# APA 7th Edition — Extended Guide for Academic Paper Writing

Extends `deep-research/references/apa7_style_guide.md` with additional rules specific to full paper writing (vs. research reports).

## Paper-Specific APA Rules

### Title Page (Student vs. Professional)

**Professional Paper**:
```
Title of Paper (Bold, Centered, Title Case)
[blank line]
Author Name(s)
Affiliation(s)
[blank line]
Author Note (optional)
```

**Student Paper**:
```
Title of Paper (Bold, Centered, Title Case)
[blank line]
Author Name
Department, Institution
Course Number: Course Name
Instructor Name
Due Date
```

### Running Head
- Professional papers: shortened title (max 50 chars), ALL CAPS, left-aligned header
- Student papers: no running head required (APA 7 change from 6th ed.)

### Abstract Page
- Heading: "Abstract" (centered, bold, not indented)
- Single paragraph, no indent
- 150-250 words (journal may specify differently)
- Keywords line: "Keywords:" in italics, followed by lowercase keywords separated by commas

### Section Headings (Detailed)

| Level | Format | Example |
|-------|--------|---------|
| 1 | Centered, Bold, Title Case | **Introduction** |
| 2 | Left-Aligned, Bold, Title Case | **Theoretical Framework** |
| 3 | Left-Aligned, Bold Italic, Title Case | ***Constructivist Perspective*** |
| 4 | Indented, Bold, Title Case, Period. | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**Social Constructivism.** Text continues... |
| 5 | Indented, Bold Italic, Title Case, Period. | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;***Vygotsky's Zone.*** Text continues... |

**Usage rules**:
- Don't skip levels (e.g., don't go from Level 1 to Level 3)
- Introduction doesn't need a Level 1 heading (it's assumed)
- Subsections need at least 2 sibling sections

## Extended Citation Rules

### Works with 21+ Authors
List first 19 authors, then "..." (ellipsis), then final author:
```
Author, A., Author, B., Author, C., Author, D., Author, E.,
Author, F., Author, G., Author, H., Author, I., Author, J.,
Author, K., Author, L., Author, M., Author, N., Author, O.,
Author, P., Author, Q., Author, R., Author, S., ... Author, Z. (Year).
```

### Group Authors
- First citation: Full name (Abbreviation) — e.g., World Health Organization (WHO)
- Subsequent: Abbreviation only — e.g., WHO
- In reference list: spell out full name

### Works with No Author
- Use the title in the author position
- In-text: use short title in quotes ("Short Title," Year)
- In reference list: alphabetize by the first significant word of the title

### Personal Communications
- In-text only: (J. Smith, personal communication, March 15, 2024)
- NOT in reference list (not recoverable data)

### Classical Works
- No date needed for well-known classical works
- Use original publication date / translation date: (Aristotle, trans. 1925)

### Legal References
- Follow *Bluebook* format for legal materials
- Court cases italicized: *Brown v. Board of Education* (1954)

## Extended Reference Formats

### Software / App
```
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of software (Version X.X) [Computer software]. Publisher. URL
```

### Social Media
```
Author [@handle]. (Year, Month Day). Content of post up to first 20 words [Type of post]. Platform. URL
```

### Podcast Episode
```
Host, A. A. (Host). (Year, Month Day). Episode title (No. X) [Audio podcast episode]. In Podcast name. Publisher. URL
```

### YouTube Video
```
Author, A. A. [Screen name]. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. YouTube. URL
```

### Preprint
```
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of preprint. Name of Preprint Archive. https://doi.org/xxxxx
```

### AI-Generated Content (APA Guidance)
```
When citing AI-generated text:
OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (Version 4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com
Note: Describe the prompt in the text. AI output is not recoverable,
so provide the prompt and relevant output in appendix if needed.
```

## Tables and Figures (Extended)

### Table Formatting
```
Table 1

Descriptive Title in Italic Title Case

Column Head    Column Head    Column Head
─────────────────────────────────────────
Row 1 data     Row 1 data     Row 1 data
Row 2 data     Row 2 data     Row 2 data
─────────────────────────────────────────

Note. General note. Specific note for a column or cell.
a Specific note. b Specific note.
* p < .05. ** p < .01. *** p < .001.
```

### Figure Formatting
```
Figure 1

Descriptive Title in Italic Title Case

[Figure content]

Note. Description and any necessary explanation.
Adapted from "Title," by A. Author, Year, Journal, Volume, p. X
(https://doi.org/xxxxx). Copyright Year by Copyright Holder.
```

## Numbers and Statistics

### Statistical Notation
- Italicize statistical symbols: *M*, *SD*, *t*, *F*, *p*, *N*, *n*, *r*, *R²*
- Report exact *p* values: *p* = .032 (not *p* < .05), unless *p* < .001
- Effect sizes: always report (Cohen's *d*, η², *r*)
- Confidence intervals: 95% CI [lower, upper]

### Decimal Places
| Statistic | Decimal Places |
|-----------|---------------|
| Proportions, correlations, inferential statistics | 2 |
| Percentages | 0 or 1 |
| Means, SDs | 2 (or match measurement precision) |
| *p* values | 3 (report exact unless < .001) |

## Bias-Free Language

### Person-First vs. Identity-First
- Generally prefer person-first: "people with disabilities"
- Respect community preference: "Deaf community" (capital D)

### Gender
- Use "they/them" as singular gender-neutral pronoun
- Avoid "he or she" — use "they"
- Use specific terms: "women and men" not "males and females" (unless biological sex)

### Age
- Use specific ranges: "older adults (65+)" not "the elderly"

### Racial/Ethnic Identity
- Capitalize: Black, White, Indigenous, Asian American
- Be specific when possible: "Korean American" not "Asian"

## Common Errors Specific to Full Papers

1. **Abstract doesn't match paper** — abstract written first, paper evolves, abstract not updated
2. **Introduction has a heading** — in APA 7, the introduction doesn't get a "Introduction" heading
3. **References not in hanging indent** — every reference entry: first line flush, subsequent lines indented
4. **Et al. period missing** — it's "et al." (with period) because "al." is abbreviated
5. **Ampersand in text** — use "and" in narrative, "&" only in parenthetical citations and reference list
6. **Block quote formatting** — ≥40 words: indented, no quotation marks, citation after final period
7. **Serial comma missing** — APA uses the Oxford comma: "A, B, and C"
8. **Passive voice overuse** — APA 7 encourages active voice; passive only when actor is unknown
