SELF REPORTS- PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORTS

Question 1

A report contains:

Answer 1

-Abstract
-Introduction
-Method (design, ps, apparatus/materials, procedure)
-Results
-Discussion
-Appendices

Question 2

Purpose of a report

Answer 2

Psychologists can show case their findings of important ground-breaking research.
It is important for psychologists to detail all their ingredients used from materials to results.
Other psychologists can replicate studies from reports.

Question 3

Abstract

Answer 3

Written at the end of research. Written at last stage of report writing process.
It is a summary of the entire investigation you have conducted, includes few sentences for each of sections.
Maximum 200 words.

Question 4

Introduction

Answer 4

Sets scene for reader, contains relevant background theory and studies written in a logical manner to put aim of your investigation back into context.
This part of report needs to convince reader of importance of your research. Should follow steps:
-start with general theory, brief introduction to topic.
-narrow down to specific relevant theory and research.
-write paragraph explaining what you plan to investigate and why, aim and research question.

Question 5

Method

Answer 5

Requires your to be thorough, so anyone who wishes to replicate can follow step-by-step process of what you’ve done.
D- DESIGN (e.g structured interview)
A- Apparatus/ Materials (e.g questionnaire)
P- Participants (e.g 30 men aged 30-40 from Garforth)
P- Procedure (e.g what you actually did)
Results are also included in your method.

Question 6

Method continued…

Answer 6

Sample- who are the ps, how many, how were they obtained i.e opportunity sample.
Materials- i.e paper, pen, questionnaires.
Procedure- State exactly what you did and how, include times, dates and places relevant.
Results- Give summarised account of data collected, can use graph, chart etc… for closed questions.

Question 7

Discussion

Answer 7

Overall conclusion of your research.
Includes;
-Explanation of results
-Link back and comparing to background studies mentioned in intro, are results similar to prev research?
-Highlight strengths & weaknesses of study, mention modifications to study if you were to conduct again.
-Provide overall conclusion in conduction of study.

Question 8

Appendices

Answer 8

Largest section of report.
Include copy of your questionnaire (for example) when submitting report.
Contains;
-Consent form copy of one given to ps.
-Standardised instructions, script like document illustrating experiences of all ps in each condition.
-Ethics sheet, outlines ethical issues that will not be breached.
-Materials, word lists used in memory experiment, powerpoint slides etc…
-Raw data, form of tables illustrating conditions results for each ps.
-Statistical analysis, calculations conducted on data appear here.