This editorial document provides advice for authors on preparing scientific manuscripts for publication using APA style. It begins with an introduction outlining common mistakes made in manuscripts submitted to journals. The document then provides a numbered checklist of key APA style guidelines and effective scientific writing practices. This includes guidance on manuscript structure, headings, verb tense, quotations, abbreviations, numbers, and responding to reviewer feedback. Specific sections of a manuscript such as the abstract, introduction, method, and discussion are also addressed. The overall aim is to help authors improve their manuscripts and assist editors, reviewers and students.
For more information and to download the different formats in MLA Style, APA Style, Chicago Style, Harvard Style, CBE Style,
CGOS Style
Visit here http://www.transtutors.com/homework-help/writing/research-paper-writing.aspx
For more information and to download the different formats in MLA Style, APA Style, Chicago Style, Harvard Style, CBE Style,
CGOS Style
Visit here http://www.transtutors.com/homework-help/writing/research-paper-writing.aspx
From MLA handbook edition 7 I have given expanding thought about Format of Research paper that examine your research skill and methodology of research work.
Tata kelola jurnal menuju akreditasi onlineabudira354
REGISTER JOURNAL 1979-8903 (PRINTED)- 2503-040X (ONLINE) was published every June and December by IAIN Salatiga, Indonesia and it had been accredited SINTA 2 at 24th October 2018 by Indonesia Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education (RistekDikti) of Indonesia.
How To Do Referencing For Econometrics PhD Research - PhdassistancePhD Assistance
The University of Chicago Press’s stylistic conventions, as outlined in Chapter 16 of the 14th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style, have been adopted by the Economics Department (available in the bookstore and in the reference room of the library). This style should be followed for citations and bibliographic entries in all economic student papers and theses.
Ph.D. Assistance serves as an external mentor to brainstorm your idea and translate that into a research model. Hiring a mentor or tutor is common and therefore let your research committee know about the same. We do not offer any writing services without the involvement of the researcher.
Learn More: https://bit.ly/3wQUljN
Contact Us:
Website: https://www.phdassistance.com/
UK NO: +44–1143520021
India No: +91–4448137070
WhatsApp No: +91 91769 66446
Email: info@phdassistance.com
The presentation introduces the tips on how to format a research paper. If you need more details or any help, you can turn to the team of professionals:
https://essay-academy.com/account/blog/research-paper-format
EssayAcademia guarantees original and quality dissertations with zero error and zero plagiarism. The expert writers and experienced professors at essayacademia.com undertake to write your papers with high quality contents
It is a tutorial for report writing or thesis writing. This tutorial consists of the font style, pagination format, table format, figure format, reference and bibliography format for academic writing.
Sample APA Paper
Apa Style Essay
Examples Of APA Style
Apa Style Analysis
APA Reflection Paper
APA Style Format
APA Writing Style Essay
Apa Style Analysis
Scientific writing is not just writing about science; it is the technical writing that scientists do to communicate their research to others. Scientific writing is predicated on the rigors of scientific inquiry, so it must reflect the same precision as that demanded in the research process.
From MLA handbook edition 7 I have given expanding thought about Format of Research paper that examine your research skill and methodology of research work.
Tata kelola jurnal menuju akreditasi onlineabudira354
REGISTER JOURNAL 1979-8903 (PRINTED)- 2503-040X (ONLINE) was published every June and December by IAIN Salatiga, Indonesia and it had been accredited SINTA 2 at 24th October 2018 by Indonesia Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education (RistekDikti) of Indonesia.
How To Do Referencing For Econometrics PhD Research - PhdassistancePhD Assistance
The University of Chicago Press’s stylistic conventions, as outlined in Chapter 16 of the 14th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style, have been adopted by the Economics Department (available in the bookstore and in the reference room of the library). This style should be followed for citations and bibliographic entries in all economic student papers and theses.
Ph.D. Assistance serves as an external mentor to brainstorm your idea and translate that into a research model. Hiring a mentor or tutor is common and therefore let your research committee know about the same. We do not offer any writing services without the involvement of the researcher.
Learn More: https://bit.ly/3wQUljN
Contact Us:
Website: https://www.phdassistance.com/
UK NO: +44–1143520021
India No: +91–4448137070
WhatsApp No: +91 91769 66446
Email: info@phdassistance.com
The presentation introduces the tips on how to format a research paper. If you need more details or any help, you can turn to the team of professionals:
https://essay-academy.com/account/blog/research-paper-format
EssayAcademia guarantees original and quality dissertations with zero error and zero plagiarism. The expert writers and experienced professors at essayacademia.com undertake to write your papers with high quality contents
It is a tutorial for report writing or thesis writing. This tutorial consists of the font style, pagination format, table format, figure format, reference and bibliography format for academic writing.
Sample APA Paper
Apa Style Essay
Examples Of APA Style
Apa Style Analysis
APA Reflection Paper
APA Style Format
APA Writing Style Essay
Apa Style Analysis
Scientific writing is not just writing about science; it is the technical writing that scientists do to communicate their research to others. Scientific writing is predicated on the rigors of scientific inquiry, so it must reflect the same precision as that demanded in the research process.
Write a 3-5 page paper in which you1. Candidly assess yourself .docxericbrooks84875
Write a 3-5 page paper in which you:
1. Candidly assess yourself on each of Jack Welch's 4 Es and 1P, including your strengths,
weaknesses, and what you can do to improve.
2. Provide examples of occasions during your career when you demonstrated your strengths and
when your weaknesses came into play.
Your assignment should adhere to these guidelines:
Write in a logical, well-organized, conventional business style. Use Times New Roman font size
12 or similar, double space, and leave ample white space per page.
All references must follow JWMI style guide and works must be cited appropriately. Check with
your professor for any additional instructions on citations.
On the first page or in a header, include the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the
professor’s name, the course title, and the date. Reference pages are not included in the
assignment page length.
Faculty have discretion to penalize for assignments over or under the assignment guidelines.
Check with your individual professor if you feel the assignment requires a much longer or shorter
treatment than recommended.
Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic/organization of the paper, and
language and writing skills, using the following rubric.
1
Note to students: This is an example of a paper formatted to generally align with APA manuscript standards. It is offered as one example approach to formatting professional papers. Other formatting conventions are also acceptable. The point is for you to follow a manuscript format that is consistent and professional. The JWMI intends for you to focus on learning course topics rather than being preoccupied with manuscript formatting details. Having a template to follow should make formatting your papers easier.
Title of Paper
Author’s Name
Jack Welch Management Institute
Professor’s Name
Course Number
Date
Abstract
Following generally accepted rules for preparing manuscripts will help students confidently structure professional papers. This manuscript provides a basic layout for students to apply in this program and in their professional writing. The approach is based upon the sixth edition of the APA guidelines (2009). The topics of general formatting, the introduction, section headings, quotations, citations, conclusion, and references are discussed. The APA guidelines define an abstract as a single paragraph, without indentation, that summarizes the key points of the manuscript. The purpose of the abstract is to provide the reader with a brief summary of the paper, such as this abstract. The total length should not exceed 120 words, with each sentence written concisely.
Introduction
Learning to write in a recognized
professional format, such as APA, will help students achieve effective academic and professional writing. Using an established manuscript format is more efficient for the author and the reader, leading to more effective communication. According to a College Board (2004) su.
1. Essay) Discuss the drivers in the environment and the economy t.docxjackiewalcutt
1. Essay) Discuss the drivers in the environment and the economy that provide a driver for the sustainable. In your answer include a discussion as to how population affluence and Technology impact the biosphere. How do these come together in their impact? (i.e. discuss the synergies between these) and where does the sustainable business fit within these.
2. (Essay) Describe in detail why regulatory compliance is far below the standards of a responsible, sustainable business. Be sure to comprehensively develop the concept of Corporate Responsibility in your essay.
3. (Essay) Describe how the market reacts to correct overconsumption of a resource such as water or gasoline. Why doesn’t the market respond in similar ways to air quality of habitat destruction?
4.What are the three fundamental challenges to a sustainable economy?
5. (Essay) Discuss international finance as it relates to sustainability.
6. Where will changes in the traditional business paradigm have to occur in order to accommodate sustainability in the coming decades?
7. (Essay) Briefly describe the “Cradle –to-cradle model. Provide at least one example to support your answer.
1
Note to students: This is an example of a paper formatted to generally align with APA manuscript standards. It is offered as one example approach to formatting professional papers. Other formatting conventions are also acceptable. The point is for you to follow a manuscript format that is consistent and professional. The JWMI intends for you to focus on learning course topics rather than being preoccupied with manuscript formatting details. Having a template to follow should make formatting your papers easier.
Title of Paper
Author’s Name
Jack Welch Management Institute
Professor’s Name
Course Number
Date
Abstract
Following generally accepted rules for preparing manuscripts will help students confidently structure professional papers. This manuscript provides a basic layout for students to apply in this program and in their professional writing. The approach is based upon the sixth edition of the APA guidelines (2009). The topics of general formatting, the introduction, section headings, quotations, citations, conclusion, and references are discussed. The APA guidelines define an abstract as a single paragraph, without indentation, that summarizes the key points of the manuscript. The purpose of the abstract is to provide the reader with a brief summary of the paper, such as this abstract. The total length should not exceed 120 words, with each sentence written concisely.
Introduction
Learning to write in a recognized
professional format, such as APA, will help students achieve effective academic and professional writing. Using an established manuscript format is more efficient for the author and the reader, leading to more effective communication. According to a College Board (2004) survey of 120 major American corporations, “in today’s workplace writing is a threshold skill for hiring ...
Criterion 1
A - 4 - Mastery
Presentation provides comprehensive discussion of data warehouse and benefits to tourism board.
Criterion 2
A - 4 - Mastery
Presentation provides comprehensive explanation of a dashboard and usefulness to tourism board.Criterion 3
A - 4 - Mastery
Presentation provides comprehensive examples of how BI dashboards can supplement current strategies and benefits for executive reporting dashboards
Criterion 4
A - 4 - Mastery
Proper presentation format, APA citations, professional tone, fewer than 2 grammar/spelling errors.
Current and Future Special Educator
Grand Canyon University
SPD 580: Methods of Teaching Language Arts to Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities
Professor Eugenia Scales
Date
Introduction. This paragraph does not have a title. The title page serves as the title. Scholarly writing includes three to seven sentences in a paragraph. However, three to five short distinct sentences will be sufficient. Paragraphs should not be one page or longer in length. Here is a model to help you. Use the acronym MEAL when writing paragraphs with APA 7th edition citations.
MEAL:
Main idea. Introduce the focus of the paragraph.
Evidence. Support the main idea with source information.
Analysis. Explain and analyze the source information.
Lead out. Conclude the topic, like a conclusion paragraph.
Remember that perfection is not the goal. There will be always room for improvement. Being detail oriented does not equal perfection; however, it enables you to move toward scholarship. Use LopesWrite to stress clear, concise, and research writing. Avoid Plagiarism and Direct Quotes.
1st paragraph is titled Comprehension Strategies (Level 1 heading)
This is a Level 1 heading, and it is centered and bolded, and the initial word and each word of four or more letters is capitalized. The heading is a short descriptor of a section.
2nd paragraph is titled Graphic Organizers (cite a source)
3rd paragraph is titled Independent Practice (cite a source)
4th paragraph is titled Model-Lead Test (cite a source)
5th paragraph is titled Peer Tutoring (cite a source)
6th paragraph is titled Repeated Reading (cite a source)
7th paragraph is titled Instructional Goals
8th paragraph is titled Parent Involvement
9th paragraph is titled Student Concerns
10th paragraph is titled Conclusion
Beginning the conclusion with phrases like "in closing," "in summary" or "in conclusion" is redundant and unnecessary. Scholarly writing includes three to seven sentences in a paragraph. However, three to five short and distinct sentences will be sufficient. Your conclusion does not contain any new information.
References
The word “References”, is centered, in bold, at the top of the page. The reference list should appear at the end of the paper, on a separate page. Review h ...
Running head RESEARCH PROPOSALTitleNameLake.docxtoltonkendal
Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Title
Name
Lakeland College
address
city, state
telephone
email
Dr. Edward Jedlicka
Master of Arts in Counseling
Date
Research Paper Guidelines
Understanding the process that undergirds principles of research is a primary objective for this course. This project includes a thorough review of literature related the Counseling field. This project should include (1) a title page; (2) an abstract; (3) an introduction to the paper; (4) the review of literature; (5) a methods section; (6) a complete list of references used.
The paper that you will submit should be organized to carefully review research done on a particular topic of your choosing. In the review of literature, you will find it easier and more consistent to use the past tense when describing studies because they have already been completed. Therefore, you should write in the past tense for a scholarly audience, and should use clear and short sentences that generally avoid the use of personal pronouns (e.g., “I”). APA guidelines specify that your manuscript should be double spaced throughout, left justified (with regular “ragged right” margins), and margins should be set to 1 inch on all sides. Please check the Publication Manual of the APA.
Structure of the Paper
Title Page
Title. The title should summarize the main idea of the paper and include the main topic and actual theoretical issue investigated. Good titles are short (< 20 words) and would serve as a type of index of the main issues covered, including the nature of the tasks, participants, or other important variables. Type the title centered, in upper and lower cases, double-spaced.
Running head. Each page of your manuscript has a brief “title” (running head) printed in the upper right hand corner of the manuscript. It should be a maximum of 50 characters, and be followed by the specific page number for that page. A notation as to the specific Running head should be located in all caps, flush left at the top of the title page. For example, on your title page you would show (in the upper left hand corner):
Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL - 1
RESEARCH PROPOSAL - 1
Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
On every subsequent page the running head would be right-justified with the page number. [Note: your running head would specify the content of your selected review] For example:
Research Proposal: - 2
Abstract
(This is your section header; centered on the page)
Page two is the Abstract for the paper. It is a brief (150-200 words) comprehensive summary of the research proposal. The Running head and the number 2 are typed in the upper right-hand corner of the page. The word “Abstract” is centered as the first line of type on this page. Type the abstract as a single paragraph in block format (i.e., without paragraph indentation). You may also want to list keywords from your paper in your abstract. To do this, center the text and type Keywords: (it ...
111Document Format Margins are 1 in. (2.54 cm) on all sides. BenitoSumpter862
1
11
Document Format: Margins are 1 in. (2.54 cm) on all sides.
All text in the document should be double-spaced.
The font is 12-point Times New Roman. Other choices are 11-point Arial and 11-point Calibri.
The title page is page 1.
There is no running head for learner assignments. (See Academic Writer: Publication Manual §§ 2.1–2.24 for paper requirements.)Full Title of Your Paper Comment by Author: APA Style: Sample Papers shows the title page for a student paper.
Learner’s Full Name (no credentials)
School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Capella University
Course Number: Course Name
Instructor’s Name
Month, Year Comment by Author: The due date
Abstract
An abstract is useful in professional papers, but not always in learner assignments. In fact, unless you are instructed by your faculty or in the course syllabus, do not expect to use abstracts very often at Capella. If you are submitting for publication, remember to check with the journal or professional organization about their criteria for an abstract. The abstract tells your reader about the article, is brief, and stands alone, so no citations are included. The format for an abstract is a single paragraph (not indented on the first line) that follows the title page and is less than 250 words in length. A structured abstract will have a single paragraph without indentation but having labels (e.g., Objective, Method, Results, and Conclusions) on the same line as the text and bold. For published works, the publishing organization will give you guidance on these. However, for student papers, no abstract is needed unless the faculty request one or the assignment requires it. Remember, no citations. Comment by Author: See Academic Writer: Publication Manual §§ 2.9–2.10 (p. 38 in the APA manual) for more information on abstracts.
Keywords: include keywords in the abstract—they should be labeled like this, with the words all in lowercase and separated by commas. Only the first line is indented, like a regular paragraph. No period at the end.
APA Style Seventh Edition Paper Template: A Resource for Academic Writing Comment by Author: New in APA seventh style—this heading is a regular Level 1 and should be bold.
American Psychological Association (APA) style is one of the most popular methods used to cite sources in the social sciences, but it is not the only one. When writing papers in the programs offered at Capella University, you will likely use APA style. This document serves as an APA style resource for the seventh edition guidelines, containing valuable information that you can use when writing academic papers. For more information on APA style, refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, also referred to as the APA manual (American Psychological Association, 2020b). Comment by Author: Another important resource for Capella learners is Academic Writer.
The first section of this paper shows how an introduction effectively introduces the reader to the topic ...
111Document Format Margins are 1 in. (2.54 cm) on all sides. SantosConleyha
1
11
Document Format: Margins are 1 in. (2.54 cm) on all sides.
All text in the document should be double-spaced.
The font is 12-point Times New Roman. Other choices are 11-point Arial and 11-point Calibri.
The title page is page 1.
There is no running head for learner assignments. (See Academic Writer: Publication Manual §§ 2.1–2.24 for paper requirements.)Full Title of Your Paper Comment by Author: APA Style: Sample Papers shows the title page for a student paper.
Learner’s Full Name (no credentials)
School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Capella University
Course Number: Course Name
Instructor’s Name
Month, Year Comment by Author: The due date
Abstract
An abstract is useful in professional papers, but not always in learner assignments. In fact, unless you are instructed by your faculty or in the course syllabus, do not expect to use abstracts very often at Capella. If you are submitting for publication, remember to check with the journal or professional organization about their criteria for an abstract. The abstract tells your reader about the article, is brief, and stands alone, so no citations are included. The format for an abstract is a single paragraph (not indented on the first line) that follows the title page and is less than 250 words in length. A structured abstract will have a single paragraph without indentation but having labels (e.g., Objective, Method, Results, and Conclusions) on the same line as the text and bold. For published works, the publishing organization will give you guidance on these. However, for student papers, no abstract is needed unless the faculty request one or the assignment requires it. Remember, no citations. Comment by Author: See Academic Writer: Publication Manual §§ 2.9–2.10 (p. 38 in the APA manual) for more information on abstracts.
Keywords: include keywords in the abstract—they should be labeled like this, with the words all in lowercase and separated by commas. Only the first line is indented, like a regular paragraph. No period at the end.
APA Style Seventh Edition Paper Template: A Resource for Academic Writing Comment by Author: New in APA seventh style—this heading is a regular Level 1 and should be bold.
American Psychological Association (APA) style is one of the most popular methods used to cite sources in the social sciences, but it is not the only one. When writing papers in the programs offered at Capella University, you will likely use APA style. This document serves as an APA style resource for the seventh edition guidelines, containing valuable information that you can use when writing academic papers. For more information on APA style, refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, also referred to as the APA manual (American Psychological Association, 2020b). Comment by Author: Another important resource for Capella learners is Academic Writer.
The first section of this paper shows how an introduction effectively introduces the reader to the topic ...
A Practical Guide to Preparing Your Final DraftHave you includ.docxevonnehoggarth79783
A Practical Guide to Preparing Your Final Draft
Have you included a Title page with your name, course name and number, date, and title of the paper?
Have you numbered your pages?
Have you carefully proof-read your paper for spelling and punctuation? Have you used your computer’s spell-checker and then checked your paper over yourself for anything the computer might have missed?
Are there paragraphs that seem to be too long (say, a page or more), or which seem to deal with two distinctly different ideas? If so, find a way to split such paragraphs into smaller paragraphs.
Are there paragraphs which seem to short (say, a sentence or two) for no recognizable purpose? If so, join the short paragraph with another nearby paragraph or move it to another part of the paper.
Have you looked at your transitions? Look at the first and last sentence of each paragraph. Do you lead your reader through the paper, preparing him or her for what is to come and making clear connections and distinctions between one paragraph/section and the next?
Have you examined your paper for excess repetition? Does any particular word appear too often? If you find that you are using very similar thoughts, ideas, or sentences over and over, can you group them together or add a new spin the second or third time around?
Have you varied your sentence length and structure? Do you avoid using the same word to begin several sentences within the same paragraph?
Does your conclusion do more than simply repeat the introduction? Have you used material in your conclusion that might work better if it were moved to the introduction? Does your conclusion leave the reader something to think about?
Have you provided dates and place names and other details where they would be helpful? Have you given your paper a unique and helpful title?
Have you accurately and consistently cited your sources, using the Chicago/Turabian style required in your School? Have you been sure to cite quotes, paraphrased material, and summaries?
Have you used a sufficient variety of sources, according to the wishes of your instructor? Have you mixed those sources instead of using just one for several pages at a time?
Do you use signal phrases (or “lead-ins”) to prepare your reader for quoted material? Will your reader fully understand why you’re using each particular quote?
Have you checked to be sure that your quotations are not unnecessarily long? Can you delete portions of the quote or use ellipses to shorten any overly long quotes and still make the same point?
Have you set off (correctly indented) any quotes longer than three full lines?
Have you underlined (or italicized) book titles? Have you used quotation marks for article titles?
If you have done these things, you are well on your way to a good paper. !!!
http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/resources-template.php?id=17 Page 2
Format for Research Papers
To recap the Format of the Paper:
• Title Page of the Paper. The title of you.
Important Student NotesFollow the guidelines of the CU ResearMalikPinckney86
Important Student Notes:
Follow the guidelines of the CU Research guide for structure Following the specifications of APA for format
REMINDERS:
· Each student submission will be checked for plagiarism. Note: Turnitin has a very good historical memory and is capable of accessing reports from both internal and external resources (i.e. Universities, Governments, etc.) including those originally written in non-English written languages. Plagiarism will result in a grade of zero (non-negotiable) for the assignment and may results in other university actions. The department chairperson will be notified of the violation. Additional Campbellsville University penalties may be applicable. Please see class syllabus for additional details.
· Only one submission attempt is permitted – BE SURE BEFORE DEPRESSING ENTER. Acceptable file formats for submissions include Microsoft Word (doc, docx). No otherformats are acceptable.
· A minimum of five (5) peer-reviewed journal articles are required.
· Formatting should be double-spaced, one-inch boarders, no extra space for headings, no extra white space, no more than two levels of heading, page numbers, front and back matter).
· Extra white space use to enhance page count will negatively affect student grade.
· Graduate student are expected to be proficient in the use of the English language. Errorsin grammar, spelling, or syntax will affect student grade. The Professor, will not provide remedial help for writing problems. If the student is unable to write clearly and correctly, the student should be urged to contact the program office for sources of remedial help.
· IMPORTANT - please refer to the following url for additional help on writing skillsnecessary at the graduate level (https://owl.purdue.edu/site_map.html).
· APA formatted citations are required for the final submission. IMPORTANT - pleaserefer to the following url for help with APA: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_style_introduction.html. Please reach out to our librarians for additional citation management and APA help.
· Long quotations (i.e. paragraphs) are NOT permitted. Only one quoted short sentence (less than 14 words) is permitted per page.
· Footnotes are NOT permitted.
Document Details
This area provides additional details about the content of each of the needed Research Report Chapters (5). The final submission should include DETAILS of each of following:
Abstract with at least 5 key words
1) Chapter 1 – Introduction
2) Chapter 2 – Literature Review
3) Chapter 3 – Methodology Specifics (comparative analysis)
4) Chapter 4 – Findings, Analysis, and Summary of Results
5) Chapter 5 – Conclusion and Future Recommendations
6) References - APA
Chapter 1 Introduction
Introduction
In this section, present enough information about the proposed work such that the reader understands the general context or setting. It is also helpful to include a summary of how the rest of this doc ...
BA634 Current & Emerging Technology Research Paper 1 .docxjasoninnes20
BA634 Current & Emerging Technology
Research Paper
1
Understanding Evolving Technologies
As we all know technology is evolving at a rate that, to some, seems
overwhelming. These technologies often evolve to offer higher quality products and
services at lower prices causing a disruption in markets that is sometimes perceived as
unwelcome. These disruptive technologies are sometimes the results of innovative
business models that are also part of the evolving processes of a competitive
marketplace.
This is an individual research paper required from BA634 students.
As a Research Project, select one of the following research areas:
Cloud Computing (Intranet, Extranet, and Internet)
Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence
Internet of Things (IoT)
Robotics
Medical Technology
1) Your research paper needs to be between 12-15 pages.
2) It needs be submitted as a WORD document.
3) The research paper must only include materials from peer reviewed
journals and peer reviewed conference proceedings. APA formatted
citations are therefore required for the final submission. Newspapers,
websites (URLs), magazines, technical journals, hearsay, personal
opinions, and white papers are NOT acceptable citations.
4) Each submission will be checked for plagiarism. All plagiarized
documents will results in a grade of zero for the exercise.
5) If there is extensive synonym use or not understandable, long
sentences, the document will results in a grade of zero for the
exercise.
6) The final research paper must include your through analysis and synthesis
of the peer reviewed literature used in your research paper.
7) There will be a limit of 3 images, tables, figures are to be included in the
BA634 Current & Emerging Technology
Research Paper
2
appendices and DO NOT count for page limit requirements.
8) Long quotations (i.e. paragraphs) are NOT permitted. Only one quoted
sentence is permitted per page.
9) Footnotes are NOT permitted.
Document Details
Chapter 1 Introduction
Background/Introduction
In this section, present enough information about the proposed work such that the reader
understands the general context or setting. It is also helpful to include a summary of how the rest
of this document is organized.
Problem Statement
In this section, present a concise statement of a research-worthy problem addressed (i.e., why the
work should be undertaken – don’t say required for the class). Follow the statement of the
problem with a well-supported discussion of its scope and nature. The discussion of the problem
should include: what the problem is, why it is a problem, how the problem evolved or developed,
and the issues and events leading to the problem.
Goal
Next, include a concise definition of the goal of the work (i.e., what the work will accomplish).
Aim to define a goal that is measurable.
Research Questions
Research que ...
1Note to students This is an example of a paper formatted to .docxhyacinthshackley2629
1
Note to students: This is an example of a paper formatted to generally align with APA manuscript standards. It is offered as one example approach to formatting professional papers. Other formatting conventions are also acceptable. The point is for you to follow a manuscript format that is consistent and professional. The JWMI intends for you to focus on learning course topics rather than being preoccupied with manuscript formatting details. Having a template to follow should make formatting your papers easier.
Title of Paper
Author’s Name
Jack Welch Management Institute
Professor’s Name
Course Number
Date
Abstract
Following generally accepted rules for preparing manuscripts will help students confidently structure professional papers. This manuscript provides a basic layout for students to apply in this program and in their professional writing. The approach is based upon the sixth edition of the APA guidelines (2009). The topics of general formatting, the introduction, section headings, quotations, citations, conclusion, and references are discussed. The APA guidelines define an abstract as a single paragraph, without indentation, that summarizes the key points of the manuscript. The purpose of the abstract is to provide the reader with a brief summary of the paper, such as this abstract. The total length should not exceed 120 words, with each sentence written concisely.
Introduction
Learning to write in a recognized
professional format, such as APA, will help students achieve effective academic and professional writing. Using an established manuscript format is more efficient for the author and the reader, leading to more effective communication. According to a College Board (2004) survey of 120 major American corporations, “in today’s workplace writing is a threshold skill for hiring and promotion among salaried (i.e., professional) employees” (p. 3). Thus, excellent writing is one of the most important objectives of a business education. To help students achieve this professional advantage, the Jack Welch Management Institute requires all students to develop a professional writing style. The following sections discuss and are examples of the basics of one commonly used manuscript style, APA. Note that this manuscript format does not include all details of APA.
General Manuscript Format
The body of the paper should have one inch margins and use a 12 pt. font that is easy to read, such as Times New Roman. To aid ease of reading, double space throughout the paper. Align the manuscript flush left, resulting in an uneven right margin. Indent paragraphs five to seven spaces. Page numbers are one inch from the top right edge of the paper. Page numbers are not required for short papers, yet useful for longer ones. Headings
Begin each major section of the paper with the topic heading in bold font, centered at the top of the page. The body of the text is typically divided into subsections as shown in this template.
5Note to students This is an example of a paper formatted to .docxblondellchancy
5
Note to students: This is an example of a paper formatted to generally align with APA manuscript standards. It is offered as one example approach to formatting professional papers. Other formatting conventions are also acceptable. The point is for you to follow a manuscript format that is consistent and professional. The JWMI intends for you to focus on learning course topics rather than being preoccupied with manuscript formatting details. Having a template to follow should make formatting your papers easier.
Title of Paper
Author’s Name
Jack Welch Management Institute
Professor’s Name
Course Number
Date
Abstract
Following generally accepted rules for preparing manuscripts will help students confidently structure professional papers. This manuscript provides a basic layout for students to apply in this program and in their professional writing. The approach is based upon the sixth edition of the APA guidelines (2009). The topics of general formatting, the introduction, section headings, quotations, citations, conclusion, and references are discussed. The APA guidelines define an abstract as a single paragraph, without indentation, that summarizes the key points of the manuscript. The purpose of the abstract is to provide the reader with a brief summary of the paper, such as this abstract. The total length should not exceed 120 words, with each sentence written concisely.
Introduction
Learning to write in a recognized
professional format, such as APA, will help students achieve effective academic and professional writing. Using an established manuscript format is more efficient for the author and the reader, leading to more effective communication. According to a College Board (2004) survey of 120 major American corporations, “in today’s workplace writing is a threshold skill for hiring and promotion among salaried (i.e., professional) employees” (p. 3). Thus, excellent writing is one of the most important objectives of a business education. To help students achieve this professional advantage, the Jack Welch Management Institute requires all students to develop a professional writing style. The following sections discuss and are examples of the basics of one commonly used manuscript style, APA. Note that this manuscript format does not include all details of APA.
General Manuscript Format
The body of the paper should have one inch margins and use a 12 pt. font that is easy to read, such as Times New Roman. To aid ease of reading, double space throughout the paper. Align the manuscript flush left, resulting in an uneven right margin. Indent paragraphs five to seven spaces. Page numbers are one inch from the top right edge of the paper. Page numbers are not required for short papers, yet useful for longer ones. Headings
Begin each major section of the paper with the topic heading in bold font, centered at the top of the page. The body of the text is typically divided into subsections as shown in this template ...
1Running head TITLE OF YOUR PAPER (50 characters max)4.docxaulasnilda
1
Running head: TITLE OF YOUR PAPER (50 characters max)
4
TITLE OF YOUR PAPER
Title of Your Paper
Your Name
Independence University
Abstract
An abstract is optional and is a general overview of the content covered in your paper. The abstract should be no more than 250 words. In general class assignments, the abstract may not be required. Please check with you instructor regarding this requirement. For the running head above, the words Running head: should be in the same 12-point font as the rest of the paper, only appear on the cover page, be on the same line as the page number, and be aligned with the left 1” margin. The paper title portion should be in all caps. For the second page and beyond, the running head should only include the paper title in all caps. The page numbers should be aligned at the right 1” margin.
Title of Your Paper
The initial paragraph is assumed in APA to include the introduction to your paper, and therefore does not require the heading of “Introduction”. Use the paper title as the initial paper heading, centered, not in bold, with major words capitalized. The heading and content should start at the top of the page with no extra spacing. The entire paper should be double-spaced with no extra spacing between headings or paragraphs. The first line of every paragraph should be indented 5-7 spaces, or .5” by default. This includes paragraphs following numbered lists and images. This section should “introduce” the reader to the content covered in your paper. In many ways, the introduction serves as a mini-outline for the rest of the paper. So, as you continue to write the remaining sections, make sure to only include the information related to what you have “introduced” in your introduction paragraph. To sum it up, this section should tell the audience what you are going to talk about in the Body.
Body
Use a level 1 APA heading appropriate for the content to introduce this section, centered and in bold. Do not use the Body heading. The “body” of your paper should expand on the concepts covered in your introduction. It is appropriate to have main and subtopics in this section. The main and subtopics should be identified by using the appropriate Level Heading. To sum it up, this section should talk about what you told the audience you were going to talk about in your Introduction. Use additional APA heading levels following an outline format for each new concept section in your paper. Level 1 is centered and in bold. Level 2 is left-aligned and in bold, level 3 is in the first line of the paragraph, in bold, and ending with a period., etc. Each heading should be appropriate for the content contained in the paragraphs under the heading.
Citing Your Sources
When using information from outside sources in your writing, you must cite those sources appropriately. As an example, if you are paraphrasing, follow the end of the information with a citation, then follow with the period to end the sent ...
1Running head TITLE OF YOUR PAPER (50 characters max)4.docx
Cash
1. Editorial
Caveats in the proficient preparation of an APA-style research manuscript
for publication
Thomas F. Cash
Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, United States
Introduction
Scientists invest exceptional intellect and innumerable hours
in the conduct of research for peer-reviewed publication. In
turn, journal editors and peer-reviewers devote considerable
time, effort, and expertise in carefully reading and evaluating
researchers’ manuscripts. Evaluators are impressed by well-
written papers that are coherently organized, technically and
stylistically accurate, and possess prose that flows and informs. On
the other hand, they frequently encounter common mistakes in
composition, provision of requisite information, and stylistic
correctness. These errors of commission and omission can be
frustrating to the evaluating reader. Moreover, a poorly prepared
paper may lead its reader to question, with or without cognizance,
the authors’ conscientiousness in the science behind the paper.
Having spent over 35 years as a university professor, scientist,
research supervisor, and journal editor/reviewer, I wish to
convey constructive advice to authors preparing scientific
manuscripts for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Some
of my counsel concerns effective scientific writing. Other specific
guidance pertains to compliance with stylistic requirements of
the fifth edition of the Publication Manual of the American
Psychological Association (APA, 2001). I hope to offer something
of value beyond the mission and scope of this particular journal.
My aim is to give guidelines, in a user-friendly checklist format,
which will aid not only authors, reviewers, and editors, but also
students and instructors/supervisors in the social and behavioral
sciences. I offer my advice informed by the errors that authors
commonly make when submitting papers to journals that require
APA style.
The big picture
Researchers who seek to publish their work in a peer-reviewed
scientific journal must appreciate some fundamental facts about
the process. In most journals, pages are a fixed, economic
commodity. Unless the journal is a purely electronic publication
or charges authors for journal pages, it can publish only a certain
number of pages per volume. This means lengthier papers must
‘‘earn their keep’’ in terms of their quality and empirical
contributions to the literature. Of course, some journals specify
word-length criteria for various types of submitted papers (e.g.,
reviews, full-length articles, or brief research reports). Authors
should be attentive to these criteria.
A familiar problematic submission is a paper that derives from a
very lengthy thesis or dissertation. The author originally wrote it
for a different purpose—namely, to impress a committee with the
comprehensive detail of the work and earn the degree. Having
succeeded, the author reluctantly reduces the beloved 200-page
document with 150 references and 15 tables and figures to a
submitted paper of 50 pages with 75 references and 7 tables/
figures. Because this reduction is still twice the length of most
papers published in social and behavioral science journals, the
Body Image 6 (2009) 1–6
A R T I C L E I N F O
Article history:
Received 1 October 2008
Keywords:
Manuscript preparation
APA style
Effective scientific writing
A B S T R A C T
Writing a scientific research paper for submission to a peer-reviewed journal requires compositional skill
and attention to details. In evaluating submitted manuscripts, journal editors and reviewers often
encounter recurrent mistakes in composition and in compliance with the stylistic requirements of the
particular publication. This editorial article identifies core tenets of effective scientific writing in the social
and behavioral sciences, and it delineates commonly committed errors in violation of the style prescribed
by the American Psychological Association (APA). The editor organizes his advice in a user-friendly
checklist to assist both authors and reviewers associated with this journal (Body Image: An International
Journal of Research), as well as other journals that adhere to APA style. This advisory article may also assist
research supervisors and instructors in academic training contexts.
ß 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
E-mail address: tcash@odu.edu.
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Body Image
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/bodyimage
1740-1445/$ – see front matter ß 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2008.10.003
2. regrettable result could be the rejection of a possibly promising
piece of research for publication.
A well-written manuscript is the cumulative accomplishment
of many ‘‘little things.’’ Always check spelling, grammar, punctua-
tion, clarity of sentence structure, organizational coherence, and
compliance with APA style. Poor writing is, of course, poor
communication. A wise practice is to ask an experienced writer
who is removed from the study to read the paper and give
corrective commentary before submission of the paper or its
revision. Authors whose primary language is not English should
solicit feedback about their manuscript written in English.
For a fee, commercial services are available to authors in need
of language editing assistance (for example, see http://www.
elsevier.com/wps/find/authorshome.authors/languagepolishing).
Below is my enumerated list of some key aspects of APA style
and effective manuscript preparation. Then I provide specific tips
for each section of the paper.
& 1. An APA-style paper must be double spaced throughout, with
1-in. (about 2.5-cm) margins all around. The left margin is
flush (justified), and the right margin is ragged (unjustified).
Indent all paragraphs. The body of the paper is continuous,
and the only section after the Introduction that begins on a
new page is the References. Place tables and figures, one per
page, at the end of the manuscript. Do not run them into the
body of the paper. Make reference to each table or figure in
the text of the Results section. There’s no need to say ‘‘Insert
Table or Figure about here.’’
& 2. Headings and subheadings perform a vital organizational
function for a manuscript. APA style is precise about the
hierarchical distinctions among five heading levels (see APA,
2001, pp. 111–115). Each level has its unique placement
(i.e., centered or flush left or indented) and appearance (i.e.,
whether or not capitalized or italicized). Unlike many
authors incorrectly assume, none of the levels uses boldface
type in the manuscript itself. Of course, journal publishers
may have their own typesetting styles that convert your
APA-style manuscript into a different format for the printed
page.
& 3. APA style presents some tense challenges (pun intended).
Verbs should be consistently in the past tense ‘‘to express an
action or a condition that occurred at a specific, definite time
in the past, as when discussing another researcher’s work
and when reporting your results’’ (APA, 2001, p. 42). On the
other hand, the present tense is appropriate for discussing
the results and the conclusions (e.g., ‘‘The group compar-
isons indicate. . ..’’).
& 4. APA style prefers active voice over passive voice. For
example, say ‘‘The researchers conducted the study’’ rather
than ‘‘The study was conducted by the researchers.’’
& 5. Two very common writing errors are (a) subject-verb
disagreement and (b) noun-pronoun disagreement. For
examples of errors: ‘‘The percentage (singular) of partici-
pants who dropped out were (plural). . .’’ ‘‘An individual’s
(singular) relationship with their (plural) therapist. . .’’
Carefully check the paper for these easy-to-miss mistakes.
& 6. Use direct quotations sparingly and only when crucial to
making a point. When used however, the cited source must
also include the page number(s) of the quoted material.
Enclose brief quotations of fewer than 40 words within
double quotation marks and run them into the text. Longer
quotations are placed in indented, double-spaced blocks,
without quotation marks.
& 7. There is efficiency in an abbreviation or acronym for the
name of a theory, variable, assessment, etc. For the term’s
first use, spell it out entirely and introduce the acronym
parenthetically. However, do not construct an acronym for
use only a few times in the manuscript.
& 8. APA style entails many rules about the expression of
numbers in numerals versus words (see APA, 2001, pp. 122–
128). The basic rule is to use numerals for 10 or more and to
use words for numbers less than 10. Key exceptions are that
numerals should be used when preceding a unit of
measurement (e.g., 9 kg) or when referring to percentages
(e.g., 6% of the data), time (e.g., 2-week interval), partici-
pants (e.g., 9 girls), points on a scale (e.g., a score of 4 on a 7-
point scale), or a particular place in a numbered series (e.g.,
Factor 3, Hypothesis 1, Study 2, Table 5, Trial 6, etc.). Notice
the capitalization of the nouns in the final example.
& 9. Authors should list serial elements (words, phrases, or
sentences) as fully parenthesized letters instead of num-
bers—i.e., (a), (b), (c),. . . . Use arabic numerals without
parentheses and followed by a period only when the series
consists of separate paragraphs.
& 10. Decisions about hyphenation can be tricky. APA style
eschews arbitrary hyphens that do not serve to clarify
meaning. The APA Publication Manual (pp. 89–94) gives
excellent guidance. Its Table 3.2 (p. 92) lists 32 prefixes that
rarely require a hyphen—after, anti, bi, co, counter, equi, extra,
infra, inter, intra, macro, mega, meta (unless meta-analysis),
micro, mid, mini, multi, non, over, post, pre, pro, pseudo, re,
semi, socio, sub, super, supra, ultra, un, under. Table 3.3 of the
Manual gives exceptions (p. 93). Moreover, t test and F test
are not hyphenated, unless used as an adjective (e.g., t-test
results). Write follow-up as an adjective or noun and follow
up as a verb.
Most ultimately accepted papers in respectable journals go
through one or more revisions. With each revision, the author must
compose a cover letter that speaks to each issue, whether major or
minor, raised in the review process. The more specific this letter is
the better. How was the manuscript revised in response to each
point? If a point was not addressed in the revision, explain this
decision. Never simply say: ‘‘We revised the paper to reflect the
editor’s and reviewers’ comments.’’ This unwisely makes the
editor’s or re-reviewers’ job much more difficult. The best
approach is to copy each review point into the letter and follow
it with an informative response. Of course, always maintain a
professional tone in this letter. It is better to say ‘‘We respectfully
disagree with the reviewer’s point for these reasons’’ (with cited
sources if possible) than ‘‘The reviewer is obviously inept.’’
Reputable journals reject more manuscripts for publication
than they accept. However, with rejection comes detailed expert
feedback about the strengths and weaknesses of the paper and the
research it reports. Such feedback is priceless, and authors should
thoughtfully incorporate it into any revision submitted to another
journal. Sometimes an author makes a few modifications to a
rejected manuscript and sends it off to another journal that
requires a different style, assuming that style does not really
matter. It does. Always carefully comply with a journal’s stylistic
requirements.
The abstract
The abstract of a published manuscript ‘‘speaks’’ for the paper. It
represents the work to those who search online databases for
topical information. Many more people will read the abstract than
the complete article. Therefore, it must inform the reader of the
basic purpose, methods, and findings of the research. Of course, the
challenge is to tell the scientific story accurately but succinctly,
Editorial / Body Image 6 (2009) 1–62
3. without offering misleading overgeneralizations or getting caught
up in extraneous detail.
Consider the following advice for composing an effective
abstract:
& 1. According to the APA Publication Manual, the abstract should
not exceed 120 words, although different journals may
prescribe different lengths. For example, Body Image permits
a maximum of 150 words. Some journals require an
explicitly structured abstract. Be sure to check the require-
ments of the journal to which you submit your paper.
& 2. Begin the abstract by stating the problem or issue under
investigation, but do not simply repeat the title.
& 3. Provide the most pertinent information about the partici-
pants (e.g., sex, age, ethnicity, etc.) and indicate the total
sample size (N) and the n for relevant groups (e.g.,
participants in experimental and control groups).
& 4. Give sufficient details about the methodology to convey what
was done in the study. Give the capitalized names of the
principal standardized tests administered in the research.
& 5. State the key findings, especially those associated with the
hypotheses. Do not get sidetracked into minor or explora-
tory results.
& 6. End the abstract with core conclusions and their implica-
tions. Avoid uninformative generic statements, such as
‘‘Results and their implications are discussed.’’
& 7. Do not load the abstract with statistical details. The
statement of a finding may include a p level or effect size,
but not a lengthy statistical string.
& 8. Do not cite sources in the abstract unless essential. For a
crucial source, specify author(s) and publication date, but do
not give the entire reference that belongs in the References
section.
& 9. For economy, use figures instead of words for all numbers,
unless beginning a sentence. The use of acronyms or
abbreviations may also conserve length, but you must
initially define them (except for measurement units), even if
you do so in the body of the paper per se. Of course, there is
no need to create an acronym in the abstract unless it is
used.
& 10. Most journals ask authors to provide a list of key words to
describe the study. Actually having these words in the
abstract may improve the electronic retrievability of the
published article.
The Introduction section
Have you ever ceased reading a book because you found the
first chapter uncompelling or confusing? First impressions are
important, and the Introduction section of a scientific paper
should impress the reader of the significance of the subject and
reasonableness of the rationale for the study. The Introduction
must flow logically and provide the theoretical and empirical
justification for the study. Like an inverted triangle, it system-
atically moves from the broad topic and its importance, narrows to
discuss the specifically pertinent literature, and leads to the
essential objectives of the study. This endpoint should come as
no surprise to the reader, because everything has led plausibly to
that point.
Problematic Introduction sections often reflect one or more of
the following issues:
& 1. The flow from the foundation to the objectives or hypotheses
of the study is not logical or organized. The route contains
irrelevant sidelines or too much information. Often these
circuitous compositions are too lengthy as well. Comply with
the above ‘‘inverted triangle’’ concept.
& 2. Authors sometimes hold an implicit (or explicit) assumption
that the more references they cite the more scholarly and
impressive the Introduction is. Use only the most relevant
citations. Avoid redundant or peripheral citations. Qualitative
and quantitative review articles and book chapters can offer
informative conclusions for incorporation in the Introduc-
tion. Nevertheless, this section should also critically integrate
primary research evidence from specific investigations.
& 3. Editors and reviewers properly pay attention to the dates
associated with the cited sources. They become concerned
if they see few sources from the past 2 years. Sometimes
research sits on the shelf for a year or more before the busy
scientist writes it up for publication. Be sure to do a new
literature search via pertinent scholarly databases before
finalizing the paper for submission. Also be sure to check for
recent, pertinent articles published in the journal to which
the paper is submitted.
& 4. In APA style, the initial citation of a source is presented either
with the text itself or within parentheses in the text. In the
body of a sentence, always use ‘‘and’’ before the final author’s
name. In parentheses, always use ‘‘&’’ instead.
& 5. Multiple parenthetical citations are in alphabetical order. List
all authors of a source (up to six authors) when it first
appears. For more than six authors, list the first six followed
by et al. Subsequently, for three or more authors, give only the
first author’s surname followed by et al. and the date. Of
course, a tricky situation occurs if multiple citations with the
same first author and date shorten to be identical. Here,
simply list as many authors are necessary to make the
citations distinctive. See also Point 3 of ‘‘The References
section’’ below for guidance on what to do when two or more
different references result in identical citations.
& 6. If the same citation occurs multiple times within a given
paragraph, omit the date following authors’ names in the
second or subsequent citation(s).
& 7. An Introduction concludes with a specification of research
hypotheses and any other research questions that the study
seeks to answer. As noted above, readers should never
wonder ‘‘Why are the authors making this prediction?’’
The Method section
The Method section is the crucial communication about how
the researchers conducted the research. It must precisely describe
participants, procedures, and materials. Future researchers who
wish to carry out full or partial replications of the study should
receive ‘‘the recipe.’’ This section should provide the following
information:
& 1. Who were the participants? State the sample size and
participants’ geographic location, sex, age, educational
attainment, ethnicities, and other study-relevant charac-
teristics. For example, in this journal, information about
their body mass index is often essential (BMI = kg/m2
). Do
not refer to human participants as males or females;
instead use the terms boys and girls for children and men
and women for adults.
& 2. How did the researchers recruit and select participants? Was
this a true random sample, a convenience sample, a
‘‘snowballed’’ sample? Were there inclusionary and exclu-
sionary criteria? Were participatory incentives offered?
& 3. Clearly describe the data collection process (e.g., collected
individually, in small groups, in classrooms, online, etc.). Give
Editorial / Body Image 6 (2009) 1–6 3
4. the specifics of any manipulation of independent variables in
an experimental investigation.
& 4. Describe each dependent variable. For example, information
about self-report measures (scales) should include the
number of items, response format, scoring method, and
evidence of validity and reliability, including if applicable the
internal consistency of scores (e.g., Cronbach’s alphas) in the
actual study sample. It is sometimes helpful to provide one or
two verbatim items from multi-item measures of a construct,
especially if the measures are not well known. This gives
readers a clearer sense of the content of the assessment.
& 5. Authors should calculate composite scores (i.e., as means or
totals) in the same manner as the measures’ originators
prescribed. This facilitates the comparison of data with other
studies or published norms.
& 6. If the study uses raters’ judgments, the interjudge reliability
should be stated using the proper statistic (e.g., Cohen’s
kappa or intraclass correlation coefficient). A simple percen-
tage of agreement is usually inadequate.
& 7. The Method section should include a statement concerning
the ethical treatment of participants and an indication that an
ethics committee (e.g., Institutional Review Board) reviewed
and approved the research.
The Results section
The presentation of data analyses and results is the most
technical section of the paper. It requires little creativity yet much
mindful attention to detail. The APA Publication Manual is very
precise about this statistically oriented section. Morgan, Reichert,
and Harrison’s (2002) book, From Numbers to Words: Reporting
Statistical Results for the Social Sciences, is a helpful resource for
writing this section of the manuscript. Furthermore, Mertler and
Vannatta (2005) present excellent examples of translating
advanced and multivariate statistical output into the descriptive
prose of the Results section. My points below can help authors
avoid common shortcomings in this section of the manuscript:
& 1. Begin the Results with statements about any preliminary
analyses pertinent to data screening (e.g., outlying values),
tests of statistical assumptions, manipulation checks,
analyses of potential confounds with the independent
variables, data reduction considerations, etc.
& 2. Organize principal analyses and results by explicit hypotheses.
Consider using subheadings for a complex Results section.
& 3. The interpretation of results belongs in the Discussion
section. The Results section states whether or not each
hypothesis is supported, but it should not explain why.
& 4. Provide a full description of the specific analyses. For
example, specify the type of correlation (e.g., Pearson,
point-biserial, semi-partial). Identify the method of entry
for multiple regressions (e.g., hierarchical or forward
stepwise). For analyses of variance, denote the model/
factors (e.g., 3 Â 2) and name the independent variables
and levels and whether they are between-group or within-
group factors. Any post hoc tests should be identified (e.g.,
Tukey’s HSD, Sheffe’s test, etc.).
& 5. Excessive analyses may constitute ‘‘fishing expeditions.’’ Be
cognizant of the alpha inflation (or testwise error) that
occurs with multiple statistical tests. Consider methods
such as a Bonferroni correction for reducing this error rate.
& 6. Use tables for an economical presentation of data (e.g.,
means and standard deviations, test values, significance
levels, and effect sizes). Use figures to depict the results of
complex interactions or structural equation modeling.
Avoid needless redundancy of text with tables and figures.
See the ‘‘Tables and Figures’’ section below for further tips.
& 7. Do not use excessive decimal places. Typically, two decimals
suffice.
& 8. Use a leading 0 when numbers are less than 1, except when
the number cannot exceed 1 (e.g., correlations, proportions,
and significance levels).
& 9. Italicize all non-Greek abbreviations and symbols for
parameters and statistics (e.g., N, n, M, Mdn, SD, F, t, r, R,
p, df, Cohen’s d, etc.). To pluralize these, simply add an s
(without italicizing the s or using an apostrophe that
would convey the possessive case). Thus, the plural of p is
ps, and the plural of F is Fs. The abbreviation of
‘‘nonsignificant’’ italicizes both letters (ns, not n.s. or
ns). Any subscript or superscript with the abbreviation/
symbol is not italicized (e.g., Fmax and R2
).
& 10. Do not write out a Greek symbol (e.g., alpha, beta, chi, or eta)
in a statistical string. Instead, use the actual symbol (e.g., a,
b, x, or h). With Microsoft Word, choose Insert and Symbol
and then select the proper Greek symbol.
& 11. Use the proper format for strings in statistical tests (see APA,
2001, pp. 138–139). Take care to use proper punctuation
and spacing in these strings, for example, F(4, 523) = 6.51,
p < .001, h2
= .05. Avoid parentheses within parentheses or
parentheses within brackets. Usually the string material
that includes parentheses can be simply set off with a
comma or commas.
& 12. Report an index of effect size associated with each statistical
result.
& 13. Throughout the paper (including tables and figures), always
insert a space before and after arithmetic operators (i.e., <, =,
>, +, À, Â). Specifically, write p < .05, or N = 250, or a + b = c,
or 2 Â 2 design.
& 14. Do not report a p level from statistical output that is
truncated as .000. This means zero; the reported value
should be .001.
& 15. Do not include citations other than those that are pertinent
to statistical analyses. However, it is unnecessary to cite a
source for major statistical packages (e.g., SPSS, SAS, etc.).
& 16. The word data is plural (i.e., datum is the singular form). So
say ‘‘The data were . . .,’’ not ‘‘The data was . . ..’’
The Discussion section
The purposes of a Discussion section in a scientific manuscript
are to summarize, interpret, and critically evaluate research
findings and their implications. To follow are key guidelines in
writing this section:
& 1. Do not merely reiterate the Results section or copy/paste its
sentences. The Discussion section is a thoughtful, scholarly,
critical exposition and interpretation of the results and the
implications of the study.
& 2. If the research entailed multiple studies or complex
findings, consider using a few descriptive headings to
organize subsections of the Discussion.
& 3. Begin with a brief overview of the study’s principal aims. If
the study’s methodology improved upon past research,
articulate this strength.
& 4. Next, provide a descriptive summary of the study’s primary
findings. Indicate whether or not the results confirmed the
hypotheses.
& 5. Never report significant group differences or a significant
correlation without specifying the nature of the differences
or direction of the correlation.
Editorial / Body Image 6 (2009) 1–64
5. & 6. In turn, interpret each primary finding (conclusion) in the
context of the research and/or theories presented in the
Introduction. Literally go back to the Introduction and
systematically consider whether or not each cited source
should be incorporated into the Discussion.
& 7. Summarize and interpret any findings beyond the hypoth-
eses.
& 8. Mention pertinent competing explanations of the findings
and whether they can or cannot be ruled out.
& 9. Show consideration of the practical significance of the
results by recognition of effect sizes and not just statistical
significance.
& 10. Include at least one paragraph (or integrated discussion) to
recognize the study’s limitations with respect to threats to
internal and external validity (e.g., issues related to
sampling, statistical power, reliability of measurement,
ecological validity, potential confounds or third-variable
explanations, etc.).
& 11. Do not gloss over or be defensive about methodological
‘‘mistakes’’ in the study. Weaknesses inform directions for
improvements.
& 12. Do not focus on positive (predicted) results and ignore
unexpected or negative results. Science is not selectively
myopic in the consideration of evidence.
& 13. Discuss the empirical and/or theoretical implications of
findings, especially by identifying directions for future
research and/or theory development on the topic.
& 14. Discuss the applied, ‘‘real world’’ implications of the
findings—for example, their relevance for clinical practice,
education, or social change.
& 15. Never use unwarranted causal language (e.g., ‘‘influence,’’
‘‘affect,’’ ‘‘produce,’’ ‘‘lead to,’’ ‘‘result in,’’ etc.). Findings
from correlational or quasi-experimental designs do not
permit causal inferences and should not involve such
language.
& 16. Do not assume that self-reports of events are the same as the
actual occurrence of events. For example, memories of
events do not verify them. Self-reported behaviors are not
the same as objectively observed behaviors.
& 17. Nonsignificant ‘‘trends’’ (i.e., p level > set a level) should
never be presented as if they were significant—for example,
by saying ‘‘nearly significant’’ or ‘‘approaching significance’’
or ‘‘means in the right direction’’ or ‘‘would be significant
with a larger sample.’’ This is flawed wishful thinking.
& 18. The inverse of this ‘‘almost significant’’ error is the reference
to a finding as ‘‘highly significant.’’ Avoid adjectival char-
acterization of significance levels. Just provide the p value. On
the other hand, adjectives such as small, medium, or large
maybeusedtodescribe effect sizesif established conventions
are followed—for example, using Cohen’s (1988, 1992)
terminology.
& 19. Never present analyses or statistics for the first time in the
Discussion. Statistics belong in the Results section, even as
supplementary analyses.
& 20. Avoid using acronyms for variables In the Discussion. Write
in prose about the constructs that measures represent. For
example, discuss ‘‘body dissatisfaction’’ rather ‘‘the EDI-BD
scale’’ unless the paper is about the scale per se.
The References section
The References section compiles the full sources for all citations
in the manuscript. This task requires careful adherence to APA
style, as indicated in the following checklist of typical mistakes. For
details about the myriad imaginable sources that might appear in
this section, consult Chapter 4 of the APA Publication Manual (pp.
215–281). Given the expansion of electronic sources that
researchers may cite, APA (2007) published the APA Style Guide
to Electronic References (for purchase and download in PDF format).
& 1. One very common error is the omission of a reference for a
citation in the body of the manuscript. Another frequent
mistake is to include sources in the References section that
are never cited in the paper. Before submitting a manuscript,
make a list of all cited sources and systematically check
against the References section, adding those that are missing
and deleting those that were never cited (unless they should
have been).
& 2. Each reference begins flush left for its first line, followed by a
hanging indentation of subsequent lines. Order references
alphabetically by the first author’s surname. If there are
references with the same first author but different secondary
authors, place them alphabetically according to the second-
ary authors.
& 3. If references have the same sole author or the same series of
authors, place them in sequence from least to most recent. If
the authors and dates are identical for two or more
references, they should be listed in alphabetical order by
title. This latter occurrence requires placing a distinctive
letter after the date (or the phrase ‘‘in press’’), both in the
References section and in the text citation (e.g., Sarwer,
2007a, 2007b, 2007c; or Thompson & Cash, in press-a, in
press-b). This is the only occasion for using lettered
distinctions. Notice these examples of text citations do not
repeat authors’ names but present them once followed by the
series of dates.
& 4. APA-style rules for capitalization in references pose difficul-
ties for many authors. The major words in a journal title
should be capitalized. This is not the case for article titles,
book titles, or edited works, which use upper case only for the
first word, the word immediately following a colon, a proper
noun (e.g., African Americans), or a the name of a formal
measure (e.g., Body Shape Questionnaire or Beck Depression
Inventory).
& 5. Some manuscript styles (e.g., American Medical Association
style) require abbreviation of journal titles. APA style does
not. Write out each journal title fully.
& 6. When should italics be used in the reference list? They
designate journal titles, authored or edited book titles,
journal volume numbers, and the titles of unpublished
theses, dissertations, and manuscripts (including papers or
posters presented at specified conferences).
& 7. Do not enter a parenthetical issue number after the volume
number in a journal reference. The only exception is the rare
instance in which each issue of the journal begins with page 1.
Most journals have continuous pagination across all issues in
an entire volume.
& 8. Researchers sometimes cite sources located only on the
Internet. After providing the authors’ names, the document’s
date, and its title as usual, specify the retrieval date and full
URL that takes the reader to the exact location of the
Web page or document. For example: Retrieved September
10, 2008, from http://www.body-images.com/assessments/
mbsrq.html (Notice that no period appears after the URL and
that it is not formatted as hyperlink.) Most of us now access
print-journal articles electronically, and my opinion is that it
is unnecessary to provide the above retrieval information for
such articles. For information on citing and referencing
electronic material, see APA (2007) or http://www.apastyle.
org/elecref.html.
Editorial / Body Image 6 (2009) 1–6 5
6. Tables and figures
The construction of a table or graphical figure requires careful
planning and attention to detail. As I mentioned previously, the
first step is to decide on the need for such material. All too often,
authors create numerous tables or figures that are unnecessary and
can be incorporated more simply and economically within the text
of the paper. Reserve tables and figures for ‘‘crucial data that are
directly related to the content of your article and for simplifying
text that otherwise would be dense with numbers’’ (APA, 2001,
p. 147).
Rather than struggle to reinvent the wheel, for layout rely on a
content-relevant model from an article published in APA style or
examine the many examples depicted in the APA Publication
Manual. Nicol and Pexman’s (1999) book is a very practical guide
for creating tables. Morgan et al. (2002) similarly present helpful
advice on the construction of tables and figures. Although I cannot
detail all rules and guidelines that APA (2001) delineates and
exemplifies (pp. 147–201), here are some recommendations for
effective tables and figures.
& 1. A table’s title or a figure’s caption should accurately describe
its content. Titles like ‘‘Means and Standard Deviations’’ or
‘‘Correlation Matrix’’ or ‘‘Regression Results’’ are too general.
& 2. Carefully place all data in tabular rows and columns, with
clearly worded headings. Align columns on the decimals.
Some single spacing may be acceptable within lengthy tables,
so long as material is easily readable. Present tables with
many columns in landscape (not portrait) orientation.
& 3. Avoid the excessive use of acronyms or abbreviations in
tables. Consider using construct or variable names. When
shortening terms, however, always define them in a tabular
note.
& 4. Although sophisticated software facilitates the construction
of beautiful graphics, figures that rely on color-coded lines or
legends are useless if the journal publishes only in black/
white or grayscale. Bars or lines within a figure must be
distinctive (e.g., different bar fills, line styles, point symbols,
etc.).
& 5. Label both axes of a graph. Specify units of measurement in
relation to axis tick marks. The graph should not misrepre-
sent the findings by displaying a very restricted portion of the
actual measurement scale on the y axis.
& 6. Consult several published examples for an effective graphical
representation of results from multivariate modeling ana-
lyses (e.g. path analysis, structural equation models, etc.).
& 7. Before submitting a paper, always go back to the original
statistical output and verify the accuracy of the information
in the tabular and statistical data. Typographical and
rounding errors are very easy to make.
Conclusions
Well-written scientific manuscripts greatly benefit researchers
and professionals involved in the editorial review process. Authors
should be as conscientious and attentive to detail in their
preparation of a manuscript for publication as they are in the
methodology and analysis of their research. An unfortunate
assumption is that faulty writing and violations of style do not
really matter because the science will shine through and ‘‘all this
little stuff will get fixed’’ by the journal’s editors, reviewers, or
typesetters. Actually, these shortcomings are very time-consuming
for reviewers and editors to detail to authors before typesetters
become involved. Researchers should strive to prepare the best
paper possible before submitting it for publication.
Rather than submitting an improperly written paper, research-
ers accustomed to composing manuscripts for journals with
different stylistic requirements should become familiar with APA
style. The perfect mastery of APA’s 439-page Publication Manual is
no easy feat. Perhaps for this reason, APA (2005) published its 212-
page Concise Rules of APA Style and offers some tips at http://
www.apastyle.org. Prior to submission, authors are wise to consult
these manuals or obtain assistance from a colleague who is very
experienced with this style.
The primary objective of my editorial article is to provide an
informative checklist to authors and to those involved in the
review process for this and other journals. Of course, this article is
not a comprehensive manual for composing an APA-style paper,
but it highlights many common mistakes that authors commit.
Before submitting their work, authors can systematically evaluate
their manuscript in relation to the checklist. Moreover, rather
than having to write lengthy explanations of certain errors,
reviewers and editors can simply refer authors to this checklist.
For example, they may ask the author to correct the paper in
accordance with Big Picture #4, Abstract #9, Introduction #5,
Method #2, Results #11, Discussion #10, References #2, and
Tables and Figures #2. This article may also assist research
supervisors and academic instructors in training students to write
effective manuscripts. For open access, the publisher has posted
this article on the journal’s website at http://www.elsevier.com/
wps/find/S05_356.cws_home/tceditorial.
Acknowledgments
I thank Drs. David Sarwer and Kevin Thompson for their helpful
comments on an initial draft of this article.
References
American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psy-
chological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
American Psychological Association. (2005). Concise rules of APA style. Washington, DC:
Author.
American Psychological Association. (2007). APA style guide to electronic references
(PDF). Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved September 14, 2008, from http://book-
s.apa.org/books.cfm?id=4210509.
Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Hillsdale,
NJ: Erlbaum.
Cohen, J. (1992). A power primer. Psychological Bulletin, 112, 155–159.
Mertler, C. A., & Vannatta, R. A. (2005). Advanced and multivariate statistical methods:
Practical application and interpretation (3rd ed.). Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Publishing.
Morgan, S. E., Reichert, T., & Harrison, T. R. (2002). From numbers to words: Reporting
statistical results for the social sciences. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Nicol, A. A. M., & Pexman, P. M. (1999). Presenting your findings: A practical guide for
creating tables. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Editorial / Body Image 6 (2009) 1–66