Reporting investigations

Question 1

Describe the features of a psychological investigative report in order.

Answer 1

Abstract
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
References

Question 2

What is the abstract?

Answer 2

Summary of the study: aims, methodology, results, conclusions, implications. 150-200 words. Should be able tor read and understand the study without reading whole report.

Question 3

What is the introduction?

Answer 3

Literature review, justification of research, aims and hypotheses.

Question 4

What is the method?

Answer 4

Detailed description of procedure. Allow for future replication. Method, design, apparatus, procedure, ethics.

Question 5

What is the results?

Answer 5

Descriptive stats
Inferential stats (stats tests)
Qualitative: categories and themes

Question 6

What is the discussion?

Answer 6

Summary of results, findings in relation to previous research, considerations for future methodology, implications of research, suggestions for future research.

Question 7

What are the references?

Answer 7

Full details of any journal, book article that was cited.

Question 8

How do you write a reference for journals?

Answer 8

Authors names, date, title of article, journal title, volume, page number.

Question 9

How do you write a reference for books?

Answer 9

Author’s names, data, title of book, place of publication, publisher.