APA Formatting Guide for Research Dissertations

Page Setup

·       Use standard 8.5" x 11" paper with 1-inch margins on all sides.

·       Use a clear and legible font (e.g., Times New Roman or Arial) in 12-point size.

·       Double-space the entire document, including the title page, abstract, main text, and references.

Title Page

·       Include the title of your dissertation, centered in uppercase and lowercase letters.

·       Add your name and your institutional affiliation, centered below the title.

·       Include the name of your faculty advisor and the date of submission, centered at the bottom of the page.

Abstract

·       On a new page, provide a brief abstract summarizing your dissertation in 150-250 words.

·       The abstract should include the research problem, methodology, significant findings, and conclusions.

Table of Contents

·       Include a table of contents listing all major sections and subsections of your dissertation.

·       Page numbers should be aligned on the right side of the page.

List of Tables and List of Figures

·       If your dissertation includes tables and figures, create separate lists for them, each on a new page.

Introduction

·       Start your main text with an introduction that introduces the research problem, provides context, and outlines the research objectives.

Main Text

·       Organize your dissertation into chapters or sections based on the research structure and objectives.

·       Include headings and subheadings to guide the reader through the content.

·       Use APA-style in-text citations for the sources used in the text.

References

·       Include a separate page for the list of references.

·       Arrange the references in alphabetical order by the author's last name.

·       Follow the APA format for different types of sources (books, journal articles, websites, etc.).

Appendices

·       Include supplementary materials, such as survey questionnaires, interview transcripts, or data tables, in the appendices.

·       Each appendix should start on a new page and be labeled with a letter (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B).

Pagination

·       Number all pages consecutively, including the title page.

·       Page numbers should be located in the top right corner of the page.