Reporting Psychological Investigations

Describe what an abstract is, and what it must include?

The first section in a journal article- a short summary of around 150-200 words long, with key details of the report including major elements.

• Aim

• Hypothesis

• Method

• Procedure

• Results

• Conclusions

This is what a psychologist may skim when researching a particular topic.

Describe what an introduction should include?

This is a literature review into the general area of research detailing relevant theories, concepts and studies that are related to the study.

• The research review should follow a logical progression.

  • Beginning broad and gradually becoming more specific.

Describe what a method should include?

It is split into several subsections, which should be in enough detail so that others are able to replicate the study.

• THE DESIGN: The design is clearly stated (e.g: independent groups and justification)

• THE SAMPLE: Information related to the people involved in the study (e.g: demographic information, sampling method and target population)

• THE MATERIALS: Details of any instruments, assessments or other materials used.

• THE PROCEDURE: A ‘recipe-style’ list of everything that happens in the study from beginning to end (briefing, standardised instructions, and debriefing)

• ETHICS: An explanation of how these were addressed within the study.

Describe what results should include?

A summary of the investigation, which is likely to include descriptive statistics such as tables, graphs, charts, measures of central tendency etc…

• Including choice of statical test, calculated and critical values, level of significance, and the final outcome

• If using qualitative data, then the analysis of themes and emerging categories would be included here.

Describe what the discussion should include?

Here, the researcher summarises the results in a less statistical form:

• Discuss the context of evidence presented

• Discuss the limitations of the research

• Discuss wider implications of the research; any real world applications and how this investigation has added to the field.

Describe what the references section should include?

Full details of any source material cited in the report.

References should follow a similar format:

• Author

• Date

• Article Title

• Journal or book title

• Volume

• Place of publication or publisher

• Page numbers

E.G:

Van Ijzendoorn, M.H. and Kroonenberg, P.M. (1988) Cross-cultural patterns of attachment: A meta-analysis of the Strange Situation. Child Development, 59, 147-56