APA Style Spelling

Preferred Spelling for APA Style

For those students still finishing research papers using the APA format, here are some tips on preferred spelling.

The APA Publication Manual recommends Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2005) as the standard spelling reference for APA journals and books for nonpsychological terms; spelling of psychological terms should conform to the APA Dictionary of Psychology (VandenBos, 2007). If the dictionary gives a choice, use the first spelling listed; for example, use aging and canceled rather than ageing and cancelled.

These references are available in the Goodwin Library
Merriam-Webster’s collegiate Dictionary (2005)
Online in Credo Reference database (Access from library page under Research Databases.)

APA Dictionary of Psychology (2007)
On the shelf in the reference section.
Call number: REF BF31.A83 2007

(Adapted from the sixth edition of the APA Publication Manual, © 2010)