Conventions of Published Psychological Research Flashcards
What happens during the first step: present idea for approval?
The psychologist needs to put together a detailed proposal about their research outlining the costs and benefits of their study. They need to obtain relevant funding. If proposal is agreed can progress onto the next stage.
What happens during the second step: psychologist completes their research?
The psychologist conducts their research by collecting data from participants and analysing their findings.
What happens during the third step: psychologist writes their research paper?
Abstract – a summary of the study covering briefly aims, hypotheses, methods, results and conclusions.
Introduction with aims and hypotheses – outlines what the researcher intends to investigate. It reviews previous research and provides the background for the study being conducted leading to specific hypotheses.
Methods - detailed description of what the researchers did providing enough information for replication of the study. Includes design, participants, apparatus, procedures and ethics.
Results - contains what the researcher found including descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.
Discussion - The researcher interprets the results and considers the implications for future research and real-world applications. There may be consideration of the methodology including criticisms and improvements and suggestions for further research.
References - full details of any journal articles or books that are mentioned.
What happens during the fifth step: peer review is conducted?
When – before the research can be published
Who – experts in the same field i.e. peers. A number of peer reviewers will report (anonymously) on the quality of the research and their views will be considered by a peer review panel.
Why - To ensure the accuracy of the content and the quality of the research. If it is not checked, poor research could damage the scientific credibility of psychology and fraud can be exposed.
How - Single blind – authors don’t know their reviewers, and double blind – authors don’t know their reviewers and reviewers don’t know the author
Criteria - Appropriateness of the method used to collect and analyse the data. Ethical considerations. Appropriateness of the sampling technique. Reliability and validity. Appropriateness of the conclusions made. Potential sources of bias. Operationalisation and control of variables.
What happens during step six: decision is made about whether to reject or publish it?
If accepted – research paper will be published in the journal. If rejected, the researcher must try a different journal.
Rejecting a paper is sometimes necessary to ensure the reputation of that journal.
E.g. Nature journal receives around 10,000 papers each year, but only 40% of them will be published.
Why is the peer review process useful?
Maintains high standards in the world of research
Able to ensure objectivity if double-blind method used
Ensures the reputation of journals as being trustworthy
Ensures future funding is given to credible researchers
Limits plagiarism
Prevents scientific fraud
What are the limitations of peer review?
Conflict of interests amongst peers due to competition for limited funding
Hard to find suitable peer reviewers as some topics are very specialised
Publication bias: only accepting statistical significant findings to be published and not those which don’t find support
Peers may be highly critical of articles that contradict their own views but less critical of those which support their own views
