Describe the problem under investigation (in one sentence if possible)
Writing a Research Paper
General
__ Typed using 12-point Times New Roman font
__ Correct spelling and grammar
__ Clear and concise description of study (i.e., understandable and not too wordy)
__ Double space throughout
__ Use of 1.0 inch margins on all sides
__ NO right justification
__ Page number in upper right corner of header for all pages
Title Page
__ Title length: 12 words or less
__ Title, name, affiliation centered on page
__ Running head less than 50 characters (including spaces)
__ Running head in all caps flush left (i.e., left justified) at top of page inside header
__ Words ‘Running head’ only on title page (actual running head on all others)
__ Page number in upper right corner of page
__ Page number 5 spaces to the right of the short title/page header
Abstract
__ A brief, comprehensive summary of the contents of the article
__ Should allow reader to survey the contents of the article quickly
__ Accurate, self-contained, concise, and specific
__ Approximately 120-150 words
__ Describe the problem under investigation (in one sentence if possible)
__ Identify pertinent participant/subject characteristics (number, who they were, etc.)
__ Brief description of method
__ Identify results, including statistical significance (Note: Do NOT report actual statistics)
__ Identify conclusions and their implications
Introduction
__ Begin section with title of paper centered on the line not in bold
__ Using past research, provide a logical argument for the premise of your study
__ Introduce the problem
__ Develop the background: review past research and describe relevant theory
__ Demonstrate logical continuity between past research and the present study (i.e., include transitions)
__ In closing paragraph of Introduction: describe your study (i.e., identify variables, hypotheses, expected results)
Method
__ Describe in detail how the study was conducted
__ Should be broken down into subsections
__ Identify participants/subjects (i.e., how many, how recruited, from what population)
__ Identify design: independent/predictor and dependent/criterion variables, operational definitions, type of design
__ Describe procedure so specifically that the study could be replicated
__ Describe any measures, materials, and/or apparatus used
__ The word “Method” is centered and in bold on the line at the start of the section
Results (what we expect, our outcome)
__ Summarize the data collected and the statistical treatment of them
__ Describe analyses used
__ Provide results of analyses – report actual data and appropriate statistics
__ Include tables or figures/graphs to supplement discussion of the results
__ DO NOT evaluate or interpret implications
__ The word “Results” is centered and in bold on the line at the start of the section
Discussion
__ Evaluate and interpret your results
__ Open discussion section with a clear statement of support or non-support for your original hypothesis(es)
__ Discuss similarities and differences between your results and the work of others (i.e., are your results consistent with previous work in this area?)
__ DO NOT simply reformulate and repeat points already made; each new statement should contribute to your conclusions
__ Discuss implications of the study outcomes
__ Identify limitations to the study (i.e., critique of the study)
__ Outline future research areas made relevant by the findings of the study you conducted
__ The word “Discussion” is centered and in bold on the line at the start of the section
References
__ Begin on a new page
__ The word “References” is centered at top of page not in bold
__ APA style
__ ALL REFERENCES MUST BE CITED IN THE TEXT
__ Alphabetical order by author’s last name
__ Typed using 12-point Times New Roman font
__ Correct spelling and grammar
__ Clear and concise description of study (i.e., understandable and not too wordy)
__ Double space throughout
__ Use of 1.0 inch margins on all sides
__ NO right justification
__ Page number in upper right corner of header for all pages
Title Page
__ Title length: 12 words or less
__ Title, name, affiliation centered on page
__ Running head less than 50 characters (including spaces)
__ Running head in all caps flush left (i.e., left justified) at top of page inside header
__ Words ‘Running head’ only on title page (actual running head on all others)
__ Page number in upper right corner of page
__ Page number 5 spaces to the right of the short title/page header
Abstract
__ A brief, comprehensive summary of the contents of the article
__ Should allow reader to survey the contents of the article quickly
__ Accurate, self-contained, concise, and specific
__ Approximately 120-150 words
__ Describe the problem under investigation (in one sentence if possible)
__ Identify pertinent participant/subject characteristics (number, who they were, etc.)
__ Brief description of method
__ Identify results, including statistical significance (Note: Do NOT report actual statistics)
__ Identify conclusions and their implications
Introduction
__ Begin section with title of paper centered on the line not in bold
__ Using past research, provide a logical argument for the premise of your study
__ Introduce the problem
__ Develop the background: review past research and describe relevant theory
__ Demonstrate logical continuity between past research and the present study (i.e., include transitions)
__ In closing paragraph of Introduction: describe your study (i.e., identify variables, hypotheses, expected results)
Method
__ Describe in detail how the study was conducted
__ Should be broken down into subsections
__ Identify participants/subjects (i.e., how many, how recruited, from what population)
__ Identify design: independent/predictor and dependent/criterion variables, operational definitions, type of design
__ Describe procedure so specifically that the study could be replicated
__ Describe any measures, materials, and/or apparatus used
__ The word “Method” is centered and in bold on the line at the start of the section
Results (what we expect, our outcome)
__ Summarize the data collected and the statistical treatment of them
__ Describe analyses used
__ Provide results of analyses – report actual data and appropriate statistics
__ Include tables or figures/graphs to supplement discussion of the results
__ DO NOT evaluate or interpret implications
__ The word “Results” is centered and in bold on the line at the start of the section
Discussion
__ Evaluate and interpret your results
__ Open discussion section with a clear statement of support or non-support for your original hypothesis(es)
__ Discuss similarities and differences between your results and the work of others (i.e., are your results consistent with previous work in this area?)
__ DO NOT simply reformulate and repeat points already made; each new statement should contribute to your conclusions
__ Discuss implications of the study outcomes
__ Identify limitations to the study (i.e., critique of the study)
__ Outline future research areas made relevant by the findings of the study you conducted
__ The word “Discussion” is centered and in bold on the line at the start of the section
References
__ Begin on a new page
__ The word “References” is centered at top of page not in bold
__ APA style
__ ALL REFERENCES MUST BE CITED IN THE TEXT
__ Alphabetical order by author’s last name