The American Psychological Association (APA) is a professional organization that represents psychologists in the United States. APA style is a widely accepted editorial style used for social science papers, including psychology, sociology, education, economics, and other disciplines. APA style is known for its strict guidelines on formatting and citation, which are outlined in the publication manual of the APA, currently in its 6th edition.
One of the key features of APA style is its emphasis on in-text citations and reference lists. In-text citations are brief citations within the text of a paper that refer to a specific source. They include the author's last name and the year of publication. For example: "According to Smith (2020), the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance are well-documented." The full reference for this source would then be included in the reference list at the end of the paper.
The reference list is a comprehensive list of all the sources cited in the paper, listed alphabetically by author's last name. Each reference in the list includes all the necessary information to locate the source, including the author's name, the year of publication, the title of the work, and the publisher. The format for these references can be quite specific and it is important to follow the guidelines in the publication manual carefully to ensure that the reference list is accurate and complete.
In addition to in-text citations and reference lists, APA style also includes specific guidelines for the formatting of papers, including margins, font size and type, and headings. The title page should include the title of the paper, the author's name, and the institution where the research was conducted. The main body of the paper should be divided into sections with appropriate headings, and should include an abstract, which is a summary of the main points of the paper.
Overall, the APA system is a widely used and respected style for formatting and citing social science papers. By following the guidelines in the publication manual, writers can ensure that their papers are professional and well-organized, and that the sources they use are properly cited.
