Reporting Psychological Investigations

Question 1

What is an Abstract?

Answer 1

• Summary of aims and hypothesis, method/procedure, results and conclusions - about 150 words

Question 2

What does the introduction consist of?

Answer 2

• Several studies summarised leading logically to the aim and hypothesis of the research

Question 3

What is the Method?

Answer 3

• Should provide enough detail for the study to be replicated, design, apparatus/materials, sample, procedure, ethics

Question 4

What is included in the results?

Answer 4

• Descriptive statistics e.g tables and graphs also Inferential statistics: statements about whether the hypothesis is accepted with reference to calculated and critical values

Question 5

What is the Discussion?

Answer 5

• Results verbally explained, limitations of study discussed, future suggestions and wider implications explained

Question 6

What does the Referencing consist of?

Answer 6

• Includes full details of any source material cited in the report
• Journal: author, date, article title, journal name (italics), volume, page numbers
• Book References: author, date, title (italics), places of publication, publisher
• Web References: source, title, weblink, data accessed