APA (American Psychological Association) format is a set of formatting and citation guidelines for academic papers 1 2 3. It’s commonly used in subjects such as psychology, education, and other social sciences 1 2 3. Here are some key aspects of APA format:
General Format: The paper should be typed, double-spaced on standard-sized paper (8.5" x 11") with 1" margins on all sides. You should use a clear font that is highly readable. APA recommends using 12 pt. Times New Roman font 4.
In-Text Citations: APA citation style uses the author-date method for in-text citations: Author’s last name and the year of publication for the source should appear in the text 4.
Reference List: The reference list provides a reliable way for readers to identify and locate the works cited in a paper. Each reference cited in the text must appear in the reference list, and each entry in the reference list must be cited in the text 4.
Headings: APA Style uses a unique headings system to separate and classify paper sections. There are 5 heading levels in APA 4.
Tables and Figures: Tables and figures should be used when they are the most efficient way to present your results 4.
Other Elements: Other elements include the title page, abstract, main body, and references 5.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the APA Formatting and Style Guide from Purdue University and the APA Formatting and Citation Guide from Scribbr. These resources provide comprehensive guidelines for writing an APA style paper, including in-text citations, reference lists, and other APA resources 4 5.