This fourth edition of the "Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association" offers updated information in four key areas: reporting statistics; writing without bias; preparing manuscripts with a word processor for electronic production; publishing research in accordance with ethical principles of scientific publishing. Two goals shape the changes throughout the fourth edition: to encourage authors (a) to write about their research with specificity and (b) to write about their participants with sensitivity and accuracy. Regular users should find the chapters on editorial style and manuscript preparation a little easier to use than previous editions. Manuscript format requirements are more flexible and enable authors to take advantage of default settings on most word processors.

In addition to providing guidance on grammar, the mechanics of writing, and APA style, this manual offers an authoritative reference and citation system. It also covers the treatment of numbers, metrication, statistical and mathematical data, tables and figures for use in writing, reports or presentations. This new edition has been updated to include: guidelines and examples for referencing electronic and online sources; avoiding plagiarism; presenting case studies and the construction of tables; copyright and permissions issues for writers; and reference examples for audiovisual media and patents. Writers, scholars and professionals will also find guidelines on how to choose text, tables or figures to present data, writing cover letters, the retention of raw data and on establishing written agreements for the use of shared data.

2006-01-06 A manual for professionals

There are many style manuals available, and many different styles from which to choose (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.). For those who are involved in social science and medical research, often the APA style (American Psychological Association) is a required format, and expected.

This is not my favourite format for several reasons, not the least of which is because the footnote/endnote notations do not include first names of authors (a big minus in my estimation). However, the system is a tried-and-true one, and one that shows little sign of decreasing in popularity among its adherents.

That being said, this manual is not for the basic student or author. It does include sections on grammar and usage, but these are meant to be refreshers or references rather than teaching sections. The part that most people will use, the sections on citations in footnotes, endnotes, and in-line/in-text references, is somewhat inadequate here, as the internet and other forms of media have all expanded beyond the scope of the fifth edition. I find that, when I am forced to put something into the APA framework, I am invariably having to go to the internet rather than my guide (or other guides, such as Diana Hacker) because the reference forms simply aren't there.

My first choice of reference form would be the MLA style; APA is somewhat lacking and somewhat confusing in many cases, but for those who need to follow this format, this is one of the better references available.