The American Psychological Association
I believe that the American Psychological Association guideline has revolutionized professional academic writing. After completing the assignments, I have gained insight that has transformed my perception of APA’s role in professional writing. Based on my understanding, the purpose of APA is to expedite scientific communication by fostering clarity of expression. The APA enables the author to clarify papers from complex topics, making it easier to read and understand. The use of APA also improves the paper’s flow while keeping the focus on the subject matter. For instance, APA organizes a research paper into eight sections with distinct headings and content. This results in a clear and organized paper that makes it easy for the reader to quickly find information critical to the appraisal of an academic resource.
Another fundamental purpose of APA is to enhance the credibility of the writer. APA allows the writer to write while citing and making reference to authoritative sources. This proves that the writer is competent and able to speak the language of academia. The citation provided by APA enables the writer to avoid plagiarism and the associated consequences. By acknowledging other authors for their research findings and ideas, I also strengthen the credibility of my work. Is implies that my research is explicit and makes my arguments convincing. The nursing practice in the 21st century is inspired by evidence-based practice. The use of APA citations enables a nurse researcher to demonstrate their excellent research skills and compare the views of different researchers regarding the subject matter. Therefore, it is fundamental for individuals to gain knowledge, skills, and competence in the use of APA for better academic performance, career advancement, and transformation of nursing through evidence-based practice.
References
Nicoll, L. H., Oermann, M. H., Chinn, P. L., Conklin, J. L., Amarasekara, S., & McCarty, M. (2018). The guidance provided to authors on citing and formatting references in nursing journals. Journal for nurses in professional development, 34(2), 54. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5841848/