Here's a guide to creating a polished final draft of your research paper in APA style, along with tips for formatting and organization:
1. Pre-Drafting:
* Review Feedback: Carefully consider feedback from your instructors, peers, or research advisor. Address all points, explaining your choices if you disagree.
* Outline and Structure: Make sure your paper has a clear and logical structure:
* Introduction: Introduce the topic, state the research question, and briefly explain the significance of the study.
* Literature Review: Summarize and synthesize existing research relevant to your topic.
* Methodology: Describe your research methods, including participants, materials, and procedures.
* Results: Present your findings in a clear and concise manner, using tables, figures, and statistical analyses if appropriate.
* Discussion: Interpret your findings, discuss their implications, and connect them to existing research.
* Conclusion: Summarize the main findings and reassert the significance of your study.
* Check for Plagiarism: Run your paper through plagiarism detection software to ensure originality.
2. Drafting:
* Follow APA Guidelines: Refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for specific instructions on formatting, citations, and references.
* Clarity and Conciseness: Write in a clear and concise style, avoiding jargon and overly complex sentences.
* Professional Tone: Maintain an objective and formal tone, avoiding personal opinions or biases.
* Active Voice: Use active voice whenever possible for a stronger and more direct writing style.
* Evidence-Based: Support all claims and arguments with strong evidence from credible sources.
* Citations: Use in-text citations to give credit to all sources and create a reference list at the end of the paper.
3. Editing and Proofreading:
* Read Aloud: Reading your paper aloud helps you identify errors in grammar, punctuation, and flow.
* Check for Consistency: Ensure consistent use of formatting, font, spacing, and citation style throughout the paper.
* Grammar and Punctuation: Use a grammar checker and proofread carefully for any errors.
* Formatting and Style: Make sure your paper adheres to APA guidelines:
* Font: Times New Roman, 12pt font size
* Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides
* Spacing: Double-spaced throughout the paper
* Title Page: Include title, author name, affiliation, and running head
* Abstract: A concise summary of the paper (typically 150-250 words)
* References: A list of all sources cited in the paper, formatted in APA style.
* Get Feedback: Ask a classmate, friend, or mentor to read your paper and provide feedback.
4. Finalizing:
* Final Proofread: Conduct a final proofread, paying close attention to grammar, punctuation, and formatting.
* Submit Your Paper: Submit your final draft according to your instructor's instructions.
Important Note: Remember that APA style can be complex. Always refer to the latest edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for the most up-to-date guidelines.
Additional Resources:
* APA Style Website: https://apastyle.apa.org/
* Purdue OWL APA Formatting and Style Guide: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/index.html
By following these steps, you can create a polished and professional final draft of your research paper in APA style.