WHAT IS APA STYLE?

The American Psychological Association (APA) style is a set of guidelines for formatting

and citing sources in academic writing. In the social sciences, it is frequently employed. The

following are important considerations: in-text citations (author name and year), a References

page showing all sources, precise formatting requirements, DOI usage for online sources,

avoiding bias, recommendations for referencing diverse source types.

WHERETYLE CAME FROM?

APA Style originated in 1929 with psychologists, anthropologists, and business managers

aiming to create clear guidelines for scientific writing. Their goal was to enhance reading

comprehension. These guidelines were first published in a seven-page article in Psychological

Bulletin, offering a "standard of procedure" for writing (Bentley et al., 1929, p. 57). Over time,

the Publication Manual has expanded to meet the needs of various disciplines while preserving

the original spirit of its creators.

WHY IS APA STYLE NEEDED?

APA Style is important because it ensures consistency and uniformity in writing, allowing

readers to focus on ideas rather than formatting. It encourages authors to adequately disclose

critical information while removing distracting elements such as errors or omissions. This

writing style encourages logical and organized writing, appropriate language use, and clear

reporting of research methodologies. It also helps compelling data presentation by making

consistent use of tables and figures. While understanding APA rules may take some time and

practice, they provide significant abilities for academic and professional writing that writers will

soon find second nature.

Throughout your paper, you need to apply the following APA format guidelines

1. **General Formatting**:

- Use standard-sized (8.5” x 11”) white paper.

- Use a legible font (e.g., Times New Roman) in 12-point size.

- Double-space the entire paper, including the title page, abstract, main text, and references.

- Margins should be set at 1 inch on all sides.

- Page numbers in the top-right corner, starting with the title page as page 1.

2. **Title Page**:

- Title of the paper, centered, and in title case.

- Author’s name (your name), institutional affiliation, and author note (if necessary). - Running

head (an abbreviated title) in the header section.

3. **Abstract**:
 - A concise summary of your research (usually 150-250 words).

- Begin on a new page.

- The word “Abstract” centered at the top of the page.

4. **Main Body**:

- Organize your paper into sections like introduction, method, results, and discussion (if

applicable).

- Use headings and subheadings to structure your content.

- Citations are crucial; use in-text citations to credit sources within the text.

5. **In-Text Citations**:

- Use the author-date citation system (e.g., Smith, 2019).

- Include the author’s last name and the publication year.

- Page numbers for direct quotations (e.g., Smith, 2019, p. 45).

6. **References**:

- List all the sources you cited in your paper.

- Alphabetize by the author’s last name.

- Follow specific formats for various source types (books, journal articles, websites, etc.).

7. **Reference Page Format**:

- Hanging indent for each entry.

- Author’s name inverted (last name first), followed by initials.

- Italicize book and journal titles, but not article or chapter titles.

- Include DOI (Digital Object Identifier) for online sources.

8. **Inclusive Language**:

- Use non-discriminatory and inclusive language.

- Avoid biased or stereotypical language.

9. **Tables and Figures**:

- Number tables and figures in the order they appear.

- Include a title and source information for each.

10. **Appendices**:

- Include supplementary material, if necessary.

- Label them as “Appendix A,” “Appendix B,” etc.