Writing the Empirical Manuscript

Using the 6th Edition of the

Publication Manual of the APA

Carlo Magno, PhD.

De La Salle University, Manila
Objectives
• Format an empirical manuscript using the 6th
edition of the Publication Manual of the APA.
• Identify the basic parts and content of an
empirical report.
• Write a reference entry using the APA style
• Submit an research report (APA formatted) for
review and publication in a refereed journal.
Types of articles
• Empirical studies –original research
• Literature review – research synthesis and
metanalysis
• theoretical article-present and analyze a theory
• Methodological article-present new
methodological approach
• Case studies-case materials of groups
Ethical considerations in writing
• Psychologists do not fabricate and falsify data
• Make the data available for the editor
• Duplicate publications
• Piecemeal publication
• Reanalysis of published data
• Plagiarism
• Self-plagiarism
Parts of an empirical report
• Title page
• Abstract
• Introduction
• Method
• Results
• Discussion
• References
• Appendices and supplemental materials
Manuscript elements
• Title page
▫ Title
▫ Authors name
▫ Institutional affiliation
▫ Author notes
 Juan Dela Cruz
University of the Philippines

Juan Dela Cruz and Juana Dela Cruz

University of the Philippines

Charles Xavier
Richmond School
Rihanna Brooks
Grace Academy
Abstract
• Brief comprehensive summary of the of the contents
of the article
• First contact
• 150-250 words
• Accurate
• Characteristics: Nonevaluative, Readable, and
concise
• Content:
▫ The problem
▫ Participants and method
▫ Basic findings
▫ Conclusions and implications
Example of an abstract
This study constructed a measure of metacognition that is applicable for grade
school students (fourth grade). The constructed measure is domain-specific
on the metacognition of mathematical problem solving. There is a need to
construct a more direct and domain-specific measure of metacognition
specifically for grade school pupils because of the difficulty in assessment
procedures for young children. The test is composed of eight items that
measure declarative knowledge, conditional knowledge, procedural
knowledge, prediction, planning, evaluation, and two items on monitoring.
The test was administered to 280 grade four students in different public
and private schools in the Philippines. The reliability of the test using
Cronbach’s Alpha is .78, indicating acceptable internal consistency of the
items. Parallel form of reliability was conducted where it was significantly
correlated with another measure of metacognitive skills (r=.21, p<.05).
Intercorrelation of the factors showed that planning is negatively correlated
with the other components. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) showed
that all components of the measure are significant to metacognition as a
latent construct. Adequate goodness of fit indicated that the measure is
appropriate for grade four pupils given the eight items. Further implications
of the findings on a cognitive development perspective and underlying
metacognitive processes are discussed.
Introduction
• Introduce the problem:
▫ Why is it important?
▫ How is it related to previous work?
▫ What are the hypothesis and objectives?
▫ How are the hypothesis and design related?
▫ Theoretical and practical implications?
• Summarize relevant arguments and past evidence
• Gives the reader a firm sense of what was done and
why.
• End the introduction with a hypothesis
Method
• Participants
• Sampling procedure
• Sample size, power and precision
• Measures and covariates
• Research design
• Experimental manipulations/procedure
Results
• Summarize collected data
• Analysis performed on the data
• Test of significance/Effect size
• Tables and figures
Discussion
• Evaluate and interpret the he implications of results
• Examine, interpret, and qualify the results.
• Draw inferences and conclusions
• Content:
▫ Statement that supports/nonsupport for the original
hypothesis
▫ If not supported provide post hoc explanations
▫ Similarities and differences between your results and
the work of others
▫ Commentary on the importance of your findings
▫ Theoretical significance
References

• 77 types of references
• 19 types of references for legal materials
References
References
References
Reference
Reference
Levels of Heading
Example of Levels of Heading
Seriations
Seriations
Statistical and Mathematical Copy
Statistical and Mathematical Copy
Tables
Tables
Table
Table
Table
Table
Table
Table
Table
Table
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Citations
• One work by one author

Kessler (2003) found that among epidemiological

samples
Early onset results in results in a more persistent
and severe course (Kessler, 2003).
In 2003, Kessler’s study on epidemiological
samples
Citation
• One work by multiple authors:

Kisangu, Lyaruu, Hosea, and Jospeh (2007) found

…
Kisangu et al. (2007)m found that…
Citations
Several studies (Derryberry & Reed, 2005a,
2005b; Rothbart, 2003a, 2003b)…
Several studies (Miller, 1999; Shafranske &
Mahoney, 1998)…
Citations
• Secondary source:

Allport’s diary (as cited in Nicholson, 2003)…