What is APA style?
APA style is a set of guidelines for formatting research papers. It is used in many different academic disciplines, including nursing. APA style helps to promote consistency and readability, and it helps readers to locate sources.
Why is APA style important for nursing papers?
APA style is important for nursing papers because it helps to ensure that the information is presented in a clear and concise way. It also makes it easy for readers to find the sources that were used to support the information in the paper.
How to use APA style in your nursing paper
To use APA style in your nursing paper, you should follow the general formatting guidelines, use in-text citations to credit your sources, and create a reference page to list all of your sources.
Formatting
General formatting guidelines
- Use 12-point Times New Roman font.
- Double-space your paper.
- Use 1-inch margins on all sides.
Paper structure
The typical structure of an APA-style nursing paper is as follows:
- Title page
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Literature review
- Methodology
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- References
Headings
Use a consistent heading structure throughout your paper. Center headings and bold them. Use uppercase and lowercase letters for headings.
Font and margins
Use 12-point Times New Roman font throughout your paper. Use 1-inch margins on all sides.
Line spacing
Double-space your paper throughout.
Tables and figures
Number tables and figures consecutively. Place tables and figures above the text that discusses them. Title tables and figures.
Citations
Use in-text citations to credit your sources. Create a reference page to list all of your sources.
In-text citations
When to cite
You should cite any information that you did not come up with on your own. This includes direct quotes, paraphrased information, and statistics.
How to cite different types of sources
There are different citation formats for different types of sources. For example, the citation format for a book is different from the citation format for a website.
Common citation mistakes
Some common citation mistakes include:
- Forgetting to cite a source.
- Citing a source incorrectly.
- Using the wrong citation format.
Reference page
Reference page format
List all of your sources in alphabetical order by author’s last name. Use a consistent format for each type of source.
How to list different types of sources
There are different formats for listing different types of sources. For example, the format for listing a book is different from the format for listing a website.
Common reference page mistakes
Some common reference page mistakes include:
- Forgetting to list a source.
- Listing a source incorrectly.
- Using the wrong format for a source.
Writing tips
Writing in APA style
When writing in APA style, it is important to use clear and concise language. Avoid using jargon. Be objective. Proofread and edit your paper carefully.
Avoiding plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of copying someone else’s work and passing it off as your own. To avoid plagiarism, you should cite all of your sources. You should also put direct quotes in quotation marks and paraphrase information in your own words.
Proofreading and editing
It is important to proofread and edit your paper carefully before submitting it. This will help to ensure that your paper is free of grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Conclusion
APA style is the standard format for writing nursing papers. By following the tips in this guide, you can ensure that your nursing paper is formatted correctly and that it is easy to read and understand.
FAQs
Q.What is the difference between APA style and other citation styles?
APA style is one of many different citation styles. Other common citation styles include MLA style and Chicago style. APA style is the most common citation style used in the nursing profession.
Q.How do I cite a website in APA style?
To cite a website in APA style, you will need to include the following information:
- Author’s last name, first initials. (Publication year). Title of article. Title of website. Retrieved from http://website
