General Formatting Rules in APA Format
The standard paper formatting instructions according to APA 7th ed. are:
- Page margins set to 1 inch uniformly around the document.
- Double-space all text, including section headings.
- Begin each paragraph with a 0.5-inch indentation.
- Choose a readable font such as Times New Roman (12pt), Arial (11pt), or Georgia (11pt).
- Every page of the document includes the page number in the top right corner
APA Research Paper Outline
The APA format stresses the importance of structure in research writing and gives guidelines to help writers present their ideas well. Here's a simple outline, aligned with APA guidelines, to help you stay organized and focused as you structure your paper:
APA Research Paper Outline I. Introduction A. Background Information B. Research Problem or Question C. Purpose of the Study A. Overview of Previous Research B. Theoretical Framework C. Gaps in the Literature D. Significance of the Study III. Methodology A. Research Design B. Participants C. Materials and Instruments D. Procedure IV. Results A. Presentation of Data B. Statistical Analysis (if applicable) C. Summary of Findings V. Discussion A. Interpretation of Results B. Implications of Findings C. Limitations of the Study D. Suggestions for Future Research VI. Conclusion A. Summary of Key Points B. Contribution to the Field C. Final Thoughts VII. References A. List of All Sources Cited in the Paper VIII. Appendices (if applicable) A. Additional Materials or Data |
APA Title Page Format
The instructions below will help you understand how to format your APA cover page precisely:
The Research Paper Title
- The title of the research paper should be centered in the upper half of the page.
- It should be in title case (capitalize the first letter of each major word).
- Keep the title concise so that it accurately reflects the paper's content.
Author Information
- Below the title, centered on the page, include your name (first name, middle initial if applicable, and last name).
- Beneath your name, include your institutional affiliation (e.g., university or organization).
Institutional Affiliation
- Below your name, list the name of your institution.
- If there are multiple affiliations, each should be listed on a separate line.
Course Information (if applicable)
- Optionally, include the course title and number, instructor's name, and due date.
- These details are typically placed below the author's name and institutional affiliation.
Title Page Formatting
- The entire title page should be double-spaced.
- Use Times New Roman font, size 12.
- Set 1-inch margins on all sides of the page.
- Align all text flush left.
Running Head and Page Number
- For professional manuscripts, include a running head (a shortened version of the title) flush left in the header.
- The page number appears flush right in the header.
Note: The running head and page number are not required for student papers, but may be requested by instructors or institutions.
Remember that APA professional research papers include an author note below the institutional affiliation. Ir provides additional information about the author(s) such as acknowledgments, affiliations, or contact information. Author notes aren’t required for student papers.
Here is a sample student APA research paper title page:
Here is a sample professional APA research paper title page:
Below is a sample page header for professional APA research papers:
Formatting Headings in APA Style
In APA style, research papers are formatted using five levels of headings. Level 1 headings are used for major sections like the discussion section, while levels 2 through 5 are reserved for subheadings within those sections. Below are the formats for each level.
Heading Level | Format |
Level 1 | Centered, Boldface, Title Case |
Level 2 | Flush Left, Boldface, Title Case |
Level 3 | Flush Left, Boldface, Italicized, Title Case Begin body text after the period. |
Level 4 | Indented, Boldface, Italicized, Title Case, period. Begin text on the same line |
Level 5 | Indented, Boldface, Italicized, Title Case, period. Begin text on the same line |
Abstract in APA Format
To follow your research paper abstract in APA style, follow the guidelines below:
- Length: Your abstract section should be a single paragraph between 150 and 250 words, summarizing the key points of your paper.
- Content: It should briefly introduce your research topic, state the purpose of your study, describe your methodology, summarize your main findings, and conclude with implications or recommendations.
- Format: The abstract should be written as a standalone paragraph, without indentation, and should not include any headings or subheadings.
- Language: Use concise and clear language to communicate your research, avoiding unnecessary jargon or technical terms.
- Keywords: Include 3 to 5 keywords below the abstract to help readers identify the main topics of your research.
- Page Formatting: The abstract should be double-spaced and written in Times New Roman font, size 12, with 1-inch margins on all sides of the page.
In-Text Citations in APA Style
Like many other types of formatting styles, APA format requires you to cite sources in the body of your research paper first. These are called in-text citations. Every in-text citation corresponds to a reference list entry at the end of the research paper.
These are the standard rules for APA citation format:
- Author-Date Style: In APA style, in-text citations include the author's last name and the publication date of the source.
- Direct Quotations: When directly quoting a source, include the author's last name, publication date, and the page number(s) where the quote appears. For example: (Smith, 2019, p. 35).
- Paraphrasing or Summarizing: When paraphrasing or summarizing information from a source, include the author's last name and publication date. For example: (Smith, 2019).
Reference Page Format in APA Style
The reference page in APA papers credits the work of researchers which was cited previously in the body of the paper. Here are the rules for the APA reference page format.
- Heading: Start your reference page with a centered heading, "References." It should be bold and not underlined or italicized.
- Format: Make sure your reference page is double-spaced and includes a hanging indent for each entry. This means that the first line of each reference should start at the left margin, while subsequent lines are indented.
- Order: Arrange your references alphabetically by the author's last name. If there's no author, use the title of the source to organize your list.
- Author: Include the author's last name followed by a comma and their initials. If there are multiple authors, separate their names with commas. If there's no author, begin the reference with the title of the source.
- Date: Put the publication date of the source in parentheses, followed by a period.
- Title: Write the title of the source in sentence case (capitalize only the first word and any proper nouns), followed by a period. Italicize the title if it's a book or article. If it's a chapter or webpage, use sentence case and don't italicize.
- Source Information: Provide additional details like the name of the journal or book, volume and issue numbers, page range, DOI (Digital Object Identifier), or URL, depending on the type of source.
- DOI or URL: If available, include the DOI at the end of the reference preceded by "DOI:". If there's no DOI, include the URL of the source.
Let’s take a look at some APA Research paper format references with the of help of this infographic:
APA Research Paper Format Examples
Taking a look at some practical examples will help you understand the APA format even better: Here are some examples:
In summary,
Learning the APA 7th Edition format is important for researchers and students. It helps keep your writing clear, consistent, and credible. Following the tips in this blog will help you organize your research papers well, cite sources correctly, and present your ideas nicely.
Just remember, paying attention to the little details in formatting can make your work look better and more professional, meeting high academic standards.
If you need help with your research papers, check out SharkPapers.com. We're a trusted paper writing service online with skilled writers who can create custom papers just for you. Our papers meet APA guidelines and are top-quality.
Visit our website now to buy APA research paper at reasonable prices!