1.. Be cautious when using hyperbole or colloquial expressions. Hyperbolic
expressions and colloquialisms are frequently confusing and diminish the
clarity of meaning. Examples: mile-high sandwich, everyone feels, you are
all heart, offbeat, or a large number. Clear, concise language is important
in scholarly documents.

2. Avoid trite expressions like over and over. State the word over
once. The application and use of transition words (therefore, however)
denote a casual tone and should be avoided to increase the academic
scholarship and readability of a study.

3.. Because statistics is the language of research, one can not prove
anything using the various methodologies available to science! Scholarly
wording such as the data suggest is more appropriate when reporting research
results.

4. Avoid anthropomorphism. Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human
characteristics to animals or to inanimate sources. An example:

the organization persuaded; higher education must, or this study explored. A
solution to avoid anthropomorphism: the leaders of the organization
persuaded, or leaders of higher education must, or the researcher of this
study explored.

5. Unidentified referents are confusing in any writing. Avoid using the
following words unless the referent is exceedingly clear: it, they,
this, that, these, and those.

6. Past tense should be used to describe previous research or when
referencing quotes, as the process has already been completed. An example of
the appropriate use of past tense might be: Jones (2005) defined or Smith
(2004) published.

7. ProQuest does not support color in dissertation publications and should
be avoided in proposals and dissertations. In figures/tables distinguish
data using simple geomantic designs, lines, dots, vertical, horizontal &
diagonal lines in white/gray & black scales - see APA pages 192/192;197 for
examples and more information.

8 If a figure, picture, or table is reproduced or adapted from a
copyrighted source, the learner must obtain permission to use it (APA, pages
122, 174, 175, 356). Any reproduced table or figure must be accompanied by a
note at the bottom of the reprinted table/figure that gives credit to the
original author and copyright holder. See page 175 of the APA Manual for the
exact verbiage.

9. When information in the text refers to a figure or table, the reader
should be able to see the table or figure on the same page on the page
immediately following the text reference, not 55 pages later. If the table
or figure is large and covers several pages, the learners should consider
placing it in the Appendixes vice in the text of the material.

10. APA policy on the proper use of numbers and metrics (APA pp. 122-145)
continues to be a problem for learners. Examples that are correct:

a. Plurals of numbers should be 1950s not 1950's

b. All numbers 10 and above should be in digits as well as comparisons
when one number is single digit with other number(s) (3 of 21 participants)
for clarity of reading

c. Percentages as in 5% (no space between number and % sign per APA p.
124)

d. Ratio of 16:1

e. Numbers that represent time; dates; ages; sample, or populations ( 3
years; 2 weeks; 2-year-olds; $5 each)

f. Combining figures and words (7-point Likert-type scale)

11. Be cautious of the words like significant and recent for clarity
reasons. In the example

There is no significant difference in the relationship . . . . A better
solution might be: there is no difference

or

recent literature. . . . A solution to provide additional clarity might be:
2005 literature...

12. Formulas should be presented in a free-standing format and bold font
should never be used in APA documents.

13. All material in Chapter 5 - Recommendations, should have relevance to
the central research theme. Additionally, each recommendation should be
cited from findings in Chapter 4. Information in the Future Research section
should be based on the outcome of the findings of the study.

14. Remove phone numbers and addresses from Appendixes for purposes of
privacy given dissertations maybe published in ProQuest.

15. The words data (plural) and datum (singular) are often misused.

16. One and two sentence paragraphs and long sentences continue to appear
in proposals and dissertations. Three to five sentences per paragraph are
ideal to express a complete thought and achieve a better balance in academic
presentation.

17. Declarative statements rather than questions should be used to present
scholarly data. Learners should avoid asking readers questions in the text.