1. APA Format Basics and Introduction
Psychology 290
January 5 – 7, 2015

2. Elements of an APA format Laboratory Report
Title Page
Abstract (if instructed)
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
Reference Page
Appendices/Tables/Figures (if necessary)

3. Headings Level One Heading Level Two Heading
[Indent] Type your text here.
Level Two Heading
[Indent] Level three heading. Type your text here.
[Indent] Level four heading. Type your text here.
[Indent] Level five heading. Type your text here.
Notice
Never leave a heading at the bottom of the page where the text begins on the next page
Generally use level 1 and level 2 headings. 3+ are for more complicated papers.
No extra spaces- capitalize important words.
Level 2 – sub categories within a section – eg. Methods.
- participants/subjects. Human vs. animals/computer programs.
- procedures..etc.

4. Abstract A brief and complete summary of the work
150 – 250 words typically
Allows for assessment of relevance to a given topic
Must be: Accurate, Non-evaluative, Coherent and readable, Concise
Assess if the article is related to what you’re looking for.

5. Abstract formatting Should be on its own page
Level one heading of Abstract
Written in a single, non-indented paragraph
All numbers (including those zero – nine) are written in Arabic numeral format, except those that begin a sentence
Only time its appropriate to not indent your paragraph.**

6. Abstracts should include:
The problem or research question
A description of the participants/subjects (including pertinent demographic details)
Critical details about the method
Results (including statistical significance)
Conclusions
Implications and applications
-Begin with “objectives” or present the hypothesis. Present focus of study.
-Age, sex, demographic, number of participants, etc.
-What measures did you use, etc. Superficial level. Go into detail in the actual methods section.
-P value, was there a significant correlation found? Etc.
-Basic conclusions that relate to hypothesis.
-why do we care/why is it important that you found these things?
Write a sentence per bullet, then go back and make it “flow”

7. Writing an Introduction
Should begin on a new page
Centered and not in bold, present the title of your paper
Be succinct
Start general and move to specific
Use the Introduction to “funnel” your reader toward the hypothesis (es)
Modified level 1 heading – don’t use “into”, use title you’ve given your project/assignment. NOT bolded.
Make sure it’s centered
Start broad, then narrow in to specifics
Inverted triangle, funnel down to topic you’re investigating -

8. An Introduction must: Introduce the purpose/problem of your study
Provide relevant background details (e.g. Literature review)
Provides a context for your proposed study
Keep it relevant
Develop your research question
Your research question must be based on the previous research
Outline the elements that lead to your current research question
Follow these bullets to help funnel down to point.
Builds support for research question. (main body for intro).
Hasn’t already been answered by previous literature. Raised as a consequence of literature.

9. An Introduction must:
End with a brief outline of your proposed procedure and provide the theoretical link between your problem and proposed procedure
Clear statement of your research question (es)
Clear statement of your hypothesis (es)
Clearly define all variables (conceptually)
What you plan to do/what you predict?
Relationships vs. differences.
correlation does not imply causation**
*PREDICTION about what you expect to happen based off of previous literature.
Define all variables CLEARLY
Operational variables in methods section, not intro. General idea of where we’re taking these variables, then get really into defining it in the methods section.

10. Lab Activity Open SPSS and input the following data set
Lab Activity Open SPSS and input the following data set. Be sure to set up your data set completely. Note: For the sex variable 1 = male, 2 = female. Upload your completed data file to Moodle by the end of this lab section.
Sex
Self-predicted midterm grade
(Prediction)
Grade achieved on the Midterm
(Grade)
Student Rank following Midterm
(Rank)
Male 90 87 5 85 95 3 80 94 1 75 74 7 65 55 10
Female 78 6 93 2 70 9 64 8 88 4