The American Psychological Association (APA) style is one of the most widely used citation styles in academic writing, particularly in the social sciences. When it comes to formatting a research paper, essay, or thesis in APA style, there are many guidelines to follow, and one of the most debated topics is the use of a running head. A running head is a brief title that appears at the top of every page of a document, often in the header. But does APA really need a running head? In this article, we’ll delve into the history of the running head, its purpose, and explore the answer to this question.
The History of the Running Head
The running head has its roots in traditional publishing. Before the advent of digital publishing, manuscripts were submitted to journals and publishers in hard copy. The running head served as a way to identify the manuscript and distinguish it from others. It was typically a shortened version of the title, no more than 50 characters, and appeared in the header of every page. This allowed editors, reviewers, and typesetters to easily identify the manuscript and navigate its contents.
The Purpose of the Running Head
So, what is the purpose of the running head in APA style? The running head serves several purposes:
- Identification: As mentioned earlier, the running head helps identify the manuscript and distinguish it from others.
- Navigation: The running head provides a convenient way to navigate the document, allowing readers to quickly locate specific sections or pages.
- Consistency: The running head helps maintain consistency in formatting throughout the document.
The APA Guidelines
According to the APA Publication Manual (7th ed.), a running head is required for all APA-style manuscripts submitted for publication. The manual states, “On every page, including the title page, include a running head with the title of the manuscript, truncated to no more than 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation” (APA, 2020, p. 44).
However, it’s essential to note that the APA style guidelines are primarily intended for manuscripts submitted to journals and publishers. What about students and researchers who are writing papers or theses that won’t be published? Do they still need to include a running head?
Do Students Need to Include a Running Head?
The answer is not a straightforward yes or no. While the APA guidelines do recommend including a running head, many instructors and educators argue that it’s not necessary for student papers. In fact, some argue that it’s an unnecessary formatting requirement that can be distracting and take away from the content of the paper.
Pros of including a running head for students:
- It helps students develop good formatting habits and attention to detail.
- It can be beneficial for longer papers or theses where navigation is more crucial.
Cons of including a running head for students:
- It can be distracting and take away from the content of the paper.
- It may not be relevant for shorter papers or assignments.
Alternatives to the Running Head
So, what are the alternatives to the running head? For students and researchers who don’t need to submit their work for publication, there are a few options:
Instead of a running head, students can use headers and footers to provide navigation and identification. Headers can include the title of the paper, the student’s name, and the page number, while footers can include the date, institution, or other relevant information.
Another option is to simply include page numbers in the header or footer, without a running head. This provides basic navigation and is often sufficient for shorter papers or assignments.
Best Practices for Including a Running Head
If you do decide to include a running head in your APA-style paper, here are some best practices to keep in mind:
Remember that the running head should be no more than 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation. This can be a challenge, especially for longer titles. Try to focus on the most critical keywords and truncate the title accordingly.
Ensure that the running head is consistent throughout the document. Use the same formatting, capitalization, and punctuation throughout.
The running head should be in title case, which means that the first letter of each major word is capitalized, except for prepositions, articles, and coordinating conjunctions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the APA style guidelines do recommend including a running head, it’s not necessarily a requirement for all APA-style papers. Students and researchers who don’t need to submit their work for publication can consider alternative formatting options, such as headers and footers or page numbers alone. However, if you do decide to include a running head, be sure to follow the guidelines and best practices outlined above. Ultimately, the decision to include a running head depends on the specific requirements of your instructor, institution, or publication.
What is a running head in APA style?
A running head is a brief title that appears at the top of every page of a manuscript or document, typically in the header section. It is meant to provide a concise summary of the title of the paper, usually limited to 50 characters or less, including spaces and punctuation.
In APA style, the running head is typically an abbreviated version of the title, containing the main keywords or phrases that capture the essence of the research. It is usually written in uppercase letters and is aligned to the left margin of the page. The running head serves as a convenient way to identify the paper and differentiate it from others, especially in academic journals where multiple articles may be printed together.
Is the running head still necessary in modern academic publishing?
With the advent of digital publishing and online databases, the need for a running head is decreasing. In the past, running heads were essential for identifying articles in print journals, where pages were often detached from their original context. However, in today’s digital age, articles are typically accessed online, and the need for a physical header is diminishing.
Moreover, many online databases and search engines can easily identify and retrieve articles based on their titles, keywords, and abstracts, making the running head redundant. Additionally, the running head can take up valuable space on the page, which could be better utilized for other important information. Therefore, it can be argued that the running head is no longer a necessary element in modern academic publishing.
What are the benefits of retaining the running head in APA style?
Retaining the running head in APA style provides a sense of continuity and consistency across all APA publications. It also maintains a familiar format for readers who are accustomed to this traditional element.
Moreover, the running head serves as a visual reminder of the paper’s title, which can be especially helpful for readers who need to flip back and forth between pages. It can also facilitate the reader’s ability to quickly identify the paper and differentiate it from others, especially in cases where multiple articles are printed together.
Can the running head be eliminated in APA style without affecting the quality of the publication?
The elimination of the running head in APA style would likely have a minimal impact on the overall quality of the publication. The primary purpose of a research paper is to convey the author’s ideas, results, and conclusions, which are unaffected by the presence or absence of a running head.
In fact, many publishers and journals have already abandoned the use of running heads, and their publications have not suffered as a result. The focus of academic publishing should be on the content and substance of the research, rather than on minor formatting elements like the running head.
How would the elimination of the running head affect APA style guidelines?
If the running head were to be eliminated, APA style guidelines would need to be revised to reflect this change. This could involve simplifying the guidelines for formatting and layout, as well as providing greater flexibility for authors and publishers.
The elimination of the running head would also require a reassessment of the guidelines for title pages, headers, and footers, which would need to be revised to accommodate the changed format. Overall, the impact on APA style guidelines would be significant, but it could ultimately lead to a more streamlined and modernized style.
What are the implications of eliminating the running head on academic publishing?
The elimination of the running head would likely have a ripple effect throughout the academic publishing industry. Publishers would need to adapt their production processes and formatting guidelines to accommodate the change.
Moreover, the elimination of the running head could also have implications for indexing and archiving services, which may need to modify their databases and search algorithms to accommodate the changed format. However, these changes could ultimately lead to a more streamlined and efficient publishing process.
Is it time to rethink the role of the running head in APA style?
Yes, it is time to rethink the role of the running head in APA style. The running head was originally designed to serve a purpose in print publishing, but in today’s digital age, it has become an anachronism.
A reevaluation of the running head could lead to a more modern and flexible APA style that is better suited to the needs of digital publishing. By eliminating the running head, APA style can evolve to prioritize clarity, simplicity, and readability, while still maintaining its commitment to quality and academic integrity.