Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

This book is very helpful but confuses me at times since it has so many small mini indexes and sections, but besides that very helpful.

I agree with the previous review. This 'APA Bible' is complex and not well organized. The sections are listed in such a way that if you happen to be looking for something simple, like how to do a citation for a book, that can be found easily. However, if you are in the book section, it is not easy to then find how to do a citation for a book chapter from a unique author or how to cite a textbook, 3rd ed. As such, I found the book to be cumbersome, even after some serious time working with it in graduate school.
One suggestion for a major improvement would be to include a large section (or a supplemental guide) with a grouping of papers that are examples. These examples could cover a broad range of paper types. It could also highlight common errors in the use of APA style and how to correct them - both within text and in citations. Generally speaking, this book is fine for a reference tool, once the reader already knows APA style. It is quite insufficient for a student who is trying to learn and write simultaneously. As such, most students make use of on-line tools and quick reference guides, rather than consulting the manual. APA, please provide assistance for beginning users. Thanks!

I never knew I didn't know how to write until I got this book. I have had to use APA style for my undergrad degree and didn't have it, but starting graduate school, I found I really needed it! Now, if I have any questions about how to put together a paper, I have a manual that is considerably more words than my thesis, yet not quite dissertation length, to guide me through my errant ways of writing.

This manaul is very helpful to reference the many in's and out's of APA formatting for research papers, including how to cite references from the internet.

Very useful and to the point, with clear examples, helped me a lot with my MA thesis.