What is a characteristic of a good title in APA format?

A good title in APA format is one that is fully explanatory when standing alone. This means that the title should convey the main idea or findings of the research in a clear and concise manner, allowing readers to understand the focus of the study without needing to read the entire paper. A fully explanatory title helps facilitate comprehension and attracts the interest of potential readers, making it easier for them to decide if the paper is relevant to their own work or interests.

For example, a clear and descriptive title might outline the key elements of the research, such as the main variables, the context, or the population being studied. This enables the title to serve as a standalone summary of the research focus.

In contrast, a title that contains terms like "An Experimental Investigation of" might be overly formal or cumbersome, potentially detracting from its clarity. Similarly, using abbreviations for conciseness may confuse readers who are unfamiliar with the terms. Keeping the title fewer than five words long can also limit the opportunity to adequately convey complex ideas, which is why a fully explanatory title is considered more effective.