Outline for APA Style Research Articles
William Ashton, Ph.D.
Department of Behavioral Sciences
City University of New York, York College
Title Page
Abstract
Introduction (Title)
 introduction to area/statement of problem
 literature review - the goal of the literature review is to present
literature to justify the hypothesis and methodology used.
 analysis/synthesis of literature - using logic and clear language, link
the literature to your methodology and hypothesis.
 basic/general description of methodology
 statement of research hypothesis
Methods
Participants
 characteristics of participants
Materials/Instruments
 description of equipment (if unique) and tests used
Procedure
 description of experimental procedure - the important elements of
the experiment should be able to be reproduced exactly from
this description.
Results
 description of data manipulation (if any)
 descriptive statistics (M's, SD's)
 description and results of statistical tests
 conclusion: did tests support hypothesis?
Discussion
 restatement of hypothesis
 restatement of results of statistical tests
 was the hypothesis supported by the statistical test?
 discuss competing explanations for pattern of data/discredit
 discuss threats to validity/discredit
 make a conclusion about your hypothesis, in light of last 3 elements
(test results, other explanations, validity)
 what are the theoretical and practical implications of your
findings?
 conclusion
References
Tables
Figures