apa style organizing and presenting information in research reports

APA Style Organizing and Presenting Information in Research Reports

Lesson Topics What is APA Style? Components of a Research Report APA Style Format Guidelines Additional Information

What is APA Style? APA is an acronym for the American Psychological Association. The APA style is a set of research writing documentation standards that are often used in business and the social sciences. These standards identify the way in which information is organized, presented, and cited in research reports. The goal of standardizing research reports is to facilitate the clear communication of ideas and information simplify the tasks of publishers, editors, authors, and readers

Parts of a Research Report The APA style divides the contents of a research report into 10 different sections: 1.Title Page 2.Abstract 3.Introduction 4.Method 5.Results 6.Discussion 7.References 8.Appendix 9.Author Note

Title Page A title page identifies the title of the report, the byline (author), and the organization through which the author conducted the investigation (affiliation). The title should be no more than 12 words. An abbreviated version will appear in the page header. Information on the title page is located in two areas: Running head [right justified] abbreviated title; page number Page center [center justified] title (uppercase and lowercase letters); authors name (first name, middle initial, last name); affiliation

Example Title Page Abbreviated Title Page Number Title Byline and Affiliation 12 point Times New Roman or Courier font, double spacing Running Head:

Abstract An abstract is a short summary that provides an accurate overview of the purpose and content of the report. The abstract should include the main idea and major points of the research report and may also indicate implications of the research. An abstract should adhere to the following guidelines: Located on a separate page, directly after the title page No more than one page, between 75 and 120 words

Example Abstract Heading 12 point Times New Roman or Courier font, double spacing, no indent

Introduction The Introduction identifies the problem, the hypothesis, and the research strategy that was used. Questions that should be answered by the introduction include: 1.Why is the problem important? 2.How do the hypothesis and the experimental design relate to the problem? 3.What are the theoretical implications of the study, and how does the study relate to previous work in the area? 4.What theoretical propositions are tested, and how were they derived?

Example Introduction 12 point Times New Roman or Courier font, double spacing, indent each paragraph Heading

Method The method section describes the experiment and how it was conducted with enough detail for the reader to replicate the study. This section allows the reader to evaluate the appropriateness and validity of the results. Subsections often include: Descriptions of participants or subjects, pertinent demographic information, and the selection process Identifying apparatus (or materials) used and their function in the experiment A summary of each step of the procedure Identification of control features

Results The results section summarizes the data that was collected, the statistical or analytical treatment of that data, and an interpretation of the results as they relate to the hypothesis. The results section often includes: Tables Figures charts, photographs, and drawings

Discussion acknowledgement of any limitations alternative explanations of results comments on the importance of your findings The discussion section provides the reader with the authors interpretation of the implications of the study results as they relate to the original hypothesis. This section begins with a clear statement of support or nonsupport of the original hypothesis, and includes the following:

Horenstein, M. N., (2002). Design concepts for engineers (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc. References The references section is a list of sources used in the research and preparation of a report, specifically those cited in the text. A reference list is different from a bibliography, which cites works for background or further reading. References must provide enough information for each source to be identified and retrieved. Example: Reference for book with one author

Example References Heading 12 point Times New Roman or Courier font, double spacing, reverse indent, arranged in alphabetical order

Appendix Large tables of data Flowcharts Mathematical analysis Large illustrations Detailed explanations and descriptions of test techniques and apparatus Technical drawings An appendix is a section that contains additional information. Any information that is too extensive for the main part of the report and would serve to distract or interrupt the flow of the report belongs in the appendix. Examples include:

Example Appendix

Author Note identify the organization and affiliation of the author acknowledge the contributions of others to the report provide the reader with contact information The author note section gives the author the opportunity to

APA Style Format Guidelines The following list represents common elements of a research report that must be properly formatted according to APA guidelines Page Format Headings Reference Citations in Text Quotations Tables Figures Referencing Guidelines

Page Format APA style identifies formatting guidelines for the pages within a report. This includes page and margin sizes, page numbering, running header contents, the font type and size to use, and line spacing. Paper size 8.5 x 11 (A4) size paper with 1 margins on all sides Page numbering Arabic numeral(s) located within a running page header in the top right-hand corner Abbreviated title located five spaces or to the left of the page number Font size, type, and line spacing 12 point Times New Roman or Courier font, double-line spacing

Headings A heading is a title of a section (i.e., Abstract, Introduction, Method, etc.) or subsection within a report. If divided, a section must have at least two subsections. Each subsection has its own heading. Each section of a research report begins with a centered heading on a separate line First-level subsection headings are left-justified, italicized, and exist on their own line Second-level subsection headings are left-justified, italicized, indented , and end with a period (.)

Example Heading Structure Section Heading Second-Level Subsection Headings First-Level Subsection Heading

Reference Citations in Text Reference citations or direct quote indicate author, year of publication, and page number (Parker, 2003, p. 5) Paraphrasing indicate author and year of publication (Parker, 2003) A citation is a reference to the author and the date of his or her work that supports the research. Citations that occur within the text are placed in parentheses. They allow the reader to locate the source of information in the alphabetical reference list.

Quotations incorporated into the text enclosed by double quotation marks () Quotes that are less than 40 words: separate double-spaced block of text (block quotation) indented from the left margin are not contained by quotation marks do not begin with an opening paragraph indent Quotes of 40 words or more: A quotation (or quote) is a passage or remark repeated by someone other than the person who originally said or wrote it.

Tables A table is an arrangement of detailed facts or statistics, presented in a row-and-column format. Identify a table in the text of the report by the table number. Cite* the source of the data under the table. Numbered successively with Arabic numerals at the top (i.e. Table 1), and aligned left Table title appears below the table number, is italicized and is aligned left * Not necessary if the data is original

Example Table Table 1 Spur Gear Size GeometryValue Pitch Diameter2.25 in Pressure Angle20 Diametral Pitch17 (Madsen et al, 2002, p. 526)

Figures A figure is a graphic that is used to illustrate an idea in a way that cannot be described by text alone. Figures include: charts, graphs, photographs, or drawings. They are identified within the text and in their captions as Figure 1, Figure 2, etc., and are presented in the order in which they are mentioned. Use only sans serif fonts (such as Arial) Text size should be between 8- and 14-point type Use only high resolution and high contrast images Include a caption below the figure

Example Figure Figure 1. Unknown Aluminum Alloy Stress-Strain Diagram. The line graph depicted identifies the proportional limit,.2% offset yield stress, ultimate stress, and point of fracture for an unknown aluminum alloy tensile test specimen.

The APA style format for references may also be used for bibliographies in other types of reports. References are presented in 12-point serif font ( Times New Roman or Courier ), double-line spaced, reverse indented, and presented in alphabetical order. Commonly referenced sources include: Web pages Books Dictionaries Encyclopedias Magazines Newspapers Audiovisual media Referencing Guidelines

Web Pages An Internet reference should provide an author or host organization, document description (title), date of publication, date of retrieval, and a working URL address. If a publication date is not available, use n.d. (no date). Heitzman, F. (n.d.) A professional portfolio of your design work. Retrieved June 1, 2006 from http://academics.triton.edu/faculty/fheitzman/portfolio.html Referencing Guidelines Cool Fire Technology. (2004). A history of measurement and metrics. Retrieved June 7, 2006 from http://www.cftech.com/BrainBank/OTHERREFERENCE/W EIGHTSandMEASURES/MetricHistory

Books Referencing Guidelines For books with more than six authors, list the first six and then et. al. to indicate there are more authors than those listed. Books with one author: Horenstein, M. N., (2002). Design concepts for engineers (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc. Books with multiple authors: Madsen D. A., Folkestad, J., Schertz, K. A., Shumaker, T. M., Stark, C., & Turpin, J. L. (2004). Engineering drawing and design (3rd ed.). Albany, NY: Delmar-Thompson Learning.

Dictionaries No author or editor: Editor(s) known: Merriam-Websters collegiate dictionary (10th ed.). (1993). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster. Soanes, C. & Hawker, S. (Eds.). (2005). Compact Oxford english dictionary (5th ed.). NY: Oxford University Press. Costello, R. B. et al (Ed.). (1991). Websters college dictionary (10th ed.). NY: Random House. For multiple editors, identify the lead editor, followed by et al.: Referencing Guidelines

Encyclopedias Entry in an encyclopedia: Bergmann, P. G. (1993). Relativity. In The new encyclopaedia Britannica (Vol. 26, pp. 501508). Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica. Referencing Guidelines Magazine Articles Author known: Hughes, E. (2006, October). Project Lead The Way: Its time has come. Techniques, 81, 35-39.

Referencing Guidelines Newspaper Articles Daily newspaper article, author known: Schwartz, J. (1993, September 30). Obesity affects economic, social status. The Washington Post, pp. A1, A4. Daily newspaper article, no author: New drug appears to sharply cut risk of death from heart failure. (1993, July 15). The Washington Post, p. A12.

Audiovisual Media Motion picture of limited circulation: Shedd, J. P. (Producer) & Shedd, B. (Writer/Director). (1987). The flight of the gossamer condor. [Motion Picture]. (Available from Shedd Productions, Inc., 233 S. Villa Place, Boise, ID 83712) Single episode from a television series: Burke, J. (Writer), & Black, J. (Director). (2003). Drop The Apple [Television series episode]. In J. Burke (Producer), Connections 3. Silver Spring, MD: Discovery Communications, Inc. Referencing Guidelines

Additional Information Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th Edition) http://apastyle.apa.org/ The Teacher Guidelines folder in all compressed help menu (CHM) style Project Lead The Way curricula This lesson constitutes a brief summary of the APA style. Form more information, refer to

References: American Psychological Association (2001). Publication manual of the american psychological association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Beer, D., & McMurrey, D. (2005). A guide to writing as an engineer (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Howell, J. F. & Memering, D. (1993). Brief handbook for writers (3rd ed.). Edgewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc. Lunsford, A. A. (2006). Easy writer: A pocket reference. (3rd Ed.). Boston, MA.: Bedford: St. Martins.

Credits: Writer: Michael P. Gallagher Lesson Editor: PLTW Editor: Ed Hughes Production: CJ Amarosa Video Production: Audio: CJ Amarosa Project Manager: Sam Cox

apa style organizing and presenting information in research reports

Documents

affiliation slide

indent slide

separate page

page header

research strategy

paragraph heading slide

example introduction

example abstract heading