How to write a paper in APA-style? Wendy Tollenaar

Preview APA guidelines Structure article and components Paragraph writing Writing style Referencing Layout [APA09] APA Publications and Communications Board. APPENDIX - journal article reporting standards (JARS), Meta-Analysis reporting standards (MARS), and flow of participants through each stage of an experiment or Quasi-Experiment. In Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, pages 245-253. American Psychological Association, Jul 2009. http://www.apastyle.org/manual/related/JARS-MARS.pdf

APA guidelines The most commonly used format for manuscripts in the social sciences Regulates: Stylistics In-text citations References

Structure article– APA style Title Abstract Introduction (includes theoretical framework) Method Results Discussion References Appendices (if necessary) Tables and figures (if necessary)

1. Title Academic style Avoid trendy and cutesy titles Cyber-crime science

1. Title James Bond meets Wiki Leaks!

2. Abstract 100-150 word summary of the research’s main features: purpose, objectives, research questions / hypotheses, samples, methodology, and results / findings Mistakes to avoid Do not go beyond what you establish in your paper, no non-significant results, no speculation, no telegraphic style, stay within the word count limit.

3. Introduction Three elements in the introductory section The research problems The framework for the study The research questions and hypotheses The importance of originality Make clear what is the original contribution. Science journals exist primarily to publish original knowledge. It should be evident in the Title (if possible), and the Abstract. It should also be described in the Introduction and in the Discussion (and/or Conclusion).

3. Introduction Sets the stage for the study upon which the article is based. Answers the question on … why the topic is important what other studies related to the present study have been conducted how existing works logically connect to the research questions / hypotheses how questions will be researched, and what predictions can be made. The importance of originality Make clear what is the original contribution. Science journals exist primarily to publish original knowledge. It should be evident in the Title (if possible), and the Abstract. It should also be described in the Introduction and in the Discussion (and/or Conclusion).

4. Method Describes how the research questions /hypotheses will be described (watch reproducibility) Sections: Subjects / participants Instruments / measures / variables Materials Design Procedures

5. Results Structure according to hypotheses Present findings, and only the findings Think of graphically presenting results: tables and figures Mistakes to avoid This section lends itself to over-writing and underwriting To give undo weight to non-significant results

6. Discussion - conclusion Discusses the contribution of the study’s findings to existing literature, theory, and professional practices. An analysis of the study’s results in relation to the study’s research questions and hypotheses. Includes a statement of the study’s limitations, along with specific recommendations for future research.

7. References Listing of materials that were used and cited in the body of the scientific article. Use reference managers, like Endnote

Summary [APA1] APA Publications and Communications Board. APPENDIX - journal article reporting standards (JARS), Meta-Analysis reporting standards (MARS), and flow of participants through each stage of an experiment or Quasi-Experiment. In Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, pages 245-253. American Psychological Association, Jul 2009. http://www.apastyle.org/manual/related/JARS-MARS.pdf

Paragraph writing Claim: ’topic sentence’ Evidence: support or back up of your claims Discusses the controlling idea, using facts, arguments, analysis, examples, and other information Analysis/concluding sentence Explains why the evidence supports your claim and summarizes connections between the information discussed in the body of the paragraph and the paragraph’s controlling idea

Language Objective formal writing style Watch: Clarity and conciseness: be specific in descriptions and explanations and omit unnecessary words, phrases, etc. Tone: formal, meta-discourse, hedging Tense: present tense, past tense, past perfect tense

Language In general, foreground the research and not the researchers ("The results indicate ... "). Avoid using the editorial "we" Active voice: As a general rule, use the active voice rather than the passive voice For example, use "We predicted that ..." rather than "It was predicted that ...“(only in introduction and conclusion) Literature: Place content first Write “self-control is related to crime (Gottfredson & Hischi 1990)” or “Gottfredson and Hischi (1990) state that self-control is related to crime” unless you want to emphasize authorship

Referencing (why?) to an argument you support When describing or discussing a theory, a model or practice associated with a particular writer To give weight or credibility to an argument you support To inform readers of the sources of direct quotations or definitions When paraphrasing another person’s work, which is outside the realm of common knowledge

In-text referencing (how?) [APA2] Example of APA-references

In-text referencing (how?)

References (how?) Center the title (References) at the top of the page. Do not bold it. Double-space reference entries Flush left the first line of the entry and indent subsequent lines Order entries alphabetically by the surname of the first author of each work

General layout APA standard: Double-spaced, Have 1” margins, Use 10-12pt. Standard font (ex. Times New Roman) be printed on standard-sized paper (8.5”x 11”) Note: If you are writing a manuscript draft, APA suggests using two spaces between sentences to aid readability [APA3] https://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/20090212013008_560.pdf

Layout tables

Layout figures

Questions? Continue writing…!

Good luck !!!