Understanding the APA Running Head: More Than Just a Page Number

When you're deep into writing a research paper, thesis, or dissertation, the finer points of formatting can sometimes feel like an afterthought. Yet, these details matter. One such detail is the running head. For those working with APA (American Psychological Association) style, the running head is a crucial element that appears on every page of your paper, typically in the upper right-hand corner, preceding the page number. It's not just a stylistic quirk; it serves a practical purpose in organizing and identifying your work, especially in professional or academic contexts.

Think of it as a brief identifier for your document. If pages were to become detached or if a reviewer were handling multiple manuscripts, the running head, along with the page number, offers an immediate clue as to the paper's origin and subject. This is particularly important for longer documents or those intended for publication. While the core concept remains consistent across APA editions, there have been some notable changes, especially with the advent of the 7th edition. Understanding these nuances is key to presenting a polished and compliant paper.

The Purpose Behind the Running Head

The primary function of the running head is to provide a concise title for your paper that can be easily scanned. In professional settings, like journal submissions, this helps editors and reviewers quickly identify the document. For students, it demonstrates attention to detail and adherence to academic standards. It's a signal that you've taken the time to format your work according to established guidelines, which can contribute to the overall credibility of your research.

Before the APA 7th edition, the running head had a slightly different format for student papers versus professional papers. For professional papers, it included the words 'Running head:' followed by the shortened title. Student papers, however, omitted this phrase. The 7th edition simplified this considerably, aligning the requirements for both student and professional papers. Now, the running head is simply the shortened title itself, consistently presented on every page. This change makes the process more straightforward for a wider range of users.

APA 7th Edition: What's New for the Running Head?

As mentioned, the most significant change with APA 7th edition is the elimination of the 'Running head:' label for all papers. Previously, this label was required for professional papers submitted for publication but omitted for student papers. Now, whether you are a student submitting a class assignment or a researcher preparing a manuscript for a journal, the running head is simply the shortened title of your paper, all in capital letters. This applies to the title page, the abstract, the body of the paper, and any appendices.

The length of the running head is also a consideration. It should be a concise representation of your paper's title, typically no more than 50 characters (including spaces and punctuation). If your full title is already short, you might use the full title. However, if it's lengthy, you'll need to create a shortened version that accurately reflects the paper's content. For instance, if your title is 'The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance in University Students During Final Examination Periods,' a suitable running head might be 'SLEEP DEPRIVATION AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE.'

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Running Head

Formatting the running head correctly is straightforward once you understand the requirements. Most word processing software has features that make this process manageable. Here’s how to do it:

  • Identify Your Shortened Title: If your full title is longer than 50 characters, create a concise version that captures the essence of your paper. Ensure it's in all capital letters.
  • Access the Header: In Microsoft Word, go to the 'Insert' tab, then click 'Header' and choose 'Edit Header.' In Google Docs, go to 'Insert,' then 'Headers & footers,' and select 'Header.'
  • Align to the Right: Once the header is open, ensure your cursor is in the header section. Then, use the alignment tools (usually found in the 'Home' tab or formatting options) to align the text to the right.
  • Type Your Running Head: Type your shortened title (in all caps) into the header space.
  • Insert Page Number: After typing your running head, place your cursor immediately after it. Go to 'Insert' > 'Page Number' (or similar function). Select the option for 'Current Position' or 'Plain Number' and choose the format that places the number directly after the running head. Ensure it's not set to display '1' on every page; it should be sequential.
  • Differentiate First Page (if needed): For professional papers, the first page (title page) might have a slightly different header setup. APA 7th edition requires the page number on the first page but no running head. However, for student papers, the running head and page number appear on the title page as well. Check your instructor's specific guidelines. If you need to exclude the running head from the first page (as in professional papers), you'll typically use the 'Different First Page' option in your word processor's header settings.
  • Apply to All Pages: Ensure the header settings are applied to the entire document. Most word processors will automatically do this unless you've specified otherwise (like the 'Different First Page' option).

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Even with clear instructions, it's easy to stumble over formatting details. Here are a few common mistakes to watch out for when creating your APA running head:

  • Forgetting the All Caps: The running head must be in all capital letters. 'Sleep Deprivation' is incorrect; 'SLEEP DEPRIVATION' is correct.
  • Including 'Running head:' Label: As of APA 7th edition, this label is no longer used for any papers.
  • Incorrect Placement: The running head should be in the upper right-hand corner of the page, preceding the page number.
  • Using the Full Title When Too Long: If your title exceeds the 50-character limit, you must create a shortened version. Don't just truncate it awkwardly; aim for clarity.
  • Page Number Errors: Ensure the page numbers are sequential and correctly placed. Double-check that the first page is numbered '1'.
  • Inconsistent Formatting: Make sure the font and size of your running head match the rest of your paper's body text. While it's in the header, it should still adhere to your document's overall style.

Running Head Examples

To solidify your understanding, let's look at a couple of examples illustrating how the running head might appear.

Example 1: A Standard Research Paper

Full Title: The Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Reducing Anxiety Among College Students Shortened Running Head (approx. 45 characters): MINDFULNESS AND ANXIETY IN COLLEGE STUDENTS On each page (including the title page and abstract in APA 7th for students), the header would look something like this: MINDFULNESS AND ANXIETY IN COLLEGE STUDENTS 1 MINDFULNESS AND ANXIETY IN COLLEGE STUDENTS 2 MINDFULNESS AND ANXIETY IN COLLEGE STUDENTS 3 ...

Example 2: A Paper with a Shorter Title

Full Title: Climate Change Impacts Shortened Running Head (can use full title if short enough): CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS On each page: CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS 1 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS 2 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS 3 ...

The Title Page and the Running Head

The treatment of the running head on the title page has seen the most significant shift with APA 7th edition. Previously, professional papers omitted the running head entirely from the title page, showing only the page number. Student papers, however, included the running head and page number on the title page. Now, APA 7th edition mandates that both student and professional papers include the running head and page number on the title page. The page number should be '1'.

So, for a student paper using the 'MINDFULNESS AND ANXIETY IN COLLEGE STUDENTS' running head, the title page header would simply read: MINDFULNESS AND ANXIETY IN COLLEGE STUDENTS 1. This consistency simplifies the process for everyone. Always double-check if your instructor has any specific deviations from the standard APA 7th edition guidelines, as they may have particular requirements for student papers.

Final Thoughts on APA Running Heads

Mastering the APA running head is a small but significant step in producing professional, well-formatted academic work. It's a convention that aids in the clear identification and organization of your research. By understanding its purpose, adhering to the APA 7th edition guidelines (especially the removal of the 'Running head:' label), and carefully following the formatting steps, you can ensure this element of your paper is handled correctly. Pay attention to the character limit, use all caps, and ensure consistent placement with sequential page numbers. These practices contribute to the overall polish and credibility of your writing.