Report writing and Referencing Flashcards
Writing a report of research: 7 steps
Abstract
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
References
Appendices
Abstract
Very brief summary of research: aim, sample, method, results, conclusion
When to write the abstract?
At the end once we’ve written the rest of report
Introduction
Aim
What area of psych research is in
Refer to previous research
Hypotheses
Method
Experimental design, sample and sample method, materials and apparatus, procedure
Point of writing the method
Info so we can make a complete replica of study
Results
Raw data tables from the research
Descriptive statistics (methods of presenting this data)
Select graph to display data
Complete inferential statistics, which hypothesis is accepted or not?
Discussion
Focuses on what the study found out, evaluation of study, new ideas, improvement suggestions
References
Citing any works/ research mentioned in the study appearing alphabetically
Harvard Reference order
Author/s surname followed by first name initial
(year of publication in brackets)
‘Title of article in inverted commas’
Journal title in italics
Volume of journal
(Issue number in brackets)
Page range of article
Importance of writing references
Anyone can locate the journal and exactly where they can go to find this information
Other academics can replicate work or evaluate it
Peer review
When an expert in the field does a quality check on research: was it done appropriately and what are impacts of the study?
Strengths of peer view
Ensures only valid + reliable research is published
Those funding research can be confident the research they are funding is good
Improve credibility of psychology
Weaknesses of peer review
LONG process
Reviewers may not pass research if it contradicts their own view
Can’t detect false data
