Dissertation Research Proposal Writing In APA Style
                     How To Write A 
Research Proposal 
In APA Style
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How To Write A Research Proposal In APA Style
 American Psychological Association published their writing style and format for 
academic writings in their first edition of Publication manual for American Psychological 
Association in 1944. 
 The manual has since spanned six editions, with the sixth and latest version published 
in 2009. The APA style refers to the guidelines set by APA in their manual to guide a 
standard for journals and scientific papers. 
 The style guide was created to enhance precise understanding of academic and 
scientific articles published in their journals by avoiding bias in language with an 
emphasis on the usage of unambiguous language.
How To Write A Research Proposal In APA Style
Contents of An APA style Research Proposal
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Literature Review
 Methodology
 Limitations
 Significance
 References, Bibliography and Citation
 Appendix
Research proposal in APA guidelines
Research proposal in APA guidelines
 Various universities and scientific journals have since adopted the APA style as the standard 
for academic writing, sometimes with a little or little modifications. 
 A Research Proposal is the first step in most academic writing. It is the estimate of 
aggregation of processes that will form research.
 Research proposal in APA guidelines will enable you to present a proposal that will have a 
standard style to convince the committee to approve of your research. APA style for research 
proposal contains specific guidelines.
Margins, Header & Footer
 A 1-inch margin on all sides is required.
 The header format is right-justified, and it includes the title of the proposal on the left side and 
page number on the right. 
 The running header shouldn’t exceed 50 
characters; it starts from the cover page and runs 
throughout the proposal.
 If the title exceeds 50 characters, shorten it to 
include only the keywords.
Contents of An APA style Research Proposal
Fonts, Size & Space
 APA style requires a standard serif typeface, preferably Times New Roman.
 The fond size is standard 12. Each word must be double-spaced & the indention of five 
spaces is needed.
Title Page
 The required format for your title page will have 
the proposal headline placed approximately at the 
center, at halfway down the page. 
 The headline is followed by your name with the 
name of the organization or university below that.
Contents of An APA style Research Proposal
Abstract
 The abstract follows the title page. Write the abstract within 250 words, and it contains a 
statement of the research and methods likely to be used.
Introduction
 The next page of the proposal is the 
introduction; contains the general idea behind 
the research, the context of the study, the 
issue that it will tackle, and the people that it 
will benefit. The section can span up to three 
pages.
Contents of An APA style Research Proposal
Literature Review
 A brief review of the literature that you will need to study to gain an in-depth 
understanding of the problem is what follows the introduction; must relate the research 
to similar studies in the field, incorporate a structure that will be followed in the study in 
relation to existing knowledge in the area. The section can take up a maximum of 7 
pages.
Research Methodology
 List and briefly elucidate on the methods that you will use in the research; mention all 
means from data gathering to analysis and how each will be justified. The requirement 
specifies a maximum of 5 pages for this section.
Contents of An APA style Research Proposal
Limitations
 It is required to mention all the possible limitations of the study; limit this to half a page.
Significance
 The importance of the research, its tangibility, practicality, and possible implications 
follow limitations. 
 The proposal must provide an account of the probable conclusion and what it seeks to 
achieve in the field of study. The section is usually limited to two pages.
Contents of An APA style Research Proposal
References, Bibliography & Citation
 Provide a section for all the references cited while writing the proposal. 
 The citation must follow APA style; requires mention of the author and year while 
quoting or paraphrasing; APA style doesn’t have any bibliography section.
 Appendix, if any, is attached in the end.
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