Reporting Psychological Investigations Flashcards
What must you be able to do in each section of a scientific report?
Define
Describe/ Explain each
Produce a write up of each
How many sections in a scientific report are there? Name them.
6:
Abstract
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
Referencing
Define Abstract
This includes the key details of the research report.
It is the first section of a journal article
Is a short summary
Psychologists read this to identify what studies are worthy of further examination.
Describe what goes in Abstract
150- 200 words
Main elements of research:
Aims
Hypothesis
Procedure
Results
Conclusion
(APFC)
Define Introduction
Looking at past research on a similar topic
A ‘funnel’ = broad at the start put more specific as it progresses
Explain what should go in an introduction
Aims x hypothesis
Starts: with lit review
Theories
Concepts
Studies related to current study
Ends: specific
Extremely similar research
It’s own aim x hypothesis
Define Method
A description of what the researcher DID
Methods split into subsections for greater detail
And so other researchers can exactly replicate their study
Explain what should go into Method
5 things…
Design:
Experiment or observation
Lab or naturalistic
IG, RM, MP
Sample:
Demographic Info on people involved, how many, age gender education etc=+ anonymous
Apparatus:
Details on materials.
E.g. laptop size, model make, angle x brightness of screen etc
Procedure:
Step-by-step desc of what happened
Literal record of all things said x briefing, instructions etc for replication.
Ethics
Consideration x how they were addressed
and reasons for these choices
Describe Results
A summary of key findings
Explain what should go into Results
Descriptive Stats:
tables, graphs, charts, measure of central tendency/ dispersion
Inferential stats:
Choice of stat test
Calc x critical value
Level of significance
Which hyp accepted
Raw data
What Qualitative methods were used and any analysis of categories
Define Discussion
Consideration of research results
An evaluation of your study
Explain what should go into Discussion
Results
Intro
Limitations
How to address this
Wider, real world implications
Any contribution to knowledge
Describe Referencing
Details on used scources prevents plagiarising
+ check they have been used correctly
Explain what should go into Referencing
Journals
Articles
Books
Websites
What are the 2 types of Referencing?
Journal Article Reference
Book Reference
