How to Do a Running Head in APA

Understanding the APA Running Head

In academic and professional writing, adherence to specific formatting guidelines is crucial for clarity, consistency, and professionalism. The American Psychological Association (APA) style guide is one of the most widely used, particularly in the social sciences. A key component of APA formatting, historically, has been the "running head."

A running head is a concise, abbreviated version of your paper's title that appears in the header of every page. Its primary purpose is to provide a quick identifier for your manuscript, especially when it's being reviewed, printed, or handled in physical form. It helps readers and reviewers quickly identify which paper they are looking at without having to flip back to the title page.

However, the requirements for the APA running head underwent a significant change with the release of the 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual in October 2019. It's essential to understand these changes to ensure your paper meets current standards.

APA 6th Edition vs. APA 7th Edition: A Crucial Distinction

Before diving into the "how-to," it's vital to clarify the major difference between the 6th and 7th editions regarding the running head:

• APA 6th Edition: Required a running head for all papers, both student and professional. The running head on the title page included the phrase "Running head:" followed by the abbreviated title, while subsequent pages only had the abbreviated title.
• APA 7th Edition: This is where the big change happened.

Student Papers: Generally, do not require a running head. Most instructors and institutions follow this guideline. Unless your professor specifically requests one, you can omit it for student assignments. Professional Papers: (e.g., manuscripts submitted for publication, dissertations, theses, professional reports) still require a running head. The format is simplified: it no longer includes the "Running head:" label.

This guide focuses on how to correctly format a running head for professional papers in APA 7th edition, as student papers typically no longer need one. Always double-check your specific assignment guidelines or publisher requirements.

Components of an APA 7th Edition Professional Running Head

For professional papers, the APA 7th edition running head has two main components:

1. The Abbreviated Title: A shortened version of your paper's full title.
2. The Page Number: The current page number of the document.

These two elements are placed in the header of every page, with specific formatting rules:

• Placement: The running head (abbreviated title and page number) should be located in the header of every page, 1 inch from the top and flush with the left and right margins, respectively.
• Abbreviated Title Formatting:

It must be in ALL CAPS. It should be no more than 50 characters in length, including spaces and punctuation. * It is left-aligned.

• Page Number Formatting:

It is right-aligned. It starts with '1' on the title page and continues sequentially throughout the document.

The running head should be identical on every page of your manuscript, from the title page through the last page of the references.

Crafting an Effective Abbreviated Title

Since the abbreviated title is limited to 50 characters, careful selection is key. Here are some tips:

• Identify Keywords: What are the most important terms in your full title? Prioritize these.
• Eliminate Unnecessary Words: Remove articles (a, an, the), conjunctions (and, but, or), and prepositions (of, in, on) if they don't hinder clarity.
• Use Active Voice or Nouns: Focus on the core subject and action.
• Avoid Acronyms (Unless Well-Known): If an acronym isn't universally understood or defined early in your paper, spell out the term or choose different words.
• Maintain Clarity: Even though it's shortened, it should still give the reader a good idea of the paper's content.

Examples:

| Full Title | Good Abbreviated Title (ALL CAPS, <= 50 chars) | Bad Abbreviated Title (Reasons) | | :------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | :----------------------------------------------------------------------- | | The Impact of Social Media Usage on Adolescent Self-Esteem | SOCIAL MEDIA AND ADOLESCENT SELF-ESTEEM | THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON ADOLESCENT SELF-ESTEEM (Too long) | | A Longitudinal Study on the Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTSD | CBT EFFICACY FOR PTSD: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY | COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (Too long) | | Exploring the Relationship Between Sleep Deprivation and Academic Performance in College Students | SLEEP DEPRIVATION AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE | EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SLEEP DEPRIVATION AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN COLLEGE STUDENTS (Way too long) | | Factors Influencing Employee Job Satisfaction in Remote Work Environments | EMPLOYEE JOB SATISFACTION IN REMOTE WORK | FACTORS INFLUENCING EMPLOYEE JOB SATISFACTION (Missing key context) |

Step-by-Step Guide: Creating an APA Running Head in Microsoft Word

Here's how to insert and format your running head correctly in MS Word for professional papers:

1. Open Your Document: Start with your APA-formatted paper.

1. Access the Header:

Double-click in the very top margin of your page. This will open the Header & Footer Tools tab in the Word ribbon. Alternatively, go to `Insert` tab > `Header` > `Edit Header`.

1. Type Your Abbreviated Title:

Once in the header, type your chosen abbreviated title (in ALL CAPS) on the left side. Ensure it is no more than 50 characters long, including spaces and punctuation.

1. Insert the Page Number:

While still in the header, click `Page Number` in the `Header & Footer Tools` tab. Select `Current Position` > `Plain Number`. This will insert the page number where your cursor is. Note:* If you already have a number, delete it and use this method to ensure it updates automatically.

1. Format Alignment:

You now have your abbreviated title and page number, likely both left-aligned. You need to adjust their alignment. Select the entire line of text in the header (abbreviated title and page number). Go to the `Home` tab. Set the abbreviated title to `Align Left`. Set the page number to `Align Right`. The easiest way to achieve this is often by using tabs. Place your cursor directly before the page number. Press the `Tab` key once or twice until the page number jumps to the far right margin. You might need to adjust the tab stop in the ruler if it doesn't go all the way. A simpler method is often to use a right-aligned tab stop. Advanced Tab Method: With the header open, click on the horizontal ruler at the top of your screen to add a left-aligned tab stop where your title ends (e.g., 2 inches from left). Then, add a right-aligned tab stop at the far right margin (e.g., 6.5 inches from left for a 1-inch right margin). Type your title, press `Tab`, and then insert your page number.

1. Apply to All Pages (Usually Automatic):

By default, once you set the header on one page, it should apply to all subsequent pages. Crucial Check: Ensure the "Different First Page" box in the `Header & Footer Tools` tab is NOT checked. For professional APA 7th papers, the running head and page number appear on every page, including the title page. If "Different First Page" is checked, your title page header will be blank or different, which is incorrect for professional APA 7th papers.

1. Close the Header/Footer:

* Click `Close Header and Footer` in the `Header & Footer Tools` tab, or double-click anywhere in the main body of your document.

Troubleshooting Common Header Issues

• Page Number Not Starting at 1: Go to `Insert` > `Page Number` > `Format Page Numbers`. Ensure "Start at:" is set to `1`.
• Running Head Disappears on Subsequent Pages: Double-check that "Different First Page" is unchecked in the Header & Footer Tools.
• Alignment Issues: Use tab stops or ensure you're using the correct alignment buttons for the specific elements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with clear guidelines, errors can occur. Be mindful of these common pitfalls:

• Using a Running Head for Student Papers: This is the most frequent mistake in APA 7th edition. Unless explicitly instructed by your professor, student papers (especially essays and typical assignments) do not require a running head.
• Forgetting ALL CAPS: The abbreviated title must be in all uppercase letters.
• Exceeding 50 Characters: The 50-character limit (including spaces and punctuation) is strict. Count carefully.
• Missing the Page Number: Both the abbreviated title and the page number are essential components.
• Incorrect Alignment: The abbreviated title is left-aligned, and the page number is right-aligned.
• Inconsistency: The running head must be identical on every page of the document. Do not change it or omit it on certain pages within a professional paper.
• Including "Running head:" Label: This was an APA 6th edition requirement for the title page only. It is no longer used in APA 7th edition for professional papers.
• Wrong Font/Size: The running head should generally use the same font and size as the rest of your document's text (e.g., 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Calibri).

Why This Matters: Professionalism and Clarity

While formatting might seem like a minor detail, correctly implementing an APA running head (when required) contributes significantly to the overall professionalism and readability of your work. It demonstrates attention to detail and adherence to scholarly standards. For professional manuscripts, it aids in the review process and helps maintain the integrity of your document.

Ensuring your paper adheres to all APA guidelines, including the running head, can be challenging. If you find yourself struggling with intricate formatting details or need an extra pair of eyes to catch errors, professional services like EssayMatrix can help streamline the process, offering editing and formatting assistance to ensure your document meets the highest standards.

Conclusion

The APA running head, in its current APA 7th edition form, is a feature primarily reserved for professional papers. Student papers, in most cases, no longer require it. When preparing a professional manuscript, remember these key points:

• It consists of an ALL CAPS, left-aligned abbreviated title (max 50 characters) and a right-aligned page number.
• It appears on every page, including the title page.
• It does not include the "Running head:" label.
• Careful execution in your word processor is essential to ensure correct placement and consistency.

By understanding and applying these guidelines, you can ensure your professional APA papers are formatted correctly and present a polished, credible appearance. Always refer to your specific assignment instructions or publisher guidelines, as they may have unique requirements that supersede general APA recommendations.

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