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5
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Comparison of
and
Editions of the APA Manual
Dr. Frances van Tassell
Presentation to the COE Doctoral
Students Association
February 4, 2010 MH 112 4:30-5:20
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American Psychological
Association
APA Publication Manual, 6th ed., 2010
Purchase the APA Manual and/or refer
to www.apastyle.org for quality
guidance to these rules.
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The APA Form and Style
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The APA Style is a formal framework for writing
manuscripts, theses, and dissertations.
Most education articles are written in APA style.
How may you acquire APA style skills?
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Access APA from the web (www.apa.org)
Access www.vanguard.edu/psychology/apa.html or
other university websites
Purchase the APA Style Manual, 6th Ed.
Watch how other authors write and reference.
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Caution regarding the
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th
6
Edition
If you purchased an early printing of the 6th
Edition, you likely have errors. A way to test
that is to find the page that refers to the
running head. If your copy states that you
should place “Running head” on all pages,
that is the incorrect printing.
If your copy is incorrect, you should write
APA and ask for the supplementary pages so
that you have the correct rules.
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Complete research report
5th Edition
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Title page
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Abstract
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120 word limit, double spaced, no indents
Body
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Running head
Header
Information about you, the course, the institution
Double space, indent paragraphs, infuse graphics
References and Bibliography
Appendices
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Components of Thesis
6th Edition
Title page
Abstract
Body
Double space, indent paragraphs, infuse graphics
References
Appendices
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Title Guidelines for Manuscripts
6th Edition, Section 2.01
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No more than 13 words
No unnecessary words
No “A Study of…”
No abbreviations
Use upper and lower case letters
Center on title page
On first page, center in upper half of page
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Author’s Name Guidelines for
Manuscripts 6 Edition, Section 2.02
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Use first name, middle initial, last name.
Always be consistent (e.g., use of initial).
Do not list titles or degrees (e.g., Dr. Frances
van Tassell or Frances van Tassell, Ed.D.).
Identify institutional affiliation where research
was conducted (if none, list city and state).
List authors in order of contribution.
Center on title page.
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The title page information (an example)
5th Edition
Investigations Math and Improved Scores
Marilyn Womack
University of North Texas
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
EDCI 5720
Dr. Frances van Tassell
October 2010
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Example of title page
6th Edition
Running head: INVESTIGATIONS MATH (Left justify
w/page number right justified. Use the two words,
running head, only on the title page; use the tile of the
running head as a header on each other page.)
Investigations Math and Student Achievement
Jill Forley
University of North Texas
(Some professors also require the following)
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
EDCI 6300
Dr. Frances van Tassell
October 2011
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Running Head and Header
5th Edition
Graphic Organizers
1
Running head: GRAPHIC ORGANIZER TOOLS
Graphic Organizers as Tools for Learning
in the Elementary Classroom
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Abstract
5th Edition
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Brief, comprehensive summary of article’s
contents
Well-organized, dense w/information
No indent
Single paragraph
Double space
Synopsis of entire study
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Making the abstract concise
5th Edition
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Use digits for all numbers other than at the
beginning of a sentence.
Abbreviate liberally.
Use the active voice, without personal
pronouns.
Do not exceed 120 words.
Begin with the most important information.
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Abstract (page two of manuscript) 6
th
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Most important paragraph in manuscript
Brief, comprehensive synopsis of contents
Generally 150-250 words; follow publisher guidelines
Accurate non-evaluative (report only)
Well-organized, dense with information
No indent, single paragraph, double space, one-inch
margins, Times Roman font
After the abstract, indent a list of three-five key words.
Use verbs rather than noun phrases (e.g., investigated
rather than investigation of).
Use present tense for results/conclusions, past tense to
describe variables or outcomes.
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What goes in an abstract?
6th Edition
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For empirical study
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For literature review
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Problem/criteria/types of participants/main results
For theory proposition
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Problem/participants/method/findings/conclusions
How theory works/principles/phenomenon/links to
empirical results
For case study
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Subject characteristics/nature of or solution to
problem/questions raised by study
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Example of abstract page
6th Edition
INVESTIGATIONS MATH
2
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of Investigations Math on student
achievement. Thirty-five participants from the researcher’s
classroom served as a convenience sample. A pre-experimental
ABA design was used with Investigations Math as the independent
variable and student achievement in math as the dependent
variable. A statistically significant difference was found between
math scores before and after the treatment. Math scores increased
from a mean of 4.5 to a mean of 8.9. Inclusion of Investigations
Math as an instructional strategy is warranted for optimal student
mathematics achievement.
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Components of a Manuscript
6th Edition
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Title page
Abstract
Introduction
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Problem introduced
Problem justified
Related literature
reviewed
Hypothesis and
research question
stated and described
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Method
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Results
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Participants described
Measures described
Research design
identified
Procedures described
Data analyzed
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Discussion Component
6th Edition
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Discussion
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Support or non support of hypothesis explained
Conclusions discussed
Implications discussed
Barriers to planned implementation discussed
Limitations presented with alternative
explanations of results
Generalizability of findings described
Significance of the findings presented
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Levels of Headings
5th Edition
Levels in APA go 1-5 +
METHODOLOGY (level 5)
Chapter One (level 1)
Introduction to the Study (level 2)
Statement of the Problem (level 3)
Research Questions (level 3)
Null hypothesis. (level 4)
Guiding question. (level 4)
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Levels of Headings
6th Edition, Section 3.1
Use five levels of heading for APA journals
1. Centered, bold, upper and lower case
2. Left justified, bold, upper and lower case
3. Indented, bold, lower case with period
4. Indented, bold, italicized, lower case with
period
5. Indented, italicized, lower case with period
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General Writing Rules
6th Edition
Follow these verb rules:
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Use the active voice rather than passive.
Use past tense (e.g., found) for all action in the
past, including reference to any previous study.
Use present perfect (e.g., have shown) for action
at a non-specified time.
Avoid the subjunctive for simple conditions. (e.g.,
If the findings were not accurate, the results
change.)
Pair subject and verb for agreement (e.g., data).
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Word Usage Rules
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Use present tense verbs to discuss
implications and conclusions.
Choose synonyms carefully to avoid
confusion.
Use a tone that underscores your
involvement.
Use words frugally by eliminating
redundancy, wordiness, jargon, etc.
Focus on short words and short sentences.
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Other Word Usage Rules
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Use personal pronouns rather than third person
for describing your procedures.
Restrict the use of “we” unless referring to
yourself and co-authors; use “I” as a sole author.
Avoid personification.
Avoid overuse of alliteration, poetic devices,
clichés, and mixing metaphors.
Refer to www.apastyle.org for acceptable
gender, sexual orientation, racial or ethnic
identity, disability, or age terminology.
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More General Rules
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Use parallel construction. (pages 84-86)
Be careful with adverbs. (page 82)
Avoid any type of bias. See rules on pages
71-77.
Use commas, semicolons, colons, and
dashes appropriately. (pages 88-90)
Use italics for titles of books, periodicals,
films, videos, TV shows, microfilm.
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Punctuation Rules
6th Edition
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Use one space for the following
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After commas, colons, semicolons
After periods that separate parts of a reference
citation
After periods of a person’s initials
Do not use a space after periods in
abbreviations (e.g., a.m., i.e., U.S.)
Space twice at the end of a sentence.
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Using Numbers
5th Edition
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Use figures to express all numbers 10 and
above.
Use figures for all numbers below 10 that are
grouped for comparison with other numbers
above 10.
Use figures for numbers immediately before a
unit of measurement.
Use figures for fractions, decimals, percentages,
rations, percentiles, and quartiles.
Use figures for time date, age, population size.
Use figures for points on a scale, sums of money
and numerals as numerals.
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Use of numbers expressed as numerals
6th Edition
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Use numerals for 10 and above; use words
for below 10.
Use numerals in the abstract.
Use numerals to represent functions,
decimals, percentages, rations, percentiles.
Use numerals for time, dates, ages, scores,
money, numerals as numerals.
Use words for fractions (one fifth, two-thirds).
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Examples of headings
6th Edition, Section 3.1
Method (1)
Sample and Participant Selection (2)
Assessments and Measures (2)
Teacher observation. (3)
Time sampling. (4)
Anecdotal notes. (5)
Discussion
Limitations of Present Study
Significance of Study
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Using Quotations
5th and 6th Editions
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Insert 40 or less words into the text.
Enclose in double quotation marks.
Use a freestanding block without quotation
marks for 40+ words. Indent the block about
½ inch (5 spaces).
Double space the entire quotation.
Provide author, year, and specific page(s).
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Using Tables
5th and 6th Editions
Table 1
TAAS Scores for 5th Grade
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Double space between lines; left justify.
Refer to every table in the text, telling the reader
what to look for.
Discuss the table’s highlights; use the table for
supplementary information.
Each table should be understandable without
the text.
In an appendix, label as Table A1.
Review pages 125-152 in 6th Edition.
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Using Figures 5
th
and 6th Editions
Figure X. Write a narrative that names and describes
the figure.
 Place the title and description at the bottom.
 Figures may be charts, graphs, photographs,
drawing, etc.
 Figures convey a pattern of results.
 Figures should complement the text.
 A figure conveys only essential facts.
 Its type, lines, labels are easy to read.
 Its purpose is readily apparent.
 It is consistent with other figures.
Review pages 152-167 in 6th Edition.
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General Citation Guidelines
6th Edition
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For non-paginated text, use paragraph number
(para. 4) if paragraphs numbers are visible.
If paragraph numbers are not visible, use
section and paragraph (Discussion section,
para. 3).
Use [sic] after any error in a quoted text if the
error would cause confusion to the reader.
Use ellipsis (…) for omitted material from a
direct quote.
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Reference List
6th Edition
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Double space all entries.
Use a hanging indent.
Present references in alpha order.
Use only the reference list, not a
bibliography.
Cite personal communication in the text only,
not also in the reference list.
Use Arabic (not Roman) numerals for
volume.
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Further general citation rules
6th Edition, See Table 6.1
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For one work by multiple authors, parenthetically
cite within the text.
For multiple authors, cite all authors for the first
usage then use et al. for future uses.
Use “and” between authors in the text and “&”
between parenthetical citation names.
For 6+ authors, cite only the first author then use
et al.
With no author, cite the first few words of the
reference then the year.
With no date, use (n.d.).
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Internal Referencing
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According to van Tassell (2000), gifted
students benefit from abstract thinking
activities.
In van Tassell’s 1999 study of graduate
students, she found that UNT students are
exceptionally bright.
Van Tassell stated, in her 1983 article, that
“giftedness is a critical issue to consider in
inclusion settings” (p. 132).
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It appeared that giftedness was a variable
that could “…influence success in later
careers” (van Tassell, 1999, p. 29).
In a later study, van Tassell (2001) found
that UNT master’s students fulfilled their
goal of lifelong learning.
Many teachers, according to van Tassell
(2001), “…are exceptional leaders…”(p.
29).
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General citation rules
6th Edition
Citing an editor (Example):
Jones, E.G. (2009). Title of chapter. In J.A.
Markus (Ed.), Title of book (pp. 35-80). City:
Publisher.
 Cite the full periodical title, in upper and lower
case, with italics. (e.g., Journal of Medicine.)
 Cite the article using upper case only for first
words or proper nouns. End with a period.
 Review 6th Edition pages 187-192 for
electronic sources.
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Multiple quotes within paragraph
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If using more than one quote from an author
within one paragraph, reference the author at
the beginning only.
Indicate the page number of the quote for all
following quotes by the same author within
the paragraph.
If referencing a different author between the
original author references, reference the
original again after the second author.
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Entering References (examples)
Basically the same in both editions; however, review pages 193-224 for examples.
Marshall, G. (Ed.). (1995). Common elements of curriculum alignment.
San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
Flowers, G., & Martin, B. (1999). Policies of inclusion of curriculum
integration in middle and high schools. Educational Leadership, 23,
82-84.
Carilon, G. R. (2001). Issues with curriculum alignment. Retrieved
October 08, 2001, from www.ascd.org (no period) Include the date
for 5th Edition but do not include for 6th Edition.
 Use (n.d.) for work with no date available and (n.a.) if no author is
indicated.
 If no author, the title moves to the author position and should be
listed alphabetically by the first important word in the title.
 If “anonymous” is stated as the author, the source is listed with the
“a”s in the reference list.
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Adding Appendices
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For graphics, etc. that would interrupt the
reading, within the text, you may place
them in the appendix.
If you have only one appendix, it is called
“Appendix.”
If you have more than one, label them
“Appendix A”, “Appendix B”, etc.
Begin each appendix on a new page.
Center Appendix A, etc. Center the title.
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More learning
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You are encouraged to purchase and study the APA
Manual to assure yourself that you are following all
aspects of the form and style for your paper.
There are good websites available as well, to give
you more help with specifics.
EndNotes is used by many doctoral students and is
an excellent source for archiving all researched
sources and for initially setting up reference lists in
APA style. However, be careful to check the format
before turning in the paper. You are responsible, not
EndNotes.
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