An APA research paper example is the fastest way to see how a finished paper in American Psychological Association style should look. Rules for the title page, headings, citations and reference list are easier to apply once you have a model in front of you.
This page walks through an APA research paper example page by page, using APA 7th edition student-paper rules. All names, titles and sources in the sample are invented for illustration, so replace them with your own details and real references.
Quick answer: An APA research paper example has a title page, the main text with APA headings and in-text citations, and a reference list. A student title page lists the paper title, author, department and university, course, instructor and due date. The whole paper uses double spacing, 1-inch margins, a readable 11- or 12-point font and a page number in the top right corner.
Key Takeaways
- An APA research paper example includes a title page, body text and a reference list, plus an abstract only if your instructor requires one.
- Student papers use a page number in the header and no running head, unless told otherwise.
- APA uses five heading levels, each with its own formatting.
- In-text citations give the author and year, and every one needs a matching reference entry.
- The reference list is alphabetical, double-spaced and uses a hanging indent.
What an APA Research Paper Looks Like
APA style is common in psychology, education, nursing, business and the social sciences. The 7th edition, published in 2019, is the version most instructors expect. Papers share the same basic layout, so a sample helps you check your own work against the rules.
The table below shows the core format at a glance.
| Element | APA 7 student paper rule |
|---|---|
| Margins | 1 inch on all sides |
| Font | 11-pt Calibri or Arial, 12-pt Times New Roman, 11-pt Georgia, or another readable font your instructor accepts |
| Spacing | Double-spaced throughout, including references |
| Paragraph indent | 0.5 inch on the first line |
| Page number | Top right of every page, including the title page |
| Running head | Not required for student papers unless your instructor asks |
| Title page | Required for student papers; format depends on your instructor |
| Abstract | Only if your instructor requires one |
| References | Start on a new page, alphabetical, hanging indent |
APA Research Paper Example: Title Page
On the title page, place the paper title three or four lines below the top margin. Center it and write it in bold title case. Add a blank line, then list the following, each on its own centered line:
- Your name
- Department and university
- Course number and name
- Instructor name
- Assignment due date
Sleep and Academic Performance in College Students
Jordan Rivera
Department of Psychology, Midwest State University
PSY 201: Research Methods
Dr. Alicia Chen
October 28, 2026
The page number 1 appears at the top right. Some instructors ask for a running head or a different date style, so follow your assignment sheet.
APA Research Paper Example: First Page of Text
On page 2, repeat the full paper title in bold, centered at the top. Start your introduction directly below it, without a heading that says “Introduction.” The introduction ends with your thesis or research question.
Here is a short sample opening paragraph.
Many college students sleep fewer than seven hours on school nights, yet sleep is closely tied to memory and attention (Author & Author, 2020). This paper examines whether sleep duration predicts exam performance among first-year undergraduates. It argues that students who sleep seven or more hours earn higher exam scores than students who sleep less, even when study time is held constant.
Notice the in-text citation in parentheses, which gives the authors and the year. Citations in the sample are placeholders.
APA Heading Levels
APA 7 uses five heading levels. Use them in order, and do not skip levels. Most student papers need only levels 1 and 2.
| Level | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centered, bold, title case | Method |
| 2 | Flush left, bold, title case | Participants |
| 3 | Flush left, bold italic, title case | Recruitment and Screening |
| 4 | Indented, bold, title case, ends with a period; text begins on the same line | Sleep Measures. Participants wore… |
| 5 | Indented, bold italic, title case, ends with a period; text begins on the same line | Wearable Devices. Each device… |
Do not label the introduction. Start the body with a Level 1 heading for the first named section, such as Method. A typical empirical paper uses Method, Results and Discussion as Level 1 headings.
Sample Section Structure
The outline below shows how a short research paper might use headings.
| Heading | Level | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| (No heading) | n/a | Introduction and thesis |
| Literature Review | 1 | Summary of earlier research |
| Method | 1 | Design, sample and measures |
| Participants | 2 | Who took part |
| Measures | 2 | Tools and surveys |
| Results | 1 | Findings and data |
| Discussion | 1 | Meaning, limits, future work |
| References | 1 | Alphabetical source list |
In-Text Citations in an APA Research Paper Example
APA uses an author-date system. The table shows the common patterns.
| Situation | Parenthetical citation | Narrative citation |
|---|---|---|
| One author | (Rivera, 2022) | Rivera (2022) found… |
| Two authors | (Rivera & Chen, 2022) | Rivera and Chen (2022) found… |
| Three or more authors | (Rivera et al., 2022) | Rivera et al. (2022) found… |
| Group author | (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021) | The World Health Organization (WHO, 2021) reports… |
| Direct quote | (Rivera, 2022, p. 45) | Rivera (2022) wrote, “…” (p. 45) |
| No date | (Rivera, n.d.) | Rivera (n.d.) states… |
For more rules and special cases, read our guide to APA in-text citation.
APA Research Paper Example: Reference List
The reference list starts on a new page after the main text. Center and bold the word References at the top. Then list sources alphabetically by the first author’s surname, with a hanging indent of 0.5 inch and double spacing.
The invented entries below show the format.
Rivera, J. (2022). Sleep and learning in college students. Journal of Student Health, 18(2), 45–62. https://doi.org/10.0000/example
Chen, A., & Patel, R. (2020). Understanding adolescent sleep. Midwest University Press.
Key rules:
- Italicize journal titles, volume numbers and book titles.
- Use sentence case for article and book titles.
- Include the DOI as a link when one exists.
- Every in-text citation must match a reference entry, and the reverse.
Common Reference Patterns
| Source type | Basic pattern |
|---|---|
| Journal article | Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, volume(issue), pages. DOI |
| Book | Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book. Publisher. |
| Chapter in edited book | Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In E. Editor (Ed.), Title of book (pp. xx–xx). Publisher. |
| Web page | Author or Group. (Year, Month Day). Title of page. Site Name. URL |
| Report | Group Author. (Year). Title of report (Report No. xx). Publisher. URL |
Abstract: Do You Need One?
Student papers usually do not need an abstract unless the instructor asks for one. When required, place it on its own page after the title page. Write the word Abstract in bold and centered, then add one paragraph of 150 to 250 words without an indent. The abstract summarizes the question, method, main findings and conclusion.
What to Notice in a Good APA Paper
A good APA research paper example shares several habits you can copy.
- Clear thesis. The introduction ends with a specific claim or question.
- Consistent headings. Heading levels follow the rules and are never skipped.
- Integrated sources. Citations support the argument rather than replace it.
- Concise language. Sentences are direct and avoid filler.
- Matching citations. Every in-text source appears in the reference list.
Moreover, writers who plan before drafting produce stronger papers. Our guides on how to write a research paper and research paper outline can help with that stage.
APA Research Paper Example Checklist
Use this list to compare your paper with the model above.
| Check | Question |
|---|---|
| Title page | Does it include title, author, affiliation, course, instructor and date? |
| Page numbers | Is a page number in the top right of every page? |
| Spacing | Is the entire paper double-spaced? |
| Font and margins | Does it use an accepted font and 1-inch margins? |
| Headings | Are levels used in order and formatted correctly? |
| Citations | Do all in-text citations use author and year? |
| References | Is the list alphabetical with a hanging indent? |
| Match | Does every citation have a reference and vice versa? |
Common APA Formatting Mistakes
- Using a running head in a student paper. APA 7 does not require one unless your instructor does.
- Labeling the introduction. The first section has no heading.
- Skipping heading levels. Use Level 2 only under Level 1.
- Forgetting the hanging indent. The reference list needs it.
- Wrong title case. Capitalize major words in headings, but use sentence case in reference titles.
- Mixing citation styles. Do not combine APA with MLA or footnotes.
In short, follow the instructor’s version of APA when it differs from the manual, and keep a template file for future papers. Please also credit every idea and wording from sources, as described in our academic integrity policy.
Frequently Asked Questions About APA Research Papers
What is an APA research paper example?
It is a model paper that shows APA formatting in practice, including the title page, body text with headings, in-text citations and the reference list. Students use it to check their own layout.
What are the main parts of an APA research paper?
A student paper has a title page, the main text with headings and citations, and a reference list. An abstract and appendices are added only when required.
Does an APA student paper need a running head?
No. APA 7 does not require a running head for student papers, only a page number in the top right. Your instructor may ask for one.
What font should I use in APA 7?
Use a readable font such as 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial or 12-point Times New Roman. Ask your instructor if they specify one.
How do I format the APA title page?
Center the bold title three or four lines from the top, then list your name, department and university, course, instructor and due date on separate centered lines. Add the page number at the top right.
How many heading levels does APA have?
APA 7 has five heading levels. Most student papers use only the first two or three.
How do I format an APA reference list?
Start a new page, center and bold the word References, then list sources alphabetically with double spacing and a 0.5-inch hanging indent.
How long should an APA research paper be?
Length depends on your assignment. Short papers run 1,500 to 3,000 words, while research papers can reach 5,000 words or more. Follow your instructor’s limit.
Use This APA Research Paper Example as Your Model
A good APA research paper example shows the whole system working together: a complete title page, clean headings, accurate author-date citations and a tidy reference list. Copy the structure, not the content, and write your own analysis with real sources.
When your layout is ready, move on to deeper skills. Explore our Research Paper Examples category, compare the layout with our general research paper examples or return to the Papers Open homepage for more guides and tools.
Information only. This guide is general educational information. It is not professional advice, and Papers Open is not affiliated with any school, college or university. Follow your instructor's requirements. See our disclaimer and academic integrity policy.