APA Format-7th Edition

Dr. WANG MIN

 01 What is APA Format? APA Paper Formatting Basics
Catalogue
02 Title Pages in APA Format

03 Running Heads in APA Format

04 How to form an abstract in APA

05 The Body of an APA Paper

06 Proper Usage of Headings & Subheadings in APA F

ormat
 07. Use of graphics (tables and figures) in APA F
Catalogue ormat

08.Spelling in APA Format

09. Punctuation in APA Format

10. Number Rules in APA Format

11. Reducing Bias and Labels

12. Overview of APA References

 What is APA Format?
01 APA Format Basics
What is APA Format?

APA format is the official style of the American

Psychological Association (APA) and is commonly

01
used to cite sources in psychology, education, and the
social sciences. APA style originated in a 1929 article
published in Psychological Bulletin that laid out the
basic guidelines for academic writing in this genre.
These guidelines were eventually expanded into
the APA Publication Manual.
APA Format Basics

• All text should be double- spaced

• Use one-inch margins on all sides

• All paragraphs in the body are indented

• Make sure that the title is centered on the page with your name and school/institution underneath

• Use 12-point font throughout

• All pages should be numbered in the upper right-hand corner

• The manual recommends using one space after most punctuation marks

• A shortened version of the title (“running head”) should be placed in the upper left-hand corner
02 Title Pages in APA Format
Title Format

Title placement and style

Center the title on the page, about 3-
4 lines from the top.
The title should be bolded and in title case, with the
same font size as the rest of the text on the page.
Do not underline or italicize the title.

All text on the title page should be double-

spaced.
 Running Heads in APA
03 Format
What is a running head?

01 A running head is a page header at the top of every page.

Running head components

Page numbers Running head title

Insert page numbers justified to Include the "TITLE OF YOUR PA

The running head includes PER" justified to the left on all
the right-
the title of the paper and hand side of the paper without pages, including the title page.
page numbers. "p." or "pg." in front of the num
bers. If the full title is long, use a sho
rtened version for the running
head.
 How to form an abstract
04 in APA
 Abstract Placement and Formatting

Abstract page location

For professional papers, include the running head
on the top of the page.
Running head
The abstract is found on its own page, immediately
after the title or cover page.
 Abstract Content

01 03
02
Abstract heading and summary
Keywords

Center the word "Abstract" on the first Include keywords after the summary
Length and spacing to help researchers find your work in
line without quotation marks.
Write a concise and informative summ databases.
ary of your research, including the rese The abstract should not be indented, Indent and type "Keywords:" in italics
arch topic, questions, process, findings but should be double- , followed by a list of relevant keywor
, and conclusions. spaced and less than 250 words. ds.
Writing Style

Use an active voice instead of a passive voice.

Report the content of your project rather than evaluating it.

If you extended someone else's research, mention

it and include the author's last name and the year
of their work.
05 The Body of an APA Paper
 Overall Structure

Page numbering and title

• Include the page number in the upper right corner

of all pages.
• Write the title in bold font and center it, without u
nderlining or italicizing it.
 Additional Sections and Guidelines

Running head and

introduction
Start with the running head on the title page and use capital letters for the
heading.
The introduction presents the problem and premise of the research in mor
e detail than the abstract.

Method
Begin a new section with the subheading "Method," bolded and centered.
Describe how the study was conducted and the methods used to collect data.

Results

Begin a new section with the subheading "Results," bolded and centered.
Summarize the data using charts and graphs.

Discussion

Begin a new section with the subheading "Discussion," bolded and centered.
Analyze and interpret the results, draw conclusions, evaluate the hypothesis,
and identify limitations and future research.
06 Proper Usage of Headings &
Subheadings in APA Format
 Heading
Level 1:
This is the title of your paper
The title should be centered in the middle of the page
The title should be bolded
Use uppercase and lowercase letters where necessary (called title
capitalization)

Level 2:
Place this heading against the left margin
Use bold letters
Use uppercase and lowercase letters where necessary

Level 3:
Place this heading against the left side margin
Use bold letters
Use uppercase and lowercase letters where necessary
End the heading with a period

Level 4:
Indented in from the left margin
Bolded
Use uppercase and lowercase letters where necessary
End the heading with a period

Level 5:
Indented
Bolded
Italicized
Use uppercase and lowercase letters where necessary
End the heading with a period
 Use of graphics (tables
07 and figures) in APA For
mat
Numbering and order of graphics

1. All graphics, whether they’re tables, photographs, or drawings must be numbered. The first
graphic, labeled as 1, should be the first one mentioned in the text.
2. Follow them in the appropriate numerical order in which they appear in the text of your paper.
a) Example: Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, Table 4.
b) Example: Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4
3. Only use graphics if they will supplement the material in your text. If they reinstate what you
already have in your text, then it is not necessary to include a graphic.
4. Include enough wording in the graphic so that the reader is able to understand its meaning, even if
it is isolated from the corresponding text. However, do not go overboard with adding a ton of
wording in your graphic.
5. Left align tables and figures
Tables
Numbers & Title:
• Include the table number first and at the top. Table
1 is the first table discussed in the paper. Table 2 is
the next table mentioned, and so on. This should
be in bold.
• Add a title under the number. Create a brief,
descriptive title. Capitalize the first letter for
General format of a table should be: each important word. Italicize the title and place
1. Table number it under the table number.
2. Title
3. Table
4. Note
Note: If you need to further explain something, or include an
APA format citation, place it in a note below the table. There
are 3 types:
• General. Information about the whole table.
• Specific. Information targeted for a specific column, row, or
cell.
• Probability. Explains what certain table symbols mean. For
example, asterisks, p values, etc.
 Tables

Formatting:
• Only use horizontal lines.
• Limit use of cell shading.
• Keep the font at 12-point size and use
single or double spacing. If you use single
spacing in one table, make sure all of the
others use single spaces as well. Keep it
consistent.
• All headings should be centered.
• In the first column (called the stub),
center the heading, left-align the information
underneath it (indent 0.15 inches if info is
more than one line).
• Information in other columns should be
centered.
Figures

There are many commonly used General format of a figure is the

figures in papers. Examples APA same as tables. This means each
Format: should include:
• Pie charts 1. Figure number
• Photographs 2. Title
• Maps 3. Figure
• Hierarchy charts 4. Note
• Drawings Use the same formatting tables
use for the number, title, and note.
 Figures

Formatting:
• Only use horizontal lines.
• Limit use of cell shading.
• Keep the font at 12-point size and use
single or double spacing. If you use single
spacing in one table, make sure all of the
others use single spaces as well. Keep it
consistent.
• All headings should be centered.
• In the first column (called the stub),
center the heading, left-align the information
underneath it (indent 0.15 inches if info is
more than one line).
• Information in other columns should be
centered.
08 Spelling in APA Format
Abbreviation usage
01 02
Use sparingly Typing out abbreviations
Avoid excessive use of abbreviations in the text. Abbreviations do not require periods between letters.
Overuse of abbreviations hampers smooth reading. Initial description followed by abbreviation in parentheses. Subsequent
usage does not require the description.
Example: While it may not affect a patient's short-
term memory (STM), it may affect their ability to comprehend new terms.

03 04
Abbreviation format Dictionary-listed abbreviations

Abbreviations listed as is in Merriam- If an abbreviation is used less than three times, type
Webster's Collegiate Dictionary do not need to be s it out each time.
pelled out. This ensures clarity in longer papers.
Example: AIDS
Units of measurement

01 02 03
Include the abbreviation if the Spell out the unit if it stands alone. Examples: 4 lbs., The weight in
unit sits with a number. pounds exceeded what we previ
ously thought.
 Punctuation in APA
09 Format
Rules for Punctuation

Comma Usage
Use a comma to separate elements in a series (e.g., "apples, oranges, and bananas").
Use a comma before conjunctions (e.g., "I studied hard, but I still failed the exam").
Use commas to set off nonessential information (e.g., "The student, who had been a
bsent, missed the lecture").

Period Usage
Use a period at the end of a declarative sentence or statement.
Use a period after an initial, abbreviation, or acronym (e.g., "Dr. Smith", "N.A.S.A.").
Use a period after each element in a numbered list.
 Rules for Parentheses and Brackets

Parentheses Usage

Use parentheses to enclose nonessential information or explanatory

statements.
Place periods and commas outside of parentheses.

Brackets Usage
Use brackets to enclose editorial comments or additions within a
quotation.
Use brackets to indicate changes made in a quotation for clarity
or grammatical correctness.
 Rules for Quotation Marks
Quotation Marks Usage

Use double quotation marks to enclose direct quotations.

Use single quotation marks within double quotation marks to enclose a quotation
within a quotation.
Use quotation marks for titles of articles, chapters, essays, and other short works.
 Number Rules in APA
10 Format
Writing Numbers

Numbers Less Than 10

Write out numbers less than 10
in text (e.g., "five participants"
).

Numbers 10 and Above

Use numerals for numbers 10 and above (e.g., "15 participants").
Displaying Numbers

Tables and Figures

Use numerals to display numbers in tables and figures.
Include a concise title and note for each table and figure.

Statistical Results

Use numerals to report statistical results (e.g., "The mean score

was 4.5").
Another Format
11 Reducing Bias and Labels
Inclusion of Orientation or Characteristic Information

Include only relevant information about an in Avoid unnecessary inclusion of information a

dividual's orientation or characteristic. bout individuals or labels.

01 02
Person-First Language

Use person- For example, say "Patients who are diabetic"

first language when referring to an individual's instead of "Diabetic patients."
characteristic or orientation.
Use of Broad Terms

Use broader terms such as "participants" and "subjects" instead of narrow terms like
"adolescents" or "the elderly."
Gender-Neutral Pronouns

01
"They" or "their" can be used as gender- neutral pronouns.
Avoiding Ambiguity in Terms

When referring to professions, use gender-

neutral terms like "firefighter" instead of "fireman."

Avoid ambiguity in terms that involve female subjects.

Racial or Ethnic Identity

Use census category terms and capitalize the first letter when referring to
someone's racial or ethnic identity.

Avoid using the term "minority" and use "people of color" or "underrepresented
groups" instead.
Describing Subjects in APA Format

Use "girls" and "boys" for children under Use "men" and "women" for those old Avoid using "elderly" or "senior" as nouns
the age of 12. er than 18. , but it can be used as adjectives.

01 02 03 04 05

Use appropriate terms like "young woman Use "older adults" for individuals who
," "young man," "female adolescent," and are older.
"male adolescent" for subjects between 1
3- 17 years old.
 Overview of APA
12 References
Importance of Citing Sources

PART 01 PART 02
Cite sources to acknowledg Failure to cite sources can lea
e others' ideas and research d to plagiarism consequences.
used in your own work.
Format of References
General Format

Author's last name, first initial. middle initial. (Year published). Title of source. URL.
In-text Citation Format
Use parenthetical or narrative in- text citations.

Both forms require the author's name and year of publication.

Formatting the References Page

01 02 03 04
Start the references page on Center and bold the title "R Alphabetize and double- Use a readable font like Times
a new document. eferences." space all entries. New Roman or Arial.

05 06 07
Include a reference for every The references page can be lo Include the running head only if
quote or outside information nger than one page if needed. required by the teacher or for p
used in the paper. rofessional papers.
Formatting the References Page