What is APA style?
APA style is a format for writing and citing scholarly sources that is widely used in psychology and other social sciences, including nursing. APA style provides a set of guidelines for formatting your paper, including the font, margins, spacing, and headings. It also provides guidelines for citing your sources in your paper and in your reference list.
Why is APA style important in nursing?
APA style is important in nursing because it helps to ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and professional. It also helps to make your writing more readable and accessible to other nurses and healthcare professionals.
Elements of an APA nursing paper
An APA nursing paper typically includes the following elements:
- Title page
- Abstract
- Literature review
- Methodology
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- References
Tips for writing an APA nursing paper
Here are a few tips for writing an APA nursing paper:
- Use clear and concise language.
- Avoid using jargon and acronyms.
- Be specific and provide evidence to support your claims.
- Cite your sources properly.
- Proofread your paper carefully before submitting it.
Title Page
The title page of your APA nursing paper should include the following information:
- Running head
- Title
- Author(s)
- Institutional affiliation
Running head
The running head is a shortened version of your title that appears at the top of every page of your paper. It should be no more than 50 characters long, including spaces.
Title
The title of your paper should be clear, concise, and informative. It should accurately reflect the content of your paper.
Author(s)
List all of the authors of your paper, in alphabetical order.
Institutional affiliation
List the institutional affiliation of each author.
Abstract
The abstract is a brief summary of your paper. It should be no more than 250 words long and should include the following information:
- A statement of the problem
- A brief overview of the literature review
- A description of the methodology
- A summary of the results
- A discussion of the implications of the findings
Literature Review
The literature review is a summary of the research that has been done on your topic. It should be organized thematically and should include both primary and secondary sources.
How to write a literature review for an APA nursing paper
Here are a few tips for writing a literature review for an APA nursing paper:
- Start by identifying the key concepts in your topic.
- Search for literature on those concepts using library databases and other resources.
- Select the most relevant and important articles and books to review.
- Organize your literature review thematically.
- Summarize each source and discuss its findings.
- Critically evaluate the literature and identify any gaps or limitations.
How to cite your sources in APA style
There are two main ways to cite your sources in APA style: in-text citations and reference list citations.
In-text citations
In-text citations are brief citations that appear within the body of your paper. They tell the reader where you found the information that you are using.
Reference list citations
Reference list citations are full citations of all of the sources that you used in your paper. They appear at the end of your paper, in alphabetical order.
Methodology
The methodology section describes how you conducted your research. It should include the following information:
- The research design
- The sample
- The data collection methods
- The data analysis methods
How to write a methodology section for an APA nursing paper
Here are a few tips for writing a methodology section for an APA nursing paper:
- Be specific and provide as much detail as possible.
- Use clear and concise language.
- Avoid using jargon and acronyms.
- Explain your research design in a logical way.
- Describe your sample and data collection methods in detail.
- Explain your data analysis methods thoroughly.
Results
The results section presents the findings of your research. It should be organized in a logical way and should be supported by data.
How to write a results section for an APA nursing paper
Here are a few tips for writing a results section for an APA nursing paper:
- Present your findings in a clear and concise way.
- Use tables and figures to summarize your data.
- Interpret your findings and discuss their implications.
Discussion
The discussion section interprets the findings of your research and discusses their implications. It should also discuss the limitations of your study and suggest directions for future research.
How to write a discussion section for an APA nursing paper
Here are a few tips for writing a discussion section for an APA nursing paper:
- Start by summarizing your key findings.
- Discuss the implications of your findings for nursing practice, education, and research.
- Discuss the limitations of your study and suggest directions for future research.
- End by discussing the overall significance of your study.
Conclusion
The conclusion is a brief summary of the main points of your paper. It should also include a statement of the implications of your findings and a suggestion for future research.
How to write a conclusion for an APA nursing paper
Here are a few tips for writing a conclusion for an APA nursing paper:
- Summarize the main points of your paper.
- Discuss the implications of your findings for nursing practice, education, and research.
- Suggest directions for future research.
- End with a strong statement about the significance of your study.
References
The references section lists all of the sources that you used in your paper. It should be formatted in APA style.
How to format your references in APA style
Here are a few tips for formatting your references in APA style:
- List your sources in alphabetical order.
- Use double spacing and hanging indents.
- Include the following information for each source:
- Author(s)
- Year of publication
- Title of source
- Publication information (e.g., journal name, volume number, page numbers)
FAQs
Q. What is the difference between a citation and a reference?
A citation is a brief reference to a source that appears within the body of your paper. A reference is a full citation of a source that appears at the end of your paper.
Q. How do I cite a book in APA style?
To cite a book in APA style, include the following information in your reference list:
- Author(s)
- Year of publication
- Title of book
- Publisher
- City of publication
Q. How do I cite a journal article in APA style?
To cite a journal article in APA style, include the following information in your reference list:
- Author(s)
- Year of publication
- Title of article
- Title of journal
- Volume number
- Issue number (if applicable)
- Page numbers
Q. How do I cite a website in APA style?
To cite a website in APA style, include the following information in your reference list:
- Author(s) (if available)
- Year of publication (if available)
- Title of website
- URL
Q. How do I create a running head in APA style?
To create a running head in APA style, type your title in all caps and left-align it. Then, type a colon and two spaces. Finally, type the page number.
Q. How do I format my tables and figures in APA style?
Tables and figures should be centered on the page and should have a title and a caption. The title should be placed above the table or figure, and the caption should be placed below it.
Q. Where can I find more information about APA style?
The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a great resource for learning more about APA style. You can find information on APA style formatting, citations, and
More information on APA style
- APA Style Guide: The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Seventh Edition (2020).
- APA Style Help Center: https://apastyle.apa.org/
- APA Style Blog: https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/
