Reporting Psychologcial Investigations

Question 1

What is the general format of psychological investigations?

Answer 1

1. Title
2. Abstract
3. Introduction
4. Method
5. Results
6. Discussion
7. References
8. Appendices

Question 2

What is the purpose of a title?

Answer 2

To tell the reader what the report is about p- concise but informative

Question 3

What is the purpose of an abstract?

Answer 3

A brief summary (150-200 words) of the key points of the study. This helps the reader to decide if the full report is worth reading. Psychologists usually write this at the end but it goes at the beginning

Question 4

What is the purpose of an introduction?

Answer 4

Why the study was conducted. The background includes relevant past studies and theories which are used to introduce the study, before finally specifying research aims and predictions. A funnel technique is used starting with broad theories and steadily narrowing down to the specific study

Question 5

What is the purpose of the method?

Answer 5

It describes how the study was carried was carried out in sufficient detail for someone else to be able to replicate it. This enables use to check for internal and external validity, confounding variables, demand characteristics and sampling errors

Question 6

What are the four sub sections of the method?

Answer 6

1. Design- method used, type of design, number of groups or conditions, detail of the variables and any controls needed
2. Participants- sample including number, gender, age and the sampling technique used
3. Apparatus/materials- materials used e.g questionnaire, stimulus material, information sheet with consent form and standardised instructions
4. Procedure- how the study was carried out step by step, how the participants were allocated, instructions used and how the data was collected

Question 7

What is the purpose of the results?

Answer 7

Summarise the findings of the research clearly and accurately. There is normally a section on descriptive statistics and inferential statistics

Question 8

What are descriptive statistics?

Answer 8

Measures of central tendency and dispersion are shown clearly in labelled tables and graphs. The units of measurement should also be specified

Question 9

What are inferential statistics?

Answer 9

Reasons for selecting a particular statistical test are given followed by analysis of whether the null hypothesis can be rejected or accepted

Question 10

What is the purpose of the discussion?

Answer 10

It explains what the results mean

Question 11

What are the four sections of the discussion?

Answer 11

1. Explanation of the findings- key findings that relate to the aims and hypothesis. All findings should be presented plus an explanation of what the findings show and a possible explanation of why they occur
2. Relationship to background research- include any differences in the findings from previous studies
3. Limitations and modifications- possible errors in the study and possible ways of rectifying the faults
4. Implications and suggestions for future research- further research studies are suggested based on the findings of the current study. Implications and applications (how the study can be used) are discussed

Question 12

What is the purpose of the references?

Answer 12

Information on sources of information used in the report shown in alphabetical orders. E.g textbooks, websites and journals

Question 13

What is the purpose of the appendices?

Answer 13

Used for detailed information not in the main body of the report. E.g all raw data, examples of questionnaires, diary entries and observation schedule sheets if applicable