week 1 PTTR (writing an APA report)

Question 1

What are the 3 basic things that a research report intends to show?

Answer 1

1. What was done/method
2. What was found/results
3. How your study is related to other knowledge in the area

Question 2

what is the publication manual?

Answer 2

• the publication manual provides guidance of how to write a research manuscript and report
• its goal is to establish a standardised style of reserch reports so that information is easily accessible to readers

Question 3

what tense should you use in a research report?

Answer 3

• when discussing past events that occured a specific time use the past tense (they demonstrated)
• if the event did not occur at a specific time or is continued into the present use the present perfect tense (e.g several studies have demonstrated)
• when you present your results always use the past tense
• when discussing your conclusions switch to the present tense (e.g this data suggests)

Question 4

what is the citation?

Answer 4

• a citation identifies the author and year of publication in order for the reader to locate the full reference in the reference list

Question 5

what are the sections of a research report?

Answer 5

Title Page: Title, author’s name and affiliation, and the author note. Page 1.

Abstract: A brief summary of the research report. Page 2.

Text: This is the body of the research report (containing four sections: introduction,
method, results, and discussion) beginning on page 3.

References: Listed together, starting on a new page.

Tables: Each table starts on a new page.

Figures: Each figure starts on a new page and includes a caption on the same page.

Appendices (if any): Each appendix starts on a new page

Question 6

What are general rules when writing a title?

Answer 6

• no more than 12 words long
• avoids unnessercary words (e.g a study of, or the relationship between)
• if possible the first word should be of special relavence to the contents of your paper
• avoid cute or catchy titles

Question 7

What are rules for listing authors?

Answer 7

1. you write the authors name followed by the institution (without the words by or from)
2. The authors are listed in order of contribution
3. An authors note is included

Question 8

What does an authors note include?

Answer 8

information about the authors such as:

• departmental affiliation
• sources of financial support
• identification of contact person for further information

Question 9

what is an abstract and what should it include?

Answer 9

• a conscice summary of the paper that focuses on what was done and what was found

it should include the following elements:

1. A one-sentence statement of the problem or research question
2. A brief description of the subjects or participants (identifying how many and any relevant characteristics)
3. A brief description of the research method and procedures
4. A report of the results
5. A statement about the conclusions or implications

Question 10

what are the components of an introduction?

Answer 10

1. a general introduction of the topic investigated and why it is important
2. A review of the relavent literature leading to…
3. the specific hypothesis or research question that the study addresses
4. the research strategy that was used to evaluate your hypothesis

Question 11

what are the two main subsections of the methods section?

Answer 11

participants and procedure

Question 12

what must be included in the participants subsection of the methods in non-human animals?

Answer 12

1. number of animals
2. their species
3. their supplier
4. how they were treated and handled
5. Their specific characteristics including sex weight and age

Question 13

what must be included in the participants subsection of the method in humans?

Answer 13

1. The number of participants
2. The eligibility and exclusion criteria
3. basic demographics including age, gender and ethnicity
4. any other characteristics relavent to the study

Question 14

what must the procedure subsection of the method include?

Answer 14

1. selection procedures
2. setting and location of the study
3. any payments made to participants
4. ethical standards met
5. methods used to divide and assign participants into groups/conditions
6. description of instructions given to participants
7. the research design
8. any experimental method or manipulation
9. any apparatus or materials that were used

Question 15

how should reports of statistical significance be written?

Answer 15

Reports of statistical significance should be made in a statement that identifies (1)
the type of test used, (2) the degrees of freedom, (3) the outcome of the test, (4) the level
of significance, and (5) the size and direction of the effect

Question 16

what is an appendix for?

Answer 16

a means of presenting detailed information that is useful
but would interrupt the flow of text if it was presented in the body of the paper

Question 17

what are the differences in contents between a research proposal and a research report?

Answer 17

1. An abstract is optional in a research proposal.
2. The literature review in the introduction is typically more extensive than the review in
   a research report.
3. The results and discussion sections are typically replaced either by a combined
   Results/Discussion section, or a section entitled Expected Results and Statistical
   Analysis or Data Analysis and Expected Results.