Writing a Psychology Research Paper

8/9/2019 Writing a Psychology Research Paper

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Systematic Approach to theSystematic Approach to theCritique of Research ReportsCritique of Research Reports


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Research reporting consists ofResearch reporting consists of

consists six (6) sections.consists six (6) sections.They are:They are: TitleTitle IntroductionIntroduction

Statement of the problemStatement of the problem Literature reviewLiterature review HypothesesHypotheses

MethodMethod ParticipantsParticipants ApparatusApparatus ProceduresProcedures

ResultsResults DiscussionDiscussion ReferencesReferences


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TitleTitle

The title should not be too long.The title should not be too long.

It should not be too shortIt should not be too short It should be 15 words or less.It should be 15 words or less.

It should accurately reflect what isIt should accurately reflect what ishappening in the paperhappening in the paper

It should be scientificIt should be scientific

It should be cantered on the pageIt should be cantered on the page


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AbstractAbstractIt should have at least one sentence in the following areas:It should have at least one sentence in the following areas:

IntroductionIntroduction

include a statement of the problem under investigationinclude a statement of the problem under investigation MethodMethod

pertinent characteristics of the participantspertinent characteristics of the participants

the experimental method, including tests and apparatus thatthe experimental method, including tests and apparatus thatwere used and data gathering procedureswere used and data gathering procedures

ResultResult the findingsthe findings

InterpretationInterpretation the conclusions and implications of the findingsthe conclusions and implications of the findings


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IntroductionIntroduction

Therefore it should contain the following:Therefore it should contain the following:

Broad opening statementBroad opening statement

Introduction of the problemIntroduction of the problem

Review of papersReview of papers

Review set up the hypothesesReview set up the hypotheses Brief description of the present researchBrief description of the present research

Workable HypothesesWorkable Hypotheses


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Method

Method

This section is broken down into threeThis section is broken down into threesections:sections:


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ParticipantsP

articipantsAppropriate identification of research participants and clientele isAppropriate identification of research participants and clientele iscritical to the sciencecritical to the science and practice of psychology, particularly forand practice of psychology, particularly for

assessing the resultsassessing the results making comparisons across groupsmaking comparisons across groups generalizing the findingsgeneralizing the findings making comparisons in replicationsmaking comparisons in replications literature reviewsliterature reviews secondary data analyses.secondary data analyses.

There are two categoriesThere are two categories

HumansHumans Nonhumans/SubjectsNonhumans/Subjects


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Humans

Humans

report the procedures for selecting andreport the procedures for selecting andassigning them and the agreements andassigning them and the agreements andpayments madepayments made


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Nonhuman

Nonhuman

report the:report the: GenusGenus

SpeciesSpecies strain numberstrain number

or other specific identification, such asor other specific identification, such as

the namethe name location of the supplierlocation of the supplier the stock designation.the stock designation.


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ApparatusApparatus If the only equipment you used is paper, pencils,If the only equipment you used is paper, pencils,

and a stopwatch, it is better to include thisand a stopwatch, it is better to include this

information in the procedure subsection than ininformation in the procedure subsection than ina separate apparatus section.a separate apparatus section.

The headingThe heading MaterialsMaterials is used when lessis used when lessmechanical instruments, such as a papermechanical instruments, such as a paper--andand--

pencil questionnaire, have been constructed orpencil questionnaire, have been constructed orused.used.


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ProceduresP

rocedures In this subsection you describe what happenedIn this subsection you describe what happened

from the beginning to the end of the sessions infrom the beginning to the end of the sessions in

which you tested your participants.which you tested your participants. The organization of the procedure subsection isThe organization of the procedure subsection is

usually chronological.usually chronological.

You should begin writing this subsection byYou should begin writing this subsection by

outlining the important steps in testingoutlining the important steps in testingparticipants in each group of your study.participants in each group of your study.


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Next you can either describe the procedure forNext you can either describe the procedure foreach group in turn or describe the procedureseach group in turn or describe the procedures

common to all groups and then point out thecommon to all groups and then point out thedistinguishing features of each groupdistinguishing features of each group

The instructions given to participants should beThe instructions given to participants should be

presented in paraphrase form unless they definepresented in paraphrase form unless they definean experimental manipulation, in which casean experimental manipulation, in which casethey should be reported verbatimthey should be reported verbatim

Procedures cont.P

rocedures cont.


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ResultsResultsSix step to writing up your resultsSix step to writing up your results1.1. State the purpose of the analysis.State the purpose of the analysis.2.2. Identify the descriptive statistic to be used to summarize results.Identify the descriptive statistic to be used to summarize results.

3.3. Present a summary of this descriptive statistic across conditions inPresent a summary of this descriptive statistic across conditions inthe text itself, in a table, or in a figure.the text itself, in a table, or in a figure.4.4. If a table or figure is used, point out the major findings on whichIf a table or figure is used, point out the major findings on which

the reader should focus.the reader should focus.5.5. Present the reasons for, and the results of, inferential statisticsPresent the reasons for, and the results of, inferential statistics

tests.tests.6.6. State the conclusion that follows from each test, but do notState the conclusion that follows from each test, but do not

discuss implications. These belong in the discussion section.discuss implications. These belong in the discussion section.


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Reporting Statistics

Reporting Statistics

First, briefly state the main results or findings.First, briefly state the main results or findings.Discussing the implications of the results is notDiscussing the implications of the results is not

appropriate here.appropriate here. Mention all relevant results, including those thatMention all relevant results, including those that

run counter to the hypothesis. Do not includerun counter to the hypothesis. Do not includeindividual raw scores or raw data, with theindividual raw scores or raw data, with the

exception, for example, of singleexception, for example, of single--case designs orcase designs orillustrative samples.illustrative samples.


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Reporting Statisticscont.

Reporting Statisticscont.

Three pieces of information should always beThree pieces of information should always bereporter on when using inferential statistics:reporter on when using inferential statistics:

The name of the testThe name of the test The degree of freedomThe degree of freedom The value of the test statisticThe value of the test statistic

It can be displayed as follows:It can be displayed as follows: "The overall effect of the drug variable was"The overall effect of the drug variable was

statistically significant,statistically significant, F(3, 64) = 7.15, p =F(3, 64) = 7.15, p =.0005..0005.


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Rules fordisplayingtables

Rules fordisplayingtables

TheThe tablestables in your paper should bein your paper should be

Numbered consecutively (use arabic numerals) so theyNumbered consecutively (use arabic numerals) so theycan be referred to easily in the text by their numbers.can be referred to easily in the text by their numbers.

Each table should also have a brief explanatory title, andEach table should also have a brief explanatory title, andthe columns and rows of the table should be labeledthe columns and rows of the table should be labeledclearly.clearly.

The data entries in the table should all be reported toThe data entries in the table should all be reported to

the same degree of precision (that is, all values shouldthe same degree of precision (that is, all values shouldhave the same number of decimal places)have the same number of decimal places)

The values should be consistently aligned with theThe values should be consistently aligned with thecorresponding row and column headings.corresponding row and column headings.


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DiscussionDiscussionThe heading should be centredThe heading should be centred

This section should consist of six (6) elementsThis section should consist of six (6) elements

Recap of the resultsRecap of the results

Say if the hypotheses were metSay if the hypotheses were met

Explain what results meanExplain what results mean

Compare the findings to previous researchCompare the findings to previous research Relevant limitationsRelevant limitations

Future researchFuture research


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ReferencesReferences The first line of each entry should be outThe first line of each entry should be out

denteddented

It should be in alphabetical orderIt should be in alphabetical order

It should start with the last name of theIt should start with the last name of theauthor followed by the Initials, then theauthor followed by the Initials, then the

date, title of the article and the name ofdate, title of the article and the name ofthe book.the book.

Writing a Psychology Research Paper

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