Transcript Advanced APA Rules:

APA Overview
with
The Walden University
Writing Center Staff
Session Overview
– APA citations
– APA references
– APA style and formatting rules
– APA rules for writing clearly and concisely
– APA rules for tables and figures
Citations
Citation Format
There are three ways to cite a source in the text of a sentence:
1. On your reference list you will have reference citations.
In the body of your paper you will use:
2. A parenthetical citation: There are not many changes
between the 5th and 6th editions of the APA Publication
Manual (Rivers, 2009).
3. Or, an in-text citation: Rivers (2009) indicated that there
are not many changes between the 5th and 6th editions of
the APA Publication Manual.
The latter is preferred because it demonstrates a
higher level of involvement with the literature
Citation Format
Source with one author
There is a table (Table 6.1) in the 6th
Parenthetical: (Sinatra, 2007)
edition manual that demonstrates all
variations of citation.
In-text: Sinatra (2007)
Source with two authors
Parenthetical: (Sinatra & Garland, 2007)
In-text: Sinatra and Garland (2007)
Source with three to five authors
There are some
variations on multiFirst parenthetical: (Sinatra, Garland, & Fitzgerald, 2007)
author source citations
Second and subsequent parenthetical: (Sinatra et al., 2007)
if you have more than
First in-text: Sinatra, Garland, and Fitzgerald (2007)
one source by the
Second and subsequent in-text: Sinatra et al. (2007)
same authors. Check
Source with six or more authors
pp. 208-209 in the 5th
edition and pp. 175Parenthetical: (Sinatra et al., 2007)
176 in the 6th edition.
In-text: Sinatra et al. (2007)
.
Citation Format
Personal communication
Parenthetical: (H. R. Marshall, personal communication, September 17, 2009)
In-text: H. R. Marshall (personal communication, September 17, 2009)
Secondary source material
Parenthetical: (Marshall, as cited in Cook, 2009)
In-Text: Marshall (as cited in Cook, 2009)
Attributing an assertion to multiple sources
Parenthetical: (Paiste, 2004; Sabian, 2005; Zildjian, 2001)
alphabetical (as they appear in reference list) and separated by semicolons
In-text: Paiste (2004), Sabian (2005), and Zildjian (2001)
Multiple sources with same author and year
Parenthetical: (Marshall, 2009a)…(Marshall, 2009b)…(Marshall, 2009c)
In-text: Marshall (2009a)…Marshall (2009b)…Marshall (2009c)
Citation Format
Per APA (2010), if the first citation in the
paragraph is in-text, as it is here, then subsequent
in-text citations within this same paragraph do
not need to carry a year. However, all
parenthetical citations do (APA, 2010). The rule
as APA described it is a bit different if the first
citation of the paragraph is a parenthetical
citation, as is demonstrated on the next slide.
Citation Format
If the first citation in the paragraph is a
parenthetical citation, as it is here, then the first in-text
citation must carry a year (APA, 2010). APA (2010)
also indicated that all parenthetical citations with a
paragraph, regardless of the number of previous
citations within that paragraph, must carry a year.
There are no exceptions to this rule (APA, 2010). In
addition, APA has provided new guidelines for how
often to cite a source in a paragraph, as is
demonstrated on the next slide.
Citation Format
Per the 6th edition Publication Manual, referents
such as “the authors said” or “the same
author indicated” are no longer sufficient
ways to cite a source. If the assertion you
make does not refer to the author by name,
you must provide a parenthetical citation. For
example:
Marshall (2009) indicated that proper APA enhances a
paper’s scholarly tone. The author also indicated that
APA is easy to use if students familiarize themselves
with the manual (Marshall, 2009).
Citation Format
When citing a direct quote, you need to cite
the page or paragraph number for where
that quote appears in the original source.
Now, APA no longer accepts the use of a
paragraph symbol (¶). Instead, use the
abbreviation for the word paragraph:
(Jones, 2009, para. 6)
Citation Format
If citing two different authors with the same
surname, use the authors’ first initial:
M. King (2005) and W. King (2007)
discovered King is a more common last
name than typically thought.
References
Reference Format
Book
Marshall, H. (2009). Best book ever. New York, NY:
Publisher House.
Per 6th Edition, include the state
abbreviation in ALL cases, even for
well known cities
Chapter in an edited book
Timmerman, B. (2009). Best chapter ever. In H.
Marshall (Ed.), Best book ever (pp. 14-27). New
York, NY: Publisher House.
Reference Format
Book
Marshall, H. (2009). Best book ever. New York, NY:
Publisher House.
Per 6th Edition, include the state
abbreviation in ALL cases, even for
well known cities
Chapter in an edited book
Timmerman, B. (2009). Best chapter ever. In H.
Marshall (Ed.), Best book ever (pp. 14-27). New
York, NY: Publisher House.
Reference Format
Journal Article
Marshall, H. (2009). Best article ever composed.
Journal of Good Things, 6(2), 199-207.
doi:10.123456789
If there is no DOI:
The next preferred option is to reference the journal’s homepage:
Marshall, H. (2009). Best article ever composed. Journal of Good Things, 6(2), 199207. Retrieved from http://www.journalofgoodthings.com
If you cannot locate the journal’s homepage, the last option is to reference the
database
. homepage:
Marshall, H. (2009). Best article ever composed. Journal of Good Things, 6(2), 199207. Retrieved from http://www.ebscomost.com
Reference Format
Per the 6th edition, include the issue
number if the journal is paginated
separately by issue. If the journal is not
paginated separately by issue, then do
not include the issue number:
Marshall, H. (2009). Best article ever
composed. Journal of Good Things, 6,
1099-1107. doi:10.123456789
Reference Format
A source with seven or more authors
Include all seven if there are seven.
If there are eight or more, include six, insert
ellipses, and include last:
Timmerman, B., Cook, A. Patterson, J., Wold, K., Marshall, H.,
King, M., & Walsh, L. (2009).
Timmerman, B., Cook, A. Patterson, J., Wold, K., Marshall, H.,
King, M., … Brown, M. (2009).
.
Reference Format
Other electronic material
Report from an organization
Cook, A. (2008). The effect of war on
graduate students in the military (Report
601). Retrieved from The Organization For
World Peace website: http://www...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(2009). Treating warts. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/...
Reference Format
Per APA 6th edition, “Do not include retrieval dates
unless the source material may change over time
(e.g., Wikis).”
In general, you will only need a retrieval date if you
are referencing text from the web page rather than
from an archived report or pdf. There are few cases,
if any, in which such text would be considered a
scholarly source, so reference website text
sparingly.
DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA
Style & Formatting
Abbreviations
APA 6th: 4.22-4.30
According to APA (2010), “APA prefers that authors use abbreviations
sparingly. Although abbreviations are sometimes useful for long,
technical terms in scientific writing, communication is usually
garbled rather than clarified if, for example, an abbreviation is
unfamiliar to the reader” (p. X).
But what does that mean?
Know your audience.
Use abbreviations for long, familiar terms.
Abbreviations
Common abbreviation usage:
Italicize statistical abbreviations: N, n, etc.
Use etc., e.g., and i.e. only inside parentheses
e.g., means: for example,
i.e., means: that is,
, etc. means: , and so forth
Another common abbreviation:
et al.
The period comes after the “al.”
Write out the full name the first time it appears in your paper, followed by the
abbreviation in parentheses:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there
were….The CDC went on to say
Italics & Quotation Marks
APA 6th: 4.21
No underlines, bold font*, or quotation marks
without citing allowed.
*Per the 6th edition APA manual, use
boldface for Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 headings.
Italics
• “titles of books, periodicals, and microfilm publications”
• “genera, species, and varieties”
• “introduction of new, technical, or key term or label (after a terms
has been used once, do not italicize it”
• “letter, word, or phrase cited as a linguistic example”
• “words that could be misread”
• “letters used as statistical symbols or algebraic variables…some test
scales…periodical volume numbers in reference lists…anchors of a
scale”
Italics
The Great Gatsby
We are homo sapiens
I will label these students super-fantastic scholars.
The super-fantastic scholars are also those
students who…
The students pronounced the letters a and o
Quotation Marks
• “for material quoted directly from a source”
• “to introduce a word or phrase used as an
ironic comment, slang, or as an invented
or coined expression”
• “to set off the title of an article or chapter”
when mentioned in the text.
• “to reproduce material from a test item or
verbatim instructions to participants”
Quotation Marks
• That is it!
• Do not use quotation marks for any other
reason!
• Not even if you think it would be “right” to
do so.
Spacing
APA 6th: 4.01, 4.40
• Double space after the end of sentence
• But, use just one space after each
punctuation mark in the reference list.
• Double space your entire manuscript
Spacing
• Double space the cover page
• Double space the abstract
• Double space the body of the paper
including block quotes
• Double space the reference list
Ellipsis Points
Ellipsis Points (APA 6th ed. 6.08 p. 172-173)
You will not use ellipsis points before or after direct
quotes.
– Use three spaced ellipsis points (…) within a sentence to
indicate you have omitted material.
– Use four spaced ellipsis points (….) to indicate you have omitted
material between sentences.
Ellipsis Points
Patterson said that “…citing is super good
fun” (2009, p. 23).
Patterson said that “citing is…fun” (2009, p.
23).
Patterson said that “citing is super good
fun….although it might be an acquired joy”
(2009, p. 23).
Parentheses
Rivers stated that it was too much
information (TMI)(2009).
Rivers stated that it was too much
information (TMI; 2009).
Can I cite myself?
Self-Plagiarism (APA 6th ed. 6.02 p. 170)
• Although students may be writing for a second, third, or fourth time
on a topic, their writing at Walden is expected to reflect new
approaches and insights into a topic to demonstrate their intellectual
growth.
• When using their own scholarly work in subsequent research,
students should cite themselves as primary author and their own
previous coursework or KAM demonstrations as unpublished
papers, as shown in the APA publication manual.
Smoothness of Expression
Smoothness of Expression (APA 3.05)
According to APA (2010), “Devices that are often found in creative
writing – for example, setting up ambiguity; inserting the
unexpected; omitting the expected; and suddenly shifting the topic,
tense, or person – can confuse or disturb readers of scientific prose”
(p. 65).
But what does that mean?
Write in clear, concise statements and aim for logical communication.
The simpler the better.
Smoothness of Expression
– Avoid repeating words
– Use pronouns discretely
– Use transitional words and phrases
– Make sure your verb tenses agree
– Don’t switch back and forth from first to third
person
Economy of Expression
Economy of Expression (APA 3.08)
According to APA (2010), “The author who is frugal with words not only
writes a more readable manuscript but also increases the chances
that the manuscript will be accepted for publication…You can tighten
long papers by eliminating redundancy, wordiness, jargon,
evasiveness, overuse of the passive voice, circumlocution, and
clumsy prose” (p. 67)
But what does that mean?
Short words and short, simple sentences are best. Leave out irrelevant
observations, your opinion, and embellishments.
*This does not mean you can shorten technical terms.
Economy of Expression
Say only what needs to be said.
It is that simple.
The reader does not care about how you feel, what you believe, or
whether you think something to be true.
I feel that students learn best when…
I think the best solution to the problem is…
I believe the students will…
Be authoritative!
Reducing Bias
• APA (2010) is “committed both to science
and to the fair treatment of individuals and
groups, and this policy requires that
authors. . .avoid perpetuating demeaning
attitudes and biased assumptions about
people in their writing” (pp. 70-71).
Reducing Bias
Gender (APA 3.12)
• Gender is cultural and refers to role, not biological sex.
• Sex is biological.
• Do not use a masculine pronoun (he) to refer to both sexes.
• Do not use masculine or feminine pronouns to define roles by
sex (for example, always referring to nurses as she).
• Transgender is an adjective used to refer to a person whose
gender identity or expression is different from his or her sex at
birth.
• Do not use transgender as a noun.
• For more information, see page p. 73-75 in APA 6th edition.
Reducing Bias
Racial and Ethnic Identity (APA 3.14)
• When using the word minority, use a modifier such as ethnic
or racial to avoid association with meaning of being less than
or oppressed.
• Avoid describing groups differently. For example, Black
Americans refers to color while Asian Americans refers to
cultural heritage. Have parallel designations.
• Racial and ethnic terms change often. Consult Guidelines for
Unbiased Language at www.apastyle.org or 3.14 in the 6th
edition of the APA manual for appropriate language and
terminology.
Reducing Bias
Disabilities (APA 3.15)
• Use language that maintains the integrity of all human beings.
Avoid objectification and slurs.
• In writing, use people-first language rather than focusing on
disability. For example, say person with autism rather than an
autistic or an autistic person.
• Avoid offensive, condescending euphemisms when describing
people with disabilities, such as special or physically
challenged.
Reducing Bias
Age (APA 3.16)
• The terms girl and boy should be used for individuals under
12 years of age.
• The terms young man and young woman are appropriate for
individuals aged 13 to 17 years of age.
• The terms man and woman are used for anyone aged 18
years or more.
• Do not use senior and elderly as nouns.
• For more information on appropriate language concerning
age, please see page 76 in APA 6th edition.
Precision
Precision and Clarity (APA 3.09)
It is important that your writing is precise and clear.
According to APA (2010), as a writer, you should
“make certain that every word means exactly
what you intend it to mean” (p. 68).
Precision
Editorial we (APA 3.09)
According to APA (2010), “restrict your use of we to refer only to
yourself and your coauthors…Broader uses of we leave your
readers to determine to whom you are referring” (p. 69).
But what does that mean?
Do not direct your writing at the reader, and do not assume universality.
Your reader may not want to be included in your assumptions.
Avoid the second person!
Precision
Avoid the Second Person
Use the third personal plural (a noun) instead.
This is awkward for any reader who is not a lacrosse coach:
We coaches know it is best for lacrosse athletes to lift weights, but we
find it hard to convince high school girls of this.
This is better:
Lacrosse coaches know it is best for athletes to lift weights, but some
find it hard to convince high school girls of this.
Precision
- Avoid colloquial expressions in academic
writing
- Make pronouns clear; vague pronouns can
cause confusion
- Avoid using jargon
- Do not use anthropomorphism
Use of First Person
• Walden students may use first person, as appropriate,
in all Walden work. You will still want to check with
your instructor. Some faculty members may be
disinclined to allow first person in student writing.
• The APA manual (5th ed.), in sections 2.04, 2.06, and
2.08, and APA manual (6th ed.), in section 3.09, offer
examples of appropriate use of first person including in
quantitative expository writing.
Use of First Person
• This will free you from writing statements about "this
researcher" or "this writer" that can present ambiguity
in your writing.
• With this first-person rule, you now might also
feel compelled to share first-person opinions and
experiences, but you must avoid doing so
because statements that convey your opinion will
discredit your academic work.
Active Voice
According to APA 3.18 (2010), “use the active rather than the passive
voice” (p. 77).
But what does that mean?
The passive voice is when the object receives the action of the verb or,
in other words, you turn the object of your sentence into the subject.
Using the passive voice puts the emphasis on the object, which is
beneficial at times, but too much use of the passive voice can
weaken your scholarly voice.
Active Voice
Use lively, active sentences where the subject initiates an
action that affects the direct object. In other words, put
the subject of the sentence at the beginning immediately
followed by an action verb.
Flip your sentences around.
Avoid linking verbs (“to be” verbs)
Passive Voice: The apple was despised by William Tell.
Active Voice: William Tell despised the apple.
Passive Voice: The survey was conducted after school.
Active Voice: The researchers conducted the survey after school.
Tables and Figures
Tables and Figures
APA 6th: 5.07-5.30
• In the body of your paper, information that does not
appear in textual form must be formatted and labeled
as either a table or figure. The Sixth Edition APA
Publication Manual does not allow for the words
graph, illustration, or chart. Refer to them as either a
table or a figure.
• Number tables and figures consecutively,
that is, Table 1, Table 2, Figure 1, Figure 2.
Tables
•
Place the word Table and the table number above the table, flush
left. Place the title of the table (in title case), double-spaced, under
the table number, flush left in italics. Double-, triple-, or quadruplespace before and after the table—be consistent.
•
Information regarding abbreviations or symbols used in a table,
copyright information, and probability must be located in a Note
below the table. See the sixth edition of the Publication Manual of
the American Psychological Association 5.16 for formatting
information.
Tables
Table 4
Comparison of Boys and Girls by Height and Weight
____________________________________________
Variable
Height
Weight
Boys (n=61)
5 ft 1 in
104 lb
Girls (n=60)
5 ft 2 in
98 lb
Note. From “Analysis of Seventh Graders’ Hormones,” by W. Steeves,
2008, Journal of Despair, 98, p. 11. Copyright 2008 from the American
Psychological Association.
Figures
• Place the word Figure and the figure number under
the figure, flush left in italics. The title of the figure
goes next to the number in sentence case. In
dissertations, do not type captions on a separate
page.
Figures
Pressure from
Home
Pressure from
Work
Dangerous Levels of Medications
Figure 13. Causes of stress and its effects among graduate students.
Adapted from…
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