When it comes to writing academic papers, adhering to a particular style is essential. The American Psychological Association (APA) is one of the most commonly used styles in the social sciences, and it provides guidelines for formatting your paper, including the use of numbers. If you’re unsure about how to use numbers in your APA paper, read on for a comprehensive guide.
When referring to numbers 10 or higher, use numerals rather than spelling out the word. For example, write “The study included 156 participants” rather than “The study included one hundred and fifty-six participants.”
When referring to numbers below 10, spell out the word rather than using numerals. For example, write “The study included five participants” rather than “The study included 5 participants.”
When referring to time, use numerals. For example, write “The study began at 8 a.m.” rather than “The study began at eight in the morning.”
When referring to measurements, use numerals. For example, write “The participants’ average height was 5 feet 9 inches” rather than “The participants’ average height was five feet nine inches.”
When referring to percentages and decimals, use numerals. For example, write “The study found that 25% of participants preferred option A” rather than “The study found that twenty-five percent of participants preferred option A.”
When referring to ages, use numerals. For example, write “The participants ranged in age from 18 to 30 years old” rather than “The participants ranged in age from eighteen to thirty years old.”
When referring to scores or ranks, use numerals. For example, write “The participants’ average score was 82%” rather than “The participants’ average score was eighty-two percent.”
When referring to approximations, use words rather than numerals. For example, write “The study found approximately 50% of participants preferred option A” rather than “The study found approximately fifty percent of participants preferred option A.”
When referring to large round numbers, use a combination of words and numerals. For example, write “The study found that over two million people have experienced the phenomenon” rather than “The study found that over 2,000,000 people have experienced the phenomenon.”
By following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to mastering APA style when it comes to using numbers in your academic papers. Remember to be consistent in your usage, and always double-check your work for accuracy. With practice, you’ll find that using numbers in your APA papers becomes second nature.
Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from your instructor or a writing tutor if you’re unsure about the appropriate way to represent or format a particular number. And, to ensure your paper is in top shape, consider using the services of a trusted proofreading company like Proofreading Asia.
