PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH REPORTS


~ABSTRACT~

  • First section in journal

  • Short summary (150-200 words)

  • Includes aim/hypothesis, procedure, results & conclusion


~INTRODUCTION~

  • A literature review of the general area of investigation: relevant theories, concepts & studies

  • Should follow logical progression: begin broadly, then become more specific until mentioning the aims and hypothesis


~METHOD~

  • Design is clearly stated (independent groups etc)

  • Sample: info regarding pps involved in the study, number of pps, biological and demographic info of pps, sampling methods, target population

  • Assessment instruments used

  • Recipe style list of everything that happens in the investigation, from beginning to end (e.g. briefing, standardised instructions & debriefing)

  • An explanation of how ethics were addressed within the study


~RESULTS~

  • Summary of key findings from the investigations

  • Descriptive statistics

  • Inferential statistics (e.g. choice of statistical test, critical values, level of significance)

  • Raw data appears in the appendix


~DISCUSSION~

  • Summarise the findings in verbal rather than statistical form

  • Be mindful of limitations & discuss them

  • Suggest how these limitations can be addressed in future research

  • Wider implications on the research - what contribution the investigation has made to the existing knowledge-base within the field


~REFERENCES~

  • Full details of any source material that the researcher drew upon or cited in the report

  • Includes journal articles, books, websites etc