Learn how to cite tables in APA
The idea of presenting information using a table can be quite attractive, because through them you could much more easily show something that you want to explain with words. After all, the tables to a more visual way of presenting the information and go straight to that maxim of "don't say it, show it". But of course, reproducing a table made by another researcher leads us to the question: How to cite tables in APA? Read on and find out here.
But what is a table and why include it in your research?
A table is a visual presentation of information (usually numbers) that is arranged in rows and columns. It also usually contains text, although in a slightly more referential or guiding way.
Its main objective is facilitate reading and how to digest certain relevant information in your research. It also serves to summarize information that could take pages and pages, but when presented in a table format (of course, if the topic allows it) it would be much more condensed and the information would be much better appreciated. It is also used to present exploratory data results, analyses, statistics, estimates, etc.
Despite its advantages, it is recommended to use tables discretionally, because, while some consider it to be an ideal way of presenting information, for other readers it represents a headache that they cannot easily understand. In addition, the excess of figures and tables could be taken as a lack of professionalism and rigor of the information, so decide very well what information deserves to be in a table and do not abuse it.
Elements of a table according to the APA
If you want to build a table from scratch or adapt a previously published one to be APA formatted, your table must contain the following elements:
- Table number: Each table must be numbered in order of appearance and, in fact, the number is the first thing you will see. The number (preceded by the word table) is written in bold.
- Qualification: Below the table number, write its title, using double spacing and italics. The title should be short, concise and clear.
- Header: The text of the headings is centered in the columns.
- Body: They are all the rows and columns that make up the table. It can be done using single or double spacing.
- Note: The contents of the table that are not too clear in the table are described here. It is only included if necessary.
Relevant data about the tables
If you are going to make a table, it is relevant that you know that:
- About table borders: they should be limited. It is advisable to only use them at the top and bottom border of the table, below the headers and above the column totals. Vertical borders to separate data and around each cell are prohibited.
- About the font and line spacing: The same font and size that you have used throughout the investigation is used. Line spacing can be single or double; this will depend on the readability of the table. Try both and choose the one that is most understandable.
- About your location: You can place the tables in two places in your investigation. The first option is to insert it in the middle of the text after you mention it; the second option you have is to do it in a separate section that you will put after the list of references. This is up to you, but it is suggested that if the table is short, you can mix it with the text. A table can take up a whole page with no problem.
- About tables that are too big: If the table is too wide for your page, you can change the sheet orientation to landscape. If it's too long, you can make the headings repeat on the second page and continue with the information.
How to cite tables in APA
You must be very careful about the data you are giving to your table, because you will use it when you need to quote it. Quotations are made by naming them by their number and not by their position in the text.
This means that you should write something like “As you can see in Table 5, the birth rate has decreased in recent years”, instead of “As you can see in the following table” or “As you can see in the table on page 25”.
It may happen that you have built a table using some data from other researchers, so you must make the aforementioned citation using the format In the latest edition of publication standards for scientific papers, the that you already know
You can achieve this in several ways:
- Including citations in parentheses within the table.
- Cite the source in the "table note".
- As a second table located below the table in question.
Remember that…
The tables are and the graphic elements should help your information to be better understood by the reader. Nothing to include tables left and right, thinking only of giving attention to the investigation, as this will only show that you have not taken the work seriously enough.
Use tables only when necessary, and keep in mind that there is a difference between commenting on a table and describing the entire table. If you are using a table it is because it is strong enough to explain itself and your work will only be to present it and give some extra detail, but if what you are writing is an explanatory text about what we see in the table, it is best that you opt through the words and put the table aside.
You are facing a job that requires a lot of effort and critical and analytical thinking. Whenever you want to make a decision, ask yourself if you would like to see that as a reader, if it is something that affects reading... always put yourself on the reader's side, because you know him very well. Ask yourself: would i read this? Would I like to read this written this way? Be your number one critic and you will succeed.
Finally, remember that the APA format has a reason for being and that, deep down, it makes sense, logic and is worth following to achieve a work that is really worthwhile.