U2: Report writing Flashcards
What is the purpose of a psychological report?
To convey information clearly, precisely, efficiently, and concisely
Psychological reports follow specific conventions to achieve clarity and organization.
What is included in the title section of a report?
It tells the reader what the report is about
The title should mirror the aim of the study and start with ‘an investigation into…’
What is the function of the abstract in a report?
To provide a summary of the study
The abstract should be 150-200 words summarizing the research question, method, findings, and conclusion.
What key components should be included in an abstract?
- Aim
- Hypothesis
- Sample
- Procedure
- Results
- Conclusions
Each component should be outlined in approximately one sentence.
What is the purpose of the introduction section?
To introduce the background and rationale of the study
It evaluates past studies and theories relevant to the research question.
What should follow the introduction in a report?
The aim and hypotheses
These should be clearly formed based on the information provided in the introduction.
What does the method section describe?
How the study was conducted
It must have enough detail to allow replication of the study.
What are the subsections of the method section?
- Design
- Participants
- Materials/Apparatus
- Procedure
Each subsection provides specific details about the study’s methodology.
What information is provided in the design subsection?
A brief outline of the research method used, including design type and variables under investigation
Control measures are mentioned here as well.
What is described in the sample subsection?
Target population, number of participants, and selection method
This includes details like age range and gender.
What details are included in the materials/apparatus subsection?
Brief details of any materials used in the research
Examples include consent forms.
What should the procedure subsection describe?
How the study was conducted, including participant allocation and data collection
It should mention consent forms and standardized instructions.
What does the results section report?
The findings of the study clearly and accurately
It typically includes descriptive and inferential statistics.
What are the two sections typically found in the results section?
- Descriptive Statistics
- Inferential Statistics
Descriptive statistics often include measures of central tendency and dispersion.
What is the purpose of the discussion section?
To discuss the findings and their implications
It evaluates the current research and its relevance to previous theories.
What should the discussion section include?
- Summary of findings
- Exploration of explanations
- Evaluation of current research
- Practical applications
- Suggestions for future research
This section connects findings to previous knowledge and suggests further study.
What is the purpose of the references section?
To inform the reader about the sources of information
It helps avoid plagiarism by properly citing all referenced materials.
What is the Harvard referencing system?
A method for listing references alphabetically by author’s name
It includes author’s name, date, title, and page numbers.
What should be included in the appendices section?
Copies of all original material used during the research
This includes raw data tables and calculations from statistical tests.
