How to Report ANOVA Results in APA Style (SPSS Guide With Examples & Tables)
Reporting ANOVA results in APA style is one of the most common challenges students face when working with SPSS. While SPSS makes it relatively easy to perform ANOVA tests, academic success depends not on producing output but on explaining results clearly, accurately, and in strict APA format. Examiners assess how well you understand the statistical findings, how accurately you report them, and whether your interpretation aligns with your research questions.
This in-depth guide explains how to report ANOVA results in APA style using SPSS output. It covers one-way ANOVA, factorial ANOVA, and repeated measures ANOVA in detail, explains exactly which values to report and why, and provides APA-style results tables that you can adapt directly into your dissertation, thesis, or journal-style assignment.
Throughout this guide, the emphasis is on writing results, not running tests. If you require expert assistance checking your SPSS output or refining your results chapter, SPSS Dissertation Help provides professional, dissertation-level support.
Why Correct APA Reporting of ANOVA Results Is So Important
Many students underestimate how heavily academic marking focuses on results reporting. Even when the correct statistical test is used, poor reporting can significantly lower grades or result in supervisor feedback requesting major revisions.
APA style is designed to ensure that statistical results are:
- Transparent and reproducible
- Easy for readers to interpret
- Consistent across disciplines
- Free from unnecessary technical clutter
In quantitative dissertations and research papers, APA-style reporting demonstrates that you understand both statistical theory and academic communication standards. This is why correct reporting of ANOVA results is not optional, especially at postgraduate and doctoral levels.
Types of ANOVA and Their Reporting Requirements
Before reporting results, you must clearly identify the type of ANOVA conducted. Each ANOVA design has slightly different APA reporting expectations.
One-Way ANOVA
One-way ANOVA compares the means of three or more independent groups on a single dependent variable. Reporting focuses on the overall group difference and, if significant, post hoc comparisons.
Factorial – ANOVA
Factorial ANOVA examines the effects of two or more independent variables simultaneously. Reporting must distinguish between main effects and interaction effects.
Repeated Measures ANOVA
Repeated measures ANOVA compares the same participants across multiple conditions or time points. Reporting must address the assumption of sphericity and any corrections applied.
Correct identification of the ANOVA type ensures accurate reporting and interpretation.
What APA Style Requires When Reporting ANOVA Results
APA style requires that ANOVA results be reported in narrative form, supported by tables when appropriate. At minimum, the following elements must be included:
- The type of ANOVA performed
- The independent and dependent variables
- The F statistic
- Degrees of freedom
- The p value
- An effect size measure
- A brief explanation of the result
APA discourages copying raw SPSS output directly into academic work. Instead, results should be rewritten in clear, grammatically correct sentences that explain the statistical findings.
Understanding Key ANOVA Values in SPSS Output
To report ANOVA correctly, you must understand what each value represents.
F – Statistic
The F statistic represents the ratio of variance between groups to variance within groups. A larger F value suggests greater differences between group means relative to random variation.
Degrees of Freedom
ANOVA includes two degrees of freedom values:
- Between-groups degrees of freedom
- Within-groups degrees of freedom
These values are always reported in parentheses following the F statistic.
P – Value
The p value indicates whether the observed differences between group means are statistically significant. APA style typically uses a significance threshold of .05.
Effect Size
Effect size quantifies the magnitude of group differences and is increasingly required in dissertations and journal submissions.
How to Report One-Way ANOVA Results in APA Style
When reporting a one-way ANOVA, the goal is to communicate whether there are statistically significant differences between group means and how meaningful those differences are.
APA Narrative Example
A one-way analysis of variance was conducted to examine whether academic performance differed across three teaching methods. The analysis revealed a statistically significant effect of teaching method on exam scores, F(2, 87) = 5.42, p = .006, η² = .11. This indicates that teaching method accounted for approximately 11% of the variance in exam performance.
This expanded explanation strengthens clarity and interpretation without moving into discussion-level analysis.
APA-Style One-Way ANOVA Results Table
Table 1
One-Way ANOVA Results for Teaching Method and Exam Performance
| Source of Variation | SS | df | MS | F | p |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Between Groups | 124.36 | 2 | 62.18 | 5.42 | .006 |
| Within Groups | 997.41 | 87 | 11.46 | ||
| Total | 1121.77 | 89 |
Note. Effect size η² = .11.
APA tables should be labeled, referenced in text, and placed immediately after their first mention.
Reporting Non-Significant One-Way ANOVA Results
Non-significant results must be reported with the same care as significant findings.
Example
A one-way ANOVA was conducted to examine differences in stress levels across four age groups. The results indicated that stress levels did not differ significantly by age group, F(3, 96) = 1.24, p = .30, η² = .04, suggesting that age explained little variance in reported stress.
Reporting effect size in non-significant results strengthens methodological transparency.
How to Report Post Hoc Tests in APA Style
When an ANOVA result is statistically significant, post hoc tests are required to determine which specific group means differ.
APA reporting should:
- Name the post hoc test used
- Identify significant group differences
- Avoid unnecessary numerical detail
Post Hoc Example
Post hoc comparisons using the Tukey HSD test revealed that students in the blended learning group scored significantly higher than those in the traditional lecture group (p = .004). No statistically significant differences were observed between the remaining groups.
Detailed post hoc tables are usually placed in appendices rather than the main Results section.
How to Report Factorial ANOVA Results in APA Style
Factorial ANOVA requires careful reporting of both main effects and interaction effects.
APA Narrative Example
A two-way ANOVA was conducted to examine the effects of study method and gender on academic performance. The analysis revealed a significant main effect of study method, F(2, 84) = 6.18, p = .003, partial η² = .13, indicating that performance differed across teaching approaches. The main effect of gender was not statistically significant, F(1, 84) = 1.02, p = .32, partial η² = .01. In addition, a significant interaction between study method and gender was observed, F(2, 84) = 4.06, p = .02, partial η² = .09, suggesting that the effect of teaching method varied by gender.
APA-Style Factorial ANOVA Table
Table 2
Factorial ANOVA Results for Study Method and Gender
| Source | SS | df | MS | F | p | Partial η² |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study Method | 198.44 | 2 | 99.22 | 6.18 | .003 | .13 |
| Gender | 16.38 | 1 | 16.38 | 1.02 | .32 | .01 |
| Method × Gender | 130.18 | 2 | 65.09 | 4.06 | .02 | .09 |
| Error | 1347.20 | 84 | 16.04 |
How to Report Repeated Measures ANOVA in APA Style
Repeated measures ANOVA requires additional reporting due to the assumption of sphericity.
APA Narrative Example
A repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to examine changes in anxiety levels across three time points. The analysis revealed a significant effect of time on anxiety scores, F(2, 58) = 8.91, p < .001, partial η² = .24. Mauchly’s test of sphericity was significant, χ²(2) = 9.76, p = .008, indicating a violation of the sphericity assumption. Therefore, Greenhouse–Geisser corrections were applied.
APA-Style Repeated Measures ANOVA Table
Table 3
Repeated Measures ANOVA Results for Anxiety Over Time
| Source | df (Adjusted) | F | p | Partial η² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time | 1.74, 50.46 | 8.91 | <.001 | .24 |
Note. Greenhouse–Geisser correction applied due to sphericity violation.
Reporting Effect Sizes in Greater Detail
Effect sizes are essential for understanding practical significance. In ANOVA reporting, effect sizes explain how meaningful the group differences are, not just whether they exist.
Common benchmarks:
- η² or partial η² ≈ .01 small effect
- η² or partial η² ≈ .06 medium effect
- η² or partial η² ≥ .14 large effect
Effect size interpretation is especially important in dissertations and journal submissions.
Where and How to Present ANOVA Results in a Dissertation
- Results narratives appear in the Results chapter
- APA tables follow immediately after first mention
- Post hoc tables may be placed in appendices
- Interpretation belongs in the Discussion chapter, not Results
For broader reporting guidance, refer to How to Report SPSS Results in APA Format on SPSSDissertationHelp.com.
Common APA Reporting Mistakes to Avoid
Students frequently lose marks due to:
- Copying SPSS tables directly
- Omitting effect sizes
- Misreporting degrees of freedom
- Mixing interpretation into Results
- Using non-APA formatting
Avoiding these errors significantly strengthens academic credibility.
ANOVA Reporting Compared to T-Test Reporting
ANOVA uses F statistics and multiple degrees of freedom, while t-tests report t values and single degrees of freedom. If your study involves only two groups, see How to Report T-Test Results in APA Style to ensure correct reporting.
Final Thoughts
Mastering how to report ANOVA results in APA style is essential for producing high-quality quantitative research. Clear, accurate reporting demonstrates statistical understanding and strengthens your academic work.
If you need expert help reviewing, correcting, or writing your SPSS ANOVA results, SPSS Dissertation Help provides professional, dissertation-level assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I always need APA tables for ANOVA results?
Yes, especially in theses and dissertations.
Should I include SPSS screenshots?
No. Results must be rewritten in APA format.
Is effect size required?
Most universities expect it.
Where do post hoc results go?
Briefly in text, detailed tables in appendices.
Can I reuse these tables?
Yes, adapt values to your own SPSS output.
