Reporting psychological investigations

Question 1

Lab report format

Answer 1

Abstract
Introduction 
Method 
Results 
Discussion 
References

Question 2

outline the abstract

Answer 2

written last as it summarises info from all sections of the report (minus references)

provides a concise and comprehensive summary of a research report

outlines the studies contribution to knowledge within the literature

Question 3

What does the intro contain?

Answer 3

the broader topic
the theoretical framework
summarise previous studies
hypothesis

Question 4

What does the method include?

Answer 4

Participants
Design
Materials
Procedure

Question 5

What do the results include?

Answer 5

Present the descriptive statistics followed by inferential statistics
Name the statical test being used

Question 6

What does the discussion include?

Answer 6

Outline the findings (avoiding statistical jargon)
Supports of rejects hypothesis
Compare results to background from the intro section
How confident can we be in results?
Suggest ways to improve study
Implications of findings
Suggest an idea for further research triggered by your study
Concluding paragraph

Question 7

What is the importance of referencing?

Answer 7

enables readers to track down the sources used

to give credit to other researchers/acknowledge their ideas

can avoid plagiarism.

Question 8

How to reference a book?

Answer 8

Surname, Initial. (Year). Title. Place of publication, Publisher

Question 9

How to reference a journal?

Answer 9

Surname, Initial. (Year). Title. Journal title, volume and issue