GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A RESEARCH REPORT
TITLE PAGE
The title should be concise and indicate the general research problem. It should also identify the important variables under investigation and give a clue about the methods used.
Authors name and affiliation.
Running head: An abbreviation of the title, using key words.
ABSTRACT
An abstract should provide a brief, comprehensive summary of the contents of the article.
According to the APA publication manual, the length of an abstract for an empirical study should be 100-150 words; for a review article, 75-100 words.
The following information should be included:
1) problem investigated
2) subjects used
3) name of apparatus IF important aspect of the experiment
4) indication of experimental procedure
5) statement of major results and whether they were statistically significant
6) major conclusions of experiment (IF space permits)
INTRODUCTION
The title appears centered at the top of the page. The word "Introduction" is NOT used.
The purpose of the introduction is to first provide a general conception of the research problem in a broad context, and then to narrow the focus to more specific research questions relevant to the particular study. Finally, the hypothesis tested should be stated precisely.
This progression involves an analysis of previous relevant research, a discussion of alternative theories, and a concise summary of the present knowledge about the area. Cite specific studies which contributed to this knowledge. Develop the rationale for the present study by showing how it evolved from previous research in that area. Specifically state the experimental question.
METHODS
If written properly, this section allows the reader to replicate the experimental conditions. All of the relevant details of the procedures should be clearly and concisely elaborated.
The Method section is typically subdivided into subsections entitled Subjects, Apparatus (or Materials), Procedures.
· Under the Subjects section, all of the relevant characteristics of the subjects should be included, such as: species (and strain), sex, how many, how assigned to groups, prior experience that could influence results.
· Under Apparatus, identify the equipment and supplies used. This includes drugs (companies) testing chambers (model numbers, companies).
· In the Procedures section, the research design should be discussed. Provide a concise description of what happened to the subjects. While it need not be specifically stated, it should be clear from your procedures what the independent and dependent variables were.
The subtitle Method should be centered; the subsection headings should be flush with the left margin.
RESULTS
This section should clearly describe the data, but NOT interpret or discuss it. The description should be complete enough to allow the reader to examine the data in any way she/he wishes.
Tables and figures may be used to illustrate the data in a clear and concise way. Results of statistical analysis should also be presented here.
DISCUSSION
In this section, the experimenter interprets and discusses the results. You may discuss the results in relation to alternative or conflicting reports from other researchers. You should summarize the present state of knowledge about the area with the added information from the current study. Finally you may discuss the implications of your findings for further theorizing and research in the area.
Do NOT start a new page for either the results or discussion sections. The headings should be centered.
REFERENCES
The reference page does start on a new page. ALL references cited in the text must be listed on the reference page and vice versa.
References should be listed in alphabetical order.
Use the following format for journal articles:
Goodwin, A.K., Pynnonen, D.M. and Baker, L.E. (2003) Serotonergic-dopaminergic mediation of MDMA’s discriminative stimulus effects in a three-choice discrimination. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior. 74: 987-995.
WRITING STYLE GUIDELINES
I. Present ideas in an orderly and logical fashion
Each paragraph should begin with a general statement that is followed by specific supporting statements. Jumping from one distinct idea to another confuses the reader.
Use of transition words helps maintain continuity.
Some transition devices are time links (then, next, after), cause-effect links (therefore, consequently, as a result), addition links (in addition, moreover, furthermore, similarly) and contrast links (however, conversely, nevertheless, although, whereas).
II. Economy of Expression -- use of concise statements
For example:
Many of the symptoms, neuropathological and behavioral, that prevail in Alzheimers' Disease, also occur in normal aging to a lesser degree.
More concise:
Many of the neuropathological and behavioral symptoms associated with Alzheimers' Disease are a part of the normal aging process.
III. Word choice: Avoid ambiguity, use precision and clarity.
Avoid colloquial expressions (e.g. "write up" as opposed to "report")
Provide specific referents for pronouns (e.g. this test, that trial, these subjects, those reports)
Do NOT omit key verbs (e.g. The sentence "Ten-year-olds were more likely to play with age peers than 8-year-olds." is ambiguous.)
Do NOT attribute human functions to nonhuman sources (e.g. "This experiment attempted to demonstrate...")
IV. Use proper grammar
Some common errors:
Active vs. passive voice
poor: An experiment was conducted by Jones and Smith (2002).
better: Jones and Smith (2002) conducted an experiment...
Verb tense (when to use past, present, present perfect)
Use past tense to express an action or condition that occurred at a specific, definite
time in the past.
incorrect: Smith (1999) demonstrates similar results.
correct: Smith (1999) demonstrated similar results.
Use present perfect tense to express a past action or condition that did not occur at a specific, definite time or an action beginning in the past and continuing to the present.
incorrect: Since 1998, a number of investigators used this procedure.
correct: Since 1998, a number of investigators have used this procedure.
Use present tense to define terms....
e.g. Anorexia nervosa refers to...
e.g. Alzheimers' Disease is characterized by...
to state a hypothesis...
e.g. The dopamine depletion hypothesis suggests that....
or discuss current implications of the results....
e.g. These results support the hypothesis.....
Do not mix verb tense within a sentence or paragraph. Be consistent.
Subject-Verb Agreement
A verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject.
Common errors:
incorrect: The data supports the hypothesis..
correct: The data support the hypothesis..
incorrect: The phenomena occurs...
correct: The phenomena occur...
The APA publication manual provides many more examples on subject-verb agreement, such as the use of collective nouns in singular versus plural context.
V. Strategies to Improve Writing Style
Write an outline first, which identifies the main ideas and preserves the logical order.
Put the first draft aside, reread it later.
Ask another student or your instructor to read your first draft.
Write many drafts, if needed.
Always proofread your final draft.
For further information on how to write an effective research report, you may refer to either of the following references:
Rosnow, R.L. and Rosnow M. (1995) Writing Papers in Psychology. Brooks/Cole Publishing Company
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.
Psy 378 Research Reports
Grading Checklist
Name:___________________________________________ Total points:____________
I. APA FORMAT, ORGANIZATION AND GRAMMAR (10 POINTS)
______ Title, Abstract, Reference pages written according to proper APA format. (2)
______ Sections divided into Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion. (2)
______ All references properly cited, according to APA format. (2)
______ Clear, logical and coherent presentation of ideas. (2)
______ Proper grammar throughout the paper. (2)
Between 3 and 5 grammatical errors, 1 point
More than 5 grammatical errors, 0 points
II. INTRODUCTION (10 POINTS)
______ Relevant background information is discussed and cited. (6.)
______ The main purpose (objective) of the study is clearly stated. (4)
III. METHODS (10 POINTS)
______ Subject characteristics are clearly described. (2)
______ The apparatus or materials used are summarized. (2)
______ The procedures are clearly described. (4)
______ The independent and dependent variables are accurately described. (2)
IV. RESULTS (10 POINTS)
______ The major results of the study are accurately and concisely described. (6)
______ Figures or tables are included to illustrate results. (4)
V. DISCUSSION (10 POINTS)
______ An interpretation of the results is clearly and accurately stated. (4)
______ Methodological problems are discussed. (4)
______ Suggestions for future experiments are discussed. (2)