APA Format
Slides taken from:
http://www.library.kent.edu/files/A
PA_style.ppt
http://www.mdc.edu/medical/librar
y/APA2005.ppt
http://www.spcollege.edu/central/li
bonline/instruction/apa.ppt
Introduction to
APA Style
American Psychological Association (APA) Style is an editorial
method commonly used in the social & behavioral science
disciplines.
The style consists of rules & guidelines for writing a paper.
References are cited in text with an author-date citation system
and are listed alphabetically on the References page.
WRITING STYLE IS FORMAL AND EXPOSITORY.
Why do you have to do this?
Because learning to write means
mastering an accepted and uniform
writing style.
Because APA style is the most
common writing style in the social
studies and sciences.
Avoiding Plagiarism
Proper citation of your
sources in APA style
can help you avoid
plagiarism.
What Is Plagiarism
Plagiarism is using someone else's words
or ideas without giving proper credit.
Examples of plagiarism include:
Buying a paper.
Turning in a paper that a friend or classmate wrote.
Copying/Paraphrasing from a source without citing.
When do you cite your
sources in your paper?
When you’re referring to an idea or
concept you drew from something you
read.
When you quote from something you
read or heard.
When you want to give the reader
some other places to look for additional
information.
Paraphrasing
Scott (1992) identified…
Several researchers (Anthony,
1990; Gregory & Jacobs,
1985; Polk et al., 1980)
reported…
Or at the end of a sentence
paraphrased from another
work (Scott, 1992).
Citing while quoting
You need to put the author last name(s)
and date, like while paraphrasing, but
also the PAGE NUMBERS or
PARAGRAPH NUMBERS (for online
sources).
Example: “the research findings clearly
indicate support for the hypotheses”
(Douglass, 1986, p. 55).
Warning
Keep quotations to a minimum (less
than 3 per paper)
Don’t forget the quotation marks and
page numbers (or paragraph numbers),
or you will be guilty of plagiarism!
Format of an
APA Paper
Double-space.
Use 1” margins.
Number pages in upper
right-hand corner,
beginning with the title
page.
Before the page number,
use an abbreviated form
of the title as a header.
12-pt Times Roman or
Courier are preferred
typefaces.
Major Sections of Paper
Title Page
Text of Paper
References Page
Basic Format for All Document Pages
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Set all margins…
All Margins = 1 inch
Click
OK
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Font…
Style:
Courier
Times New Roman
Size:
12 point
Font
Style
Size
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Text alignment…
Flush left
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Spacing and indenting…
Spacing: Double
Paragraph:
Indent
5 spaces
or
½ inch
Select:
Double
Select:
First
Line
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Title page…
Page Header:
2 to 3 words of your title,
five spaces,
page number
Byline:
(Centered)
Full Title
Your Name
Institution Name
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Title Page
Include a “running
head,” an abbreviated
title, in ALL CAPS flush
left at the top of the
page.
Center the paper’s full
title (lower & upper
case).
Center the author’s
name & affiliation below
the title.
Body…
Page Header
Title
center entire title
on the first line following
the Page Header
Paragraphs
Indent first line
½ inch or 5 spaces
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Headings
Using headings makes it easier to navigate your paper.
In a short paper, you’d probably only use the firstlevel heading, but this is what they look like in order:
First-Level Heading
Second-Level Heading
Third-level heading. Begin text of paragraph…
Reference page…
Page Header
References
Type the word
Note:
When only one source is cited
within the document, use the
singular form
Reference.
This is not recommended for
a research paper.
References
highlight the word
click center
Type full citation
Highlight entire citation
Select Format
Select Paragraph
Locate Special
Click Hanging
Click OK
SPC HEC
Type next citation mkh
03/09
In Text Citation
Provide parenthetical citations when:
Paraphrasing or using ideas from a source
Quoting directly from a source
Referring to personal communications
Paraphrasing
Provide the author(s)* & copyright date in parentheses.
Example:
An aging population plus new technologies will
increase the need for health care workers in the future
(McCutcheon & Phillips, 2006).
*If a source has no known author, then
use an abbreviated version of the title.
Direct Quotations:
Print Sources
Provide the author(s), copyright date & page number in
parentheses.
Examples:
“Tremendous career opportunities exist and will
continue to grow for students interested in health care
delivery" (McCutcheon & Phillips, 2006, p. 1).
OR
According to McCutcheon & Phillips (2006),
“tremendous career opportunities exist and will
continue to grow for students interested in health care
delivery" (p. 1).
Direct Quotations:
Electronic Sources
Many electronic sources do not include page numbers.
If paragraph numbers are given, use them in place of
page numbers, preceded by the ¶ symbol or the
abbreviation para.
Example:
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, “health
care workers at all levels of education and training
will continue to be in demand” (2005, ¶ 52).
Long Quotations
Quotations of 40 or more words are formatted differently:
Start on a new line
Block Indent the full quote 5 spaces from left margin
Omit quotation marks
Double-space
Long Quotations
Example:
According to Merrell, Viadero & Mosser (2006):
No matter how the jobs and their settings change,
though, one thing remains the same: each member of
the health care team brings a unique combination of
skills, knowledge, and experience as the group works
together for a common goal--to improve the quality of
life for patients. (¶ 3)
Personal Communications
Personal communications include:
Letters
Memos
E-mails
Personal Interviews
Telephone Conversations
Personal Communications
Cite only within the text.
They are not included on the
references page.
Example:
(J. D. Smith, personal communication, May 1, 2006).
Parenthetical citations…
Quote from a
book with
three authors
Paraphrase
from a
newspaper
article
Second
reference for
three authors
(APA, 2001, pp. 117-118, 119-121)
Paraphrase from
a brochure
Quote from a
book with no
author
Quote from book
with one author
(40 words or more)
Block
Indent ½ inch
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
In text citation for a work with…
Six or more authors
All citations:
first author’s last name
et al.
year
Winn et al. (2006) found
(APA, 2001, p. 209)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
For a work by a…
Government Agency
Organization
First citation:
Agency name
abbreviation in brackets
year
(National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 1990)
Subsequent citations:
abbreviation
year
(NIMH, 1990)
(APA, 2001, p. 210)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Sample Reference page…
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Book with one author…
Author – Last name, initials of first and middle names if available
Date of publication in parentheses (YYYY)
Title of book in italics
Edition (only when given)
Publisher location-name of city, include state if not commonly known
Publisher name
Lavin, L. (2003). Radiography in veterinary technology.
Philadelphia: Saunders.
(American Psychological Association [APA], 2001, p. 223)
Book with two authors…
Author – Last name, initials of first and middle names of both authors
Date of publication in parentheses (YYYY)
Title of book in italics
Edition (only when given)
Publisher location-name of city, include state if not commonly known
Publisher name
Cooper, M. D., & Wiechmann, L. (2006). Essentials of dental
hygiene: Clinical skills. Fort Wayne, IN: Prentice Hall.
(APA, 2001, p. 248)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Book with three to six authors…
Authors – Last name, initials of first and middle names of each author
Date of publication (YYYY)
Title of book in italics
Edition (only when given)
Publisher location-name of city, include state if not commonly known
Publisher name
Hamric, A. B., Hanson, C. M., & Spross, J. A. (2005).
Advanced practice nursing: An integrative approach
(3rd ed.). St. Louis: Elsevier Saunders.
(APA, 2001, p. 224)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Book with more than six authors…
Authors – Last name, initials of first and middle names of first six authors,
et al. for remaining authors
Date of publication in parentheses (YYYY)
Title of book in italics
Edition (only when given)
Publisher location-name of city, include state if not commonly known
Publisher name
Winn, W. C., Jr., Allen, S. D., Janda, W. M., Koneman, E. W.,
Procop, G. W., Schreckenberger, P. C., et al. (2006).
Koneman’s color atlas and textbook of diagnostic microbiology
(6th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
(APA, 2001, p. 224)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Book with a group or corporate author…
Author – name of group or corporation
Date of publication in parentheses (YYYY)
Title of book in italics
Edition (only when given)
Publisher location-name of city, include state if not commonly known
Publisher name
Agency for Healthcare Administration. (2005). Hospital-based
skilled nursing unit utilization. Tallahassee, FL: Author.
(APA, 2001, p. 248)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Book with an editor…
Author – List the editor as author: Last name, initials of first and middle name
Ed. (abbreviation for editor. Multiple editors, Eds.)
Date of publication in parentheses (YYYY)
Title of book in italics
Edition (only when given)
Publisher location-name of city, include state if not commonly known
Publisher name
Parker, M. E. (Ed.). (2006). Nursing theories and nursing
practice (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.
(APA, 2001, p. 249)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Book with no author…
Title of book in italics
Edition (only when given)
Date of publication in parentheses (YYYY)
Publisher location-name of city, include state if not commonly
known
Publisher name
Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary (11th ed.). (2003).
Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster.
(APA, 2001, p. 249)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Journal article…
Author – Last name, initial of first and middle names if available
Date of publication in parentheses (YYYY)
Article title
Journal name in italics
volume number in italics, (issue number), page numbers
Meeker, J. A., & Miller, S. M. (2005). Hereditary
hemochromatosis. Medical Laboratory Observer, 37(10),
10-18.
(APA, 2001, p. 240)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Newspaper article…
Author – Last name, initial of first and middle names if available
Date of publication in parentheses (YYYY, Month day)
Article title
Newspaper name in italics
Section and page number
Krugman, P. (2005, December 26). Medicine: Who
decides? The New York Times, p. E5.
(APA, 2001, p. 243)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Government publication…
Author – Name of government agency
Date of publication in parentheses (YYYY)
Document title in italics
Publication number
Publisher location
Publisher name
National Institute of Mental Health. (1990). Clinical training in
serious mental illness (DHHS Publication No. ADM 901679). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
(APA, 2001, p. 257)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Brochure…
Author – Name (Corporation, Governmental Agency, Association)
Date of publication in parentheses (YYYY)
Document title in italics
[Brochure]
Publisher location-name of city, include state if not commonly known
Publisher name
American Nurses Association. (2001). Code of ethics for nurses
with interpretive statements [Brochure]. Silver Spring, MD:
Author.
(APA, 2001, p. 251)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Sample Reference page…
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Web site: with an author…
Author – Last name, initial of first and middle names if
available
Date of publication or last revised in parentheses (YYYY,
Month day)
Document title (or description) in italics
Organization/individual responsible for Web site
Retrieved date (date you accessed the site), from
URL address (http://)
Wilson, B. (2005, November 3). Developing countries see health
care ‘brain drain’. National Public Radio. Retrieved October
30, 2008, from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/
story.php?storyId=4987628
(APA, 2007, p. 22)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Web site: Fact sheet…
Author – Name of organization or agency
Date of publication or last revised (YYYY, Month day)
Document title (or description) in italics
[Fact sheet]
Retrieved from
URL address (http://)
United States National Library of Medicine. (2007, January 23).
The National Library of Medicine [Fact sheet]. Retrieved
from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/nlm.html
(APA, 2007, p. 19)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Web site: without an author…
Document title (or description)
Date of publication or last revised in parentheses (YYYY, Month day)
Organization/individual responsible for Web site
Retrieved date (date you accessed the site), from
URL address (http://)
Welcome to health privacy 101. (2007). Health Privacy Project
(HPP.org). Retrieved December 8, 2008, from
http://www.healthprivacy.org/infourl_nocat2302/
infourl_nocat.htm
(APA, 2009c)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Web site: without author, date, page #...
Document title (or description)
(n.d.) - for no date
Organization/individual responsible for Web site
Retrieved date (date you accessed the site), from
URL address (http://)
Community health: Against the odds: Making a difference in global
health. (n.d.). United States National Library of Medicine.
Retrieved October 23, 2008, from http://apps.nlm.nih.gov/
againsttheodds/exhibit/community_health/
community_health.cfm
(APA, 2009b)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Images accessed through a Web
site…
Artist – Last name, initial of first and middle names if available
Date in parentheses (YYYY)
Title in italics
[Type of work (i.e. Painting, Drawing, etc.)]
Holding institution, location (city and country if not well known) in italics
Retrieved date (date you accessed the site), from
URL address (http://)
Carlucho. (2003). Health care-money-medicine-dollar [Cartoon].
EL Economista: Mexico City, Mexico. Retrieved January 9,
2009, from http://www.cartoons.nytimages.com/
wieck_preview_page_004963
(“Images,” n.d.)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Article accessed through a database…
Author – Last name, initial of first and middle names if available
Date of publication in parentheses (YYYY, Month day)
Article title
Journal name in italics
Volume number in italics, (issue number), page numbers
Retrieved date (date you accessed the site), from
Database name
Yamin, A. (2005, July). The right to health under international law
and its relevance to the United States. American Journal of
Public Health, 95(7), 1156-1161. Retrieved October 24, 2008,
from Academic Search Complete database.
(APA, 2001, p. 278)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Article accessed through a Web site…
Author – Last name, initial of first and middle names if available
Date of publication in parentheses (YYYY, Month day)
Article title
Journal name in italics
Volume number in italics, (issue number), page numbers
Retrieved date (date you accessed the site), from
URL address (http://)
Kian, N., Ali, A. H., Bagher, M. S. S., Eysa, M., & Gholamreza, B.
(2006). The development of a community-based care system
model for senior citizens in Tehran. Internet Journal of
Advanced Nursing Practice, 8(1). Retrieved November 10, 2008,
from http://www.ispub.com/ostia/index.php?xmlFilePath=
journals/ijanp/vol8n1/iran.xml
(APA, 2001, p. 272)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Images accessed through a
database…
Artist – Last name, initial of first and middle names if available
Date in parentheses (YYYY)
Title of work in italics
[Type of work (Painting, Drawing, etc.)]
Holding institution, location (city and country if not well known)
Retrieved date (date you accessed the site), from
Database name
Dali, S. (1937). Metamorphosis of Narcissus [Oil on canvas]. Tate Gallery,
London; Salvador Dali, Gala-Salvador Dali Foundation/Artists Rights
Society (ARS), New York, photo credit: Tate Gallery, London/Art
Resource, NY. Retrieved January 5, 2009, from Grove Art Online
database.
(“Images,” n.d.)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Sample Reference page…
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Web site: citing an entire site…
Enter the
complete
site
address in
the text
Do not list
in
Reference
list
(APA, 2009a)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Web site: citing a Fact sheet…
List the government
agency or corporate author
and year.
(APA, 2001, p. 209)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Web site: without author…
Title of Web site as listed in Reference List:
Welcome to health privacy 101
In text citation:
Use first several words of title
year
(“Welcome to health,” 2007).
(APA, 2009c )
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Web site: without author, date, page #…
Step 1: Paragraph numbers
a. Use paragraph numbers if given.
b. Otherwise, count paragraphs
from beginning of site.
Step 2: If there are section titles
Enclose in quotes the first few words
of the heading, section title, or
phrase in which the information is
located.
Count paragraphs within section.
Step 3: Indicate date
n.d. for no date.
(APA, 2009b)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Citing a journal article with one author…
Quote from
a journal
article with
one author
accessed
through a
database
Include
author, year,
and page
number
(APA, 2001, p. 120)
SPC HEC
mkh 03/09
Citing a journal article with five authors …
Paraphrase from a
journal article with
five authors
accessed through a
Web site
Subsequent references to an
article with 3, 4, or 5 authors
would list:
(First author’s last name, et al., yyyy)
(Kian, et al., 2006)
(APA, 2001, p. 208)
For Additional Help
http://apastyle.org/
http://citationmachine.net/index.php
http://www.noodletools.com/
http://office.microsoft.com/enus/templates/TC100763231033.asp
x?pid=CT101172711033