APA Format and Citations: Everything You Need to Know

APA (American Psychological Association) format is a style used for academic writing in the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and education. It provides guidelines for formatting papers, citing sources, and referencing.

Here’s everything you need to know about APA format and citations:

1. General Formatting Guidelines

• Use 12-point font (Times New Roman or Arial)
• Double-space your paper
• Use 1-inch margins on all sides
• Include a page header on every page (shortened title and page number)

2. Title Page

• The title page should include the title of your paper, your name, and your institutional affiliation.
• The running head and page number should appear in the top right corner of the page.

3. Abstract

• The abstract should be a brief summary of your paper (150-250 words).
• It should include the purpose, methods, results, and conclusions of your study.

4. Main Body

• The main body of your paper should include an introduction, methods, results, and discussion sections.
• Each section should begin on a new page.

5. In-Text Citations

• In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the year of publication.
• If you are directly quoting, include the page number as well.
• Example: (Smith, 2021, p. 45)

6. Reference List

• The reference list should include all sources cited in your paper.
• It should be alphabetized by the author’s last name.
• Each entry should include the author’s name, publication year, title of the article or book, and publication information.
• Example: Smith, J. (2021). Title of the article. Journal Name, volume(issue), page numbers.

7. Electronic Sources

• When citing electronic sources, include the DOI (digital object identifier) or URL.
• If there is no DOI, include the URL of the website where the source was found.
• Example: Author, A. (2022). Title of the article. Journal Name, volume(issue), page numbers. https://doi.org/xxx

In summary, APA format is an important style for academic writing in the social sciences. It provides guidelines for formatting papers, citing sources, and referencing. Following these guidelines will ensure that your paper is well-organized, clear, and professional-looking.