Reporting On Psychological Investigations Flashcards
What are the different sections on a report?
Title
Content page
Abstract
Introduction
Method
Results
Conclusion
References
Appendices
Explain the title page?
The title should say what the study is about and include the IV and DV
Eg an investigation into the effect of happiness on sport activity
Explain the abstract?
This is a concise summary of the report (about 200 words) that tells the reader about the study
It should include a brief summary of the aims, hypothesis’, methods and results
Conclusions and limitations can be included but isn’t necessary
Explain the introduction?
It normally starts with a general review of the area of research
It should begin broadly then become more detailed after the aims and hypothesis’ are stated
What is a disadvantages of an introduction?
There may not be much info about existing research if the research is very new
What do you need to do when writing an introduction?
Use the Third person
What is the main thing about the method section?
As much detail as possible
What are the 4 main subsections of the method section?
Design
Sample
Apparatus/materials
Procedure
Explain design
Explain the research method, the design, how extraneous variables were controlled, how materials were chosen (eg sample frame) and how ethical issues were dealt with
Explain sample
Explain about your participants
Number of them
Ages, gender, biological and demographical info
How participants were allocated to each condition
Explain apparatus/materials
Talk about anything that was used and where it came from
Explain procedure
a recipe style list of everything that happened. It should start with how researcher and investigation was introduced to the participants/ how informed consent was obtained.
- What instructions were given to the participants and how were the participants debriefed afterwards
- How was data collected and recorded.
Explain results
• Descriptive statistics such as tables, graphs, charts and measures of central tendency and dispersion
• Inferential statistics- choice of test, calculated and critical values and levels of significance.
• Whether the hypotheses were accepted or rejected
• Raw data to be presented in the appendix
• If qualitative methods are used – results could be presented as analysis of themes in tables/ categories or direct quotations
Explain discussion?
• An explanation of the findings – summarising the results and relating them to the aim and hypothesis. Any unexpected findings should be presented
• Implications of the study- what are the applications
Limitations and modifications- any thing that went wrong needs to be
addressed and how you would correct them next time
• The relationship to previous research- this should echo your introduction. Data should be compared to previous research
• Suggestions for further research
Explain references
• A reference section is needed include correct information about journals, books, articles and websites.
• It should be presented in alphabetical order with the first author’s surname
