![About APA Style](About APA Style.files/aboutstyle.gif)
When editors or teachers ask you to write in “APA style,” they do
not mean writing style. They are referring to the editorial style
that many of the social and behavioral sciences have adopted to
present written material in the field.
Editorial style consists of rules or guidelines that a publisher
observes to ensure clear and consistent presentation of written
material. Editorial style concerns uniform use of such elements as
- punctuation and abbreviations
- construction of tables
- selection of headings
- citation of references
- presentation of statistics
- as well as many other elements that are a part of every
manuscript
The American Psychological Association has established a style
that it uses in all of the books and journals that it publishes.
Many others working in the social and behavioral sciences have
adopted this style as their standard as well.
APA's style rules and guidelines are set out in a reference book
called The
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.
Please note that when researchers talk about APA style, they may
be referring to APA's system of citations in text and reference
format. If you are unsure, you should clarify with your instructor
or editor how they define "APA style."
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