APA 7 Guidelines

All manuscripts submitted to Applied Linguistics Inquiry must be prepared in strict accordance with the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). This adherence is a mandatory condition of submission.

 

A manuscript that conforms to APA 7th Edition standards ensures that all published articles meet a consistent, international benchmark for scholarly communication. Adherence to this style enhances the clarity and precision of the text, guarantees an ethical and accurate citation process, and significantly improves the discoverability of the work for readers and indexing services. This system of formatting and citation is a foundational component of scholarly rigor.

 

Authors are responsible for ensuring their submissions are compliant. Manuscripts that do not conform to these guidelines will be returned to the author for correction before being sent out for peer review. Authors are encouraged to consult the Publication Manual for any issues not explicitly covered in this guide.

 

I. General Manuscript Formatting

 

The following standards apply to the entire manuscript file, from the title page to the final reference list.

  • Page Margins: All page margins must be set to 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides.
  • Size: All page sizes must be set to A4. 
  • Font: The font must be accessible and professional. The recommended option for the journal is 10-point Times New Roman.
  • Line Spacing: The entire manuscript must be single-spaced. This requirement includes the abstract, all body text, all heading levels, block quotations, and the reference list. No extra spacing should be added before or after paragraphs or headings. 
  • Paragraph Indentation: The first line of every paragraph in the body of the text must be indented 0.5 inches except the first paragraph of each section under each heading or subheading.
  • Bias-Free Language: Applied Linguistics Inquiry is committed to the principles of bias-free language as outlined in Chapter 5 of the APA 7 Publication Manual. All submissions must use inclusive and respectful language. Manuscripts may be copyedited to ensure this standard is met.

 

II. Manuscript Structure and Elements

 

A. Abstract

The abstract serves as a concise and comprehensive summary of the article. It must be provided at the beginning of the manuscript, immediately following the title. The abstract should be written as a single, non-indented paragraph and must not exceed 250 words.

 

B. Keywords

Keywords are essential indexing terms that allow other researchers to discover the work in scholarly databases.

  • Placement: Keywords are placed one double-spaced line below the abstract text.
  • Formatting the Label: The keyword list must begin with a 0.5-inch indentation, as if starting a new paragraph. The label should be typed as Keywords: (italicized and followed by a colon).
  • Formatting the Keywords: Authors should provide 3–5 keywords or brief phrases. The keywords themselves are written in lowercase, (except for proper nouns or acronyms) and are not italicized. Keywords are separated by commas, and no period should be placed at the end of the list. Keywords may be listed in any order. If the list of keywords runs onto a second line, the second line is not indented.

Correct Example:

Keywords: second language acquisition, task-based learning, sociolinguistics, corpus linguistics

 

III. Headings and Subheadings

 

Headings and subheadings are used to create a clear, logical, and hierarchical structure for the manuscript. APA 7th Edition provides five possible heading levels. Authors must use these levels sequentially, starting with Level 1 for main sections, then Level 2 for subsections, and so on. Levels must not be skipped.

 

A. Capitalization: Title Case

All five heading levels use Title Case capitalization. Title Case capitalization requires that authors:

  • Capitalize the first word of the heading.
  • Capitalize the first word after a colon, em dash, or end punctuation.
  • Capitalize all "major words" (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns).
  • Capitalize all words of four letters or more (e.g., "With," "From," "Between").
  • Lowercase "minor words" (short conjunctions, prepositions, and articles of three letters or fewer, such as "of," "the," "in," "a") unless they are the first word of the heading.

 

B. Heading Level Formats

The formatting for each heading level is precise. The following structure details the correct format for all four levels.

 

Level 1

Flush left, bold, 12 pt font size, capitalized, with 12pt spacing on top and bottom (single), hanging indentation (0.25’’) without any indentation before text.

 

Level 2

Flush left, bold, 12 pt font size, capitalized, with 12pt spacing on top and bottom (single), hanging indentation (0.3’’) with 0.25’’ indentation before text.

 

Level 3

Flush left, bold, 11 pt font size, capitalized, with 12pt spacing on top and bottom (single), hanging indentation (0.35’’) with 0.5’’ indentation before text.

 

Level 4

Flush left, bold, 11 pt font size, capitalized, italicized, with 12pt spacing on top and bottom (single), hanging indentation (0.45’’) with 0.75’’ indentation before text.

 

 

C. Heading Numbering System

The numbering system for organizing and structuring the content within the manuscript should follow a strictly hierarchical decimal format. This system is designed to clearly show the relationship between main sections and their subsections, providing readers with an immediate visual cue as to the level of detail and scope of the information being presented.

 

The primary levels of headings are numbered as follows:

 

  1. Heading Level 1 (Main Section): This represents the highest level of organization within the document. It is used for major sections, chapters, or principal themes. The numbering for these headings consists of a single integer (e.g., 1., 2., 3., etc.). All subsequent subordinate headings fall under this main section.
    • Example: 1. Introduction

 

  1. Subheading Level 2 (Major Subsection): This level is subordinate to Heading Level 1 and is used to break down the main section into its key components or major topics. The numbering uses two integers separated by a decimal point, where the first integer corresponds to the parent Heading Level 1, and the second indicates its sequence within that section (e.g., 1.1., 1.2., 2.1., 2.2., etc.).
    • Example: 1.1. Background of Study

 

  1. Subheading Level 3 (Minor Subsection): This level further subdivides the material within Subheading Level 2, focusing on more specific points or elements. The numbering consists of three integers separated by decimal points. The first two integers indicate the sequence of the parent Heading Level 1 and Subheading Level 2, respectively, while the third indicates its sequence within the Level 2 subheading (e.g., 1.1.1., 1.1.2., 2.3.1., 2.3.2., etc.).
    • Example: 1.1.1. Historical Context

 

  1. Subheading Level 4 (Detailed Point/Specific Element): This is typically the most granular level of subdivision that uses numbering in this format. It is employed for highly specific elements or detailed points under Subheading Level 3. The numbering consists of four integers separated by decimal points, continuing the hierarchical pattern (e.g., 1.1.1.1., 1.2.3.4., etc.).
    • Example: 1.1.1.1. Early Hypotheses



IV. Tables and Figures

 

Tables and figures are valuable tools for presenting large amounts of information efficiently and comprehensibly. Every table and figure included must be intelligible on its own, meaning the reader should be able to understand it without referencing the main text.

  • Placement: Authors should embed tables and figures within the text, placing them shortly after they are first mentioned (e.g., "...as shown in Table 1..."). A blank, double-spaced line must be used to separate the table or figure and their title from the surrounding text. 
  • Numbering: Tables and figures are numbered separately (e.g., Table 1, Table 2; Figure 1, Figure 2). They must be numbered sequentially in the order they are first mentioned in the text.

 

A. Tables

  • Number: The table number (e.g., Table 1) appears above the title in bold font (10pt Times New Roman).
  • Title: The table title appears one double-spaced line below the number. The title must be brief, descriptive, and formatted in Italic Title Case.
  • Headings: All column headings within the table should be centered and capitalized using Sentence case.
  • Body: The table body may be single-spaced, one-and-a-half-spaced, or double-spaced. Horizontal lines should be used only where necessary for clarity (e.g., under the title, under column headings, and at the end of the table). Vertical lines are not permitted unless the table is vertical.
  • Note: Notes are placed below the table to provide further explanation. The note begins with the label Note. (italicized and followed by a period with 8pt Times New Roman Font). Notes are used to define abbreviations, explain specific cells, or provide copyright attribution if the table is adapted or reprinted.

 

B. Figures

Any visual display that is not a table (e.g., graph, chart, diagram, photograph) is considered a figure.

  • Number: The figure number (e.g., Figure 1) appears above the title in bold font under the figure.
  • Title: The figure title appears one double-spaced line below the number. The title must be brief, descriptive, and formatted in Italic Title Case.
  • Image: The image is the chart, graph, or photograph itself.
  • Legend: A figure legend, or key, explains any symbols used in the figure image. The legend should be positioned within the borders of the figure. Text within the legend must be capitalized using Title Case.
  • Note: Notes are placed below the figure to provide description or copyright attribution. The note begins with the label Note. (italicized and followed by a period with 8pt Times New Roman Font).

 

V. Mechanics of Citation

 

All claims, ideas, or data taken from the work of others must be cited in the text using the APA 7 author-date system.

 

A. Parenthetical vs. Narrative Citations

Authors should vary their citation style to improve readability. APA 7 provides two formats for in-text citations.

  • Parenthetical Citation: The author's name and the publication date appear together in parentheses, typically at the end of the sentence before the period.
  • Example: Falsely balanced news coverage can distort public perception (Koehler, 2016).
  • Narrative Citation: The author's last name is incorporated directly into the text as part of the sentence, and the publication date follows immediately in parentheses.
  • Example: Koehler (2016) noted the dangers of falsely balanced news coverage.

 

B. Citing Multiple Authors

  • One Author: (Lee, 2020) or Lee (2020).
  • Two Authors: Always cite both authors. Use "and" in narrative citations; use an ampersand (&) in parenthetical citations.
  • Narrative: Harris and Cook (2020) found...
  • Parenthetical:... (Harris & Cook, 2020).
  • Three or More Authors: Cite only the first author's last name followed by "et al." (which means "and others"). This rule applies from the very first citation.
  • Narrative: Lee et al. (2020) argued...
  • Parenthetical:... (Lee et al., 2020).

 

C. Citing Direct Quotations

When an author's exact words are reproduced, the citation must include the author, year, and the specific page number (preceded by "p.") or other locator (e.g., paragraph number, "para.").

  • Short Quotations (fewer than 40 words):
  • The quotation should be incorporated into the text and enclosed in double quotation marks.
  • Punctuation: The parenthetical citation is placed after the closing quotation mark, and the sentence's final punctuation (e.g., period, comma) is placed after the closing parenthesis.
  • Narrative Example: According to Jones (1998), "students often had difficulty using APA style, especially when it was their first time" (p. 199).
  • Parenthetical Example: She stated, "students often had difficulty using APA style" (Jones, 1998, p. 199), but she did not offer an explanation.
  • Block Quotations (40 words or more):
  • Do not use quotation marks.
  • Start the block quotation on a new line.
  • Indent the entire block 0.5 inches from the left margin.
  • The entire block quotation must remain double-spaced.
  • If the block quote contains multiple paragraphs, the first line of the second and subsequent paragraphs is indented an additional 0.5 inches.
  • Punctuation: This is a critical distinction from short quotations. The parenthetical citation is placed after the final punctuation of the quotation.
  • Narrative Example: Miller (2020) concludes that mindset is key:Embedded-tutoring programs are worthwhile investments. This research has broken ground in linking mindset changes to writing center work. I hope writing center researchers will continue to explore... (pp. 122–123).
  • Parenthetical Example: Researchers have studied this phenomenon:Inner speech is a paradoxical phenomenon. It is an experience that is central to many people’s everyday lives, and yet it presents considerable challenges to any effort to study it scientifically. (Alderson-Day & Fernyhough, 2015, p. 957).

 

VI. Reference List: Formatting and Examples



A. General Rules

The reference list provides the complete, retrievable information for every source cited in the text.

  • Placement: The reference list must begin on a new page following the main text.
  • Title: The title of this page is References, which must be centered and bolded at the top of the page. Do not use "Works Cited" or "Bibliography".
  • Alphabetization: All entries must be alphabetized according to the last name of the first author.
  • Formatting: All reference list entries must be double-spaced (with no extra space between entries) and use a 0.5-inch hanging indent.

 

B. DOIs and URLs

The primary purpose of a reference list entry is to allow the reader to locate and retrieve the source. For digital sources, DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) and URLs are the most important retrieval mechanism.

  • Our Journal's Policy: Applied Linguistics Inquiry requires that all DOIs and URLs be presented as active, clickable hyperlinks.

 

  • Format:
  • DOIs must be formatted as a complete URL: https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxx.
  • URLs should be copied directly from the browser, beginning with https://.
  • The words "Retrieved from" or "Accessed from" must not be used before a DOI or URL.
  • A period must not be placed after the DOI or URL, as this can break the hyperlink.

 

  • The "No DOI" Decision Tree:
    Authors must follow this specific logic when a journal article does not have a DOI:
  • Rule 1: If a DOI is available, it MUST be used. The reference ends with the DOI.
  • Rule 2: If no DOI is available AND the article was retrieved from an academic research database (e.g., JSTOR, ProQuest, Scopus, ERIC), OR was retrieved from a public-facing website (e.g., the journal's own website, an author's institutional repository, a government website), the direct URL MUST be included.

 

  • The Exception for "Retrieved from":
    A retrieval date is only used for sources that are unarchived and designed to change over time (e.g., a Wikipedia entry, a live "population clock," or a social media profile). For all standard, stable scholarly publications (journal articles, books), a retrieval date should never be used.

 

C. Common Reference Models

 

1. Journal Article

  • Key Features: The article title is in sentence case. The Journal Title and Volume Number are in Italic Title Case.
  • Template (With DOI):
    Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of the article in sentence case. Title of Periodical in Title Case, volume(issue), page–range. https://doi.org/xxxxx
  • Template (No DOI, from Academic Database):
    Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume(issue), page–range.
    (Note: The reference ends after the page range) 30
  • Template (No DOI, from Public Website):
    Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume(issue), page–range. https://www.journalhomepage.com/article/url

 

2. Authored Book

  • Key Features: The book title is in Italic Sentence Case. The publisher location is not included.
  • Template:
    Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Copyright Year). Title of the book in italic sentence case (7th ed.). Publisher.
  • Example:
    Stoneman, R. (2008). Alexander the Great: A life in legend. Yale University Press.

 

3. Chapter in an Edited Book

  • Key Features: The chapter title is in sentence case. The Book Title is in Italic Sentence Case. The editors' names are not inverted (e.g., E. E. Editor).
  • Template:
    Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter in sentence case. In E. E. Editor & F. F. Editor (Eds.), Title of book in italic sentence case (pp. xxx–xxx). Publisher. DOI or URL (if available)
  • Example:
    Belsey, C. (2006). Poststructuralism. In S. Malpas & P. Wake (Eds.), The Routledge companion to critical theory (pp. 51–61). Routledge.

 

4. Webpage on a Website

  • Key Features: The webpage title is in Italic Sentence Case. Use as specific a date as possible.

 

  • Individual Author:
  • Group/Organization Author:
  • Webpage with No Date (Use Retrieval Date):

 

For more guidelines please visit Purdue APA 7 Formatting and Style Guide