When writing a thesis or journal article, it is crucial to follow the specific formatting guidelines required by the discipline or publication. The APA (American Psychological Association) and BPA (British Psychological Association) styles are commonly used in psychology and related fields. Below is a guide on how to format a thesis and journal article according to these styles.

Thesis Format According to APA

1. Title Page

  • Title: Centered and bold, should be concise and informative.
  • Author's Name: Centered below the title, followed by the institution's name.
  • Institutional Affiliation: Your department and university.
  • Author Note: If required, it includes additional information such as course name, instructor's name, and date of submission.

2. Abstract

  • Length: Between 150-250 words.
  • Content: A concise summary of the research question, methods, results, and conclusions.
  • Keywords: Below the abstract, list 3-5 keywords related to your research.

3. Main Body

  • Introduction:
    • Heading: Centered and bold, “Introduction” is not used as a heading, just the title.
    • Content: Clearly state the research problem, objectives, hypotheses, and significance of the study.
  • Literature Review:
    • Heading Level 1: Centered and bold.
    • Content: Review relevant literature, identify gaps, and justify the need for your study.
  • Method:
    • Participants: Describe the sample, including demographics and selection process.
    • Materials/Apparatus: Detail the tools or instruments used.
    • Procedure: Outline the steps followed in conducting the study.
    • Design: Describe the research design, including any statistical analyses.
  • Results:
    • Presentation: Use tables and figures where necessary, clearly label each, and refer to them in the text.
  • Discussion:
    • Interpretation: Discuss the implications of your findings, limitations, and suggestions for future research.
  • Conclusion:
    • Summary: Summarize the key findings and their relevance.

4. References

  • Formatting: Follow APA guidelines for in-text citations and reference list entries, including the use of hanging indents and double-spacing.
  • Order: Alphabetize by the author’s last name.

5. Appendices

  • Content: Include any supplementary material such as questionnaires, raw data, or detailed descriptions of procedures.
  • Formatting: Label each appendix with a letter (Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.).

Journal Article Format According to APA

1. Title Page

  • Title: Concise and centered, bolded.
  • Author's Name: Centered below the title.
  • Institutional Affiliation: Below the author’s name.
  • Running Head: A shortened version of your title, aligned left on the header, with the page number on the right.

2. Abstract

  • Length: 150-250 words.
  • Content: A brief overview of the research question, methods, results, and conclusions.
  • Keywords: 3-5 words, listed below the abstract.

3. Introduction

  • Heading: Centered, bold, no “Introduction” heading.
  • Content: Introduce the problem, research questions, and hypotheses. Briefly review relevant literature.

4. Method

  • Subsections: Include Participants, Materials, and Procedure, each with its own heading.
  • Detail: Provide enough detail for replication.

5. Results

  • Presentation: Use appropriate statistical methods, report all relevant findings.
  • Tables and Figures: Refer to these in the text and ensure they are clearly labeled.

6. Discussion

  • Interpretation: Interpret the results, discuss their implications, and relate them to the hypotheses.
  • Limitations and Future Research: Address the limitations of your study and suggest directions for future research.

7. References

  • Formatting: List all sources cited in the paper, following APA style.

8. Appendices (if any)

  • Content: Supplementary material that is not essential to the main text but provides additional insight or information.



To better understand the differences between APA (American Psychological Association) and BPA (British Psychological Society) formats, it's essential to explore each in more detail. Below is a comparison with an emphasis on the distinctions, especially where BPA deviates from APA.

BPA Thesis and Journal Article Format: Differences from APA

1. Language and Spelling

  • BPA: Uses British English (e.g., "behaviour" instead of "behavior," "organisation" instead of "organization").
  • APA: Uses American English (e.g., "behavior," "organization").

2. Title Page

  • BPA:
    • The title page may include additional information such as the supervisor’s name and academic title.
    • The date format should follow the British standard: day-month-year (e.g., 24 August 2024).
    • The university crest or logo may be included at the top of the page (if required by the institution).
  • APA:
    • Typically includes only the title, author’s name, and institutional affiliation.
    • The date is often in the month-day-year format (e.g., August 24, 2024).
    • Does not typically include a logo.

3. Abstract

  • BPA:
    • The length and content are similar to APA, but there's an added emphasis on ethical considerations. The abstract might briefly mention the ethical standards adhered to during the research.
  • APA:
    • Focuses on summarizing the research question, methods, results, and conclusions. Ethical considerations are generally not included in the abstract.

4. Ethics Section

  • BPA:
    • Includes a dedicated section or a detailed subsection within the Method section discussing ethical considerations. This section should describe how ethical guidelines were followed, especially regarding participant consent, confidentiality, and data handling.
  • APA:
    • Ethical considerations are discussed within the Method section but usually do not require a separate section. The focus is on the methodological process rather than a detailed ethical analysis.

5. Literature Review

  • BPA:
    • May emphasize theoretical frameworks and historical context more heavily, reflecting a broader scope of analysis.
  • APA:
    • Typically more concise, with a focus on directly relevant studies that inform the research question.

6. Headings and Subheadings

  • BPA:
    • Headings may be more flexible and can include more descriptive titles that reflect the content of the section.
    • Subheadings can be used more freely to break down complex sections, especially in the Literature Review and Discussion sections.
  • APA:
    • Follows a more structured hierarchy for headings (Levels 1-5), with specific formatting for each level (e.g., bold, italics, centered, etc.).

7. In-Text Citations

  • BPA:
    • Follows similar rules to APA but may incorporate more direct quotations and paraphrasing to emphasize critical analysis.
    • Citations might include page numbers more frequently to guide readers directly to the source material.
  • APA:
    • Encourages paraphrasing over direct quotations and generally requires page numbers only for direct quotes.

8. References

  • BPA:
    • The reference list should reflect British standards for punctuation and formatting (e.g., using single quotation marks around article titles).
    • May include references to more local or UK-based publications if relevant to the research context.
  • APA:
    • Follows strict guidelines for reference formatting, with an emphasis on international standards.
    • Uses double quotation marks for article titles.

9. Tables and Figures

  • BPA:
    • Tables and figures might include more descriptive titles and could be accompanied by detailed captions that discuss their significance in the text.
    • There might be a preference for placing tables and figures within the text rather than at the end, depending on the institution's guidelines.
  • APA:
    • Requires tables and figures to be placed either within the text or at the end, depending on journal requirements.
    • Titles are often brief, with detailed explanations provided in the text.

10. Discussion Section

  • BPA:
    • The Discussion section may include more extensive speculation and theoretical implications. It might also place greater emphasis on practical applications of the research findings, particularly in a UK context.
  • APA:
    • Tends to be more focused on summarizing results, comparing them with the hypotheses, and suggesting future research directions.

11. Appendices

  • BPA:
    • Appendices may include additional materials such as ethical approval forms, detailed participant information sheets, and consent forms.
    • The labeling of appendices might follow a different order, depending on the university’s guidelines.
  • APA:
    • Appendices are primarily used for supplementary materials like questionnaires or detailed data, and are labeled in the order they are referred to in the text.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

  Identifying Data Client’s Name: M.H. Age: 31 years Gender: Female Education: Bachelor's Degree in Psychology Number of Siblings: 2 Birth Order: 1st Marital Status: Divorced after 8 years of abuse Number of Sessions: 18 Date Seen: 22-04-24 Last Date Seen: 25-01-25 Source for Referral M.H. was referred by a women’s shelter after escaping an abusive marriage. She sought help due to trauma symptoms experienced after the separation, and the shelter staff identified that she needed professional therapy for healing. M.H. reported feeling overwhelmed by her trauma responses and was having difficulty adjusting to life outside the abusive relationship. She had been living with her abuser for 8 years, and the separation brought about intense feelings of fear, mistrust, and a lack of personal control over her life. Presenting Complaints Duration of Abuse : 8 years of emotional and physical abuse Post-Separation Trauma Symptoms : Hypervigilance, panic attacks, ongoing fear of her ex-husband, ...
Read more
 Trauma Psychology Aims and Process of Early, Intermediate, and Long-Term Psychosocial Interventions Introduction Trauma can have profound psychological and social impacts on individuals, requiring structured psychosocial interventions to aid recovery. These interventions occur at different stages—early, intermediate, and long-term—each with distinct aims and processes to address trauma-related distress effectively. Psychosocial interventions are crucial for individuals recovering from traumatic events, including natural disasters, accidents, abuse, or war. These interventions aim to support emotional, psychological, and social well-being, helping individuals process their experiences and reintegrate into daily life. The effectiveness of these interventions depends on timely implementation and a well-structured approach tailored to individual needs. 1. Early Psychosocial Interventions Aims: Provide immediate emotional and psychological support to minimize distress. Prevent acute st...
Read more
Introduction:  In recent years, e-learning has emerged as a powerful tool in education, transforming the way students access and engage with learning materials. With the increasing integration of technology in schools, universities, and workplaces, e-learning platforms have become more accessible and widespread. The shift from traditional classroom settings to online education has raised questions about the effectiveness of e-learning in enhancing students' learning experiences, academic performance, and overall development. One of the most significant advantages of e-learning is the accessibility it provides to students from diverse backgrounds. Whether it’s a university student pursuing an online degree or a high school student utilizing supplemental learning materials, e-learning breaks down geographical and time barriers, making education more inclusive. This study will explore how this increased accessibility affects student engagement, motivation, and performance. By leveragi...
Read more