Summary
Highlights
Tables display numerical or alphanumeric values in columns and rows. Each table should have a label (e.g., 'Table 1'), sequential number, a descriptive title, the data content, and a note. Columns must have headers, which can be shared if applicable. Tables should include a row for totals. Table content should be single-spaced. Avoid vertical borders and borders around individual cells. Use soft colors or shades of gray for readability. The minimum text size within tables is 10-point font. If a table spans multiple pages, repeat the headers on each subsequent page to maintain clarity.
APA distinguishes between a general bibliography and a 'literature cited' section. The latter lists only sources explicitly referenced in the academic report. The reference list must be arranged alphabetically by author's last name (or corporate author). A hanging indent of 1.27 cm (five spaces) is applied from the second line of each reference. This list should start on a new page after the main text. All listed authors must be cited within the report. Key components of a reference include the author, publication date, title, and source (e.g., publisher, URL).
Given the vast array of potential sources (social media, websites, films, songs, books, statistics), it's advisable to consult the APA manual when creating references rather than trying to memorize all formats. Consistent practice with the manual will build proficiency. The presentation materials are adapted from the 7th edition of the APA Style manual and the writing guide from the Pontifical Javeriana University of Colombia (Cali campus, 2020). The video concludes by emphasizing the importance of academic honesty and honoring authors through proper citation to avoid plagiarism.
This module, 'Report Writing,' focuses on APA norms. The goal is to familiarize participants with APA guidelines to prepare academic reports following international standards. Key topics include understanding citations, bibliographic references, and handling tables and figures. Emphasizing APA's importance in academic honesty and plagiarism prevention.
Various normative styles exist, such as Vancouver for health sciences and IEEE for electrical engineering. This module concentrates on APA norms, widely adopted by business and social sciences schools. The 7th edition, published in 2019, will be reviewed, covering format, citations, figures/tables, and bibliography. APA also covers experiment setup, summaries, collective authorship, and bias-free language, encouraging further exploration of the manual.
First published in 1929 by the American Psychological Association, APA norms were created to standardize scientific articles, making research more accessible. The norms have evolved through various editions, with the 7th edition in 2019 being the latest. Updates are not annual, with ten years passing between the 6th and 7th editions, highlighting the importance of staying updated.
This section covers the general format for academic papers. Key formatting elements include standard paper size, symmetrical margins, and a 1.27 cm (five-space) first-line indent for paragraphs and hanging indent for bibliographic references. Double-spacing is recommended with left alignment. The writing style should be impersonal or in the third person, not first person. Arabic numerals are used for page numbering, located in the upper right corner, starting from the cover page. The preferred font is Times New Roman 12, with exceptions for figures and tables, though other fonts are acceptable. Paragraphs do not have extra spaces between them.
Titles have specific formatting rules based on their level. Main titles (Level 1) are centered, bold, with the first letter of each major word capitalized, starting a new paragraph. Level 2 titles are left-aligned, bold, with major words capitalized, also starting a new paragraph. Level 3 titles are left-aligned, bold, italicized, with major words capitalized, and begin on a new line. Level 4 titles are indented, bold, capitalized, with a period at the end, and the text continues on the same line. Level 5 titles follow a similar format but are italicized.
For enumerations within a paragraph, use lowercase letters (a), (b), (c) in parentheses, without italics. For conclusions, procedures, or other numbered items, use Arabic numerals followed by a period, ensuring each item is more than just a single word. When listing items without a specific order within a paragraph, use bullet points, maintaining a consistent style.
Footnotes appear at the bottom of the page, indicated by a superscript number in the text. They are automatically generated in Word and should be Times New Roman 10. Footnotes are for clarifying or expanding information, providing definitions, translations, or comments, but not for bibliographic references. They must be numbered consecutively throughout the document.
Citations are direct transcriptions from external sources used in academic reports. It is crucial to acknowledge the original author to avoid plagiarism. APA guidelines require including the author's last name, publication year, and page number in parentheses at the end of the citation. Citations can be direct/textual, indirect (paraphrases), or personal communications. Citing ensures verifiability and prevents presenting others' ideas as your own. Plagiarism involves presenting ideas, tables, figures, or definitions as your own when they are not.
Direct citations (or textual citations) are categorized by word count. Citations under 40 words are placed within the text, enclosed in quotation marks, followed by the author's last name, year, and page number in parentheses. An alternative is to embed the author and year in the sentence, placing only the page number in parentheses at the end. Citations over 40 words are presented as a block quote, without quotation marks, indented 1.27 cm from the left margin, and followed by the author, year, and page number.
Indirect citations, or paraphrases, involve rephrasing an author's ideas. They are not enclosed in quotation marks and are rarely used in academic reports unless for an essay, as direct interpretation is often preferred. Personal communications (letters, emails, texts, live speeches, interviews, unrecorded material) are cited in the text but not included in the reference list because they are not published and cannot be verified by the reader. The citation typically includes the communicator's name, 'personal communication,' and the date.
Citation styles vary based on the number or type of authors. For a single author, include (Author, Year, p. #). For two authors, use (Author & Author, Year, p. #). For three or more authors, use (Author et al., Year, p. #). Corporate authors (e.g., UNICEF, central banks) are cited with the institution's name: (Institute, Year, p. #). If no author is listed, it's best to avoid the source. If essential, use the first two words of the title followed by ellipsis (e.g., 'Title...' Year, p. #).
Citations also adapt to the work's nature. For classic works with no publication date, use (Author, n.d.). If translated, add the original author's name, 'trans.' abbreviation, and the translation year. For internet sources without page numbers, use paragraph numbers like (Author, Year, para. #). Specific formats apply to legal documents or constitutions. The manual is essential for navigating these varied citation requirements.
Applying APA guidelines for figures and tables becomes easier with practice, using the manual as a reference. Figures include all graphical elements not classified as tables (graphs, maps, photos, logos, illustrations, cartoons). Each figure requires a label (e.g., 'Figure 1'), a sequential number, an auto-descriptive, italicized title, the image itself, and a note for additional information. In the text, figures and tables must be explicitly referenced (e.g., 'see Figure 1'); they can be placed within the text or appended at the end, depending on institutional or personal preference.