APA 7th edition

Writing inclusively and without bias is the new standard, and APA’s new publication manual contains a separate chapter on this topic.

The guidelines provided by APA help authors reduce bias around topics such as gender, age, disability, racial and ethnic identity, and sexual orientation, as well as being sensitive to labels and describing individuals at the appropriate level of specificity. Some examples include:

The singular “they” or “their” is endorsed as a gender-neutral pronoun.

• A researcher’s career depends on how often he or she is cited.
• A researcher’s career depends on how often they are cited.

Instead of using adjectives as nouns to label groups of people, descriptive phrases are preferred.

• The poor
• People living in poverty

Instead of broad categories, you should use exact age ranges that are more relevant and specific.

• People over 65 years old
• People in the age range of 65 to 75 years old

Streefkerk, R. (2019). APA Manual 7th edition: The most notable changes. https://www.scribbr.com/apa-style/apa-seventh-edition-changes/

• Guidelines for Writing About People With Disabilities

  'This fact sheet provides guidelines for portraying individuals with disabilities in a respectful and balanced way by using language that is accurate, neutral and objective.'
• A Way with Words and Images

  Suggestions for the portrayal of people with disabilities from the Government of Canada
• Practice with Pronouns

  This online tool helps to ensure you are using pronouns correctly.
• Inclusive Language Tutorial

  This tutorial was developed and generously shared by the Business Development Department at NorQuest College.

   

  General principles for reducing bias - general principles for writing about all people and their personal characteristics without bias.

  Bias free language - Racial and ethnic identity