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Based on the APA style table layout conventions, what are the two main formatting errors the student has made in this table, and how should they resolve them?
Case context: A student researcher is preparing a manuscript for their research methods course and is formatting a results table. The table has five columns. The student places an overarching heading over the last three columns to organize them, but leaves the individual column headers for those three columns blank to avoid repetition. Additionally, they use thin vertical lines to separate all five columns to make the columns easier to read.
Question: Based on the APA style table layout conventions, what are the two main formatting errors the student has made in this table, and how should they resolve them?
Sample answer: The two formatting errors are: 1) leaving individual column headers blank under the overarching heading, and 2) using vertical lines to separate columns. To resolve them, the student must provide a descriptive heading for every single column, including the leftmost one and those under the overarching heading. They must also remove all vertical lines, keeping only the horizontal lines at the top, bottom, and beneath column headings.
Key points:
- Every column, including the leftmost one, must have a descriptive heading.
- Overarching headings do not replace the requirement for individual column headings.
- APA-style tables must not contain any vertical lines.
- Horizontal lines are only permitted at the top, bottom, and below column headings.
Rubric: Identify both errors (blank column headers under overarching headings and use of vertical lines) and provide the correct APA-compliant resolution for each (every column must have a descriptive heading, and all vertical lines must be removed).
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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