The American Sociological Association (ASA) style is a standardized format for writing and citing research papers in the field of sociology. This style guide provides specific guidelines for formatting the layout, style, and content of a research paper, as well as for citing sources and creating a reference list.
One key aspect of ASA style is that it uses in-text citations rather than footnotes or endnotes. In-text citations are brief references to sources that are placed within the body of the paper, usually in parentheses. These citations provide the necessary information for readers to locate the source in the reference list, which is typically placed at the end of the paper.
The general format for an ASA style paper includes the following elements:
Title page: The title page should include the title of the paper, the author's name, and the author's institutional affiliation (if applicable).
Abstract: The abstract is a brief summary of the paper that provides an overview of the main points and findings. It should be no more than 150 words and should be placed on a separate page after the title page.
Introduction: The introduction should provide an overview of the research question or problem being addressed in the paper. It should also include a brief review of the relevant literature and explain the purpose and significance of the study.
Methods: The methods section should describe the research design, sample, and data collection and analysis procedures used in the study.
Results: The results section should present the main findings of the study in a clear and concise manner.
Discussion: The discussion should interpret the results and place them in the context of the larger body of research on the topic. It should also discuss the implications of the study and suggest directions for future research.
References: The reference list should include a complete list of all sources cited in the paper. It should be arranged alphabetically by author's last name and should follow the specific formatting guidelines outlined in the ASA style guide.
Here is an example of an ASA style paper:
Title: "The Impact of Social Support on Mental Health Outcomes in Older Adults"
Abstract:
This study examined the relationship between social support and mental health outcomes in a sample of older adults. Results indicated that those with higher levels of social support reported significantly lower levels of depression and anxiety. The findings suggest that social support may play a protective role in the mental health of older adults.
Introduction:
Mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, are common among older adults and can have significant negative impacts on quality of life (Smith et al., 2015). Previous research has shown that social support can have a positive effect on mental health outcomes (Jones, 2010). However, the specific mechanisms through which social support influences mental health in older adults are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between social support and mental health outcomes in a sample of older adults.
Methods:
Participants were recruited from a community center in a Midwestern city. The sample included 100 individuals aged 60 or older. Participants completed a survey that included measures of social support (Social Support Questionnaire; Sarason et al., 1983) and mental health outcomes (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale; Radloff, 1977; State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; Spielberger et al., 1983). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations and multiple regression.
Results:
Results indicated a significant negative correlation between social support and depression (r = -.54, p < .001) and a significant negative correlation between social support and anxiety (r = -.41, p < .001). In a multiple regression analysis,