Writing a research paper in APA style at Purdue University
Purdue University is internationally recognized for its world-class research and scholarship. As an institution dedicated to advancing knowledge, Purdue expects students to conduct research and write papers adhering to strict academic standards. One of the most common formats required at Purdue is the APA (American Psychological Association) style. This article provides an in-depth overview of writing a research paper in APA format at Purdue University.
Developing a Strong Thesis Statement
Every research paper needs a clear, compelling thesis statement. A thesis conveys the main argument or point you want to prove through evidence and research. When crafting a thesis for an APA paper at Purdue, focus on developing a statement that is narrow, specific, unambiguous and demonstrable through research. Avoid broad, vague topics that are difficult to prove and keep your thesis limited to a statement that can realistically be supported within the scope of your paper. Run your thesis statement by your professor or a writing tutor to ensure it fulfills the requirements of an APA thesis at Purdue.
Creating an Outline and Gathering Sources
After forming your thesis, construct an outline to organize your paper’s content and structure. An APA outline should include the thesis statement followed by major sections (e.g. Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Results, etc.). Within each section, include sub-points that will be addressed. With your outline complete, compile sources to include in your reference list. Aim for a variety of reputable, scholarly sources like peer-reviewed journal articles and academic books published within the last 5-10 years. Purdue librarians can help locate credible sources on your topic through database searches. Document sources accurately as you conduct research to avoid accidental plagiarism.
Structuring the Paper
APA papers follow a standard structure Purdue professors expect. Begin with a title page including your paper’s title (no more than 12 words), your name, and institution in the header. Continue to the abstract page, where you briefly summarize your paper in 150-250 words without citations. Then start the introduction, presenting your thesis and previewing major points. This leads into the body containing multiple theme-based paragraphs each supported by scholarly sources. The conclusion restates your thesis and summarizes key findings and implications. Number pages consecutively, use 12-point Times New Roman font and double spacing, and include a References page containing full citations for all in-text references.
Incorporating In-Text Citations Effectively
When including a direct quote or idea from an outside source, provide an in-text citation consisting of the author’s last name, year of publication, and page number if relevant, all included in parentheses. Some examples are: (Smith, 2020, p. 42); or (Jones et al., 2018). For sources without page numbers, omit that component. Place citations before ending punctuation unless a complete sentence quotation is used, in which case cite after the punctuation. In-text citations allow readers to locate sources in your References page, so cite accurately according to APA guidelines. Check citations match your reference list to avoid errors.
Creating the References Page
In APA format, the References page begins on a new page at the end of the paper. The page is titled “References” without quotes, italics, bold or underlining. Source entries are ordered alphabetically by author’s last name. Each source should have a hanging indent to visually distinguish entries. For books, include author last name, author initial(s), publication year, title in italics, publisher, DOI or URL. For journal articles, include author last name, initial(s), publication year, article title in sentence case, journal title in italics, volume and issue numbers, and DOI or URL. Reference entries must precisely follow the 7th edition APA Manual format to avoid errors or improper citations that violate Purdue’s academic integrity standards.
Following Ethical Guidelines
When using any outside ideas or direct quotes, always give proper attribution to the original authors to avoid plagiarism. Paraphrase ideas instead of directly copying long verbatim passages. Keep meticulous records of all source information as you research and document everything accurately in your paper and reference list. Get help from Purdue’s Writing Lab tutors if you have any uncertainty about paraphrasing, quoting or citing sources properly. Only submit original work that is entirely your own – do not turn in papers written entirely or partly by others. Adhering to Purdue’s academic integrity policy and APA ethical standards sets a strong foundation for excellent research and writing.
Editing and Finalizing Your Paper
Before submitting your completed APA research paper at Purdue, perform a careful editing review. Check that your paper fulfills all required elements including title page, abstract, introduction, body, conclusion and reference list. Ensure consistency of formatting, in-text citations, and references. Implement any feedback from your professor or Writing Lab consultants. When polished to the highest standard, submit your paper by the deadline proudly knowing you produced high-caliber APA academic work meeting Purdue’s research expectations. Your research and writing skills will grow through each paper you complete following Purdue’s standards for APA excellence.
Purdue University requires students to conduct rigorous research and write papers in APA format adhering to strict academic and ethical guidelines. By developing a strong thesis, creating an outline and bibliography, structuring sections effectively, incorporating citations properly, finalizing references meticulously, and editing conscientiously, you can produce an excellent research paper worthy of Purdue’s esteemed reputation. Consult your professor, peers or Purdue’s Writing Lab for additional guidance to meet the university’s research standards.
Andrew Stroud