APA Style
APA Style
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Often the most time-consuming, but vital, part of the writing process is properly formatting and appropriately citing the sources you use. This process ensures the highest level of academic and professional integrity as you work on course papers, presentations, dissertation, and research projects.
American Psychological Association Style (APA Style) is the citation style for psychology and will be used in your academic work and research endeavors. The APA Manual of Style, 7th edition is your go-to resource to guide you. Following these guidelines will ensure that your assignments meet APA standards of clarity, inclusivity, and scholarship and save you time.
Let's help you transition from a novice to expert APA style user!
Accessing the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
Accessing the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
APA Publication Manual (Print)
APA Publication Manual (Print)
The original and definitely the best source on APA Style. We have several manuals available for on-campus use or checkout.
HINT: review the front and back covers for quick reference guides on headings formatting, in-text citation styles, and common reference examples.
The companion website to the print style manual, which includes an abridged web-based version of information found in the manual as well as a treasure trove of additional information!
We especially recommend the following resources from the website:
Your all inclusive cheat sheet reviewing the basics of how to properly format student papers including:
logistics - margins, font size & style, line spacing, etc
title page set-up
paper text pages set-up
tables and figures
reference list set-up
Full example papers with annotations to point out key elements for both student papers and professional papers for publication
Microsoft Word templates are given in a variety of paper types including:
quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research papers
annotated bibliographies
and more!
A cheat sheet of example sources cited in APA style. Use as models for your reference list!
A cheat sheet listing the most common elements needed in citations included in a reference list.
A cheat sheet of how to properly format headings in APA style. Use as models for your student papers!
"Writers using APA Style must strive to use language that is free of bias and avoid perpetuating prejudicial beliefs or demeaning attitudes in their writing"
Based on the work of an APA panel of experts, these guidelines provide recommended approaches and verbiage when writing about specific communities and populations.
7th Edition Highlights Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
7th Edition Highlights Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
7th Edition - Highlighted Changes (7 min)
The latest version of the APA Manual was published in 2019. If you're new or a returning APA style user, several elements changed from the 6th edition. Review the Purdue OWL summary and watch the brief video at left to learn about major changes including:
title pages - new differences between student and professional paper title pages
headings - level three, four, and five level heading formatting changed
pronouns - use of 'they' to reflect a person's preferred personal pronoun or when the person's gender is unknown
author names in in-text citations - use of 'et al.' to indicate three or more authors
DOI - No longer use the label of 'DOI' in references, just include the URL
MJ Library's APA Style Basics Video Collection
MJ Library's APA Style Basics Video Collection
Check out our APA tutorial collection below for the essential APA knowledge and skills you need, originally created by Jana Thompkins, former MSP librarian extraordinaire!
Module 1: Why APA Style? (4 min)
Module 2: APA Mechanics (6 min)
Module 3: Citing Sources (7 min)
Module 4: The Reference List (12 min)
Related Online Help Guides
Related Online Help Guides
Check out these additional help guides below sharing our tip & tricks, videos, and top resources covering the most frequently asked questions from students!
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