The American Psychological Association (APA) format is commonly used for research papers in the social
sciences. Here is a guide to the main components of an APA-formatted research paper:
Title Page
• Title of the paper
• Author's name
• Institutional affiliation
• Course name and number
• Instructor's name
• Due date
Abstract
• A brief summary of the research paper, usually around 150-250 words.
• Includes the research topic, research questions, participants, methods, results, and
conclusions.
Table of Contents
• List of chapters and subheadings with page numbers.
Chapter 1: Introduction
1. Background of the Study
o Provide context and background information related to the research topic.
2. Problem Statement
o Clearly state the problem your research aims to address.
3. Purpose of the Study
o Outline the objectives and goals of your research.
4. Research Questions/Hypotheses
o List the research questions or hypotheses.
5. Significance of the Study
o Explain the importance and potential impact of the research.
6. Definitions of Terms
o Define key terms used in the study.
7. Organization of the Study
o Briefly describe the structure of the remaining chapters.
Chapter 2: Literature Review
1. Introduction
o Overview of what will be covered in the chapter.
2. Theoretical Framework
o Discuss the theories and models relevant to your study.
3. Review of Related Literature
o Summarize and synthesize existing research on your topic.
4. Summary
o Highlight the key points from the literature review and identify gaps your research
will address.
Chapter 3: Methodology
1. Introduction
o Overview of the chapter.
2. Research Design
o Describe the design and approach of the study.
3. Participants/Sample
o Detail the characteristics and selection process of participants.
4. Data Collection Methods
o Explain how data will be or was collected.
5. Instruments
o Describe any tools or instruments used for data collection.
6. Procedures
o Outline the steps followed during the research process.
7. Data Analysis
o Describe how data will be or was analyzed.
8. Ethical Considerations
o Discuss how ethical issues were addressed.
Chapter 4: Results
1. Introduction
o Brief overview of the chapter.
2. Presentation of Results
o Present the findings of your research, including tables, graphs, and charts as
needed.
3. Analysis
o Analyze and interpret the results in relation to your research questions or
hypotheses.
4. Summary
o Summarize the key findings.
Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusion, and Recommendations
1. Introduction
o Brief overview of the chapter.
2. Discussion
o Interpret the findings in the context of the literature review and theoretical
framework.
3. Implications
o Discuss the implications of your findings for theory, practice, and future research.
4. Limitations
o Identify and discuss the limitations of your study.
5. Conclusion
o Summarize the main findings and contributions of your research.
6. Recommendations
o Provide suggestions for future research and practical applications.
References
• List all the sources cited in your paper in APA format.
Appendices
• Include any additional material such as raw data, questionnaires, or supplementary
information.
GENERAL FORMATTING
Font: Times New Roman, 12-point.
Spacing: Double-spaced throughout, including the title page, abstract, and references.
Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides.
Page Numbers: Top right corner of each page.
Headings:
- Level 1: Centered, Bold, Title Case.
- Level 2: Left-aligned, Bold, Title Case.
- Level 3: Left-aligned, Bold Italic, Title Case.
- Level 4: Indented, Bold, Title Case, Period. Text starts on the same line.
- Level 5: Indented, Bold Italic, Title Case, Period. Text starts on the same line.
EXAMPLE REFERENCES
BOOK
Author, A. A. (Year of publication). *Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle*. Publisher.
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. *Title of Periodical, volume number*(issue number),
pages. [Link]
WEBSITE
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Date). Title of web page. *Site Name*. URL
