A term that will be used several times in your document can be abbreviated the first time it is introduced immediately after the term in parentheses [e.g., American Psychological Association (APA)]. Once the term has been abbreviated, use throughout the document. To introduce an abbreviation and at the same time do a citation the following format will illustrate: (American Psychological Association [APA], 2010). “Abbreviations introduced on the first mention of the term and used fewer than three times thereafter, particularly in a long paper, may be difficult for a reader to remember, and you probably serve the reader best if you write them out each time” (p. 107). Do not use acronyms in a table or figure. Use U.S. (no internal space after the period) when used as an adjective (APA, p. 88). For example: U.S. Senate or U.S. Department of Education; whereas use this format when referring to residents of the United States. Most often United States is the correct format.
The following abbreviations should NOT be used outside parenthetical comments:
Use periods when making an abbreviation within a reference (p. 6, 2nd ed.) (Do not hyper-rise the th in second or the rd in third) Do not use periods within degree titles and organization titles (PhD, APA). Do not use periods within measurements (lb, ft, s) except inches (in.). Use s for second, m for meter. To form plurals of abbreviations, add s alone, without apostrophe (PhDs, IQs, vols., Eds). (except for the last name of an author that ends in s--Jones possessive is Jones's In using standard abbreviations for measurements, like m for meter, do not add an s to make it plural (100 seconds is 100 s). Do not use the abbreviation "pp." for magazine or journal citations; just give the numbers themselves. Do use "pp." for citations of encyclopedia entries, chapters or articles in edited books. Use two-letter postal codes for United States' state names (GA). Washington, DC has no periods.
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According to the APA Publication Manual, you should use past tense for discussing literature, an action or condition that occurred at a specific time in the past. Past tense should be used to describe previous research or when referencing quotes, as the process has already been completed. Any study but the proposal has already been done, so the tense is past tense except for the verbiage taking about the proposal which would be future tense (not yet done). Past tense should be used to describe previous research or when referencing quotes, as the process has already been completed. An example of the appropriate use of past tense might be: Jones (2005) defined or Smith (2004) published.When referring to what authors have written in the literature you should use past tense. Thompson stated, not states. When referring to your dissertation study when you are completed, you will refer to what you did in the past tense. For the proposal use future tense--The purpose of the proposed study will be to… not is (is in the present tense). When you indicate what is in a chapter of your proposal or dissertation, use present tense because what you have written will always be in the chapter, thus in the present.
Generally, tables are used to display numbers, and figures are used to display graphics. Capitalize the word “Table” (not bold or italicized) above the “table” beginning at the left-hand margin followed by the number (1, 2…) as referred to in the text. Double space and begin the title directly below the table number. Capitalize every major word in the title that should be brief, clear, and descriptive. If more than one line, the title can be single space. Horizontal lines are permitted but not vertical lines. Horizontal lines should begin at the left margin and extend slightly beyond the most right-hand column of data. A line goes one double space below the last line of data. Each column and each row will have a heading. Table centered in page. The first word of the heading is capitalize and may include standard abbreviations and symbols (%. M SD, df, F). Table notes go below table. Note is capitalized followed by a period. See the APA Manual and/or the following website for more information: http://web.psych.washington.edu/writingcenter/writingguides/pdf/tables.pdf Common errors are including tables that are longer than ¼ a page into the chapters; move all long tables and figures to an Appendix and mention this in the narrative. Properly label all figures and tables following APA standards. Figures follow APA and avoid vertical lines as much as possible (see APA) and are long figures and tables put into the Appendix? Figure titles use only capitalization of the first word and proper nouns.
Table 1 Cats are Super Creatures Figure 1. Cats are super creatures Replace pronouns such as this, them, there, it, as it, their, etc. with a clear reference to defined subjects. For example, if a writer states “This is false because….” the reader may ask “what does this refer to?” Avoid using at the beginning of a sentence. As in, “This causes concern.'' Reason: “`this'' can refer to the subject of the previous sentence, the entire previous sentence, the entire previous paragraph, the entire previous section, etc. More important, it can be interpreted in the concrete sense or in the meta-sense. For example, in: ``X does Y. This means ...'' the reader can assume ``this'' refers to Y or to the fact that X does it. Even when restricted (e.g., ``this computation...''), the phrase is weak and often ambiguous. Never use that to refer to a person. Remember: A pronoun refers to the last named noun.
There are two ways you can take a screen shot. The first common way is to hold "Ctrl" and "Print Screen SysRq" (located on the upper right hand side next to the "Scroll Lock" key) at the same time. The screen will glimpse very quickly that you will hardly see it then open up a word document. Right click the mouse, click on paste, and you will have your screen shot. Remember to save the screen shot. The other way is the "Snipping Tool" program. The snipping tool may not be standard on all computers. You may have it or not, or you may have it and not know it. Go to "Start" menu and "search program and files" and put in "Snipping Tool" to see if your computer has it. If it does, it is very easy to use. Just open up "Snipping tool" and highlight on the page whatever you want to be part of your screen shot and instant screen shot. Just remember to save the screen shot.
Rather than copying and pasting material from one file to another (e.g., chapter 1 and chapter 2); first, open the first file and then go to the place in the document where you want to insert the second file. Now on the insert tab go to the “Object” in the text block and click on the down arrow and then select “Text from File.” Go to the Word file that you want to insert and click on it like you would normally do to open. The second file will now be added to the first file. This is a good way to handle tables, charts, and figures. Just prepare each one in a separate file and then at an appropriate time, insert it in the proposal or dissertation rather than doing along the way in your draft documents.
Express parallel ideas words, phrases, clauses, or sentences in parallel form. Wrong; Program was stimulating and a challenge. Right: Program was stimulating and challenging. Wrong: He was hot, cranky, and needed food. Right: He was hot, cranky, and hungry. Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words. For example, Tom enjoys singing, dancing, and swimming. All words end in “ing.” Read your paper and pause at the words AND and OR. Look on each side of these words to ensure the words are parallel.
It is important to keep data safe once the study is completed. Detail what data and information will be kept secured, where data will be secured, who will have access to the secured data, the length of time for securing the data, and what will happen to the data at the end of the secured period. Records should be kept for 3-5 years and then destroyed. Explain in detail the operational process of securing names of potential participants, communicating with the participants, and receiving confirmation from the participants. How will their confidentiality be protected throughout the dissertation process?
Research studies should be driven by the major theories in the field related to the problem – does the theoretical framework summarize the major models that are still valid today that are the basis behind this study? Are theories that are opposing in the field related to the problem summarized, compared, and contrasted with major issues clear? How do the theories noted bring together ideas, facts, and observations that help to frame the inquiry for this study? Explain how possible new results could affect the major theories in use today related to the problem statement topic.
Do not capitalize theories or models in your dissertation. When using track changes the comments are difficult to read. The size of the text in the comment box can be enlarged as follows: In the Home tab look for the small arrow to the right of the word Styles. Left click on the little arrow and then go to the bottom of the list to options. Left click and then change recommended list to “all styles” and then select “alphabetical” for the order and click ok. Go back to the list and right click on balloon text and then change the 8-point size to whatever size you want. The comment text size is usually unique to a specific paper and the same process will have to be used.
When a page number is not provided, such electronic documents (HMTL, webpage, etc.), writers should include a paragraph number. APA indicates that writers should use the abbreviation para. #; do not use the ¶ symbol; put a space before the paragraph number: Examples (p. 172) or (para. 12)
Just type you data with commas separating information: Insert, Table, Highlight your data and a 5th option will appear--Convert Text to Table. To make a graph out of the data, Insert, Smart Art or Chart and play around. Be certain and save first… Sometimes Word overloads and crashes when you start using Smart Art and tables.
To remove the sidewalls from tables, go to the middle of the Home taskbar, Paragraph, to the funny thing that looks like a window, now just unclick the left and right side walls and all vertical lines (as per APA). Scholarly papers typically use headings to separate the paper into meaningful topic areas; however, do not have one heading right after each other. A narrative discussion needs to be between headings. APA describes five levels of headings (Table 3.1, p. 62). Writers should select the heading levels that best organize the information in the paper. Most student papers need no more than two levels of headings; a major heading and subheadings of the major topic. If a paper requires two levels of headings, use Levels 1 and 2, in that order (p. 63). Writers should either “use at least two subsection headings within any given section, or use none” (Section 3.02, p. 62). In other words, your papers should not have only one subheading per section. If you choose to include headings, you must include at least two headings per section. Bold all headings according to the 6th APA Manual except level 5. For Chapter heading use level one and then use necessary levels of headings in order (i.e., 2-3-4-5) without skipping any one level.
First Paragraph The first paragraph sets the tone and provides direction for your proposal. Ensure that you have a solid topic sentence and all the connecting details are relevant.
First Word APA does not allow two consecutive sentences or paragraphs to start with the same wording. Avoid clichés [a phrase or word that has lost its original effectiveness or power from overuse] in academic writing. For example, over the hill, a dime a dozen, and head over heels are colloquial expressions and need to be replaced with more formal, academic language. Academic writing requires the use of a formal tone. Words used in everyday conversation need to be replaced with language that is more formal. For example, replace TV with television, replace deal with manage, and replace help out with assist. One word could change the tone of a paragraph or an entire essay. Cliché: "actual" and "actually" are weak words whose meaning is nothing more than "in point of fact." They are often used as intensifiers but usually can be deleted with no change in meaning.
In the reference list use the state abbreviation or country with publication information in book entries even if it is a well-known city such as New York, NY or London, England. This is a change from the 5th edition. The exception is if a university is the publisher and the name of the state is included in the university name; do not repeat the state---Lawrence: University of Kansas. However, don't use the abbreviation "U.K."; use "United Kingdom" instead. The longer (and slightly more informative) version: Sometimes people treat "England" and "UK" as if they were synonymous. However, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (or United Kingdom, for short) is a constitutional monarchy that includes the constituent nations of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, all of which have rich, complicated histories and passionate nationalist movements. So "Cambridge, England" is OK; "Cambridge, United Kingdom" is OK; but "Edinburgh, England" is not.
This is located on page 23 of 6th edition. Titles are commonly indexed and compiled in numerous reference works. Therefore, avoid words that serve no useful purposes; they increase length and can mislead indexers. For example, the words method, and results not normally appear in a title, nor should such terms as A Study of or An Experimental Investigation of. Avoid using abbreviations in a title; spelling out all terms helps ensure accurate, complete indexing of the article. The recommended length for a title is no more than 12 words, 15 words maximum.
Express parallel ideas words, phrases, clauses, or sentences in parallel form. Wrong; Program was stimulating and a challenge. Right: Program was stimulating and challenging. Wrong: He was hot, cranky, and needed food. Right: He was hot, cranky, and hungry. Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words. For example, Tom enjoys singing, dancing, and swimming. All words end in “ing.” Read your paper and pause at the words AND and OR. Look on each side of these words to ensure the words are parallel.
Refrain from using "everyone knows," "it is obvious," "this must be the case," "clearly" .Even words as innocuous as “very” and “merely” are out!
If asked what the biggest mistake doctoral candidates make, I would say ignoring the comments or recommendations from their mentors and/or committee members. Mentors and committee members typically do not re-read dissertations or proposals each time they do a review. They keep a checklist or log of all comments or recommendations they have made and check to see that these have been addressed. By not addressing each comment, a candidate risks angering or even insulting a mentor or a committee member.
If you, as a doctoral candidate, do nothing else, keep a log of all comments and recommendations made by your mentor and committee members, and make certain you address each one before you resubmit your proposal or dissertation. If the recommendations or comments are from the dean or formal editor, absolutely do not resubmit until you have addressed each one. Remember, you must obtain signatures from your mentor, both committee members, and the dean before you can graduate. You need these professionals. |
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May 2014
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