Upper Division Research in Psychology – APA Format Requirements

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General Information

  1. Follow examples given for general format. If you have any questions, see me or consult the APA Publication Manual.
  2. All passages longer than 5 words must be put in quotation marks and followed by the name(s), date and page(s) of the source. If information is put in your own words then you only need the name(s) and date of the source.
  3. Spell out a term or phrase the first time it is used followed by its abbreviation in parentheses. Thereafter you can use the abbreviation.
  4. Proofread your paper for spelling and grammar.

Abstract

  1. The abstract should not exceed 120 words.
  2. Include information about the problem, the subjects, the method, the results and conclusions.

Introduction
1. The introduction for your final independent project is expected to be a thorough literature review. Write it assuming the reader knows nothing about the topic. Your writing should demonstrate that you understand the terms and the issues. Make sure you address the following:

  1. What is the main problem being studied?
  2. What theories and research has been done in the past that is relevant to your problem? Provide the sources that are relevant, describing what was done and what they concluded. If appropriate discuss methodological issues. It is to your advantage to begin your library searches early so that you can order full text copies of the most relevant articles through interlibrary loan. You MUST submit copies of all articles and abstracts that you cite in your paper (these can be picked up with your paper after it is graded). If you use information from the Internet you also need to submit a printout of the information you used. Your reference list should include only those sources cited in the paper. Check the text for examples. For Internet sources include the URL in the reference.
  3. What is the continuity between what has been published and what you intend to do?
  4. What variables did you study (identify the independent and dependent variables). What results did you expect (your hypotheses) and why did you expect them? The reasons behind your hypotheses should be clearly and explicitly stated.

Method

  1. The Method section should contain enough specific details so that someone could replicate your study.
  2. You do not need to include details that had no bearing on the results. Provide information on how you obtained your subjects, and as much information about them as you had obtained.
  1. Sections:
  1. Subjects: Indicate how they were recruited, ages, genders, etc. State if APA ethical guidelines were used.
  2. Materials: Include a copy of all written materials used. Describe any other type of apparatus in detail.
  3. Procedure: Include the important procedural features that could have had a bearing on the outcome of the study. Include any procedures that were important in the ethical treatment of human subjects.
  4. Experimental Design: Identify independent and dependent variables, and the nature of the design.

Results

  1. Report your results in a way that presents them most clearly. Use either tables or figures to provide specific numbers. Tables and figures should be on separate sheets and put at the end of the report. Be sure to label all axes of the figures.
  2. Provide the results of statistical tests in addition to the numbers that the tests compared (such as means). If reporting significant differences, make sure it is clear what those differences are, and which condition scored which way.
  3. Other than the statistical information, your report of the results should be clear enough for any educated person could understand them, whether or not that person was familiar with psychological research.

Discussion

  1. The Discussion section should start with a statement of whether the hypothesis was confirmed or not. Try to account for similarities or differences between your results and your hypotheses and the results of the studies you mentioned in your Introduction. Provide a critique of your study – what would be needed to improve it? What has your study contributed to understanding the issues? Are there any implications or applications of your study?

References

  1. Your reference list should include only those articles you cited in your paper.
  2. Use the textbook entries as an example of how to reference research articles, books, etc.

Tables and Figures

  1. All tables and figures should be placed after the Reference section.
  2. Make sure all tables and figures have titles, and that the figures have fully labeled axes.

Appendices (in a separate folder)

  1. Include xerox copies of all references used.
  2. Include computer printouts of the statistical analyses
  3. Include protocols unless I have worked on your statistical analyses with  you.                        

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