What is APA Style?
APA Style is a set of guidelines for writing and formatting research papers and reports, established by the
American Psychological Association. It is widely used in the social sciences, including nursing, to ensure clarity, precision, and consistency in scholarly communication.
Why is APA Style Important in Nursing?
Using APA Style in nursing is essential for several reasons. It enhances the
credibility of your work by providing a standardized format that readers can easily follow. It also helps in avoiding
plagiarism by properly citing sources, thus giving credit to the original authors. Additionally, it allows for a more organized presentation of
research findings, making it easier for healthcare professionals to understand and apply the information.
Title Page: Include the title of the paper, the author's name, and institutional affiliation. A running head and page number should also be present.
Abstract: A concise summary of the key points of your research, typically between 150-250 words.
Main Body: Use a clear and consistent font, usually
Times New Roman 12pt. Double-space all text and use 1-inch margins on all sides.
Headings and Subheadings: Use appropriate levels of headings to organize your content.
References: List all sources cited in your paper in alphabetical order. Follow APA guidelines for each type of source.
How to Cite Sources in APA Style?
Citing sources in APA Style involves in-text citations and a corresponding reference list. In-text citations include the author's last name and the year of publication, for example, (Smith, 2020). For direct quotes, include the page number as well, e.g., (Smith, 2020, p. 15).
The reference list at the end of your paper should provide full details of all sources. Here are some common formats:
Journal Article: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume number(issue number), pages. DOI
Book: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Publisher.
Website: Author, A. A. (Year, Month Date). Title of web page. Website Name. URL
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using APA Style in nursing: Incorrect Citation: Ensure that all citations are correctly formatted and correspond to the reference list.
Improper Formatting: Pay attention to details such as font, margins, and spacing to meet APA guidelines.
Missing Information: Ensure that all necessary information, such as the DOI for journal articles, is included in your references.
Overuse of Direct Quotes: Use direct quotes sparingly and focus more on paraphrasing to demonstrate your understanding of the material.
Resources for Learning APA Style
Several resources are available to help you master APA Style:
