A research paper is designed to teach you and your reader something
valuable about your chosen topic. You will learn to create this paper using the APA
documentation style — a style adopted by most colleges because it is logical and easy
to understand.
Step 1: Your Topic
You are to choose any subject that truly interests you. Do not choose a broad subject like
“Alcoholism”. You must narrow it down to something a little more specific like
“The Psychological Effect of Alcohol” or “Alcoholism In High Schools.”
Step 2: Write A Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is a sentence that states what you plan to
research. It is your focus and will make your research more productive!! In the early
stages it is in the form of a question. Later, that question will be formed into a
sentence that states exactly what you learned about the subject.
Step 3: Search For Information
Because you want to learn all you can about your topic, you will want to use different kinds of sources. You are not limited to the following: Books, Magazines, Internet, Electronic Sources, Encyclopedias, Interviews, Films, Television, Surveys, Questionnaires and First Hand Observation. If you can’t find what you want in our library try the Sutter County Library - Sac Library found at http://www.saclibrarycatalog.org/search..
As you search for information, you will need to take notes on ideas, write down quotations and list your sources. How you keep track of all this will be one of 3 ways, depending on whatever fits your personality.
1. Bibliography cards,
2. Photocopies of all your information, or
3. Scraps of paper with your info. Just keep it ORGANIZED and it will be easy “writing” your paper!
* To summarize, reduce what you have read to a few important points using your own words.
* To paraphrase, restate what you have read using your own words. Put quotations marks only around
key word or phrases you borrow directly from the sources.
* To quote someone directly, record the statement or idea word for word and put quotations marks around
this information” (Sebranek, Meyer & Kemper, 1996, 170)
Note:
If your quote is over 40 words, do not use quotation marks. Instead start the
quote on a new line indented five spaces with each subsequent line also indented.
Step 4: Write Your Working Outline
Organize your found fragments of information into their most logical
order and use them to create an outline. This will allow you to see what subcategories are
in need of more information.
Step 5: Write Your Paper
Introduction
According to Sebranek, Meyer, & Kemper (1997) your introduction
should do two things. Grab your readers attention by first saying something personal or
interesting about your subject. Then, you should identify the specific focus, or thesis,
of your research.
The Body Of Your Paper
You will write your paper using your own personality style, either
systematically or freely and openly. No matter how you approach it, remember to use your
own words as much as possible!
If you are working systematically you will work off of your outline.
Begin by writing a general statement that covers your first main point, then add
supporting facts and details. Repeat this process until you have covered all the main
points of your outline.
Some of you will just jump right in, writing as much as you can from
memory. Then, don’t forget to go back and add needed quotes and facts. Use your
outline to add missing points and to reorganize your thoughts.
Headings
It is useful to use headings and subheadings to help communicate the outline and organization of the paper.
Note: In most research papers only levels 1, 3 and 4 are used.
Level 1: Centered Uppercase and Lowercase Heading
Level 2: Centered, Italicized,
Uppercase & Lowercase Heading
Level 3:
Flush Left, Italicized, Uppercase & Lowercase Side Headings
Level 4:
Indented,
italicized, lowercase with a period.
Example:
Alcoholism In High School
Why Students Drink
Side Effects of Alchohol
Sutter high senior survey results.
Conclusion
In the conclusion you can take a more personal approach in
summarizing the points you have made. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your
research.
Step 6: Document Your Sources
Plagiarism
If you were to present another writer’s words or ideas as your
own without formally acknowledging them, you would be plagiarizing. Your source material
must be documented in the body of the paper and then listed in detail in the 'References'
section.
Text Citation
There are many ways to formally cite a reference in the text. The general
rule is to include the author’s last name and the date of the publication. It you
are including a quotation or paraphrasing, you must also include a page number. If your
quote is over 40 words, you must display it as a freestanding block of text indented 5
spaces from the left margin and double spaced as usual. Omit the quotation marks and
include the page number in parentheses after the last period.
When constructing parenthetical documentation the rule: is the
shorter the better! Try to incorporate most information in the text. The following
examples all are from the same source as listed in the reference. Note: Examples are
single spaced to save space. Author & Date Cited In Text (no Parenthetical Citation
necessary) Feinberg,
in his 1992 book, found that, according to many researchers in the field of genetic
engineering, behavior control would be a reality by the turn of the century. Author Not Cited In Text According
to many researchers in the field of genetic engineering, behavior control would be a
reality by the turn of the century (Feinberg, 1992). Author Cited In Text Feinberg
(1992) states that, according to many researchers in the field of genetic engineering,
behavior control would be a reality by the turn of the century. Direct Quotation with Name of Author Feinberg
(1992) states, “According to many researchers in the field of genetic engineering,
behavior control would be a reality by the turn of the century” (p. 94). Direct Quotation without Name of Author “According
to many researchers in the field of genetic engineering, behavior control would be a
reality by the turn of the century” (Feinberg, 1992, p. 94). References Feinberg, J (1992). Freedom and behavior control. New York:
Smithcon Press
*********** General Rules ************* ·
With two authors always
cite both names in your text. You may use '&' in your parenthetical. ·
With 3—5 authors cite
all the authors the first time the reference occurs. In subsequent citations use the first
author’s name followed by “et al.” ·
When the source has no
author, cite in the text the first few world of the reference list entry (usually the
title) and the year. ·
When the source has no date
of publication, cite the author’s last name, followed by a comma and n. d. for
“no date”. ·
Rule of thumb: Should have
one cited source per number of paper pages (i.e., 7 pages = 7 sources) · Secondary or indirect source.
When it is necessary to cite a source you have not read but found referred to in another
source, mention the original source in your text. Then, in your parenthetical citation,
cite the secondary source, using the words “as cited in”. In your references you would list the primary
source. …
study by Case (as cited in Davis, 2002). Reference Citations The reference page, found at the end of your research paper, includes
only those sources that were used in your paper. In the old “bibliography” style
you also listed background sources. Make sure that what is listed on this page is also
cited in your paper!! The following are general examples of reference citations as found
in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed., 2001).
·
Each must be listed in
alphabetical order by author or title (disregard A,
An, or The). ·
Note that the titles are
not capitalized in the usual way, only the first letter of the title and proper nouns are
capitalized. ·
For more details refer to our web site links or the
APA manual. Nonperiodicals
(books, reports, etc) General Form Author, A. A. (2001). Title of work. Location: Publisher. One Author Pepsin, R. E. (1988) Literature of satire in the twelfth century. Lewiston: Edwin Mellen Press. Two or More Authors Metha, J., & Smith, W. H. (1998) Spring is in the air. An Anonymous Author Tours of Virginia. (1999). New York: Somerset Book with Group As Author American Psychiatric Association. (2001). Diagnostic and
statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.) Washington, DC: Author Encyclopedia or Dictionary Morris, W. (Ed.). (1976). The American heritage dictionary of the
English language (New college edition). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Brochure Alcoholics Anonymous. (1998) Identifying addictions [Brochure].
Sacramento, CA: Author Article Reprinted in a Loose-Leaf Collection O’Connel, L. (January 7, 1993). Busy teens feel the beep. Orlando
Sentinel. E1+. Youth Volume 4. SIRS. Art.41. Boca Raton: Florida ** In the SIRS (Social
Issues Resources Series) binders, located in the library, you will find magazine and
newspaper articles from all over the United States. Treat the article like any other
magazine or newspaper article, but sure to then include all the SIRS information such as
volume and article number. Nonprint
Sources Note: Include a description of
form in brackets. Television Broadcast Townds, H. R. (Executive Producer). (1997, September 30) The hour
is now. [Television broadcast]. New York: Public Broadcasting Service. Videotape CBS Association (Producer). (1999) Nature vs. nurture. [Videotape]. Seattle, WA: CBS News Music Recording Linkin Park. (2000). In the end. On Hybrid theory [CD]
Burbank, CA: Warner Bros. Electronic Database Depression. (1997). Multimedia encyclopedia (Version 5.5)
[Electronic Database] New York: The Software Toolworks Interview Koppel, T. (November 14, 1996). Bill Clinton [Interview with Bill
Clinton]. Nightline. New Haven: ABC - WTNH Note: Personal interviews,
e-mail, seminars, lectures etc. do not provide recoverable data and are NOT included in
the reference list. Cite these personal communications in the TEXT only. Give the initials
as well as the last name of the communicator, and provide an exact date.
Periodicals (articles published in journals, magazines, newspapers) General Form Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (2001). Title of article. Title of Periodical, xx,
xxx-xxx . One Author Campbell, S. (1998) Are we so different? APA Journal, 147, 29-31. Unsigned Magazine What’s in a name? (2000, July) Psychology Today, 45-53. On-line
Documents (refer to our web site for up-to- date changes) General Form Author, A. A. (1999). Title of work. Retrieved month day,
year, from source. Stand-alone Web Document Nielson, M. E. (2000). Notable people in psychology of religion. Retrieved August 3, 2001, from
http://www.psywww.com/psyrelig/psyrelpr.htm Article: On-Line Computer Service Zaleski, R. (January 27,1996). Zoos: Right or wrong? Capital
Times. 1D. Madison. WI. (From Electric
Library) Retrieved August 15, 2000, from http:www.elibrary.com/education Step 7: Basic Paper Format General Margins: One inch on all sides (except the page header) Font: 12– point font, (Times Roman or Courier); Spacing: Double-spaced throughout the paper including title
page, abstract and references. Paragraph
indentation is 5—7 spaces. Page Header: The
first two or three words of the paper title appear five spaces to the left of the page
number on the top right of every page. Title Page Page Header: See
above Running Head: Typed flush left & all uppercase; 5 spaces
below the page header Title: Type &
center the Full title, your name & school Abstract The abstract page should be page 2 & follow the title page.
Center the word 'Abstract' on the first line of the page Body Title: Center the title of your paper on the 3rd page. Heading: See Step 5 Reference Center the word References on a new page. Entries are listed in
alphabetical order by author’s last name and should begin flush left with the second
and subsequent lines indented 5 spaces. Check-out the following sites for sample research papers ...
Step 8: Abstract An abstract is a one-paragraph summary of your research paper. It is
usually written after your paper is completed. Writing Your Abstract Sebranek et al. (1997) suggest the following: 1) Highlight
the key elements on a copy of your paper. 2) Begin
the abstract with your thesis statement. 3) Include
a summary of your key point in the same order as found in your paper. 4) The
abstract should reflect the purpose and content of your paper. General Format ·
Is placed on a new page
after the title page ·
Type the word Abstract
centered in the first line of the page ·
Should be a maximum of 120
words ·
Typed in block form —
do not indent paragraph
Step 9: Check Your Work
____ Read your paper! Does it make sense?
____ Have you checked your spelling, punctuation and grammar?
____ Did you include the necessary elements?
____ Make a photocopy of your paper. Teachers are only human and have been known to misplace the original!
____ Check yourself by completing the following grading criteria.
References
The APA style guide. (n. d.). The Royal Windsor Society for Nursing Research. Retrieved June 17, 2002, from
http://www.kelcom.igs.net/~nhodgins/apa_format_guidelines.html
Case, B. (2001). APA format-5th edition. Retrieved June 17, 2002, from http://www.calstatela.edu/library/guides/3apa.htm
Sebranek, P., Meyer V., & Kemper D. (1996) Writer’s INC. Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin Company
Sebranek, P., Meyer V., & Kemper D. (1997) Write for college. Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin Company