APA 7th Edition Formatting Guide for Kenyan Students
Formatting your thesis proposal or research paper according to APA 7th edition guidelines can feel overwhelming, especially when you are already juggling coursework, research, and tight deadlines. Many Kenyan students find themselves losing valuable marks due to formatting errors rather than issues with their actual content. The good news? APA formatting does not have to be complicated.
This guide is specifically designed for Kenyan students at institutions like the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Moi University, and others across the country. Whether you are an undergraduate working on your first research paper or a postgraduate student preparing a thesis proposal, understanding APA 7th edition will save you time and improve your grades.
APA style follows specific rules for presenting information and formatting citations. Once these rules are broken down, APA Style becomes quite manageable . This guide covers three main areas: paper formatting, in-text citations, and the reference list.
If you find yourself struggling with formatting while working on your thesis proposal, the team at Proposal Writers Kenya is here to help. Our expert writers understand APA 7th edition requirements and can ensure your proposal meets the highest academic standards.
Key Changes in APA 7th Edition for Student Papers
The 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual introduced several important changes from the 6th edition. For student papers, the most significant updates include:
Student vs. Professional Papers
APA 7th edition has different guidelines for student papers (for class assignments) and professional papers (for publication). This guide focuses on student papers .
Major differences for student papers:
No running head required on every page – a significant change from APA 6th edition
No abstract required – for most undergraduate and master’s assignments, unless your instructor specifically requests it
No author note required
Changes to Citation Rules
Author limit for “et al.”: For in-text citations, “et al.” is now used from the first citation when a work has three or more authors
Reference list author limit: The reference list can now include up to 20 authors before using an ellipsis, increased from the previous 7-author limit
Publisher location: The location of the publisher (e.g., Nairobi, Kenya) is no longer required for book references
Other Important Changes
Font options expanded: APA 7th now allows multiple acceptable fonts
One space after a period: APA 7th recommends a single space after punctuation that ends a sentence
Singular “they” endorsed: APA 7th officially endorses using “they” as a gender-neutral singular pronoun
Formatting Your Student Paper
Title Page (Page 1)
The APA 7th student title page is simpler than previous editions. Include the following elements, centered on the page :
Paper Title – bold, title case (capitalize major words), centered, 3-4 lines down from the top
Author Name(s) – your full name, no titles or degrees
Author Affiliation – department and university name (e.g., Department of Economics, University of Nairobi)
Course Number and Name – (e.g., ECO 401: Advanced Macroeconomics)
Instructor Name – your lecturer or supervisor’s name
Assignment Due Date – (e.g., May 15, 2025)
Page Number: All pages, including the title page, should have the page number in the top right-hand corner .
Page Layout
Margins: Use 1-inch margins on all sides
Font Options: Use one of the following :
12-point Times New Roman
11-point Calibri
11-point Arial
11-point Georgia
10-point Lucida Sans Unicode
Spacing: Double-space your entire paper, including the title page, body text, and reference list
Indentation: Indent the first line of every paragraph by 0.5 inches
In-Text Citations: The Author-Date System
The core of APA in-text citations is the author-date model . Every source cited in your text must have a corresponding entry in your reference list.
Two Types of In-Text Citations
1. Parenthetical Citation: All citation information appears inside parentheses at the end of the sentence .
Example:
...as suggested by recent studies (Owino & Kemboi, 2012).
2. Narrative Citation: Some or all citation information is included within the text .
Example:
Owino and Kemboi (2012) argue that...
Key Examples
| Author Type | Parenthetical Citation | Narrative Citation |
|---|---|---|
| One author | (Kemboi, 2012) | Kemboi (2012) |
| Two authors | (Wesonga & Masereka, 2019) | Wesonga and Masereka (2019) |
| Three or more authors | (Mwango et al., 2009) | Mwango et al. (2009) |
For sources with three or more authors, use “et al.” from the very first citation .
Direct Quotations
Short Quotes (fewer than 40 words): Enclose the quote in double quotation marks and include the author, year, and page number .
Example:
"Tacit knowledge is knowledge that resides in mind of the knower" (Kemboi, 2012, p. 5).
Block Quotes (40 words or more): Start the quotation on a new line, indent it 0.5 inches, double-space, and omit quotation marks. The citation follows the final punctuation .
Paraphrasing
When paraphrasing, page numbers are encouraged but not required. For paraphrases that extend for several sentences, put the in-text citation after the first mention of the source
The Reference List: Formatting and Examples
The reference list provides full details for every source cited in your text. It begins on a new page with the title “References” centered and bold at the top .
Formatting the Reference List
Start the reference list on a new page after the text
The page should begin with “References” centered and in bold
All text is double-spaced
Use a hanging indent: first line flush left, subsequent lines indented 0.5 inches
Arrange entries alphabetically by the author’s last name
Common Reference Examples
Book:
Example:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book. Publisher.
Real Example:
Mbiti, D. H. (2018). Critical thinking paradigms: A primer. New Dawn.
Note: Publisher location (e.g., Nairobi) is no longer required in APA 7th .
Journal Article:
Example:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), page numbers. DOI or URL.
Real Example:
Cheruiyot, C. K., Jagongo, A., & Owino, E. O. (2012). Institutionalization of knowledge management in manufacturing enterprises in Kenya. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 3(10), 127-138.
Webpage:
Example:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of webpage. Site Name. URL.
Real Example:
Guarino, B. (2017, December 4). How will humanity react to alien life? The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/...
Thesis/Dissertation:
Published Example:
Miranda, C. (2019). Exploring the lived experiences of foster youth... [Doctoral dissertation, Pepperdine University]. PQDT Open.
Unpublished Example:
Harris, L. (2014). Instructional leadership perceptions and practices... [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Virginia.
Book Chapter:
Example:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In A. Editor & B. Editor (Eds.), Title of book (pp. xx-xx). Publisher.
Tables and Figures
Tables
Place the table number (e.g., Table 1) on the line above the table title. Both are flush left and double-spaced
Table Title: Italicize the title (e.g., Number of Boys and Girls by Age Group)
Below the table, include a note explaining the source or any abbreviations
Key Change: In APA 7th edition, both tables and figures are now labelled from the top, rather than one at the top and one at the bottom .
Figures (Images, Graphs, Charts)
Place the figure number (e.g., Figure 1) and title on the line above the figure. Both are flush left and double-spaced
Provide a note underneath the figure to give context and cite the source
Headings
APA has five heading levels to organize sections and subsections . For most student papers, Level 1 headings are sufficient .
| Level | Formatting |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Centered, Bold, Title Case |
| Level 2 | Left-aligned, Bold, Title Case |
| Level 3 | Left-aligned, Bold Italic, Title Case |
| Level 4 | Indented, Bold, Title Case, ending with a period |
| Level 5 | Indented, Bold Italic, Title Case, ending with a period |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using a running head – Student papers do not require running heads in APA 7th
Using two spaces after a period – APA 7th recommends one space
Forgetting hanging indents – All reference list entries need hanging indents
Not including DOIs – Include DOIs as URLs for sources that have them
Using “et al.” incorrectly – Use “et al.” for three or more authors from the first citation
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is APA 7th edition the only referencing style used in Kenya?
No. Some departments use MLA, Harvard, or Chicago. Always check with your supervisor for their preferred style.
2. I can’t find the author for a webpage. What do I do?
Move the title of the page into the author position in your reference list, and use the title in your in-text citation .
3. Do I need to include a DOI for every source?
Yes, if a source has a Digital Object Identifier (DOI), you must include it as a URL .
4. Can I use “et al.” for every citation with multiple authors?
For three or more authors, yes, from the first citation. For two authors, always list both .
5. Does my paper still need a running head?
For student papers, no. This is a major change from APA 6th edition .
6. Do I need to include an abstract?
Unless your instructor specifically requests one, student papers do not require an abstract
Conclusion
Mastering APA 7th edition formatting is an essential skill for academic success, but it need not be a source of stress. By following the guidelines in this comprehensive guide—using the correct student paper format, applying accurate in-text citations, and building a properly formatted reference list—you can ensure your thesis proposal or research paper meets the highest academic standards.
However, we understand that formatting can be time-consuming, especially when you are focused on the content and quality of your research. This is where professional support can make a significant difference.
At Proposal Writers Kenya, we provide expert thesis proposal writing services tailored to Kenyan students. Our experienced writers are well-versed in APA 7th edition formatting and can help you craft a polished, professionally formatted proposal that impresses your supervisors. From formatting your reference list to ensuring your in-text citations are accurate, we handle the technical details so you can focus on your research.
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