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.
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2
Q

Structure of a Psychological Report

A
  1. Title: A concise statement of the study’s focus.
  2. Abstract: A brief summary (150-250 words) including the aim, method, results, and conclusion.
  3. Introduction:
    o Background information and context.
    o Literature review and theoretical framework.
    o Research question and hypotheses.
  4. 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.
  5. Results:
    o Presentation of findings (use of tables, graphs).
    o Statistical analysis and significance levels.
    o Narrative description of the data.
  6. 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.
  7. Conclusion: Summary of key findings and their significance.
  8. References: List of all sources cited in the report, formatted in the appropriate style (e.g., APA, Harvard).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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8
Q

Future Research Directions

A
  • 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.
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9
Q
A
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