Term Papers
COMPARING APA FORMAT IN A RESEARCH/LAB REPORT AND A TERM PAPER?
WHAT IS THE SAME? * Margins (one inch) * Rules regarding quotations (long and short) * Rules for citations * Rules for references * Rules for page numbers * Rules for title page
WHAT IS DIFFERENT?

Parts
* In a lab/research report, you test people/animals to collect data. You then statistically analyze that data and draw conclusions. Because you must report all these activities, a lab/research report must have a Methods, Results and Discussion section. * Term papers are usually about other people's research. Since you do not test people or animals yourself, you do NOT need a Methods, Results or Discussion section.
Introduction
* In a lab/research report, the introduction must explain what question your data will answer and how your study will help build a body of scientific knowledge. Because of this, the introduction of a lab/research report briefly describes related research by other people (that is, a literature review with citations).. * The introduction in a term paper is more like the Abstract of a lab/research report. It is an overview of the entire paper. In a term paper the literature review (with citations) is found mostly in the body of the paper. 

HOW TO WRITE A TERM/RESEARCH PAPER IN PSYCHOLOGY
PURPOSE:A research paper describes and summarizes a specific area of research by providing a summary and evaluation of the research already done as well as suggestions for further research.
TYPES OF INFO EXPECTED * There are usually four components expected in most term/research papers; the Overview, Body, Conclusion and References.
Overview
* Topic and goal of the paper (sometimes called a "thesis"). * Describe previous research related to the topic in a concise summary. Tell the reader what you will be covering in the paper. This section is similar to an introduction section of a research/lab report.
Body of the Paper * Summarize the specific subtopics and controversial issues that support or refute the competing theories. * Be sure to cite appropriate references for each fact or theory reported. * Rules for citations are the same as for a Research Report
Conclusion
* Critically evaluate the research. That is, describe the main strengths and weaknesses of competing theories, what questions still remain and what needs to be done in order to answer these questions. * Provide a complete reference in APA format for all citations * The rules are the same as for a research paper.
References
* The rules are the same as for lab/research reports
SAMPLE REFERENCES
TIPS and COMMON ERRORS: * Not providing full references for all citations * Not citing all references in the body of the paper * Having a mismatch between the year of the publication in the citation with the one in the corresponding reference * Choosing a topic that is too broad (so that there is so much literature that it will be overwhelming to review it) * Choosing a topic that is too narrow (so that there is enough information so that the length of the paper will be sufficient to meet the professor's standards). * Choose a topic that you are already interested in. It will make the project feel less like work and will hold your interest. * Choose a topic that is currently in the news. It will be much easier to find research and supplemental readings. * Organize your thoughts before writing a first draft. Outlining is one way to do this, but it is not the only way. You may develop your own less formal procedure. * Support each statement of fact with appropriate citations. Research papers should be based on empirical evidence (data) and/or logical argument (theory/model). Usually there is little to no room for personal opinion. When opinion is given, it is usually not mentioned until the conclusion. * DO NOT pass is your first draft as your final draft! Rewrite after receiving feedback. Have another student or a tutor read your first draft to see if the ideas are clearly stated and that the logic of the paper flows. * After writing a final draft, spell check and then proofread. You may need to put the paper aside for a day or so before being able to proofread it with accuracy. * Be sure to follow any and all instructions given out about the length and components expected.
ASK YOUR PROF: * Whether your topic is both appropriate and realistic. * Whether the professor can point you to some important research. * Whether the professor offers feedback on a rough drafts and/or outlines * Whether a grading rubric is available. (A rubric is an explicit statement of how the paper will be graded. It can really help you get a sense of what is expected). * If a separate title page is expected * If the course number, date and section number are needed on the title page * Whether the course title and date are expected on the title page * Whether your name or a short title should be typed in the top right hand corner of each page along with a page number