1. Introduction
For many university students in the UK, writing a dissertation in APA style is a mandatory requirement. When you style your academic work correctly, it looks professional, is well-organized, and is easy to read. It also helps keep things consistent, which makes study easier for readers and reviewers to understand. Universities in the UK stress the use of standard forms to make academic writing more clear and trustworthy.
The American Psychological Association (APA) style is used a lot in many fields, but it’s most common in psychology, education, and the social sciences. It gives you a clear way to organize research papers, properly cite sources, and keep your work consistent.
For students writing a UK university dissertation, following APA formatting is crucial. This includes giving credit to sources correctly, organizing parts correctly, and following certain rules for references, headings, and layout. Students can write better papers that meet school requirements and don’t plagiarize if they know these rules.
This guide will teach you the most important parts of writing an APA-style dissertation, from the title page to the sources and references. Students can make sure their dissertations meet the standards of UK universities and do well in school by following these tips.
2. Understanding APA Style
2.1 What is APA Style?
A lot of people use the American Psychological Association (APA) style for academic writing, especially in the social sciences, psychology, and education. It gives clear instructions on how to cite sources, style, and organize research papers. These rules are what students writing an APA style dissertation must follow to make sure their work is consistent and looks professional.
2.2 Differences Between APA 6th and 7th Edition
Several changes were made to the APA 7th version to make it clearer and easier to use. Some important changes from the APA 6th version are:
- There is no need for a “running head” on student papers.
- More fonts to choose from, such as Times New Roman, Calibri, and Arial
- Made it easier to cite sources with three or more writers in the text
- Better instructions on how to properly cite websites and social media as sources
Students must use the most up-to-date APA citation guide to make sure they use proper citations in their APA referencing dissertation and meet UK university standards.
3. Dissertation Structure in APA Format
A well-organized dissertation follows a certain APA dissertation format to make sure it is clear and well-written. The most important parts are:
3.1 Title Page
The title page in APA format includes:
- Title of dissertation (in bold and middle)
- Name of author
- Name of the school
- Name and number of the course
- Name of the teacher
- Date of submission
The 7th edition of APA does not need a moving head for student papers like the 6th edition did. But the page numbers need to be in the upper right spot.
3.2 Abstract
The abstract is a short overview of the dissertation. It is usually between 150 and 250 words long. It should give an outline of the research question, how the research was done, the main results, and the conclusions. At the top of the page, the word “Abstract” should be in the middle and in bold.
3.3 Main Body Sections
There are headings, subheadings, and in-text sources in the main body, which makes it well-organized. Some common parts are:
- Introduction
- Literature Review
- Methodology
- Results & Discussion
- Conclusion & Recommendations.
3.4 References
The APA-style reference list has all the sources that were used in the dissertation. “References” is in the middle and in bold, and the entries are arranged alphabetically with a hanging indent.
A correct dissertation style makes it easy to read and meets the requirements of UK universities.
4. Title Page Formatting
The first page of the dissertation is the APA title page, which needs to be formatted in a certain way to look professional and consistent.
4.1 Placement of Title, Author, and University Name
The title page should include:
- Title of the paper (in bold, in the middle, and three to four lines from the top)
- Full name of the author (written in the middle, below the title)
- Name of the university (centered and put below the author’s name)
- The name and number of the course
- Name of the teacher
- Date of submission
4.2 Running Head and Page Numbers
- In APA 7th version, student papers don’t need a running head.
- From the title page on up, there should be a page number in the upper right corner of every page.
Making sure the title page is formatted correctly in APA style makes sure the dissertation meets the layout standards for a UK university dissertation layout requirements.
5. Writing the Abstract in APA Style
An APA abstract is a short summary of the dissertation that helps people understand the study quickly. It comes after the title page on a different page.
5.1 Word Limit and Content Structure
- It should be between 150 and 250 words long.
- At the top of the page, the word “Abstract” should be in the middle and big.
- The text should be aligned to the left and written in a single paragraph with no spaces between the lines.
- What should be in the abstract:
- A short summary of the study question
- The study question or goal
- The method that was used
- The main facts and findings
- Conclusion and what it means.
Example of a Well-Written Abstract
“This study looks at how university students in the UK use social media and how that affects how well they do in school. A mixed-methods approach was used to get information from 200 students who were surveyed and interviewed. The results suggest that using social media too much hurts your ability to focus and learn. There are, however, some good things about academic discussion groups on social media sites. These results show how important it is to use social media in a healthy way to do better in school.”
A well structured dissertation abstract makes the study clear and gives a good APA summary of it.
6. Formatting the Main Body
In order to be consistent and easy to read, the main body of an APA style paper must follow certain formatting rules. Making good use of headings, paragraph formatting, and citations helps organize the study well.
6.2 Headings and Subheadings
APA headings follow a structured hierarchy:
- Level 1: Centered, bold, and title case (e.g., Introduction)
- Level 2: Title case, left-aligned, and bold (for example, Research Methods)
- Level 3: Title case, bold, italic, and left-aligned
- Level 4: Title case, indented, bold, and including a stop. The text comes next on the same line.
- Level 5: Underlined, bold, italic, title case, and a stop must be used. The text comes next on the same line.
Using the right titles helps organize the content of your dissertation and makes it easier to read.
6.3 Paragraph Alignment and Indentation
- The words should be aligned to the left and have a 1-inch space around all sides.
- The whole paper needs to have double spacing.
- There should be a 0.5-inch space between the first lines of each paragraph.
6.4 Use of Citations
Proper APA paragraph formatting includes in-text citations:
- Citing sources with an author and a date (Smith, 2020)?
- Direct quotes need a page number, like Smith, 2020, p. 45.
- Also, information that is paraphrased needs to be cited.
If you follow these rules for writing, your dissertation will be well-organized and meet the standards for UK university dissertations.
7. Citation & Referencing in APA Style
To avoid plagiarism and give credit to the original writers, an APA-style dissertation must have correct citations. For in-text citations, APA uses the Author-Date method, and there are specific rules for how to format the reference list.
7.1 In-Text Citations (Author-Date System)
In-text citations in APA style follow this format:
- For one author: (Smith, 2020)
- For two authors: (Smith & Jones, 2021)
- For three or more authors: (Smith et al., 2022)
When you quote, describe, or paraphrase a source in your dissertation, you should include a citation.
7.2 Direct vs. Indirect Quotes
- For direct quotes, put the page number inside the quotation marks:
“Social media affects learning habits” (Smith, 2020, p. 45). - Indirect (paraphrased) quotes:
Smith (2020) found that social media can influence students’ study patterns.
7.3 Reference List Format
APA style says that all of the sources should be listed at the end of the dissertation, starting with the first letter of each name. Simple layout:
Book:
Smith, J. (2020). Research methods in psychology. Oxford University Press.
Journal Article:
Jones, R. (2021). The impact of technology on education. Educational Research Journal, 35(2), 150-165. https://doi.org/xxxxx
Double-space the reference list and add a hanging indent, with the first line flush left and each line after it indented.
Following the proper APA style of referencing protects academic honesty and makes your dissertation better.
8. Formatting Tables and Figures
In an APA-style dissertation, tables and figures help make the study results easy to understand. APA rules explain how to organize these parts so that the data is shown correctly in APA style.
8.1 How to Present Tables and Figures
- Tables should display numerical data in a structured format.
- Figures include charts, graphs, images, or illustrations.
- Every table and figure needs to be talked about in the text before it shows up. Example:
“Table 1 presents the survey results on student engagement.”
8.2 Caption Placement and Numbering
- Tables:
- Number the tables in order, like Table 1, Table 2, etc.
- The title needs to be in bold and put above the table.
- Example:
Table 1: Average Scores on Tests Broken Down by Age - Figures:
- Number the pictures in order, like Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.
- It is best to put the title and caption below the picture.
- Figure 1 shows the rise in online learning from 2018 to 2023.
All of the tables and figures should be easy to read, have clear labels, and be written the same way every time. If you follow the APA rules for tables and figures, your study results will look good and be easy to understand.
9. Writing the Literature Review in APA Style
The APA literature review is an important part of a dissertation because it gives background on previous research and supports the outline of the study. It helps to find research holes and show why more research is needed.
9.1 Structuring the Literature Review
A well-organized literature review follows a logical structure:
- Beginning: Give a short summary of the review’s subject, goal, and scope.
- Main Body: Talk about different research questions, ideas, and results that are connected to the research question. This part is usually broken up into themes or events that happened in order.
- Conclusion: List the most important results and talk about how they relate to the study problem of the dissertation.
9.2 Citing Sources Correctly
Proper academic writing requires correct APA citation for all references:
- Explain the study results in your own words and give credit to the original source (Smith, 2020).
- When you do use direct quotes, be sure to include the page number (e.g., “Social media affects student performance” (Jones, 2021, p. 45)).
- Brown et al. (2022) say that when there are three or more writers, you should use et al.
Following APA rules makes sure that the sources used in the dissertation are properly cited and that the literature review is organised well.
10. Methodology Section Formatting
In a dissertation, the methodology section talks about how the study was done. APA style rules say it needs to be clear, well-organised, and properly cited.
10.1 Content Requirements
The methodology section typically includes:
- Design of the research: using qualitative, quantitative, or a mix of the two.
- Participants: Sample size, demographics, and the factors used to choose participants.
- Collecting data: polls, interviews, tests, or data that was already out there.
- Statistical tests, coding methods, or theme analysis are all types of data analysis.
10.2 Proper Citation of Research Methods
Cite important sources when talking about research methods:
- “A method of thematic analysis was employed” (Braun & Clarke, 2006).
- When using standard methods, you should quote studies that have already used them.
Following APA style in the methodology section makes sure that the study is clear and believable, and it also improves the quality of the academic work.
11. Discussion & Results Section in APA
The APA discussion part gives the research results and explains what they mean. This part should be easy to understand, well-organised, and written according to APA standards.
11.1 How to Present Findings
- To report key data, use clear, objective language.
- Use APA-approved headings to organise your results, such as “Results” and “Discussion.”
- Tables and graphs should be used when they are needed and should be referred to in the text. For example, “Table 2 shows the correlation between study habits and performance.”
- Focus on how facts can be interpreted instead of your own views.
11.2 Using APA-Approved Language
- Give correct statistical data, such as t(28) = 2.45, p <.05, along with p-values, means, and standard deviations.
- Compare the data to earlier studies:
- “The results are similar to those of Smith’s (2020) study on stress in schools.”
- “Jones (2019) said that there was a strong link between social media use and grades, but this study found none.”
- Talk about the problems and what they mean in an intellectual way.
Correct APA data analysis makes sure that the dissertation results are shown clearly, which helps to back up the study’s findings.
12. Conclusion & Recommendations Formatting
The APA conclusion is the last part of a dissertation. It summarises the main points and suggests what should be done next. It needs to be short, well-organised, and in line with the study goals.
12.1 Summary of Findings
- Restate the study question and give a short summary of the main results.
- Describe how the results add to what is already known.
- Bring attention to any surprising results and how important they are.
Example:
“According to this study, kids did better in school when they limited their use of social media. These results back up what Smith (2020) found earlier, but they also disagree with Jones (2019), which means more study is needed.”
12.2 Best Practices for APA Dissertation Writing
- Clarity and Conciseness: Keep the conclusion focused and avoid unnecessary repetition.
- APA Formatting: Ensure all headings, citations, and references follow APA guidelines.
- Actionable Recommendations: Suggest practical applications of the research.
Example:
“Larger sample sizes should be used in future studies that look at the long-term effects of social media on student success.”
If you follow these APA guidelines, your dissertation summary will be well-organised, which will help readers understand the importance of the research.
13. Proofreading & Formatting Checklist
Before submitting an APA style dissertation, it is crucial to conduct a full proofreading and formatting check. This guarantees clarity, consistency, and adherence to UK university guidelines. Below is a final review checklist to help students avoid common errors.
13.1 Final Review Before Submission
- Make sure the title page is formatted according to the APA 7th version (bold title, author name, university, and date).
- Make sure the abstract is 150 to 250 words long, correctly formatted, and gives a short summary of the study.
- Make sure that the headings and subheadings are written correctly according to APA standards.
- Make sure that the APA author-date format is used for both in-text citations and reference records.
13.2 Common Formatting Errors to Avoid
- The wrong way to use quote marks, italics, or bold.
- Not enough page numbers (make sure they are in the upper right spot).
- The format for the references is wrong (check the APA style again).
- The letter size or type isn’t always the same (12pt Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri).
- Incorrect paragraph spacing (make sure the first line is indented 0.5 inches.
Utilising this APA proofreading process will guarantee a flawless, expert dissertation that meets the needs of UK universities.
14. Additional Resources & APA Tools
To write a dissertation in APA style, you need to be very careful and follow strict rules for formatting. Students can use different books, online tools, and citation generators to make the process easier.
14.1 Recommended Books & Guides
- The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th Edition) is the official APA guide and has detailed rules on how to format your work. The APA Style Guide to Electronic References is a must-have for properly citing digital sources. How to Write a Thesis by Rowena Murray can help you organise your dissertation.
14.2 Online APA Citation Tools
- Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab): Gives detailed instructions on how to use APA style.
- Scribbr’s APA Citation Generator makes APA citations for you automatically.
- Zotero and Mendeley are reference management programs that help you keep track of your citations.
- The “Cite” feature in Google Scholar lets you quickly add APA-style references.
When you use these APA resources and tools, you can be sure that your citations are correct and that your dissertation is well-organised to meet UK university standards.
15. Conclusion
To write a dissertation in APA style, you need to pay close attention to details, be consistent, and know the rules for formatting very well. By following the rules for APA 7th edition citations, structure, and references, students can make sure their dissertations meet the requirements of UK universities and uphold the standards of academic honesty.
15.1 To succeed, students should:
- Plan ahead and follow a set way of writing.
- Use APA citation tools to keep track of your sources easily.
- Make sure there are no formatting mistakes by proofreading carefully.
- Ask your supervisors or academic mentors for feedback.
It may seem impossible to write a paper, but you need to be persistent and organised to do it. Remember that every great paper starts with one small step. If you work hard every day, you will succeed. Focus, use the right APA sources, and have faith in your study skills.
If students follow these tips for writing a dissertation, they can be sure that they will turn in a well-organized, high-quality paper that helps them learn.
