Report Writing

Question 1

Name the sections of a practical report

Answer 1

• Abstract
• introduction
• method
• results
• discussion
• references
• appendices

Question 2

Describe Abstract

Answer 2

• complete summary of the research
• including (Aim, method, participants, results, conclusion)

Question 3

Explain Introduction

Answer 3

Includes:
- area of psychology study is in + previous research in that area
- justification of current research + identify research aim (with a hypothesis)

Question 4

Explain method

Answer 4

• contains all details necessary to carry out the same research in the same conditions
• experimental design, sample, materials (procedure + apparatus)

Question 5

Explain results

Answer 5

• contains the raw data, verbal summaries of the data, descriptive statistics
• inferential statistics with null or alternative hypothesis at the end

Question 6

Explain discussion

Answer 6

• what has the research has discovered - relating it to research in the introduction
• evaluation of the research + give alternative explanations
• what could be improved, what follow up studies could be conducted

Question 7

Explain references

Answer 7

• all works cited in the articles referenced (so reader can view original)

Question 8

Explain appendices

Answer 8

• materials, raw data, calculations, and anything else the reader needs to fully understand the research

Question 9

What is peer review

Answer 9

• academic articles read and evaluated by experts in the same field before they are published
  (Experts in the field evaluating research before it is published)

Question 10

3 strengths of peer review

Answer 10

• can check if research is useful before it is funded —> if credible can provide an incentive for people to fund it
• ensues only most relevant and robust research is funded
• ensures only valid results published. Journals retain their reputation

Question 11

3 weaknesses of peer review

Answer 11

• can take a long time
• some reviewers may not pass research that contradicts their own
• may not be possible to detect research that has used false data

Question 12

Moray,N.(1959) ‘Attention in dichotic listening: Affective cues and the influence of instructions’, Quarterly journal of experimental psychology , II(I), 56-60

—> name each feature

Answer 12

1. Moray,N. —> Author name and initials
2. (1959) —> date of publication
3. Attention in dichotic listening: Affective cues and the influence of instructions’ —> title of article
4. Quarterly journal of experimental psychology —> journal name
5. 11(1) —> volume + issue number
6. 56-60 —> page number