T.

Leslie
August, 2014
Introduction to APA style
Objectives
What is APA?
Purpose
Scientific Paper/Research Paper
Citations
References
A.P.A Style
American Psychological Association.
Created 80 years ago by Social and Behavioral
Scientists.
6
th
edition.
Style / Format /Structure
Uses:
Scientific Papers
Research Reports
Case studies
Methodological articles
Literature reviews

Purpose
Standardize the scientific writing.
Rules that helps to have a clear, precise and
uniform information
Punctuation and abbreviations
Construction of tables
Selection of Headings
Citations/References
Statistics
Avoid Plagiarism
Scientific Paper
Title
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Method
Results
Tables and Graphs
Discussion
References
Appendices
Scientific Paper
Specific enough to describe the contents of the
paper.
Appropriate for the intended audience.
Title
Summary that includes whatever you think is
important
One paragraph (100-250 words) which
summarizes the purpose, methods, results and
conclusions of the paper.
No abbreviations and citations.
Abstract
1 to 4 paragraphs
What was your question for the experiment?
Why is it interesting?
Summarizes the relevant literature so that the
reader will understand why you were
interested in the question you asked.
End with a sentence explaining the specific
question you asked in this experiment.
Introduction
Scientific Paper
All the information that allow another scientist
to repeat your experiment.
You can use diagram, flowcharts, tables to
explain your method.
No Results in this sections.
Materials
& Method
All the data youve gotten.
Tables and graphs if necessary.
No manipulate your data.
Results
If you use tables and graphs to
present your data, includes a Title
describing whats in the table.
Tables &
Graphs
Scientific Paper
Highlight the most significant results. (Do
not repeat the same of the Results Section)
Do the data support your hypothesis? Are
your results consistent with what other
investigators have reported?
If your results were unexpected, try to
explain why. Is there another way to
interpret your results? Would be necessary
another research to answer the questions
raised by your results?
End with a one-sentence summary of your
conclusion, emphasizing why it is relevant.
Discussion
References
Appendices
Format
Manuscript
Times New Roman
Figures labels
Arial
Single or Double Spacing
Indent the first line of each paragraph one-half
inch.
Align the text to the left-hand margin.


Reference List
Alphabetical Order by Author.
Author(s) names(s)
Publication Date
Title of the Work
Publication Data
(Italic typing)

References
Author last name, Initial. (Year of publication).
Title. (Edition, Revision, Vol, Pages).
City/Country: Publisher.
if Applicable

Reference Book
Schneider, S. H. (2000). Greenhouse effect.
World book encyclopedia (Millennium ed.
Vol. 8, pp. 382-383). Chicago, IL: World Book.


References cont
Article or Chapter
Last Name, Initial f.n.. (Year of publication). Title of
the
article or chapter. Last Name, I. (Ed.), Book
Title
(pp. xx-xx). City, State: Publisher .

Book with two authors
Michaels, P. J., & Balling, R. C., Jr. (2000).
Global climate changes in North America.
Washington, DC: Cato Institute.

References cont
Newspaper
Last Name, I. (Year, Month Day). Articles Title.
Newspapers Title. (pages).
Electronic:
Last Name, I. (Year, Month Day). Articles Title.
Newspapers Title. Recovered from
http://www.xxxxxxx)

Landler, M. (2007, June 2). Bushs Greenhouse Gas Plan Throws
Europe Off Guard. New York Times, p. A7.
College officials agree to cut greenhouse gases. (2007, June
13). Albany Times Union, p. A4.

Vacunas contra el Chikunguya. (2014, August 15). El Nuevo Da.
Retrieved
from:http://www.elnuevodia.com/vacunacontraelchikungunya
- 1834820.html
References cont
Websites
Author. (Year, Month Day). Title. Retrieved from
webpage http://www.xxxxxxxxx


References cont








United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2014, March 18). Climate
Change Science Overview. Retrieved From the Environmental
Protection Agency website:
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/overview.html#ref1

Citation using Reference
Allows readers to find the sources cited in the
manuscript.
Example:
Rivera (2003) found in his research that
In 2003 Rivera found in a study that
Previous studies reveals that(Rivera, 2003).

Avoid
Plagiarism
My References
American Psychological Association. (2014). The Basics of APA
Style. Retrieved from the American Psychological
Association Website
http://www.apastyle.org/learn/tutorials/basics-tutorial.aspx

Finger Lakes Community College. (2011). APA Reference List
Examples. Retrieved from Charles J. Meder Library Website
http://www.apastyle.org/learn/tutorials/basics-tutorial.aspx