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GRADUATE SCHOOL REFERENCE GUIDE
Please use this checklist to verify your paper prior to submitting it to the Graduate School.
NOTE: Research paper template begins on the next page; delete this checklist before submitting.
Pagination
All page numbers are in Times New Roman 12 pt. and are Arabic numbers (1,2,3...)
The title page is #1 and the number is typed on the upper right hand side of the page.
All pages are counted and listed and the total number is listed in the appropriate space on the title page.
No title information (aka running header) is included next to the page number.
Title/Submission information/Abstract pages
Use correct spelling and grammar [(particularly possessives, e.g. student’s vs. students’ or teacher’s vs. teachers’) as well as affect vs. effect)].
Abstract page
Check for misspellings.
200 words in length (or less).
First paragraph does NOT have an indent, but the subsequent paragraphs are indented.
Title is formatted using bold and italics. (Smith, Jane. Title ABC)
Table of Contents (TOC)
Table of Contents heading is centered on the page and formatted in bold.
No entry for Acknowledgements or Table of Contents.
1st level headings are left justified; 2nd level headings are indented 0.5”; 3rd level headings are indented 1”; 4th level headings are indented 1.5”; and so on.
Entries should be included for List of Tables and/or List of Figures if you have created those.
If 4 or more tables and/or figures appear in the paper, then they get a list; otherwise if 3 or less tables and/or figures appear in the paper, incorporate them in the TOC; Table #: Title Here, followed by page # listed directly in the TOC according to where it appears within the body of the paper.
Each Appendix has a title, e.g. Appendix A: How I Survived Graduate School (should be the same title used in the paper)
Citations (in-text)
APA format
All in-text citations are listed in the References section except personal communications.
Tables and Figures
List(s) of Tables and/or Figures are used only when the paper contains 4 or more tables and/or figures.
List(s) of Tables and/or Figures appear on separate pages.
The format for listing tables (or figures) is as follows:
Table (or Figure) #: Title of Table/Figure…….pg #
Margins
Margins should be 1 inch all around the paper;
Body of the Work
“Introduction” should not be a sub-heading.
In Page layout, paragraph spacing before and after needs to be 0pt.
Definitions in Definition of Terms should be formatted like they were 3rd level headings, but NOT included in TOC (indented 0.5”, bolded, and sentence cased (first letter of first word only is Uppercased or if colon precedes the word; e.g. Third level heading: Sentence cased followed by a period.)
PROOFREAD (spelling, grammar, style consistency, format consistency) before turning into Research Adviser AND again before turning into the Graduate School.
Reference List
A-Z order
0.5” Hanging indent format (use ruler or paragraph menu to set, not the TAB key)
Insert one space after each period that separates each part of the reference (be consistent)
Use italics according to APA.
Include digital object identifier (DOI) for reference citations from on-line databases. If no DOI number exists, find the journal homepage and provide that URL. (See: APA manual p. 198-199)
All web pages appear in black type (not blue). Hint: Web addresses that appear in blue are “hyperlinked” addresses; once the hyperlink is removed the text will appear in black. (Right click on the hyperlink and select remove hyperlink)
Appendices
Appendices are titled and paginated (should be the same title used in the TOC)
e.g. Appendix A: Title ABC (If there is only one appendix, then the appendix title should be—Appendix: Title ABC).
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NOTE: This thesis reference guide is meant to guide you in formatting your paper according to APA (6th ed.). The number of chapters as well as the chapter headings and sub-headings contained in a research paper will vary depending on the type of research project. Plan B projects, in particular, vary by discipline and, depending on the topic and the kind of research project, will use a variety of appropriate headings and sub-headings; students should work closely with their advisor when creating the research paper structure for their project.
*Delete this page before submission.*
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Author: Last Name, First Name Middle Initial.
Title: Identification and Classification of Dragonflies: A Sixth-Grade Environmental Education Curriculum Model
The accompanying research report is submitted to the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Graduate School in partial completion of the requirements for the
Graduate Degree/ Major: MS Training and Development
Research Advisor: Julia Skimmer, Ph.D.
Submission Term/Year: Spring 2011
Number of Pages: 57
Style Manual Used: American Psychological Association, 6th edition
I have adhered to the Graduate School Research Guide and have proofread my work.
I understand that this research report must be officially approved by the Graduate School. Additionally, by signing and submitting this form, I (the author(s) or copyright owner) grant the University of Wisconsin-Stout the non-exclusive right to reproduce, translate, and/or distribute this submission (including abstract) worldwide in print and electronic format and in any medium, including but not limited to audio or video. If my research includes proprietary information, an agreement has been made between myself, the company, and the University to submit a thesis that meets course-specific learning outcomes and CAN be published. There will be no exceptions to this permission.
I attest that the research report is my original work (that any copyrightable materials have been used with the permission of the original authors), and as such, it is automatically protected by the laws, rules, and regulations of the U.S. Copyright Office.
My research advisor has approved the content and quality of this paper.
STUDENT:
NAME: DATE:
ADVISOR: (Committee Chair if MS Plan A or EdS Thesis or Field Project/Problem):
NAME: DATE:
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This section for MS Plan A Thesis or EdS Thesis/Field Project papers only
Committee members (other than your advisor who is listed in the section above)
1. CMTE MEMBER’S NAME: DATE:
2. CMTE MEMBER’S NAME: DATE:
3. CMTE MEMBER’S NAME: DATE:
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This section to be completed by the Graduate School
This final research report has been approved by the Graduate School.
Director, Office of Graduate Studies: DATE:
LastName, FirstName MiddleInitial. Identification and Classification of Dragonflies: A Sixth-Grade Environmental Education Curriculum Model
Abstract
Note: Do not indent the first paragraph.
A completed abstract page includes preliminary information formatted as above, as well as a concise summary of the paper. The abstract page is part of the research report (i.e. paper). All pages are numbered using Arabic numerals (1, 2, etc.) The text is double spaced; margins are 1 inch as in the balance of the paper.
Abstracts should be no longer than 200 words in length, which is different than what the APA manual states. Please utilize pages 25-27 in the APA manual for tips regarding the qualities of a good abstract. Close attention should be paid to grammar and spelling; papers with misspellings and typographical errors will be returned as will abstracts that do not follow formatting as illustrated in this document.
Acknowledgments
Many students like to acknowledge people who have significantly contributed to their graduate education on this page and are welcome to do so. Remember, however, that Acknowledgments are not part of the scholarly work; Acknowledgments and its page number are not listed in the Table of Contents.
Table of Contents
Abstract 2
List of Tables 8
How to Make a Table in APA Style Using Word 2010 9
Tables/Figures as an Appendix 10
List of Figures 13
Figures Listed in the Table of Contents or in a Separate List 15
Chapter I: Introduction 17
Statement of the Problem 17
Purpose of the Study 17
Assumptions of the Study 17
Definition of Terms 17
Limitations of the Study 18
Methodology 18
Chapter II: Literature Review 19
Viewing Headings with the Navigation View 19
Formatting Styled Headings for the Paper 19
Formatting Heading 1 20
Heading 1 Font 20
Heading 1 Paragraph 21
Formatting Heading 2 21
Heading 2 Font 22
Heading 2 Paragraph 22
Formatting Normal Style 22
Using Clear All as a Formatting Tool 23
Formatting Multiple Headings 24
Heading 3 Font 24
Heading 3 Paragraph 24
Heading 4 Font 25
Heading 4 Paragraph 25
Heading 5 Font 25
Heading 5 Paragraph 25
Formatting for the List of Figures/Tables: Inserting Captions 26
Inserting a Caption for Figures 26
Inserting a Caption for Tables 27
Viewing Styled Headings in the Paper 28
Implementing Styles Best Practices 29
Implementing Multiple Headings in the Paper for the TOC 30
First Method to Formatting Multiple Headings 30
Second Method to Formatting Multiple Headings 31
Implementing Table of Contents 37
Insert Built-In Table 38
Modify TOC Styles 38
Implementing the List of Figures/Tables 40
Summary 41
Chapter III: Methodology 43
Subject Selection and Description 43
Instrumentation 43
Data Collection Procedures 43
Data Analysis 43
Limitations 43
Summary 43
Chapter IV: Results 44
Item Analysis 44
Identifying Appropriate Layout of Information 44
Chapter V: Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendations 46
Discussion 46
Conclusions 46
Recommendations 46
References 47
Appendix A: An Introduction to APA Style and Research Paper FAQs. 50
Appendix B: How to Format APA Headings 51
Appendix C: How to Complete a Research Project 52
Complete a Research Project? Yes, you can do it! 52
Why Complete a Research Project and Write A Research Paper? 52
How to Begin the Project? Read, Question, Take Notes and Record Citations 53
How to Begin the Paper 54
Appendix D: Crediting Sources - Quoting, Paraphrasing and Plagiarism 55
Direct Quotations 55
Paraphrasing 56
Plagiarism 56
List of Tables
Table 1: I Am Equipped with the Computer Technology I Need To Work Efficiently in My Classroom 10
Table 2: Stats, Stats and More Stats. The Title of This Table is More Than a Single Line; Indent the Second Line Just Like This 11
Table 3: Less Than 3 Tables, no Need for a List (See Note 1 below) 12
Table 4: More Than 3 Tables, Need a List of Tables 13
If you’ve constructed 4 or more tables (4, 5, 6, 7…) and plan to place them in the body of your paper, include a list of them in a List of Tables. List the table number, colon, name and page on which the table can be found, and all important words appropriately capitalized (example above).
Note 1: Not all papers will have a List of Tables. If you have 3 or less tables (1, 2, or 3), include them in the Table of Contents in pagination order.
Note 2: Not all papers will have a List of Figures. If you have 3 or less figures (1, 2, or 3), include them in the Table of Contents in the pagination order. See List of Figures below and consult the APA manual (6th ed.) beginning on page 150 for more information regarding the use of figures.
Note 3: Pay close attention to the purpose and format of your tables and figures. Tables and figures are meant to provide a quick graphical reference to the textual discussion within your paper; they should be concise. For a quick visual reference for formatting a variety of tables, consult the APA manual. Below is information about producing tables as well as an example of APA table format.
Note 4: Tables and figures should be in black and white or greyscale, in Times New Roman font (12pt) and double spaced. Questions, consult APA manual (6th ed.) or the Graduate School Director.
RECOMMENDATION: Do not copy and paste tables as pictures or graphics because you can’t modify the picture if there are corrections needed. The only exception is if the table was correctly formatted before it became a graphic or picture already BUT many times the table is incorrect when it is copied and pasted as a picture or graphic and hard to read. Instead make tables and graphs using the tools within your Microsoft Word document.
IMPORTANT: Previously published tables are copyright protected and cannot be used without permission of the copyright holder. Do not include them in your paper, even if adapted, without permission.
How to Make a Table in APA Style Using Word 2010
1. Click on the Insert tab, then go to Table and Insert Table.
2. Decide how many rows and columns you need. If you aren’t right the first time, you can add or delete them later by Right clicking the mouse, Insert, Insert column, row, etc.
3. Either format the table by Right clicking the mouse and utilizing borders, cell alignment, table properties, etc. Or utilize Table tools when the table is highlighted.
On the next page you’ll find an example of a properly constructed table. Format tables using black lines. The lines should be no thicker than 1 inch. Also, the light gray lines or gridlines will not print out; they are there for your reference.
Table 1
I Am Equipped with the Computer Technology I Need To Work Efficiently in My Classroom
Response / Frequency (N=143) / PercentageDisagree / 27 / 18.9%
Neutral / 26 / 18.2%
Agree / 89 / 62.3%
Note. Lines should be no more than 1 in. and black (Formatting Table Notes, p. 138 in APA Manual (6th ed.)).
UW-Stout Graduate School formatting standard indicates that tables are to be double-spaced. However, if the table is longer than one page double-spaced, please request an exception from the Graduate School Director. If your material is lengthy, consider including it in an appendix rather than in the body of the paper. For more formatting details, please see below; Tables/Figures as an Appendix.
Tables/Figures as an Appendix
If you decide to place a table or figure in an appendix, then the format for both a table and figure will be different. Instead of a Table/Figure # and title of the table/figure, replace the Table/Figure # with Appendix A followed by a colon and the title of the table/figure.
Example:
Appendix A: I Am Equipped with the Computer Technology I Need To Work Efficiently in My Classroom