Choosing Between APA or MLA Format for a Science Research Paper
When writing a science research paper, students are often tasked with choosing between using APA (American Psychological Association) or MLA (Modern Language Association) style for formatting their paper and citing sources. Both styles are commonly used in different fields, so it is important for students to understand the key differences between APA and MLA and which style is typically most appropriate for science research papers. This article will provide an in-depth look at APA and MLA format requirements and guidelines to help students determine the best formatting choice for their science research projects.
APA Style
The American Psychological Association (APA) developed their style guidelines specifically for writing in the social and behavioral sciences fields, making APA format widely accepted as the standard choice for science research papers. APA style focuses on clarity and transparency in research writing through citation of sources and construction of reference lists. Some key aspects of APA format include:
Title Page: The title page includes the title of the paper, author names, and institutional affiliation centered horizontally near the top of the page. The page number “1” is displayed at the top right corner.
Double-Spaced Body: The entire paper is double-spaced, including block quotes, references, table titles, figure captions, footnotes, and endnotes.
Running Head: A shortened version of the paper title is displayed flush left at the top of each page in all capital letters. The phrase “Running head:” precedes the title.
In-Text Citations: Sources are cited in the body of the paper with the author’s last name and year of publication in parentheses. Direct quotes also require a page number.
Reference List: All sources cited in the body of the paper are listed alphabetically by author’s last name on a new page at the end titled “References.”
Headings: Section headings and subsequent subsections are structured using different formatting levels (e.g. centered bold level 1, left-aligned bold level 2, italics level 3, etc.).
APA style places an emphasis on concise writing with minimal narration and straightforward language suitable for scientific communication. Its strict conventions ensure consistency across research in behavioral and social science disciplines. Overall, APA format provides a well-defined system for presenting scientific findings in a clear, organized manner supported by attribution of ideas to credible sources.
MLA Style
The Modern Language Association (MLA) publishes style guidelines primarily used in language arts, literature, and other humanities fields. MLA format can still sometimes be an acceptable choice for formatting science papers, especially at the high school or undergraduate level when not specifically requiring APA style. Key aspects of MLA formatting include:
No Title Page: The first page of the paper includes only the title in the header, double-spaced from the top margin.
Parenthetical Citations: Sources are cited within the text using author last name and page number in parentheses, with no publication date.
Works Cited Page: A complete list of all cited sources is provided on a separate page titled “Works Cited” after the conclusion, arranged alphabetically by author’s last name.
Hanging Indents: The second and subsequent lines of multiple line citations are indented five spaces from the left margin within the paragraph.
No Abstract: MLA papers do not traditionally include an abstract summarizing key points.
Headings: Section headings are not explicitly structured by level, typically using consistent formatting such as italics or underlining throughout.
While suitable for humanities subjects, MLA style provides less structured guidelines compared to APA. Its formatting emphasizes embedding attribution seamlessly within narrative paragraphs rather than displaying source data prominently. Overall, MLA is a more flexible choice that prioritizes engaging writing over scientific rigor in citation.
Choosing Between Formats
When deciding between APA or MLA format, science students should consider:
Discipline/Subject: APA style is standard for social and behavioral science fields. MLA is common for humanities but sometimes allowed for science depending on course level/requirements.
Paper/Project Type: APA citation is essential for empirical research papers and lab reports involving original data analysis. MLA may work for literature reviews or history of science topics.
Guidelines: Follow specific instructions from the course syllabus, professor, or publishing journal, as they will dictate the preferred format.
Careful Formatting: MLA is riskier as mistakes are easier due to less structured guidelines. APA ensures complete/consistent sourcing is prominently showcased.
Students writing science research papers are generally best served by following APA style standards given its emphasis on transparency, accountability, and reproducibility central to scientific communication. Only in certain circumstances where not explicitly required may MLA format be acceptable, but APA format should be the default choice for empirical research or data-driven science projects at most academic levels. Consulting specific assignment guidelines is also important to determine the preferred formatting choice.