RM - Reporting investigations

Question 1

What are the parts of a journal article?

Answer 1

Abstract
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
References

Question 2

What is the abstract part of an article?

Answer 2

A summary of the study covering the aims, hypothesis, the method (procedures), results and conclusions (including implications of the current study).

This is usually about 150-200 words in length and allows the reader to get a quick picture of the study and its results.

Question 3

What is the introduction part of an article?

Answer 3

It begins with a review of previous research (theories and studies), so the reader knows what other research has been done and understands the reasons for the current study.

The focus of this research review should lead logically to the study to be conducted so the reader is convinced of the reasons for this particular research.

The introduction should be like a funnel - starting broadly and narrowing down to the particular research hypothesis. The researcher states their aims, research prediction and/or hypothesis.

Question 4

What is the method part of an article?

Answer 4

This section contains a detailed description of what the researcher did, providing enough information for replication of the study.

• Design, e.g. ‘repeated measures’ or ‘covert observation’. Design decisions should be justified.
• Participants - Information about sampling methods and how many ppts took part and their details (e.g. age, job, etc.).
• Apparatus/materials - Descriptions of any materials used.
• Procedures, including standardised instructions, the testing environment, the order of events and so on.
• Ethics - Significant ethical issues may be mentioned, as well as how they were dealt with.

Question 5

What is the results part of an article?

Answer 5

Details are given about what the researcher found, including:

• Descriptive statistics - Tables and graphs showing frequencies and measures of central tendency and dispersion.
• Inferential statistics (statistical tests) are reported, including calculated values and significance level.
• In the case of qualitative research, categories and themes are described along with examples within these categories.

Question 6

What is the discussion part of an article?

Answer 6

In this section the researcher aims to interpret the results of the study and consider their implication for future research as well as suggesting real-world applications.

• Summary of the results - The results are reported in brief and some explanation given about what these results show.
• Relationship to previous research - The results of the study are discussed in relation to the research reported in the introduction and possibly other research not previously mentioned.
• Consideration of methodology - Criticisms may be made of the methods used in the study, and improvements suggested.
• Implications for psychological theory and possible real-world applications.
• Suggestions for future research.

Question 7

What is the references part of an article?

Answer 7

The full details of any journal articles or books that are mentioned in the research report are given.

The format for journal articles generally is: Author’s name(s), date, title of article, journal title and volume/issue number (in italics), page numbers.

If it is a book: Author’s name(s), date, title of book (in italics), place of publication, publisher.