How to Type a Research Paper in APA Format: A Setup-to-Submission Check

Use the word processor's document settings rather than inserting spaces or line breaks by hand.

1. Set every margin to one inch.
2. Choose an APA-permitted, readable font and use it consistently unless the instructions allow a purposeful exception.
3. Double-space the document, including the title page and reference list.
4. Put the page number in the header.
5. Use left alignment for body paragraphs and a first-line paragraph indent.
6. Turn on paragraph marks temporarily so hidden tabs, spaces, and manual breaks are visible.

Do not make a paper look aligned with repeated spaces. Those spaces shift when the file is opened with another font, converted to PDF, or processed by a submission system.

Center and bold the title in the upper portion of the title page, then place the required identity information underneath. The exact student details come from the assignment. The exact professional package comes from the target journal, which can supersede generic APA examples.

Do not select a heading level because it looks attractive. Heading levels express hierarchy.

The introduction typically begins under the paper title rather than an “Introduction” heading. After that, use the levels in order. Never jump from Level 1 to Level 3 because a visual treatment seems better.

A professional empirical paper commonly moves through abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion, references, and any required tables, figures, or supplements. A student assignment may use a simpler sequence. Follow the live instructions rather than adding sections mechanically.

For each section, separate content questions from format questions:

• Abstract: Does it accurately state the question, design, main result, and implication? Then check length and keyword requirements.
• Method: Could another researcher understand the sample, materials, procedure, and analysis? Then check heading hierarchy and statistical notation.
• Results: Do the text, tables, and figures agree? Then check number formatting and table/figure callouts.
• Discussion: Are claims bounded by the design and uncertainty? Then check heading consistency and citation placement.
• References: Does each cited work appear once and only once? Then check order, hanging indents, and item-level syntax.

Audit the manuscript-level evidence before the format pass hides larger problems.

Create two lists: every author-year citation in the body and every item in the references. Compare them in both directions.

A reference manager can apply a style, but it cannot decide whether the cited paper supports the sentence. Verify record identity and claim fit separately.

Pass 1, structural: Read only the title, abstract, headings, table/figure titles, and conclusion. Confirm that they tell one coherent research story.

Pass 2, mechanical: Check margins, spacing, font, pagination, paragraph indents, heading levels, table/figure labels, and reference formatting.

Pass 3, destination: Compare the final file with the assignment or journal instructions. Check anonymization, line numbers, file naming, supplementary files, declarations, and PDF conversion.

This order prevents a common waste: polishing a reference comma while a required analysis, disclosure, or anonymous file is still missing.

• The paper type and destination are explicit.
• Page layout is controlled by styles, not manual spacing.
• Title-page elements match the correct student or professional route.
• Heading hierarchy matches the argument hierarchy.
• Abstract and section requirements match the instructions.
• Every citation and reference reconciles.
• Tables, figures, notes, and supplements are called out and labelled consistently.
• The final file satisfies anonymization, declaration, and file-format rules.
• A converted PDF was checked for missing characters, clipped tables, and shifted equations.