|
|
 Ratings
|
|
|
| Reviewed: |
Dec 04, 2004 by Psychology |
| Overview: |
APA Style Essentials is a web document authored by two faculty members from
Vanguard University of Southern California. The site offers a concise summary of
the essentials involved with writing a paper in APA (American Psychological
Association) style. According to the authors, its purpose is "to provide a
common core of elements of APA style that all members of a department can adopt
as minimal standards for any assignment that specifies APA style."
|
| Learning Goals: |
As stated in the introductory paragraph of the document, its "purpose is to
provide a common core of elements of APA style that all members of department
can adopt as minimal standards for any assignment that specifies APA style."
It also can serve as a "how-to" reference guide for producing a research
proposal or research paper in APA style.
|
| Target Student Population: |
College level.
|
| Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: |
A basic understanding of writing research papers is necessary in order to
understand the different sections of an APA-style paper.
|
| Type of Material: |
Text with links to numerous PDF documents.
|
| Recommended Uses: |
This material is most useful for undergraduate and graduate students who are
taking a Research Methods course, independent research, or a thesis project that
requires writing a paper in APA style. It can also serve as a quick-check for
the most common APA-style questions, which is useful for students and faculty
alike.
|
| Technical Requirements: |
Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing the example papers and pages.
|
|
|
|
| Strengths: |
The material is clearly and concisely written. The subject is covered in great
detail and, where necessary, includes descriptions and examples and/or provides
appropriate links thereto. The authors have captured the major, most-essential
elements of writing an APA paper.
|
| Concerns: |
None.
|
|
|
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool |
Rating:    |
|
| Strengths: |
For students new to APA style, this material can be used instead of the APA
Style Manual. Students can learn the basics necessary for writing a proposal or
research report without ever having to wade through the style manual.
Rather than covering this material in class, instructors can simply direct their
students to this site to learn the APA-style basics. The document is highly
effective as a teaching tool. Students who are directed to this web document by
their instructors should have little difficulty in preparing research papers
that adhere to APA organization, style, and content.
|
| Concerns: |
For advanced students, more-detailed issues (such as examples of 3rd-level
headings in the Method section) are not included. Inclusion of more material on
how to report (simple) research results and statistics would make it more useful
for all students.
|
|
|
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty |
| Rating: |
|
| Strengths: |
This site is easy to use and navigate. It is very well-written and
well-organized, and it comprehensively (yet concisely) presents the APA
essentials.
|
| Concerns: |
None.
|
|
|
| Other Issues and Comments: |
|
|
