What is APA style?
APA style is a set of guidelines for formatting and citing sources in academic writing. It is the most widely used citation style in the social sciences, including nursing. APA style is designed to promote clear, concise, and consistent writing, and to make it easy for readers to find the sources cited in a paper.
Why is APA style important in nursing?
APA style is important in nursing because it allows nurses to communicate their research and findings in a clear and concise way. It also helps nurses to avoid plagiarism and to ensure that their work is credible and well-documented.
How to use this guide
This guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of APA style. It will cover everything from formatting your title page to citing your sources in the reference list. You can use this guide as a reference as you are writing your APA nursing paper.
Body
Formatting
Title page
The title page of your APA nursing paper should include the following information:
- Running head: This is a shortened version of your paper’s title that will appear at the top of each page.
- Title of paper: The title of your paper should be clear and concise, and it should accurately reflect the content of your paper.
- Author information: This includes your full name, institutional affiliation, and email address.
- Date: The date that you submitted your paper.
Abstract
The abstract is a brief summary of your paper, typically 150-250 words long. It should include the main points of your paper, the methodology you used, and your findings.
Body of the paper
The body of your APA nursing paper should be organized into the following sections:
- Introduction: The introduction should provide background information on your topic and state your research question or hypothesis.
- Literature review: The literature review should summarize the existing research on your topic.
- Methodology: The methodology section should describe how you conducted your research.
- Results: The results section should present the findings of your research.
- Discussion: The discussion section should interpret your findings and discuss their implications.
- Conclusion: The conclusion should summarize the main points of your paper and restate your research question or hypothesis.
References
The reference list should include all of the sources that you cited in your paper. It should be formatted in APA style, which includes specific guidelines for formatting different types of sources, such as books, articles, and websites.
Citation
In-text citations
In-text citations are used to indicate where you have used information from another source in your paper. They should be placed in parentheses after the sentence or paragraph where you have used the information.
The most common format for in-text citations is author-date. For example, if you are citing a book by Smith (2023), you would write (Smith, 2023). If you are citing an article by Jones et al. (2022), you would write (Jones et al., 2022).
Reference list
The reference list should include all of the sources that you cited in your paper. It should be formatted in APA style, which includes specific guidelines for formatting different types of sources, such as books, articles, and websites.
Writing tips
Using clear and concise language
APA style emphasizes the use of clear and concise language. Avoid using jargon and technical terms whenever possible. Instead, use simple language that your readers can easily understand.
Avoiding plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of copying someone else’s work without giving them credit. It is important to avoid plagiarism in your APA nursing paper by citing all of your sources correctly.
Proofreading and editing
Once you have finished writing your APA nursing paper, be sure to proofread and edit it carefully. Check for grammar errors, spelling mistakes, and typos. You may also want to ask a friend or family member to proofread your paper for you.
Conclusion
Summary of key points
- APA style is a set of guidelines for formatting and citing sources in academic writing.
- APA style is important in nursing because it allows nurses to communicate their research and findings in a clear and concise way.
- This guide has provided you with a comprehensive overview of APA style, covering everything from formatting your title page to citing your sources in the reference list.
Tips for success
- Start early: Don’t wait until the last minute to start writing your APA nursing paper. Give yourself plenty of time to research your topic, write your paper, and proofread it carefully.
Get feedback from others: Ask a friend, family member, or classmate to read your APA nursing paper and give you feedback. They can help you identify any areas where your writing is unclear or needs to be improved.
Use a plagiarism checker: Before you submit your APA nursing paper, be sure to use a plagiarism checker to scan it for any instances of plagiarism. This will help you ensure that your paper is original and that you have given proper credit to all of your sources.
Submit your paper on time: Be sure to submit your APA nursing paper on time. Most professors have a strict policy on late assignments.
