Guide to the Publication Manual of the
American Psychological Association
Special Education Program at SUNY New Paltz
APA Tutorial

This Powerpoint presentation is designed to
provide you with the basics of APA format and
other general writing guidelines. It is not to be
considered a comprehensive source. For
complete APA requirements, refer to the APA
publication manual (6th Edition).You also may
want to consult the resources provided at the
end of this tutorial, such as the Purdue Online
Writing Lab.
Finding Sources
Peer-reviewed Articles
“Peer-reviewed or refereed journals are
publications that have their submitted articles
evaluated by outside experts (peers) in the
subject area (Bachand & Sawallis, 2003, p. 40).”
Locating Peer-reviewed Articles via
Library Databases
1. Go to library databases on the New Paltz library website.
2. Search by subject and select education.
3. Select an education database such as Education Research
Complete.
4. Perform a key word search: Use key words or phrases
that relate to your topic.
Make sure to go to check the box marked “Scholarly (Peer-reviewed)
Journals” on the search page
Now You Try
1.
Go to library databases.
2.
Search by subject and select education.
3.
Click on Education Research Complete.
Enter “positive behavioral support” and
“elementary school” in two separate boxes for
the key word search.
4.
5.
Check the box marked “Scholarly (Peerreviewed) Journals” on the search page.
6.
Click search.
Sample Databases
Education

Education Research Complete

ERIC (EBSCO)
Multi-subject

Academic Search Complete

Sage Premier

JSTOR
Locating Peer-reviewed Articles
via Journals
If you already know the name of a journal
1.
Go to library journals on the library homepage.
2.
Type the name of the journal in the search.
3.
Then, you can search for an article by title or by a
key word search.
Now You Try
1.
2.
3.
Example
Example
Go to library journals on the library homepage.
Search for the journal title “Exceptional
Children” in the search bar.
Now you can search for an article title.
“Using Principles of Behavior Modification to
Teach Behavior Modification”
or
Use the listed databases that contain the journal
and do a key word search.
“Behavior modification”
Locating Peer-reviewed Articles
via Journals
If you do not know the name of a journal
Go to library homepage.
Browse journals by subject.
Select
“Social sciences”
then
Education-general
or
Education- special topics
4. Then search within the journal of your choice.
1.
2.
3.
Sample Scholarly Journals











Evaluation & Research in Education
Teacher Education & Special Education
Exceptional Children
Journal of Educational Research
Journal of Special Education
Journal of Learning Disabilities
Learning Disability Quarterly
Journal of Research and Practice in Special Education
Teaching Exceptional Children
Intervention in School and Clinic
Disability Studies Quarterly
Database Generated Citations
Caution: Database generated APA
citations are NOT correct
◦ You must consult APA guidelines
◦ See example on next slide
Database Generated Citations
Example
Database generated:
Gresham, F. M. (1984). Social Skills and Self-Efficacy for
Exceptional Children. Exceptional Children, 51(3), 253-261.
Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Correct citation:
Gresham, F. M. (1984). Social skills and self-efficacy for
exceptional children. Exceptional Children, 51(3), 253-261.
doi:10.1108
Italic
Note: APA 6th edition does not require listing the database source (APA, 2010, p. 192)
Must list DOI if available (see slide no. 33)
Learning the Basics
of APA Style
Basics






Double space entire paper including headings
Two spaces after end punctuation in sentences
(recommended)
Use 10 pt to 12 pt Times New Roman or
similar font
1 inch margins all around
Indent paragraphs ½ inch
Number pages consecutively beginning with the
title page
(Angeli et al., 2010)
Voice and Point of View

The participant stated…not…The participants were
asked
Example

Example
Use an active voice not a passive voice
Use third person point of view instead of first
person point of view.
The study supported ... not….I found out ……
◦ However, this depends on the journal and/or
the instructor. If in doubt, ask your instructor.
(American Psychological Association [APA], 2010, pg. 77)
Language

Use clear and concise language: avoid
interpretive language

Studies do not prove, they support
◦ Do not say, “This study proved that ...”
◦ Instead say, “The study showed ...”

Use simple, descriptive adjectives and plain
language
(APA, 2010, pg 65-67)
Avoiding Bias in Language
Describe at the appropriate level of specificity.
1.
•
•
Not specific: over 15 years of age
Specific: 15- to 20-year-olds
Be sensitive to labels.
2.
•
Refer to people in a culturally sensitive manner that
reflects their cultural preferences.
Acknowledge participation.
3.
•
State “The children completed the survey…” instead of
“The survey was administered to the children…”
(APA, 2010, p. 71-73)
Avoiding Bias: Disabilities

Do not focus on disability unless it is crucial to a story.

Put people first, not their disability.
Example

a child with a learning disability
not
a learning disabled child
Emphasize abilities, not limitations. Do not use negative
language.
Example
Do not write: Suffers from ______
Instead write: A child with _______
(APA, 2010, p. 73)
Subject/Pronoun Agreement
The student (singular)….his/her (singular)
 Students (plural)……their (plural)

To avoid gender bias use the plural form (students)

The teacher who……. NOT…The teacher that
(A teacher is a person, not an object. )
(Onwuegbuzie, Combs, Slate, & Frels, 2009)
Subject/Verb Agreement

Your subject and verb must agree in number
(singular and plural).
The words data and phenomena are plural.
Example
Correct: The data indicate that…..
Incorrect: The data indicates that….
Example
Correct: The phenomena occur….
Incorrect: The phenomena occurs….
(APA, 2010, p. 79)
Grammar: Since vs. Because
• Use “since” to refer only to time
Example
• Three years have passed since the beginning of the
study.
• Use “because” right before an explanation of
something
Example
• The student had difficulty with reading
comprehension because of his/her limited English
proficiency.
(APA, 2010, p. 84)
Grammar: While vs. Although
• Use “while” for simultaneous events only!
Example
The participants completed the survey while at school.
• Use “although” to show contrast of ideas
Example
Although these findings support _____, the results are not
typical.
(APA, 2010, p. 84)
Numbers Expressed in Numerals
Use numerals to express:

All numbers 10 and above
Example
25 years old

Numbers preceding a unit of measurement
Example
a 5-mg dose

Fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, percentiles & quartiles
Examples
a ratio of 16:1
the 5th percentile

Time, dates, ages, scores and points on a scale
Examples
1 hour 15 minutes
scored 5 on a 8-point scale
(APA, 2010, p. 111-112)
Numbers Expressed in Words

Use words to express numbers below 10

Use words anytime a number begins a sentence,
title, or heading

Common fractions
Example
one fifth of the class
(APA, 2010, pg.112)
Formatting
Four Sections
Ask instructor about assignment requirements.
 An APA paper may include four major sections:

Title Page
Abstract
Main Body
References
Title Page Header

The title page header includes:
“Running Head” in a mixture of capital and lowercase
letters followed by the title of the paper in all capital letters
aligned to the left. At the far right of the page header is the
page number (numbered consecutively).
Running Head: APA FORMAT
1
Page #
Title
Colon
Running Head
(Note: The title page header includes “Running Head” and is different than the
other pages)
(Angeli et al., 2010)
Page Header
Page header is noted on the top of every page

Every page after the title page has a page header
that includes the title of the paper in all capital
letters aligned to the left and the page number
(numbered consecutively) aligned to the right
APA FORMAT
2
Page #
Title
(Angeli et al., 2010)
Title Page
Running head
Running head: APA FORMAT
Title of paper
(capital letters)
Title of paper
Author’s name
APA Format
Kathleen Golly
Institutional Affiliation
State University of New York at New Paltz
(APA, 2010, p. 41)
1
Page number
Abstract

Page header:
TITLE OF PAPER
2

“Abstract” (centered, at the top of the page)

Brief (between 150 and 250 words) summary of
your paper

Accurate, concise, and specific language.
*
Ask course instructor if abstract is required *
(APA, 2010, pg. 41)
Headings
Different levels of headings
 Use consecutively

Level
Format
1
Centered, Boldface, Uppercase and Lowercase Headings
2 Left-aligned, Boldface, Uppercase and Lowercase Headings
3
Indented, boldface, lowercase heading with period.
4
Indented, boldface, italicized, lowercase heading with period.
5
indented, italicized, lowercase heading with period.
(APA, 2010, p. 62)
Sample Headings
Methods (Level 1)
Site of Study (Level 2)
Participant Population (Level 2)
Teachers. (Level 3)
Students. (Level 3)
Results (Level 1)
Spatial Ability (Level 2)
Test one. (Level 3)
Teachers with training (Level 4)
(Angeli et al., 2010)
Citing Sources
Plagiarism
“Plagiarism is the representation, intentional or
unintentional, of someone else's words or ideas as
one's own” (State University of New York at New
Paltz, n.d., para 4).
Penalties for Plagiarism
Plagiarizing is a form of larceny punishable by a fine
and may result in academic disciplinary action.
“The academic penalty may range, for instance, from
a reprimand accompanied by guidance about how
to avoid plagiarism in the future to failure for the
course (State University of New York at New Paltz,
n.d., para 5).”
How to Avoid Plagiarism
You must correctly cite the use of another person’s
words or ideas in your paper.
• You must cite all direct quotes, paraphrases, and the
use of other people’s ideas in your paper.
• If you use only an author’s ideas and change the
words, you must clearly identify the source of the
ideas.
• For more information on the New Paltz Academic
Integrity Policy, visit
•
http://www.newpaltz.edu/ugc/policies_integrity.html
•
For more information on types of plagiarism and
how to avoid plagiarism, visit
http://library.newpaltz.edu/assistance/plag.html
(State University of New York at New Paltz, n.d.)
In-text Citations: Paraphrases

You must cite anything that is not your original
idea or words

Cite all paraphrases in the body of your paper
(Author’s last name, year).
Example
The study supported the finding that children learn best
through multisensory approaches (Smith, 2002).
Punctuation mark outside parentheses
(APA, 2010, p. 170-171)
In-text Citations: Direct Quotes
You must cite anything that is not your original
idea or words.
 Cite all direct quotes in the body of your paper.
 Write a lead-in phrase for direct quotes.

Lead in phrase “__________” (Last name, year, p. #).
OR
Lead in phrase Last name (year) “_________________” (p. #).

Do not start a sentence with a direct quote.
Example
According to Smith (2000) “___________”(p. 15).
(APA, 2010, p. 171-172)
Direct Quote Formatting Examples
Include page number
Smith (2002) stated “___________”(p. 11).
OR
Children learn best by “______________”
(Smith, 2002, p.11).
Include page number
OR
Citation right after quote
Children learn best through “______” (Smith, 2002, p.
11) and hands-on learning experiences.
Direct Quotes: Forty Words or Less
Example

Use quotation marks

Keep the quote within the paragraph
According to Jones (1998), "Students often had difficulty
using APA style, especially when it was their first time citing
sources" (p.199).
(Angeli et al., 2010)
Direct Quotes: Forty Words or More





No quotation marks
Indent entire quote ½ inch from the left margin
Do not indent the first line more than the rest of the quote
Maintain double spacing
Parenthetical citation comes after punctuation mark
Jones' (1998) study found the following:
Students often had difficulty using APA style, especially when it was
Example
their first time citing sources. This difficulty could be attributed to
the fact that many students failed to purchase a style manual or to
ask their teacher for help. (p. 199)
(Angeli et al., 2010)
In-text Citations
Parenthetical
format, first
citation in text
Parenthetical
format,
subsequent
citations in text
Type of citation
First citation in text
Subsequent
citations in
text
One work by one author
Walker (2007)
Walker (2007)
(Walker, 2007)
(Walker, 2007)
One work by two
authors
Walker and Allen (2004)
Walker and
Allen (2004)
(Walker & Allen,
2004)
(Walker & Allen,
2004)
One work by three
authors
Gilsenan, Ramirez, and
Smith (1999)
Gilsenan et al.
(1999)
(Gilsenan, Ramirez,
& Smith, 1999)
(Gilsenan et al.,
1999)
One work by four
authors
Gilsenan, Ramirez, Soo,
and Smith (2008)
Gilsenan et al.
(2008)
(Gilsenan, Ramirez,
Soo, & Smith, 2008)
(Gilsenan et al.,
2008)
One work by five
authors
Gilsenan, Ramirez,
Hicks, Soo, and Smith
(2003)
Gilsenan et al.
(2003)
(Gilsenan, Ramirez,
Hicks, Soo, &
Smith, 2003)
(Gilsenan et al.,
2003)
One work by six or more
authors
Smith et al. (2005)
Smith et al.
(2005)
(Smith et al., 2005)
(Smith et al.,
2005)
Groups (readily
identified through
abbreviation) as authors
National Institute of
Mental Health (NIMH,
2003)
NIMN (2003)
(National Institute of
Mental Health
[NIMH], 2003)
(NIMH, 2003)
Groups (no
abbreviation) as authors
University of
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
(2005)
(2005)
(Angeli et al., 2010)
(University of
Pittsburgh, 2005)
(University of
Pittsburgh, 2005)
In-text Citations
• Remember to include page numbers for all
direct quotes
• For 1-2 authors: List both last names every time!
• For 3-5 authors: List all last names the first time,
then use the first author’s last name followed by
“et al.” for subsequent entries
• For 6+ authors: List the first author’s last name
and et al. (List all authors on the reference page)
In-text Citations: No Authors
Unknown author: Cite by the title.
-Titles of books and reports are italicized or underlined
-Titles of articles, chapters, and web pages are in
quotation marks.
Example
(“Behavior Management,” 2005).
Organization as author:
- Write out the organization’s full name the first time
with any abbreviation in brackets
Example
(National Education Association [NEA], 2011).
- Subsequent citations: use abbreviation
Example
(NEA, 2011).
(Angeli et al., 2010)
Reference General Guidelines

Capitalize only the first letter of the first word of an
article or book title and subtitle, the first word
after a colon or a dash in the title, and proper
nouns.
Example
Social skills and self-efficacy for exceptional children
Note: Do not capitalize the first letter of the second
word in a hyphenated compound word.
(Angeli et al., 2010)
Reference General Guidelines

If multiple sources by the exact same author(s)
list them by date (earliest first) on the reference
page

Capitalize all major words in journal titles.
Example
Journal of Learning Disabilities
References
1. First: Decide what type of source it is
2. Next: Refer to Purdue Online Writing Lab or the APA
manual (6th Edition)
3. Locate sample citation and copy format exactly
OR
1. Decide what type of source it is
2. Use the automatic citation feature of the database
AND
3. Adjust the citation based on the Purdue Online Writing Lab
or the APA manual (6th Edition)
Common Reference Examples
Basic Format for Books:
Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital
letter also for subtitle. Location: Publisher.
Article from Database:
Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of article. Journal Title,
8(3), 120-125. doi: 000000001123
(Angeli et al., 2010)
Common Reference Examples
Newspaper Article
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of article. Title of Newspaper.
Retrieved from http://www.someaddress.com/full/url/
Nonperiodical Web Page
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of
document. Retrieved from http://Web address
(See APA manual or Purdue OWL for more detailed explanations and
additional reference types)
(Angeli et al., 2010)
How to Cite DOIs
DOI: Digital Object Identifier
 APA now requires that you cite DOIs when
available.
 You do not need to cite the database from which
the article was retrieved
 Some journal articles have DOIs and some do not

Example
Mosteller, F., Nave, B., & Miech, E. J. (2004). Why we need a structured abstract
in education research. Educational Researcher, 33(1), 29-34.
doi:10.1037/1054-5844.23.4
(APA, 2010, pg.188-192)
How to locate DOIs

DOIs are usually located on the first page of an
article often in the upper right hand corner near
the copyright information.

Sage Premier consistently lists DOIs on the title
page of the journal article.

If you cannot find the DOI, check the article title in
the SAGE premier database and try to locate the
DOI that way.
(APA, 2010, pg. 189)
Now You Try







Go to Sage Premier.
Browse journals by discipline.
Click on education under social sciences.
Select The Journal of Special Education.
Search for “CBM.”
Locate the article The predictive validity of CBM
writing indices for eighth-grade students.
The DOI is located on the first page.
(see next slide)
The Journal of Special Education
http://sed.sagepub.com/
______________________________________________________
The Predictive Validity of CBM Writing Indices for Eighth-Grade Students
Janelle M. Amato and Marley W. Watkins
J Spec Educ 2011 44: 195 originally published online 27 March 2009
DOI: 10.1177/0022466909333516
The online version of this article can be found at:
http://sed.sagepub.com/content/44/4/195
_____________________________________________________________
Published by:
Hammill Institute on Disabilities
and
http://www.sagepublications.com
No DOIs

Some articles do not have DOIs

If you accessed the article from an online periodical or online
journal that is only available online and not in print, you
should provide the website for the homepage of the journal.
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of article. Title of Online
Example
Periodical, volume number(issue number if available). Retrieved from
http://www.someaddress.com/full/url/

If you accessed the article from a database, you do not need
to provide the website for the database.
Mosteller, F., Nave, B., & Miech, E. J. (2004). Why we need a structured abstract
Example
in education research. Educational Researcher, 33(1), 29-34.
(Angeli et al., 2010)
Reference Page

The reference list must be double-spaced, and
entries should have a hanging indent (see example
on next page)

Entries must be listed in alphabetical order

The word “References” should be centered at the
top of the page
(APA, 2010, p. 178)
Reference Page Sample
APA FORMAT
23
References
American Psychological Association (2010). Publication manual of the
Hanging
indent
American Psychological Association 6th ed. Washington, DC:
American Psychological Association.
Angeli, E., Wagner, J., Lawrick, E., Moore, K., Anderson, M., Soderland, L.,
& Brizee, A. (2010). APA format and styling guide. Retrieved from
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01
(Angeli et al., 2010)
Advanced APA
Tables vs. Figures

A table shows numerical values or textual
information “arranged in an orderly display of
columns and rows” (APA, 2010, p. 125).

A figure can be a chart, a photograph, a graph, a
scatter plot, a drawing or any other illustration.
(APA, 2010, p. 125).
Tables


Example:
Double space
Table 1



Word list: Summary of performance
Use only horizontal lines
when needed for clarity
Do not use vertical lines
Title of table in italics
Number tables
consecutively
May include a “note”
under table if information
is needed to understand
table.
(APA, 2010, p. 129)
Grade
Sight
Analysis
Total
Level
1
19
0
19 Independent
2
16
1
17 Instructional
3
12
4
16 Instructional
Note: Sight indicates the number of words read correctly on the first try. Analysis indicates
the number of missed words that were corrected when reread a second time. Total
indicates the total number of words read correctly.
Figures
Example:
Double space
Figure 1
Graphic Similarity of Substitution Miscues
• Title of figure in italics
•Number figures consecutively
•Include a note at the bottom if
information is needed for clarity
(Angeli et al., 2010)
Graphic Similarity of Miscues
Percent
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Beginning
Middle
End
Graphic Similarity
Note. This figure shows the graphic similarity in the beginning,
middle, and end of substitution miscues.
Additional Resources
1. APA Formatting and Style Guide. Provides detailed
explanation and examples of all components of APA.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
2. Free tutorial on APA. Includes specific examples.
http://www.apastyle.org/learn/index.aspx
3. Specific examples of references. Explains DOIs.
http://www.library.uncc.edu/display/?dept=reference&for
mat=open page=1094
References
American Psychological Association (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association 6th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Angeli, E., Wagner, J., Lawrick, E., Moore, K., Anderson, M., Soderland, L., & Brizee, A.
(2010). APA format and styling guide. Retrieved from
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01
Bachand, R. G., & Sawallis, P. P. (2003). Accuracy in the identification of scholarly and peerreviewed journals and the peer-review process across disciplines. Serials Librarian, 45(2),
39-59. Retrieved from http://serialslibrarian.us/
Onwuegbuzie, A. J., Combs, J. P., Slate, J. R., & Frels, R. K. (2009). Editorial: Evidence-based
guidelines for avoiding the most common APA errors in journal article submissions.
Research in the Schools, 16(2), 1. Retrieved from http://www.msstate.edu/
State University of New York at New Paltz (n.d.). Academic integrity. In Academic policies and
procedures. Retrieved from http://www.newpaltz.edu/advising/policies_integrity.html