Research Proposal
Bella edwards
HowtoWriteanAPAProposalforResearch.pptxAPA Style and Formatting
How to Write an APA Proposal for Research
The Outline
Title page
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Tables and Figures
Discussion
References
Appendices
Title Page
Four Items Centered on Page
Title of Paper
Name of Author
Name of University
Year
Page Number Upper Right Corner (all pages are numbered)
Abstract
The word “Abstract” is a Centered Heading
Usually Written Last
First sentence or two summarizes the Introduction
Next sentence states the objective or purpose
The next couple of sentences tell how the purpose will be fulfilled – subjects, groups, variables
Expected results are next described
Then end with the importance of the study’s hoped for results
½ - 2/3 of a page, on its own page
Abstract
Introduction
Repeat Title as Centered Heading
Double space from Title to first sentence of Introduction
Start with something General
Move towards specifics
Give details of some studies
Introduction
Introduction
In-Text Citations
Authors Last Names (Year)
(Authors Last Names, Year; Authors Last Names, Year)
Give pages numbers only if quoting
Only 1 quote permitted
…participants seems to have a strong mediating effect (Smith, 2008).
Cohen and Ben-Zur (2008) found a correlation between test-anxiety, coping strategies, and ….
…participant was not consciously aware of tension (Naquin, Vest, Hurtt, and Cole, 2011).
Introduction
When to use et al.
Whenever there are six (6) or more authors
Whenever there are three (3) or more authors if…
The first presentation included all 3, 4 or 5 authors
It’s ok to never use et al., but to give all authors last names every time you cite them
(Morgan, Fineman, Kendrick, Wright, & Rilling, 1984)
(Morgan, et al., 1984)
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction continues for 3-6 pages (or so)
Three page minimum
More pages better
Introduction
The Purpose
Last paragraph of introduction states the purpose in one sentence in general terms.
Next few sentences give brief review of just how the purpose will be fulfilled.
Finally the Hypotheses are listed.
The purpose of this study will be to uncover whether music therapy and/or PNR will reduce observable stress-response behaviors and facilitate problem-solving. College students will solve a classic “matchstick arithmetic” puzzle after no therapy, music therapy, PNR, or a combination of the two. Both time to complete the puzzle and observed behavioral stress indicators will be measured.
Introduction
Introduction
Purpose
Written in future tense for Proposals (purpose will be to…)
Written in past tense for Reports of Research already done, the purpose is written in past tense (the purpose was to….)
Use Future Tense
The purpose of this study will be to uncover whether music therapy and/or PNR will reduce observable stress-response behaviors and facilitate problem-solving.
Methods
Three Subsections
Participants
Materials
Procedures
Methods
Methods
Participants
Report Number and Type
100 college students
30 bank tellers
40 college freshmen, 20 males, 20 females
Describe Sampling procedure
Use appropriate terminology
Provide details of how to implement
No procedures information
“What was done” to the subjects is presented in the procedures section
Methods
Methods
Materials
Report Details of Forms and Surveys
In order of appearance
Sample Questions
How Survey is Scored
Range of Possible Scores
Meaning of High and Low Scores
Describe Apparatus to be used
Make and Model numbers too
Describe Stimuli to be used
Perhaps also show in pictures
All materials are included in full in the Appendices
Methods
Methods
Procedures
Details of exactly how the study will be conducted
Methods
Results
Two Parts to Results
Descriptive Statistics
Inferential Statistics
Descriptive:
Inferential:
Results
Descriptive Statistics
N’s, %’s, Means, Standard Deviations, Ranges, etc.
Words and Tables
Results
| Table 1 Age and Gender Make-Up of the Groups | ||||
| N | Mean Age | Males | Females | |
| Control | XX | XX | XX | XX |
| PNR | XX | XX | XX | XX |
| Music | XX | XX | XX | XX |
| PNR+Music | XX | XX | XX | XX |
| Total | XX | XX | XX | XX |
APA tables have no vertical lines
Title that describes the table
A few horizontal lines
XX’s represent data yet to be obtained
Results
Inferential Statistics
Words and Figures
Results
Tables and Figures
Each Table and Figure go on their own page, one to a page
Do not use Table functions, just type them.
Excel must be used for all graphs
For class – tables and figures go on first page after first mention
Results
Bar Chart for Category IV
Line Drawing for Interval and Ratio IV
Line Drawing for Factorials
Scatterplot for Correlation
Discussion
Summarize Major Findings
Discuss importance of findings
Relate to Purpose and Hypotheses
Suggest future research
References
Author’s Last Names and Initials
Year of Publication in Parenthesis
Title of Article (lower case)
Title of Journal (upper case & italicized)
Volume number (italicized)
Page numbers
Internet url or doi
Books a bit different…
References
Can you find the errors?
Some article titles are capitalized
Appendices
Each form, each survey, each questionnaire, the instructions to subjects…
Must be copied in full in the appendices
Lettered from A – Z in order of mention
And That’s It! APA Style and Format
Title page
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Tables and Figures
Discussion
References
Appendices
