Transcript
How to Write an Appendix in APA, 6th Edition
Recently a student emailed the Writing Center and asked an excellent question:
Q:
“My question is somewhat simple. I want to know where and how do I insert my appendix?”
Let’s start first with what an appendix is. An appendix is typically a concise list of extra information that would likely be found “distracting or inappropriate in the body of the manuscript,” but still relevant enough to the writing’s argument, data, or study that some readers and scholars may want to review the original source information (Publication Manual of the APA, 2010, p. 38). The APA makes the mandate for when to use an appendix in addition to a reference page clear by stating the following: “Include an appendix or supplemental materials only if they help readers to understand, evaluate, or replicate the study or theoretical argument being made” (2010, p. 40). As a result, some essays have one appendix and others have multiple appendices depending on the amount of extra background information the student has considered and used beyond the usual realm of reference pages, paraphrases, and direct quotations. Generally speaking, appendices are not often used by students unless a professor has instructed students to create one or students are writing theses, dissertations, or articles for publication. Most appendices include the following types of information: a) List of stimulus materials b) A detailed description of a complex piece of equipment c) List of articles that provided the source data for a meta-analysis but are not directly referred to any other way in an article or essay d) A detailed demographic description of subpopulations in the study and other detailed and/or complex reporting items suggested in the reporting standards of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th ed. (2010, p. 39). Note: If you are submitting web-based, online writing and research, you might consider using a Supplemental Materials list instead of an appendix (or appendices) as the Supplemental Materials list is most suitable for additional research that should be downloaded or is “not easily presented in standard print format” (Publication Manual of the APA, 2010, p. 39). Examples of Supplemental Materials information include the following sources: a) b) c) d)
Lengthy computer code Details of mathematical or computational models Audio or video clips Oversized tables
KUWC Resource Library How to Create an Appendix, APA, 6th ed., by Michaella Hammond August 2011 Page 1 © 2011, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation
e) f) g) h)
Detailed intervention protocols Primary or supplementary data sets Expanded methodology sections Color figures
In terms of formatting your appendix, keep in mind the following tips from the Publication Manual of the APA (6th ed.):
Begin each appendix on a separate page [after the body of your essay and the references page].
Center the word Appendix and the identifying capital letters (A, B, etc., in the order in which they are mentioned in text) at the top of the page. Note: “If your manuscript has only one appendix, label it Appendix. … Each appendix must have a title. In the text, refer to appendices by their labels: [for instance] produced the same results for both studies (see Appendices A and B for complete proofs)” (2010, p. 39).
Center the title of the appendix, and use uppercase and lowercase letters.
Begin the text of the appendix flush left, followed by indented paragraphs (2010, p. 39).
Note: How your appendix’s content will appear will rely in large part on what you’re including. Therefore, there is no “set” format for the contents of APA appendices. To review a sample appendix, please review Page 3. The Kaplan University Writing Center also suggests that you read “2.13 Appendices and Supplemental Materials” of the Publication Manual of the APA (6th ed.). This particular chapter explains important protocol concerning the reasons for and formatting of APA-style appendices.
KUWC Resource Library How to Create an Appendix, APA, 6th ed., by Michaella Hammond August 2011 Page 2 © 2011, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation
Appendix A Electric Range Baking Since the advent of the electric range in the 1890s, the baking process requires that an “element is cycled on and off at full power (240 volts) by the control system to maintain an average (not constant) temperature” (Electric Range Baking, n.d.). Figure A1 demonstrates how a manufacturer may design the controls and energy output during a bake cycle.
Figure A1. Example of an electric-range oven circuit. Source: www.the-appliance-clinic.com
KUWC Resource Library How to Create an Appendix, APA, 6th ed., by Michaella Hammond August 2011 Page 3 © 2011, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation
Appendix B Survey Question #3 and Sample Responses We surveyed random shoppers through a short, voluntary, on-site Q&A session at the following grocery stores and farmers‟ markets in St. Louis, Missouri during the month of October 2010: Shop „n Save, Schnucks, Pete‟s Shur Sav Market, Dierbergs, Whole Foods, Local Harvest Grocery, Soulard Farmers‟ Market, Tower Grove Farmers‟ Market, Maplewood Farmers‟ Market, Kirkwood Farmers‟ Market, Trader Joe‟s, Costco, and Sam‟s Club. We asked respondents five short questions about their preferences regarding electric versus gas ovens. The overall survey sample size was 384 shoppers with a margin of error +/- 5 percent. Survey Question Please describe the most common types of baking you do in your oven. How did an electric/gas oven perform with these baking tasks? Answers regarding common baking tasks in gas or electric ovens Respondent #17: “I typically bake bread, pita, pretzels, and casseroles for my family in the winter months. I prefer gas ovens as I can see the element working, and I know it is consistently heating the food at an even pace” (M. Hammond, personal communication, October 1, 2010). Respondent #29: “I love baking cupcakes, calzones, and roasted vegetables in my electric oven. I have had both electric and gas ovens, and while I now have an electric oven, I don‟t really notice too much of a difference. I think every oven takes some time and practice to get to know, honestly” (D. Martinez, personal communication, October 16, 2010). Respondent #78: “Baking? Ha! I am not even sure I know where the oven is in my house. I do, however, know exactly where the toaster oven is. I love those pizza roll thingies my teenagers devour on a weekly basis” (K. Clements, personal communication, October 30, 2010).
KUWC Resource Library How to Create an Appendix, APA, 6th ed., by Michaella Hammond August 2011 Page 4 © 2011, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation
