reporting psychological investigations

Question 1

Sections of a scientific report…

Answer 1

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Method / results
4. Discussion
5. Reference

Question 2

What is a psychological report?

Answer 2

• pieces of research carried out by psychologists
• detailed reports published in psychological journals
• are split into 5 sections

Question 3

What is the purpose of an ABSTRACT?

Answer 3

• allows the reader (psychologist/student) to gain an overview of the study
• helps them decide if they want to read on

Question 4

What goes in an ABSTRACT?

Answer 4

• a summary of the study covering: aims, hypothesis, method, results and conclusions
• first part of a psychological report
• single paragraph of 150-250 words

Question 5

What is the purpose of an INTRODUCTION?

Answer 5

• gives background on relevant theories/studies
• explains how aims and hypothesis are developed

Question 6

What goes in an INTRODUCTION?

Answer 6

• links are made with previous research
• is made clear how the current research will add to previous research
• ends with the aims and hypotheses of the research

Question 7

What is the purpose of a METHOD?

Answer 7

• a step by step guide
• gives a detailed description of what the researcher did
• should provide enough detail for replication of the study

Question 8

What goes in a METHOD?

Answer 8

S - sampling method - how many took part and info about ppts (e.g. age, gender)

P - procedure - exact order of events including any standardised instructions

E - equipment - details of any materials and apparatus

E - ethics - significant ethical issues may be mentioned and how they were dealt with

D - design - e.g. repeated measures or covert and they should be justified

Question 9

What is the purpose of RESULTS?

Answer 9

• present an overall summary of findings to reader
• rather than reviewing the raw data

Question 10

What goes in the RESULTS section?

Answer 10

• Descriptive statistics: tables and graphs showing frequencies and measures of central tendency and dispersion
• Inferential statistics: stats tests are reported and calculated values and significance levels are detailed
• for qualitative data categories/themes are described and examples are given

Question 11

What is the purpose of the DISCUSSION section?

Answer 11

• discuss findings
• suggest possible uses and future areas of research

Question 12

What goes in a DISCUSSION section?

Answer 12

• Summary of results - written description of statistical results focusing on if the hypothesis was supported - results from table/graph discussed and any atypical data
• Compare with other results - explain whether findings support results of the studies in the introduction
• Limitations & modifications - evaluate present research methods and procedures - explain how could be improved if repeated - acknowledge problems
• Implications & future research - explain how findings could be used and any potential follow up studies

Question 13

What is the purpose of a REFERENCE?

Answer 13

• give details of any other articles or books
• mentioned in the research

Question 14

How to write a REFERENCE…

Answer 14

• Referencing an article:
  Author name - date - title of article, journal title, volume, issue number, page numbers.
• Referencing a book:
  Author’s last name, first initial (date). Title of book. Place of publication: Publisher