1.4 Report writing

Question 1

What are the 7 main sections of a report?

Answer 1

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Method
• Results
• Discussion
• References
• Appendices

Question 2

What is the abstract?

Answer 2

• Summarises the research
• Includes the aim, method, results, and conclusions
• Quickly understand before reading a full article

Question 3

What is the introduction?

Answer 3

• Previous research and links to current study
• Broadly discusses the area of interest and ends by justifying the hypothesis

Question 4

What is the method?

Answer 4

• Sample, experimental design, materials, and procedure
• To make the study easy to replicate

Question 5

What are the results?

Answer 5

• Raw data
• Descriptive statistics
• Inferential statistics
• Graphs
• Written explanations

Question 6

What is the discussion?

Answer 6

• Looks at what was found in the study
• Implications and limitations of study
• Future research

Question 7

What are the references?

Answer 7

• Allows readers to find research referenced
• Can check that claims made are valid

Question 8

What is included in the appendices?

Answer 8

• Consent form
• Standardised instructions
• Raw data
• Statistical analysis
• Materials
• Ethics sheet

Question 9

What method of referencing do psychologists use?

Answer 9

Harvard

Question 10

What is included in a reference?

Answer 10

• Names
• Year
• Title of article
• Journal name
• Page numbers

Question 11

Why is peer review done?

Answer 11

Researchers read other people’s studies to ensure poor quality research does not enter the public domain

Question 12

What options does a peer reviewer have?

Answer 12

• Accept the paper
• Reject the paper
• Suggest amendments

Question 13

What are some problems with peer review?

Answer 13

• bias - a reviewer may strongly disagree with the view put forward
• Institution bias - research from prestigious universities is favoured
• Gender bias - male researchers seem to be favoured
• file drawer problem - those with positive results supporting the hypothesis are more likely to be published

Question 14

What are two strategies to overcome peer review biases?

Answer 14

• Double blind peer review so the reviewer and author are anonymous
• Use of experts to evaluate the quality to ensure it is a high standard