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Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth Edition
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association is the style manual of choice for writers, editors, students, and educators in the social and behavioral sciences. It provides invaluable guidance on all aspects of the writing process, from the ethics of authorship to the word choice that best reduces bias in language. Well-known for its authoritative and easy-to-use reference and citation system, the Publication Manual also offers guidance on choosing the headings, tables, figures, and tone that will result in strong, simple, and elegant scientific communication.
What's New in the Sixth Edition of the Publication Manual?
Corrections to the First Printing (July 2009) (PDF)
View Frequently Asked Questions About Corrections to the First Printing of the Publication Manual, Sixth Edition
Supplemental Materials
for Manual Owners
View full-color figures, tables, and other material referenced in the Publication Manual.
Related Resources
about Publishing and APA Style®
Browse background material on publishing, statistics, and a variety of style topics.
Chapter Descriptions
Chapter 1: Chapter 1 describes the role of ethics in publishing and offers guidance in following best practices for compliance.
Chapter 2: Manuscript Structure and ContentChapter 2 defines all parts of a scholarly manuscript, from title to appendix, emphasizing both function and form. It ends with sample papers for users to model.
Chapter 3: Writing Clearly and ConciselyChapter 3 offers basic guidance on planning and writing the article. It advises readers on how to organize their thoughts, choose effective words, and describe individuals with accuracy and sensitivity.
Chapter 4: The Mechanics of StyleChapter 4 instructs readers on the nuts and bolts of style: punctuation, spelling, capitalization, abbreviations, numbers, and statistics in text. It demonstrates that consistency in their use is key to clear scientific communication.
Chapter 5: Displaying ResultsChapter 5 describes the effective use of graphic elements in text. It provides readers with guidance on which graphic element is best suited to the data being delivered as well as detailed instruction on table and figure preparation.
Chapter 6: Crediting SourcesChapter 6 provides guidance on reference citation. It instructs readers on when and how to cite references in text and on how to construct a reference list that contains everything readers need to locate each source.
Chapter 7: Reference ExamplesChapter 7 offers a comprehensive set of reference examples for readers to model. It demonstrates the reference components that readers need to locate the work, with an emphasis on electronic sources.
Chapter 8: The Publication ProcessChapter 8 provides an overview of the journal publishing process. It delineates author and publisher responsibilities in manuscript review, selection, and preparation.
Tutorials
- The Basics of APA Style®
This tutorial is designed for those who have no previous knowledge of APA Style®.
- What's New in the Sixth Edition
This tutorial provides an overview of key changes in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth Edition.
Related Products
- Mastering APA Style®: Student Workbook and Training Guide
This workbook is a self-pacing, self-teaching workbook that can be used to learn APA Style® quickly and effectively.
- Mastering APA Style: Instructor's Resource Guide
This guide, updated for use with the sixth edition of the Publication Manual, is designed to help improve students’ understanding and use of APA Style before they begin writing term papers and research reports.
- Concise Rules of APA Style
This easy-to-use pocket guide provides complete guidance on the rules of style that are critical for clear communication.