Set up 1-inch margins for a document in your word processing software. Choose 12-point Times New Roman font and double-line spacing. Use this throughout the paper, including the title page and references.
Use your word processor's header function to create a running head on each page. Type the title of the paper in all capital letters, flush left in the header. Include the designation "Running head:" before the title on the first page only. Insert page numbers flush right in the header. Number the title page "1" and continue consecutively through the last page of references.
Center the title of your paper in the upper half of the first page and type the title in title case -- capitalize all words except conjunctions and prepositions less than four letters long. Concisely state the topic of your paper, preferably in 12 words or less. Do not use abbreviations or phrases such as "a study of" or "an investigation of."
Center your first name, middle initial and last name under the title. Center the name of the university or research institution with which you are affiliated under your name. If you have no institutional affiliation, use your location; for example, "Houston, Texas."
Center the words "Author Note" 3-4 lines below the institutional affiliation. Left align the next line and indent to create a paragraph. Type your name, a comma, your department's name, a comma, your university's name, and end with a period. Add a second paragraph if you are now at a different university; type "(your name) is now at (department), (institution)." Use a third paragraph to acknowledge assistance you received, such as grants and research help.
Center the word "Abstract" on the first line of the second page and begin the abstract on the second line. Left align the abstract, but do not indent.
Center the title of the paper on the first line of the third page, using title case. Begin the introduction immediately after the title; do not add another heading.
Center and bold all headings after the introduction, using title case. Type the headings in the line immediately after the previous section; do not start on a new page. Typical main headings include "Method," "Results," and "Discussion." Bold and left align the first subheading level after the main heading and use title case. Bold and indent the second subheading level, capitalize only the first word, and end with a period. Bold, italicize and indent the third subheading level, capitalize only the first word, and end with a period. Italicize and indent the fourth subheading level, capitalize only the first word, and end with a period.
Center the word "Reference" on the first line of the page after the end of the article. List all references with the first line flush left and any other lines indented.