Is APA citation style used properly and consistently?

Essay length: Text should be typed, 1.5 spaces 12 size font, minimum 5 pages (1800 words) and maximum 10 (3000 words), not including biography and illustrations. Writing should be in scientific review article style. All sources must be scientific publications and referenced. Minimum two primary sources should be included.

Your essay will be assigned a grade out of 10, based on the following criteria:
a) Have the formatting guidelines been respected? (1 mark)
Times New Roman 12-point font, 1.5 spacing
Title and name at the top of the first page, no title page
Min. 1800 words, max. 3000 words (excluding tables/figures and reference page)
b) Is the essay easy to read? (2 marks)
Introduction and conclusion both present
Ideas clearly separated into paragraphs
All paragraphs relate back to thesis statement
Well-edited and proofread, few spelling/grammar errors
c) Is the essay content of good quality? (5 marks)
Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of topic
Uses evidence to support ideas effectively
Paraphrases instead of using quotations
Uses proper scientific terminology as discussed in class or in textbook to describe plants, their botanical parts, and products
Depth of information and/or ideas is appropriate for a 3000-level course
d) Is APA citation style used properly and consistently? (2 marks)
APA citations used throughout
Reference list present and uses consistent APA formatting
At least 7 different sources are cited within the body of the essay
e) Uses reliable sources (ex : textbooks, scientific journals, magazine articles, government documents, etc.)

A primary research article reports on an empirical research study conducted by the authors. It is published in a peer-reviewed journal. This type of article:
– Asks a research question or states a hypothesis or hypotheses
– Describes a specific research method
– Tests or measures something
– Includes a section called “methods” or “methodology.” This may only appear in the article, not the abstract.
– Includes a section called “results.”
To contrast, the following are not primary research articles (i.e., they are secondary sources):
– Textbooks
– Literature reviews
– Meta-Analyses/Review articles (These are studies that arrive at conclusions based on research from many other, already published studies.)
– Editorials
– Letters
– Chapters in books
– Encyclopedia articles
– Speeches/ interviews/opinions/videos/on-line sources

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