1. Your Research Paper Guidelines
Spectra of Science

2. Type 12 font Times New Roman Double-spaced 1 inch margins all around
Basic APA Guidelines
Type 12 font
Times New Roman
Double-spaced
1 inch margins all around

3. In Microsoft Word 2007

4. In Microsoft Word 2007

5. In Google Docs

6. In Google Docs

7. Parts of the Paper Title Page Experiment Methods Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Background
Experiment Materials
Experiment Methods
Data Analysis
Conclusions
Appendix
References

8. Title Page Title of Paper All Centered in center of page
Your Full Name
Period
Date Submitted
Running Head
All Centered in center of page
In header;

10. Table of Contents Includes the names of all sections of your paper
Page number on which the section begins

11. Abstract
This is a brief description of your overall project and findings. The purpose of an abstract is to provide a summary of the project that will inform interested individuals of the contents.
No more than 250 words.

12. Introduction
This is a brief introduction to your project. It should contain a description of your problem, purpose, hypothesis and experiment. Be sure to explain why your project and its findings might be important to you or others.
2-3 paragraphs

13. Background
Discuss your research findings. What did you need to learn more about to better understand your project and what did you find? (I.e. What is an electrolyte? What is the structure of a horse’s eye?)
This is also the section where you will do most of your citations.
Minimum of 2 pages

14. In-Text Citation
Plagiarism is illegal!

15. What do I have to cite? NOT TO CITE TO CITE:
•ALL Quotations MUST be cited•
Any information, thought, idea, or opinion gathered from a source must be cite
Common knowledge does NOT need to be cited•
Your own opinion does NOT need to be cite
Either quote the text verbatim and put the quote in quotation marks
Completely paraphrase the information
It’s better to overcite than undercite.
(Jackson, 2011)

16. How do I cite it?
Place in parenthesis at the end of the sentence, in this order, separated by commas:
Author(s) last name
Year of publication (if known)
Page number (if known)
If any of these is unknown (not given), leave it off
If any of these pieces are included in the sentence itself, you do not need to cite it at the end in parenthesis

17. Example 1 Actual Source Information:
“All matter is made of atoms and molecules that act like tiny particles. These tiny particles are always in motion. The higher the temperature of the substance, the faster the particles move.”
Paraphrased Citation:
Atoms and molecules make up all matter. When temperature is increased, these tiny particles in the matter speed up and move more quickly (Dobson, Holman, & Roberts, 2004, pg.70).
("Owl purdue online," 2011)

18. Example 2 Actual Source Information:
“Many of us know bacteria only as “germs,” invisible creatures that can invade our bodies and make us sick. Few know that many bacteria not only coexist with us all the time, but help us do an amazing array of useful things like make vitamins, break down some garbage, and even maintain our atmosphere.”
Paraphrased Citation:
Bacteria are not only just small invisible organisms that can cause illness, but they also aid in performing many necessary life functions such as: making vitamins, breaking down garbage, and maintaining the atmosphere (American Society for Microbiology, 2012).
("Owl purdue online," 2011)

19. Example 3
A Work by Two Authors: Name both authors in the signal phrase or in the parentheses each time you cite the work. Use the word "and" between the authors' names within the text and use the ampersand in the parentheses.
…………………….. (Wegener & Petty, 1994)
("Owl purdue online," 2011)

20. Example 4
A Work by Three to Five Authors: List all the authors in the signal phrase or in parentheses the first time you cite the source. In subsequent citations, only use the first author's last name followed by "et al." in the signal phrase or in parentheses.
First citation:.……...(Kernis, Cornell, Sun, Berry, & Harlow, 1993)
Second Citation:……(Kernis et al., 1993)
("Owl purdue online," 2011)

21. Example 5
Organization as an Author: If the author is an organization or a government agency, mention the organization in the signal phrase or in the parenthetical citation the first time you cite the source.
If the organization has a well-known abbreviation, include the abbreviation in brackets the first time the source is cited and then use only the abbreviation in later citations.
First citation:……….(Mothers Against Drunk Driving [MADD], 2000)
Second citation: …….(MADD, 2000)
("Owl purdue online," 2011)

22. Experimental Materials
List the materials you needed to gather in order to complete your experiment. It may be appropriate in some cases to explain where certain unfamiliar items can be obtained. This may be a bulleted list.
Includes what type, brand, how much of each material and correct sizes

23. Experimental Methods
Explain the Methods of your project step by step. Give a detailed set of instructions on how you carried out your experiment. Include how you built all involved mechanisms and contraptions.
Be Detailed and Specific!

24. Data Analysis
Explain and discuss the data you collected, quantitative and qualitative.What trends or patterns did you notice?
You will want to refer to your charts and graphs that appear in the Appendix.
See Figure 1 in the Appendix.

25. Conclusions Summarize your findings
Return to your hypothesis and compare your experiment results to your hypothesis. Are they the same or different? Why do you think?
Draw a conclusion(s). Make sure you can support these conclusions with your data.
What did you learn from the experiment?
Try to give a scientific explanation for what occurred.

26. Conclusions Cont’d
Return to your problem question and determine if you have an answer. (Even if the answer is: “I still do not have an answer.”)
Discuss errors that may have occurred that could have affected the reliability of your results.
Explain why your findings are important.
What is the next step?

27. Appendix
This where you place all your charts, diagrams, graphs, and/or pictures.
(Label each as Figure 1, 2, 3, etc.)
Minimum of 2

28. References In MLA it is called a “Bibliography”
Cite all your sources where you found information presented in your paper using correct APA format.

29. Citing References
Plagiarism is illegal!

30. Reference Page Alphabetized Indent second line of same citation
Use Citation Maker website:
Go to XHS library
Click research
Click Works cited
Click “Bibme”
Select APA format

31. (Lester, 2009)

32. Visit the OWL Writing Lab:
For More Help…
Visit the OWL Writing Lab:
Go to our library page
Click the research tab
Click works cited
Click on OWL Writing Lab

33. References
Jackson, J. (2011, 10 04). Apa style workshop. Retrieved from Lester, S. (2009). Sample reference page. In APA Style Sample Reference Page (p. 2). Saint Joseph College, Center for Academic Excellence. Retrieved from Owl purdue online writing lab. (2011). Retrieved from