APA formatting for Research Papers STANDARD FORMATTING for research papers includes the following: Typed on a computer with a word processing program that is compatible with Microsoft Word. The margins for the paper are 1-inch on all sides. The entire text should be double-spaced. The entire text should be 12 point, Times New Roman font. A running head should be included with the shortened title and the page number. A cover page is required with the paper title, the student s name, and the college. Each section of your paper should include an APA subheading that is centered and bold. Cover Page and Running Head: You must have a cover page and a Running Head. The Running Head is to be at the top left of each page of your research paper, ½ in from the edge. It is NOT part of the text, but should be found in the header/footer. The Running Head should be a shortened title of your paper. You should also number each page on the far right hand side. The words Running head: are ONLY to be included on the FIRST page of your paper. Subsequent pages will just include a shortened title. Please see the PowerPoint presentation in My Course Content under APA formatting information for further explanation if needed. APA formatting 1
Abstract: The abstract is a short paragraph of around 100-150 words that summarizes what the paper will be about. The abstract should be on its own page, with the page titled Abstract. Be sure that your header continues with the shortened title and page number. (Also notice that the shortened title in the header does NOT have the words running head). The third page: The next page after the abstract should begin the actual text or writing of your paper. Notice that this page includes the header, but also includes the FULL TITLE of your paper at the start of your writing. Each section of your paper should include an APA heading that is centered and bold. For the Outcome paper, you would have at least 3 sections with APA headings: describing the issue, outcome on development, how the issue affects normal, healthy development. For the Research paper, you would have at least 8 sections that correspond with each stage of Erikson s theory. REVIEW the Example Research paper that can be found at the end of this packet. APA formatting 2
HOW TO CREATE A REFERENCE PAGE The paper must include a reference page. A reference page includes the sources you actually refer to in your paper or presentation. Everything used in the paper is in the list, and everything in the list is cited at least once in the paper or presentation. You may be familiar with the terms works cited or bibliography, however, in APA format, the word References is used. (A reference page is included in the Sample APA Paper. ) For APA Style: A reference page begins on a separate page, with the title References centered at the top. The full reference list will be sorted in alphabetical order by the last name of the first authors. Like everything else in the paper, the reference list will be double spaced. Each citation will have a hanging indent and there are no extra spaces between citations. APA formatting 3
In-text citations: THE IN-TEXT CITATION Your paper must include in-text citations as to where you researched your information. This means you will use the information from an author in the actual text of your paper. The in-text citation can be either a direct quote or a paraphrase. Direct Quote means that you use the author s EXACT words. o When directly quoting from a work, include the author, year of publication, and the page number for the reference (preceded by "p."). o For example: The Pew Research Center verifies that those who attain a college degree will earn approximately $20,000 more per year than those with only a high school diploma, (Income Gap, 2014, p.1). Paraphrase means to summarize the author s words into your own words (BUT the ideas were not originally your own, you MUST cite the author!) o When paraphrasing an idea from another work, make reference to the author and year of publication in your in-text reference. o For example: According to the Pew Research Center (2014), earning a college degree equals more earning power each year ( p.1). For instance, if I completed my research and found an article from Dr. Sarah Smith that included information about the importance of uninterrupted sleep, I would use this information in the writing of my paper (the following example is a direct quote) Sleep is especially important for college students. According to Smith (2013), getting enough sleep ensures increased concentration and attention to meticulous tasks, (p. 452). For college students, sleep can help during classes, especially those that may be tedious and require attention to detail. APA formatting 4
Other examples of in-text citations are included in the Sample APA Paper found on Cruiser and on the following table. Number of authors One author Two authors Three to Five (FIRST time citing) Three to Five (subsequent citations) Six or more authors Direct quote Kessler (2003) found that among epidemiological samples, (p. 52). Kessler and Johnson (2003) found that among, (p. 52). Kisangau, Lyaruu, Hosea, and Joseph (2007) explained the results indicate a higher, (p. 1214). Kisangau et al. (2007) explained the results indicate a higher, (p. 1214). Wasserstein et al. (2005) clarified, In the United States, occurrences decreased, (p. 201). Paraphrase Early onset results in a more persistent and severe course (Kessler, 2003). Early onset results in a more (Kessler & Johnson, 2003). The results of the study show higher rates of the early onset of (Kisangau, Lyaruu, Hosea, & Joseph, 2007). The results of the study show a higher indication of the early onset of (Kisangau, et al., 2007). In the United States, the rate of incidences exponentially lowered (Wasserstein et al., 2005). Introducing a Quotation or Paraphrase There are a number of different ways to introduce quotations and paraphrased information. Here are words commonly used to introduce quotations or paraphrased information: o According to expresses states mentions suggests points out shows s research confirmed compares insists reports APA formatting 5
USING RESEARCH EVIDENCE (QUOTATIONS AND PARAPHRASES) Writing a research paper may sound intimidating, but it is really just an extension of the 5-paragraph essay that you have probably written a lot in your English Composition classes. o For a research paper, you should still include a Thesis Statement and subsequent paragraphs that support your thesis statement. Once you have formulated your claim- your thesis- you should use evidence (quotes and paraphrasing) to help strengthen your thesis and any assertion (point or statement) you make that relates to your thesis. Here are some ways to work evidence into your writing: Offer evidence that agrees with your stance up to a point; then add to it with ideas of your own. Present evidence that contradicts your stance, and then argue against (refute) that evidence and therefore strengthen your position. Use sources against each other, as if they were experts on a panel discussing your proposition. In order to use evidence effectively, you need to integrate it smoothly into your essay by following this pattern: 1. State your claim. 2. Give your evidence, remembering to relate it to the claim. 3. Comment on the evidence to show how it supports the claim. Use quotes and paraphrasing to SUPPORT your assertion, not merely to state or restate your claim. That means your evidence (quotes or paraphrase should NEVER be the first sentence in your paragraph- you should make a statement or claim, and then use the quote or paraphrase to support or back up your claim). Your quotes or paraphrasing should NEVER introduce a new topic. You should introduce new topics with your writing and then use the quotes or paraphrase to support your assertion about the topic. PLAGIARISM Please be careful of plagiarism. Plagiarism, as defined by Seminole State College, plagiarism is the use, without acknowledgment, of a person s ideas and/or materials, either in whole or in part, to fulfill required course assignments. The purchase of any written material which is intended for presentations as one s own work in partial fulfillment of a course assignment will be considered an act of plagiarism. Consequences of plagiarism will comply with those listed in the Seminole State College. If you have ANY questions about plagiarism, please contact me by email or stop by my office for help. You are plagiarizing if you. Are copying from published sources without adequate documentation. Are purchasing and submitting pre-written papers, including reusing your old paper and turning it in as new material Are paying someone else or letting someone else write your paper Are submitting someone s unpublished work as your own Are changing every # (4, 5, 6, etc.) word and not giving credit, including changing pronouns. Are changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit Are copying answers or text from another classmate and submitting it as your own. Are failing to put a quotation in quotation marks Are giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation Are cutting and pasting from websites and not giving credit Are copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not. As a general rule, not more than 15% to 20% of your paper should consist of quotes or paraphrasing. APA formatting 6