Importance of Using APA in Research

Importance of Using APA in Research

Citation is crucial when writing any research paper. It improves the credibility and validity of the article. It also reduces plagiarism. There are many types of citation formats. They include; the American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA), Harvard, and Chicago, among others. All these formats are different, and papers are written using different formats depending on the decision of the writer. However, the APA format is the most commonly used in research papers. It has several advantages.

First, it offers consistency in writing, which improves clarity. This is because it has a uniform and standard format. The format consists of a title page with a running head and page title, an abstract, the main body with the discussion of the topic, and a reference page. It is also written using font 12 with one-inch margins. Having the information clearly and straightforwardly makes it easier to understand the paper. The paper also looks very organized because the format demands a specific way of presenting the report, which is appealing and makes the work look orderly. The article also has an excellent presentation. It is, therefore, easy to read and follow through the contents of the paper (David & Pardo, 2018)..

APA format also helps in reducing plagiarism. Like any other citation format, giving credibility to an author for the information that they wrote, is crucial. Citing both the in-text and bibliography citation shows that you acknowledge the owner of the content that you have used. This is vital in any research or academic work. The use of the APA format also helps in improving the validity of your research work. By citing the information from books, journals, research papers, and websites, a person’s paperwork is considered more credible. This is because the other researches one is quoting from have been approved, and the information they provide can be trusted (David & Pardo, 2018).

Formatting is essential in any research work. The APA formatting method has proved to be valuable in writing papers. This is because it helps to reduce plagiarism, it has a consistent way of presenting information, which improves clarity, and it also enhances the credibility and validity of the research paper.

Reference

David, C., & Pardo, N. (2018). The importance of early mastery of APA: a doctoral journey. Journal Of Psychology & Clinical Psychiatry, 9(5), 491-492. doi: 10.15406/jpcpy.2018.09.00578