MELJUN CORTES research lectures_apa_format_terminal_reports

1. APA Format of
Terminal Reports
MELJUN CORTES

2. Title Page
Abstract
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References
Relevant Appendices
APA Format
of a Manuscript

3. Title page should contain the title of the study, the
author’s name and institutional affiliation (if
applicable). The title should be concise and
should identify the actual variables or theoretical
issues under investigation and the relationships
between them.
Title Page

4. An abstract is a brief, comprehensive summary of
the contents of the paper and should not exceed
120 words.
A good abstract is
Accurate
Self- contained
Concise and specific
Non-evaluative
Coherent and readable
Abstract

5. The introduction is not labeled
The introduction contains the following:
1. Over-all goal or direction of the study and a
discussion of the central issue or problem to
include a discussion of specific goals
(overview of CF).
2. significance of the study
Introduction

6. Elaboration of the different constructs via an integrated
RRL to include conceptual and operational definitions
of terms.
The closing paragraphs of the introduction should
reiterate the goals of the study and the CF. The
introduction ends with the formal statement of the
problems.
Take note of alignment of in-text citation and
references
Introduction

7. Research Design
Participants
Sources of Data and
Data Analysis
There should be
subheadings based on
the constructs of the CF
Procedures. Some
examples are:
Procedure in
constructing a computer
program
Procedures in
developing an
instructional module
Procedures on how to
implement a teaching
strategy (cooperative
learning, etc.)
Method

8. What applicable statistical tools will be employed in
treating the data (t-test, Pearson’s r or ANOVA)?
Will descriptive statistics suffice or are you using
inferential statistics?
Are you describing categorical data or comparing groups
against an identified grouping variable?
If you are reporting mean ratings, what is the meaning
associated with this mean rating? How did you arrive at
this interpretation?
Data Analysis – Quantitative Data

9. How did you interpret or transform your field notes
or transcriptions into comprehensible accounts of
the constructs you are investigating?
How will you make sense of the results of your
observations or interview data? Will you employ a
data matrix to simplify the volume of quantitative
data you collected?
Will triangulation be used? How did you triangulate
your data?
If you are doing a case study, what are the
elements or units of analysis within a case? And
across cases?
Data Analysis – Qualitative Data

10. The results section summarizes the data collected
in the most efficient manner possible.
Report data in sufficient detail to justify the
conclusions.
Do not include individual scores or raw data with
the exception of case studies.
Reporting results in tables and figures can present
data clearly and economically.
Refer to all tables as tables and to all graphs,
pictures, or drawing as figures
Results

11. Table 3. Mean Ratings
on Traditional and
Inquiry Items
Sample Items
on
Traditional
Mathematics
Teaching
Me
an
Sample
Items on
Inquiry
Mathematics
Teaching
Mea
n
Goals of
Mathematics
Teaching: At
the end of a
mathematics
class, students
should be able
to..
master
mathematical
4.3
6
Goals of
Mathematic
s Teaching:
At the end of
a
mathematics
class,
students
should be
able to..
4.50
Sample Quantitative Table

12. Table 1. Summary of
Metacognitive Activities
in Chemistry
Metacog
nitive
Activity
Description
Nature,
Purpose
and
Significa
nce of
Chemist
ry
The activity was
designed for students
to deduce the
rationale and
purpose of studying
Chemistry from a
critical analysis of
labels of consumer
products.
Sample Qualitative Table

13. The discussion presents the analysis, interpretation and
inferences drawn from the results which includes the following:
Review of the major findings of the study and how the
research questions were answered
Reflections of the researcher about the meaning of the data;
View of the researcher compared or contrasted with the
literature;
Limitations of the study and its implications and /or
suggestions for future research.
Discussion

14. The conclusion is a statement on the
extent of how the goals of the study have
been attained.
The conclusion is a condensed reiteration
of the findings of the study as you present
data-based answers to your posed
research questions.
The last paragraph of the conclusions are
suggestions (recommendations) for future
research
Conclusion

15. The reference list at the end of the article
(manuscript) documents the article and provides
the information necessary to identify and
retrieve each source.
All citations in the manuscript must appear in the
reference list in alphabetical order, and all
references must be cited in the text.
References

16. Sample References
Journa
l
Article
Klimoski, R., & Palmer,
S. (1993). The ADA and
the
hiring process in
organizations.
Consulting
Psychology
Journal:Practice and
Research, 45 (2)
10-36.
Magazi
ne
Article
Kandel, E.R., & Squire, L.R.
(2000, November 10).
Neuroscience: Breaking
down scientific barriers
to the study of brain and
mind. Science, 290, 1113-
1120.
Article
or
chapter
in an
edited
book
Bjork, R.A. (1989). Retrieval
inhibition as an adaptive
mechanism in
human memory. In H. L.
Roediger III & F. I. M. Craik

17. Report
from the
Educatio
nal
Resource
s
Informat
ion
Center
(ERIC)
Mead, J.V. (1992).
Looking at old
photographs:
Investigating the
teacher tales that
novice teachers bring
with them (report No.
NCRTL-RR-92-4).
East Lansing, MI:
National Center for
Research on
Teacher learning.
(ERIC Document
Reproduction
Service No.
ED346082)
Internet
Sources
Chou, L. McClintock, R.,
Moretti, F., & Nix, D. H.
(1993).
Technology and education:
New wine and new bottles:
Choosing pasts and
imagining educational futures.
Sample References

18. An appendix is helpful if the detailed description of certain
material is distracting in or inappropriate to the body of
the paper.
A new computer program designed specifically for your
research and unavailable elsewhere;
An unpublished test and its validation;
A complicated mathematical proof;
A detailed description of a complex piece of equipment;
Excerpts of transcriptions of interview data;
Excerpts of field notes; and/or
Excerpts of observational data
Appendices

19. Criteria Poi
nts
Adherence to
APA Format (5th
Edition)
10
INTRODUCTION 20
METHOD 15
RESULTS 15
DISCUSSION 20
CONCLUSION 10
CLARITY OF
IDEAS AND
EXPRESSION
10
Rubric in Evaluating
Terminal Report

20. Range ETS
Equiva
lent
49 and
below
3
50 – 69 6
70 - 100 9
Range of Points for ETS Units

21. The final paper contains all the parts adhering to the APA
referencing style (5th edition). The manuscript contains an abstract,
a table of contents, introduction, etc.
There is a list of “References” that list all works cited in the final
paper. In-text citation is consistent with APA referencing style (5th
edition).
The format of the final paper adheres to the recommended APA
format (levels of heading, presenting data in a table, appendices,
etc.).
Adherence to the APA Format (10 Pts)

22. The introduction established the rationale, context and general direction of
the study linked to the relevant literature. The overall goal and sub goals are
clear and linked to the relevant literature. The variables or constructs under
investigation are operationally and conceptually defined linking to the
relevant literature.
The conceptual framework captured the rationale, context and over-all
direction of the study. The linking of the different variables in the CF is well
articulated and supported by literature.
The introduction ends with a formal statement of the problems. The posed
research questions stemmed logically from the rationale, context, over-all
direction of the study and the conceptual framework.
Introduction (20 Pts)

23. The different parts of the method section are accounted for (research design, participants, and
sources of data or research instruments, data analysis and relevant appendices).
The research design is sound and defensible and is appropriate in obtaining data to answer the
posed research problems.
The sampling typology employed in the study is appropriate and suited to the research design.
The different sources of data and research instruments are well described to include
administration, and scoring. Validity and reliability (for quantitative instruments) and credibility (for
qualitative) considerations are reported and substantiated by relevant literature (instruments are
appended if applicable).
Analysis of the data culled from the administration of the various instruments are well explained
and explicitly described. Frameworks or its equivalent adapted in the analysis of data are well
explained substantiated by literature.
Method (15 Pts)

24. Data are reported in sufficient detail to justify the conclusions.
Relevant results to include those that run counter to what is expected
are reported. Individual results or raw data (except for case studies)
are appropriately appended. Data are complete to account for all
posed research questions.
Results are condensed or summarized, when applicable, in
appropriate tables or figures adhering to the APA (5th edition) format.
Results ( 15 Pts)

25. The discussion presented the analysis, interpretation and
inferences drawn from the results. The author was able to draw
the theoretical consequences of the results and the validity of
conclusions.
Reflections and insights of the author compared or contrasted with
the literature are well articulated.
Limitations and weaknesses of the research design and its
implications to the results are reported as well as suggestions for
future research (establishing the recommendations).
Discussion (20 Pts)

26. The conclusions are validly drawn from the results of the
study. The conclusion answers the posed research
questions of the study. The conclusion ends with a
reporting of the limitations and weaknesses of the study as
well as suggestions for future research (recommendations).
Conclusion (10 Pts)

27. All parts of the paper are coherently written. The
author demonstrates in his or her writing, fluidity of
thought and logical thinking. Scholarly, formal and
academic language is consistently used. The
paper has very few grammatical errors.
Clarity of Ideas and Expression (10 Pts)

28. Thank you very much
Good luck in your research