How to Report Descriptive Statistics in APA
Report N, means and standard deviations, the range and skewness/kurtosis where distribution matters, and a correlation matrix (r with p) — following APA number formatting (no leading zero for r and p).
What to report
- N (overall and per group or condition if relevant), with the sample's key demographics.
- Mean (M) and standard deviation (SD) for each continuous variable.
- Range (minimum and maximum), and where distribution matters, skewness and kurtosis to show the data are reasonably normal.
- A correlation matrix of the study variables (r) with their p-values or significance markers; note the correlation type (Pearson or Spearman).
- For categorical variables, frequencies and percentages.
Descriptives usually appear in a table, with means, SDs and correlations in one place. Follow APA number formatting: report values to two decimals, and drop the leading zero for numbers that cannot exceed 1 in absolute value (r, p), e.g., r = .34, p = .012.
APA template
Table [X] reports the means, standard deviations and intercorrelations of the study variables (N = [XXX]). [Variable 1] (M = [X.XX], SD = [X.XX]) and [Variable 2] (M = [X.XX], SD = [X.XX]) were [positively] correlated, r = [.XX], p = [.XXX]. Skewness ([−].XX to [.XX]) and kurtosis ([−].XX to [.XX]) were within acceptable limits, indicating approximately normal distributions.
Drop the leading zero for r and p; keep it for M, SD and other values that can exceed 1.
Common mistakes
- Adding a leading zero to r or p (write .34, not 0.34).
- Reporting correlations without their p-values or sample size.
- Omitting SDs — a mean without a standard deviation is hard to interpret.
- Reporting too many decimals; two is the APA norm for most statistics.
- Calling a relationship significant without stating the correlation type (Pearson vs Spearman).
Draft it with your own numbers
In Explonia, the “Article description” turns your own means, SDs and correlation matrix into a first-draft APA paragraph with the correct number formatting. You edit it and keep it; you stay the author. Results export to SPSS/.sav, R and AMOS, with an APA report (.docx).
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no leading zero on r and p values?
APA style drops the leading zero for any statistic that cannot exceed 1 in absolute value, which includes correlations (r), p-values, and standardized coefficients. So you write r = .34 and p = .021, not 0.34 or 0.021. Values that can exceed 1, like means and standard deviations, keep the leading zero.
Do I need skewness and kurtosis?
Report them when the normality of your variables matters for the analyses that follow, for example before regression or SEM. They show readers the distributions are reasonable. For a purely descriptive summary they are optional, but means, SDs, range and N should always be present.
How should I present a correlation matrix?
Use an APA table with variables in rows and columns, correlations below the diagonal, and significance indicated by p-values or asterisks defined in a note. State the correlation type (Pearson or Spearman) and the sample size, and include the means and SDs in the same table where possible.
How to cite this page
If this page helped your research, you can cite it (APA 7):
Szymkowiak, A. (2026). How to Report Descriptive Statistics in APA. Explonia. https://explonia.com/how-to-report/descriptive-statistics-apa/
Last updated: July 2026
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