Research Methods- Reporting Psychological Investigations

Question 1

Abstract:

Answer 1

One or two paragraphs at the start of the scientific report act as a summary of the report. Abstracts are likely to include the aim and the tested research hypothesis, give details about how the researcher conducted the study (method), who took part (sample), and tell the reader the major results and conclusions.

Question 2

What influence do Abstracts have on the research process ?

Answer 2

Abstracts speed up the research process.

Researchers planning their studies conduct a literature review, which is reading a wide range of papers related to their planned study.

Question 3

Abstracts allow the researcher to…

Answer 3

identify if the article is relevant and if they should read the report in full or not.

Question 4

Introduction:

Answer 4

This acts as a guide to the academic background of the current study, acting as a justification for why the current research is being conducted. The introduction will explain the aim and give the hypothesis.

Question 5

Method:

Answer 5

A complete guide outlining in detail how the research was conducted. This level of detail allows other researchers to see the research has been conducted carefully, but also, a detailed method section gives other researchers the ability to replicate the study exactly and see if they get the same results

Question 6

Methods…
Design:

Answer 6

Outlines factors the researcher has chosen in how to conduct the study

E.g:
What research method was chosen?

For example, a lab experiment or an observation?

What design?

If a lab study, the choice of independent groups or repeated measures, if an observation, did the researcher decide to do a covert or overt observation?

Also, what are the levels of IV and DV?

Are there controls in place, e.g. counterbalancing.

Question 7

Methods…
Participants:

Answer 7

The number of participants used, sampling techniques (e.g. opportunity, systematic) and target population the sample was taken from (e.g. age range).

Question 8

Methods…
Materials:

Answer 8

Physical equipment needed to conduct the study (e.g. hidden cameras, EEG monitors), also paper resources like questionnaires, photographs and word lists

Question 9

Methods…
Procedure:

Answer 9

A step-by-step guide on how to actually conduct the study; this can include standardised procedures, such as scripts to be read to all participants.

Question 10

Results:

Answer 10

Summarises the data collected in the research study. There will be tables of descriptive statistics (measures of central tendency and distribution). Key figures will be displayed on appropriate graphs.

Question 11

Statistical tests:

Answer 11

Statistical tests will be performed on the data to see if the data collected passes the required level of significance.

Question 12

Discussion:

Answer 12

Explains what the data analysis in the results section actually means, such as should the alternate/research hypothesis be accepted? What does this finding support or counter previous research? and what are other potential implications of these results? Does this research create interesting new questions that could be investigated with future research?

Question 13

What stage is an opportunity for criticism ?

Answer 13

The discussion is also an opportunity for the researcher to criticise their own research, identifying potential extraneous variables.

Question 14

Referencing section:

Answer 14

An alphabetical list (using surnames) of the research studies that were used to inform the current research.

• This provides credit for other researchers’ ideas (avoiding claims of plagiarism)
• Helps future researchers to identify the author’s sources and find related studies.