rates, and time to graduation (McGlynn, 2014; Soria & Stebleton, 2013). This research analysis examines five key variables that have been shown to impact college success: family income level, first-generation college student status, academic preparedness, financial stress levels, and on-campus involvement.
Method
A review of literature was conducted searching for relevant peer-reviewed studies published between 2015-2020 in PsycInfo, ERIC, and Academic Search Premier databases. The keyword search terms included various combinations of “college students,” “success factors,” “family income,” “first-generation,” “academic preparedness,” “financial stress,” and “on-campus involvement.” Articles were included if they quantitatively analyzed the relationship between at least three of the identified variables on student GPAs or completion rates. A total of 15 studies met these criteria.
Results
Analysis of the 15 studies revealed that higher family incomes, higher standardized test scores or high school GPAs, lower financial stress levels, and participation in student clubs or organizations on campus were consistently predictive of higher cumulative GPAs and college completion rates. First-generation college student status was also found to be predictive of decreased GPAs and completion rates in 8 of the studies.
Discussion
The results reinforce previous research showing these variables influence student success outcomes. Limitations regarding variability in how different studies operationalized and measured constructs warrant cautious interpretation. Additional research analyzing these factors together with control variables could provide deeper insight. While certain factors may be unalterable, colleges should aim to support students experiencing greater financial stress or those who are first-generation through targeted programming.
References
Formatting the references section follows specific APA style guidelines. Here are examples of the most common reference types:
McGlynn, A. P. (2014). Teaching millennials, our newest cultural cohort. Education Digest, 79(6), 12-16.
National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. (2020, September 17). Completing college – national 2020. https://nscresearchcenter.org/signaturereport16/
Soria, K. M., & Stebleton, M. J. (2013). Social capital, academic engagement, and sense of belonging among working-class college students. College Student Affairs Journal, 31(2), 139–153. https://doi.org/10.26574/csj.2013.31.2.139
Summary of Key Elements of an APA Research Analysis Paper
An APA style research analysis paper follows specific formatting guidelines for section titles, font, margins, and citations/references. The four key sections include a title page, abstract, body divided by relevant section headers, and references list. Paragraphs should be double-spaced with indented first lines, and in-text citations are used to credit sources. Carefully following APA style guides the reader through the research presented in a standardized manner suited for various social science disciplines. Mastering the basic APA paper outline and citation format enables students to communicate their research effectively and accurately according to academic publishing standards.
Andrew Stroud