Short Title
Running Head: ABBREVIATION OF YOUR TITLE
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In caps
No more than 50
characters in length
Identify actual
variables/theoretical issues
and the relationship between
them
10 – 12 words in length
Double-spaced if more than
1 line
Your Title Should Be A Concise Statement Of The Main Topic
Author/s
Institution Affiliation
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First MI. Last
No titles/degrees
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Short Title
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Abstract
This page contains the abstract for your paper and should have its’ own page with the label
“Abstract” centered at the top of the page. It should be double-spaced. The abstract is a brief
comprehensive summary of your paper and should include the topic, purpose, scope, sources and
conclusions to your study. The APA uses these characteristics to describe a good abstract:
Accurate
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Correctly reflects the purpose and content of the proposal (do not include information in your
abstract if it does not appear in the body of the paper)
If the study is an extension of previous research or is a replication, note this and cite the
author (surname, initials., year)
Self-contained
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Define all abbreviations, acronyms, and unique terms
Spell out names of tests and drugs
Paraphrase – don’t quote
Concise and Specific
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Be as brief as possible BUT make each sentence maximally informative (especially the first
sentence)
Should not exceed 960 characters or approx. 120 words in length
 Ways to conserve characters:
 Use digits for all numbers, except those that begin a sentence
 Abbreviate liberally
 Use the active voice (without using “I” or “We”)
Nonevaluative
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Do not add to or comment on what is in the paper (report, Not evaluate)
Coherent and Readable
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Use verbs rather than the noun equivalents (active, Not passive voice)
Short Title
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Full Title
This is where your introduction begins. You need not label this portion of your paper, but
you should include the full title of your paper at the top of this first page. Double-space all text
and indent the beginning of each new paragraph. Your introduction will include the following
information:
Introduction of the Problem
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Present the specific problem under investigation and the research strategy used by the
investigator/s
 Consider:
 The point of the study
 How the hypothesis and experimental design relate to the problem
 The theoretical implications of the study and how it relates to previous work in the
area
 What theoretical propositions are tested and how they were derived
Develop the Background

Also known as the literature review
 Discuss the literature, but do not include an exhaustive categorization of all studies done
relative in your field of question. Cite only those works that are directly pertinent to your
research study. Try to find a past meta-analysis or comprehensive topic review done by
past researchers on your topic, they do an excellent job of summarizing relative research.
 Do not include a personal explanation as to why you agree with the conclusions of one
study as compared to another, simply state the study’s conclusions in one sentence to
show the breadth of opposing outlooks within the issue.
State the Purpose and Rationale
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Define your variables and provide a formal statement of your hypothesis/hypotheses
State what you did, why you did it and what you expected to result from it
Short Title
Methods
(The methods section is labeled with “Methods” centered at the top of the page and contains 3
subsections which are also labeled and underlined (participants, materials/apparatus, and
procedure), but these 3 labels are left aligned).
Participants

Who were the participants?
 Demographics (age, sex, race, national origin, level of education, etc.) as applicable
 Total Number
 Any dropouts and why
 How were they selected for the experiment and divided into groups (if applicable)
 Statement on ethical treatment
Materials (or Apparatus)
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Description of instruments or equipment used in the experiment/study
Discuss the validity and reliability of measures used (provide citations when applicable)
Procedure
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Summarize each step in the process of your research study (enough detail so that if desired,
someone else can replicate it)
 Instructions given to participants
 Formation of groups
 Specific experimental manipulations
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Short Title
Results
This section is labeled with “Results” centered at the top of the first page and provides
the reader with a summary of the data collected and the statistical analysis of such.
It will contain the following:
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Descriptive statistics: (mean, SD, variance, mode, median, range)
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Hypothesis
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Was it supported or not?
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No interpretations
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References to figures/tables
*Since this is a proposed experiment, you will not be reporting any results*
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Short Title
Discussion
This section is labeled with “Discussion” centered at the top and provides a chance for
you to review your own study freely. You should include the following:

Make an opening statement as to whether the hypothesis was supported/not supported
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Are there any theoretical consequences of your results? What have you contributed?
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Discuss similarities or differences between your findings and others (speculate on possible
reasons why)
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Discuss any shortcomings of your research study or of the topic in general and the
implications of such (what can be done differently or should be done in the future)

Pose any new questions that should be explored in order to gain a clearer understanding of
the research question/topic
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Short Title
References
Journal article
Author, I. M. (year). Title of journal article. Journal Title, vol #, #, pg – pg.
Ex)
Youngs, G. A., Jr. (1986). Patterns of threat and punishment reciprocity in a conflict setting.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 541-546.
*note: use a hanging indent to get the second line to indent automatically.
Use of “et al.” (more than 3 authors)
Youngs, G. A., Jr., et al. (1986). Patterns of threat and punishment reciprocity in a conflict
setting. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 541-546.
Book
Author, I. M.(year). Title of the book. City of publication: Publication company.
Ex)
Wrong, D. (1979). Power: Its forms, bases, and uses. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Electronic Citations
http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite6.html#1
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