Reporting psychological investigations Flashcards
1
Q
Importance of Reporting Psychological Investigations
A
- Purpose: To communicate research findings clearly and accurately to the scientific community and the public.
- Benefits:
o Enhances the credibility of the research.
o Allows for replication and validation of results.
o Contributes to the body of knowledge in psychology.
2
Q
Structure of a Psychological Report
A
- Title: A concise statement of the study’s focus.
- Abstract: A brief summary (150-250 words) including the aim, method, results, and conclusion.
- Introduction:
o Background information and context.
o Literature review and theoretical framework.
o Research question and hypotheses. - Method:
o Participants: Description of the sample (size, characteristics, selection method).
o Design: Type of study (e.g., experimental, observational, qualitative).
o Materials: Tools and instruments used (questionnaires, equipment).
o Procedure: Step-by-step description of how the study was conducted, including ethical considerations. - Results:
o Presentation of findings (use of tables, graphs).
o Statistical analysis and significance levels.
o Narrative description of the data. - Discussion:
o Interpretation of results in relation to hypotheses.
o Comparison with previous research.
o Implications of findings and limitations of the study.
o Suggestions for future research. - Conclusion: Summary of key findings and their significance.
- References: List of all sources cited in the report, formatted in the appropriate style (e.g., APA, Harvard).
3
Q
Writing Style and Clarity
A
- Clarity: Use clear and concise language to convey complex ideas.
- Objectivity: Avoid personal bias; focus on data and evidence.
- Structure: Use headings and subheadings to organize content for easy navigation.
- Terminology: Use appropriate psychological terms and ensure definitions are provided for clarity.
4
Q
Ethical Considerations in Reporting
A
- Informed Consent: Ensure participants are fully informed about the study and provide consent.
- Confidentiality: Protect the privacy of participants by anonymizing data.
- Debriefing: Provide participants with information about the study after completion, including the purpose and results.
5
Q
Statistical Reporting
A
- Descriptive Statistics: Present means, medians, modes, ranges, and standard deviations.
- Inferential Statistics: Report test statistics (e.g., t-value, F-value) and p-values for significance.
- Effect Sizes: Include measures of effect size (e.g., Cohen’s d) to convey the strength of relationships.
6
Q
Example of Results Reporting
A
- Example Format: “A t-test was conducted to compare the mean scores of Group A (M = 20.5, SD = 3.2) and Group B (M = 25.3, SD = 4.1). There was a significant difference between the groups, t(48) = -4.56, p < 0.001, indicating that Group A performed significantly worse than Group B.”
7
Q
Limitations of the Study
A
- Internal Validity: Discuss potential confounding variables and their impact on results.
- External Validity: Consider the generalizability of the findings to other populations or settings.
- Sample Size: Note any limitations related to the number of participants and their characteristics.
8
Q
Future Research Directions
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- Suggest areas for further investigation based on the findings and limitations of the study.
- Discuss potential modifications to the methodology to address issues encountered in the current study.
9
Q
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