Can anyone help with APA format?

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Specializes in hospice, ortho,clinical review.

Hi All

I have to write a science based research paper and I'm a little lost on the APA format.

I have the little book writing FAQ's that's supp to explain it well, and it just confused me more! Also it mostly refers to a website that wants money to download info. :angryfire

I'm using webpage articles and 1 book. I think I'm okay on quoting the book, but the websites, can I just list the whole website? Do I still list that in my reference section? :confused:

Also, I have WORD 07. I see there's an APA tab, but how do you use it? I tried to look it up in word's data base but I couldn't get a clear understanding. Something about creating citations and placeholders, but what does that mean??? :uhoh21:

Sorry, I'm so computer illiterate. You'd think they'd teach the course on computers BEFORE asking us to write papers! :rolleyes: grrrrrr.

Thanks a bunch

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if you are going to be writing a few papers, buy the official APA Manual. I don't recommend using Word's formatting. I know of some students who did and it was anything but APA

Endnotes is a good program (possibly the best) but I was very happy with a program called PERRLA; it's up to you but I could email you this program

when you cite a webpage...for your in-text citation, use the author (or organization that put together the webpage) and date of publication (if not a part of the article on the webpage, the date usually found at the bottom of the page as the copyright date); of course put in () and separate with a ,

for the reference list citation, you have to make it as specific as possible, so you copy the actual webpage address onto the end of your citation

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Here is a wizard I like although as with anything you will need to double check to make sure it is correct and not just copy and paste without proofing. Take care.

http://www.stylewizard.com/apa5/apawiz.html

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Hi All

I have to write a science based research paper and I'm a little lost on the APA format.

I have the little book writing FAQ's that's supp to explain it well, and it just confused me more! Also it mostly refers to a website that wants money to download info. :angryfire

I'm using webpage articles and 1 book. I think I'm okay on quoting the book, but the websites, can I just list the whole website? Do I still list that in my reference section? :confused:

Also, I have WORD 07. I see there's an APA tab, but how do you use it? I tried to look it up in word's data base but I couldn't get a clear understanding. Something about creating citations and placeholders, but what does that mean??? :uhoh21:

Sorry, I'm so computer illiterate. You'd think they'd teach the course on computers BEFORE asking us to write papers! :rolleyes: grrrrrr.

Thanks a bunch

We have to do everything in APA I suggest downloading perrla. I was unable to format anything in APA using word. Perrla sets it all up for you and it's very esay, you will probably have many more papers to do like this so it's worth the investment.

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wow...that's a pretty cool thing assuming it's accurate. I guess it doesn't format the page and do headings and tables, etc. for you but it seems like a cool little reference formatting tool if you have nothing else

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Ditto buying the PERRLA. It is worth the money, (4 years ago it was around $24). I've used it non-stop, doesn't expire, and get free re-downloads if you change computers.

It formats for you, if you screw up you can reformat the paper. There are help guides to tell you what is what, also gives the page numbers to double check on things with the APA manual.

Mostly it just takes practice.

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HERE

This is the best site I have found for reference to APA format. I have used it COUNTLESS times and have not received any wrong submissions on my papers.

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Kittyhawk...did PERRLA work for you?

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I use this http://citationmachine.net/ I pulled an A in all my writing classes.:specs:

Kolabee

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Specializes in hospice, ortho,clinical review.
Kittyhawk...did PERRLA work for you?

Sorry...I finally got time to do/finish my paper. I had my 4th exam this week for nursing, this paper is actually for my co-req writing class...that being said.

PERRLA ROCKS!!!!!! Thanks to all of you that suggested it. :bowingpur I was nervous at first b/c computer programs usually are complicated for me and frustrate me. You guys weren't kidding when you said it does EVERTHING!!! wow...it made doing my paper nearly stress free :D I love this thing well worth the 24.95....simple download, simple to use...I'm sold....the thing is awesome...'nuff said

Well 2 more weeks and I'm off for 7!!! I have my last exam, a drug exam, an ATI test and the final...along with a chest tube competency...oh and ACLS certification :eek:

Going to be a busy week...but then I can say...I made it through acute AND my first year!!! :w00t:

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Sorry...I finally got time to do/finish my paper. I had my 4th exam this week for nursing, this paper is actually for my co-req writing class...that being said.

PERRLA ROCKS!!!!!! Thanks to all of you that suggested it. :bowingpur I was nervous at first b/c computer programs usually are complicated for me and frustrate me. You guys weren't kidding when you said it does EVERTHING!!! wow...it made doing my paper nearly stress free :D I love this thing well worth the 24.95....simple download, simple to use...I'm sold....the thing is awesome...'nuff said

Well 2 more weeks and I'm off for 7!!! I have my last exam, a drug exam, an ATI test and the final...along with a chest tube competency...oh and ACLS certification :eek:

Going to be a busy week...but then I can say...I made it through acute AND my first year!!! :w00t:

so you weren't able to use the copy I sent you? I ask because I have a new computer with Vista and I'll add Works Home and Student in the next couple months, and in the past I've only used the version of PERRLA I sent you on computers running XP with Word 2000 or 2003. I might have to go to the site and buy it or I might spend the extra money and buy Endnotes (I know it works because the school teaches us how to use it).

I'm glad it worked for you.

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Specializes in hospice, ortho,clinical review.
so you weren't able to use the copy I sent you? I ask because I have a new computer with Vista and I'll add Works Home and Student in the next couple months, and in the past I've only used the version of PERRLA I sent you on computers running XP with Word 2000 or 2003. I might have to go to the site and buy it or I might spend the extra money and buy Endnotes (I know it works because the school teaches us how to use it).

I'm glad it worked for you.

Thanks, no it moved to my desktop but when I right clicked on it to change the file name nothing would happen. I have vista...I have a lot of problems getting things to work sometimes. I know all those supplemental cd's w/the nursing incredibly easy series are not compatible so I just chalked it up to another one! I'm thinking about endnotes too if I have to event write things needing the bibliography etc..., but for now this works great.

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