Psychological Investigations (Reporting, Referencing, Peer Review, Economy Impact)

Question 1

Effect of Psychological studies on the Economy

Answer 1

• Findings of psychological research are often used to inform various groups how to best go about doing things.
  > (e.g. workplaces, the education system, the healthcare system)
• Psychological research can often have a direct effect on the economy

Question 2

What are the 6 sections of a Psychological report?

Answer 2

Abstract 
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
Referencing

Question 3

Psychological report - Abstract

Answer 3

• Start of the report
• Outlining the aims, methods, findings and conclusions
• Reader an overview of the study

Question 4

Psychological report - Introduction

Answer 4

• Overview of past research and theory in the chosen area.
• Give the reader context and an idea of what others have found when researching this area.
• Researcher to state their aims and their hypothesis

Question 5

Psychological report - Method

Answer 5

• The method section includes details of how the research was carried out.
• Makes the study replicable as the reader would know exactly what to do to carry out the study in the same way

> Design = Details of the method used, the relevant variables, and the experimental design
Participants = Details of how many people were used, their characteristics and the sampling method
Materials = What is needed to carry out the study (such as specific tests or equipment).
Procedure = Is a step by step account of how the research was carried out.

Question 6

Psychological report - Results

Answer 6

This section includes the findings. It is split into two sections:
>Descriptive Statistics = includes a summary of the data such as a measure of central tendency, measure of dispersion, and a graph.
> Inferential Statistics = includes details of the statistical test used, the observed value, critical value, significance level, and a statement of whether the hypothesis was supported or not.

Question 7

Psychological report - Discussion

Answer 7

• This section is where the findings are discussed
  > An explanation of findings = The findings are explained clearly.
  > Links to past research = Compared to past research and it is discussed whether his past research has been supported or not.
  > Applications/Implications = How findings could be usefully in the real wold
  > Areas for improvement/Ideas for future research = The limitations of the study/how the study could be improved. Ideas to further the research area are also put forward.

Question 8

Psychological report - Referencing

Answer 8

• This is a list of all material cited

- Use the APA referencing style.

Question 9

Role of Peer Review

Answer 9

• Once a researcher has found a suitable journal in which to publish their work they send a copy to this journal. The journal then sends the research report to one or more peer reviewers.

They check that the research report:

1. Is written in a generally agreed format
2. Had a good research design, meaning that conclusions are valid
3. The research design is reported in such a way that enables it to be replicable
4. Is of high quality

• Will not e published if not good enough

Question 10

2 strengths of the Peer review process

Answer 10

+ Ensures that the work published and made available to the public is of the highest quality.
+ If a researcher manages to get published in a well thought of academic journal it will enhance their career and the reputation of the research institution for which they work.

Question 11

4 disadvantages of the Peer review process

Answer 11

• Reviewer may be biased. They may not want work published which goes against their opinions/theories or research findings.
• Some journals are better than others.
  > Some may not want to publish their work if its not a prestigious journal
• Journals may struggle to find an appropriate expert to do the peer review
  > Casts doubt on the quality control of the peer review process.
• ‘Peer review is slow, expensive, profligate of academic time, highly subjective, prone to bias, easily abused, poor at detecting gross defects, and almost useless at detecting fraud’ (Smith, 1999).