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    Writing A Research Report

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    Fira Abelia
    This document provides guidance on writing a research report. It outlines the typical structure and components, including an abstract, introduction, methods, results, and discussion section. The introduction should begin broadly and introduce the research topic and its importance. It then narrows to the specific research gap being addressed and the current study. The methods section describes the research design, participants, materials, and procedure. The results section reports the data and key findings. Finally, the discussion section interprets the results, addresses limitations, and discusses implications and directions for future research. Justification for methodological choices should be provided throughout.

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    Writing A Research Report

    Uploaded by

    Fira Abelia
    51 views22 pages
    This document provides guidance on writing a research report. It outlines the typical structure and components, including an abstract, introduction, methods, results, and discussion section. The introduction should begin broadly and introduce the research topic and its importance. It then narrows to the specific research gap being addressed and the current study. The methods section describes the research design, participants, materials, and procedure. The results section reports the data and key findings. Finally, the discussion section interprets the results, addresses limitations, and discusses implications and directions for future research. Justification for methodological choices should be provided throughout.

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    This document provides guidance on writing a research report. It outlines the typical structure and components, including an abstract, introduction, methods, results, and discussion section. The introduction should begin broadly and introduce the research topic and its importance. It then narrows to the specific research gap being addressed and the current study. The methods section describes the research design, participants, materials, and procedure. The results section reports the data and key findings. Finally, the discussion section interprets the results, addresses limitations, and discusses implications and directions for future research. Justification for methodological choices should be provided throughout.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    51 views22 pages

    Writing A Research Report

    Uploaded by

    Fira Abelia
    This document provides guidance on writing a research report. It outlines the typical structure and components, including an abstract, introduction, methods, results, and discussion section. The introduction should begin broadly and introduce the research topic and its importance. It then narrows to the specific research gap being addressed and the current study. The methods section describes the research design, participants, materials, and procedure. The results section reports the data and key findings. Finally, the discussion section interprets the results, addresses limitations, and discusses implications and directions for future research. Justification for methodological choices should be provided throughout.

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    PSY 201

    Advanced Quantitative Methods 1


    Lecture 5
    How to Write a Research Report
    Flow of a Research Report
    Broad-Narrow-Broad Approach
    Introduction to the area
    • Introduction to broad topic; defining key
    terms Theory and
    past research
    • Narrows down to a specific research gap
    and research idea Your study

    • Provides details on how hypotheses Methods & Results


    were tested
    Your findings
    • Data is analysed and results reported Evaluations,
    limitations
    • Broad discussion on findings, limitations,
    implications, future research Implications and conclusions
    Components in a Research Report

    Main components of a research Essentials:


    report: • Title page (cover page)
    1. Abstract • References
    2. Introduction • Appendices (with SPSS output)
    3. Methods
    4. Results
    5. Discussion
    Abstract
    • A brief summary of the research report
    o In not more than 120 words

    • On a page of its own


    o Do NOT start the introduction on the same page

    • Content:
    o Aim of the study
    o Information about participants (quantity, relevant characteristics)
    o Design of study (specify IVs/SVs and levels; between-, within-, or mixed design)
    o Hypotheses (phrased as predictions)
    o Findings and whether hypotheses were supported
    o General conclusion and implications based on results
    Introduction
    • Set the scene/context for your research study
    o Convince your readers with evidence
    • Title – “Your research title”; don’t just write “Introduction”

    Literature
    Introduction Research Gap Current Study
    Review

    Rationale Definitions Theory

    Empirical Studies Research Gap


    Introduction
    Literature
    Introduction Research Gap Current Study
    Review

    • Introduce the area of study in general


    o Why is it important to study?
    o Cite relevant statistics or current events (ONLY if relevant)
    Introduction
    Literature
    Introduction Research Gap Current Study
    Review

    • The main body of the introduction


    • A review of the relevant past literature related
    • Clear outline of the theoretical framework
    o Explains hypothesized relationship between variables
    o Theory, models, explanatory mechanisms
    o The why and how – why something happens and how something works

    • Demonstrate critical appraisal


    o Critiquing past studies and identifying gaps
    o NOT a summary/compilation of literature
    Introduction
    Literature
    Introduction Research Gap Current Study
    Review

    • What has not been addressed in past literature?


    o Different “levels” of gaps – some demonstrate more critical thinking than others

    • NOTE: Culture, gender, age, methodology, etc.


    o Explain and justify the importance of addressing such factors

    • Mention only gaps that you intend to address


    Introduction
    Literature
    Introduction Research Gap Current Study
    Review

    • Clear research question(s) and hypotheses


    o Hypotheses must link to the research question(s) – does it answer it directly?

    • Clear conceptualization of your variables


    o Conceptual and operational definitions must be based on literature
    o MUST be aligned (ODs more relevant in methods)

    • Clear and logical link between RQ/hypotheses and past literature


    o Must be informed by theoretical framework

    • Anticipated theoretical and/or practical implications of current study


    o Persuade readers of your study’s value and contributions (based on findings)
    Methods
    • Should readers believe your study’s findings?
    • Inform readers of how hypotheses were tested
    o Be transparent with how data was collected
    • Four sections – in this order (MUST use these headers):

    Design Participants Materials Procedure


    Methods
    Design Participants Materials Procedure

    • Design – correlational, experimental, ex post facto, etc.; b-s, w-s, mixed

    • Identify variables and how they were measured (operational definitions)


    o What are the levels of the IVs/SVs and how are the IVs induced?
    o How is the DV measured?
    o Elaborate on deception (if applicable)

    • JUSTIFY
    o Justification is not explaining why your design is labelled as such
    o Readers should understand why you chose your design based on your RQ, aim, hypotheses,
    and variables (e.g. a between-subjects design was utilized to avoid practice effects)
    Methods
    Design Participants Materials Procedure

    • Include all relevant information about your participants


    o Sample size
    o Sampling technique
    o Demographic information (gender, age, source of sample)
    o Inclusion/exclusion criteria
    o Any other relevant characteristics

    • JUSTIFY
    o G*Power, previous literature, etc.
    o Link participant criteria to RQ, aim, hypotheses, variables, past literature
    o Reasons for inclusion/exclusion criteria
    Methods
    Design Participants Materials Procedure

    • Crucial materials used to run your research


    o Materials used to measure or manipulate variables
    o Tools, software, scales, stimuli, etc.

    • Characteristics of materials used


    o Type of stimuli
    o Scales used (no. of items, no. of points in scale, meaning of scores, reverse-scoring,
    subscales)

    • JUSTIFY
    o Why did you choose these materials/measures?
    o Validity and reliability of scales (e.g. Cronbach’s alpha)
    Methods
    Design Participants Materials Procedure

    • What participants experienced in your study


    o Administration of treatment/IV levels
    o Include deception (if applicable)

    • Provide sufficient detail that readers can replicate your study by simply reading
    your paper

    • Elaborate in detail where necessary


    o e.g. No need to go into too much detail about signing informed consent forms
    JUSTIFICATION

    Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify


    Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify
    Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify
    Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify
    Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify
    Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify
    Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify Justify
    Results
    • Data preparation
    o How was data collated and what was done with the raw data? (means, percentages, totals)
    o Results of assumption testing (specify corrections made)

    • What inferential statistics were used?


    o Justify briefly

    • Tables/figures of data
    o APA formatting; No vertical lines in tables (don’t just paste SPSS tables into Word)
    o Label according to APA guidelines
    o Include “main” tables/figures in this section
    o Include SPSS output in appendices; refer to them in the text
    o Table and text must be complementary, not redundant
    Results
    • Briefly describe your results
    o Do not include your interpretation of results yet; write this section objectively
    o Highlight relevant results (include supplementary findings, if applicable)
    o Report descriptive statistics where relevant (Ms and SDs/SEs)
    o Report inferential statistics [e.g., F(2, 3) = 13.42, p = .032.]
    Discussion
    • Brief summary of main results
    o Restate the research aim and hypotheses
    o Were the hypotheses supported?

    • DISCUSS YOUR FINDINGS


    o Link results to past research (from introduction) – are they consistent/inconsistent?
    o Why were they consistent/inconsistent with past research?
    • Discuss alternative explanations for inconsistent results

    • Describe shortcomings/limitations (that are NOT confounding variables)


    o Issues with design
    • Was IV manipulation successful?
    o Issues with measurement
    • Were measurements used appropriate?
    • Were there any more suitable/accurate measures?
    Discussion
    • Describe confounding variables (and possible ways of overcoming them in
    future studies)
    o Were there any other variables that could have impacted your study?

    • Give suggestions for future studies


    o Describe general improvements and extensions for future studies
    o Any additional variables of interest that can be examined?

    • Describe implications of your findings


    o Theoretical implications
    • How do your findings contribute to current knowledge/literature?
    o Practical implications
    • How can your findings be applied practically?

    • Final concluding statement – take home point?


    References & Appendices
    References
    • Primary peer-reviewed journal articles
    • APA format (7th edition)
    • Cross-check citations and references

    Appendices
    • Samples of all relevant materials (e.g., questionnaires, task instructions, etc.)
    • SPSS output
    • Label ALL appendices appropriately
    • Organize appendices according to how materials appear in your lab report

    Additional Attachments
    • Turnitin report (not applicable for online submission via Turnitin)
    • Approved ERB (front page only)
    Tips & Reminders
    • Be cohesive and transition smoothly between points

    • Don’t be long-winded

    • Read critically; summarize in your own words


    o Being critical isn’t just criticizing, but also demonstrating a thorough understanding, logically
    evaluating, and synthesizing ideas/past literature

    • Do NOT write something you don’t understand


    o Ensure you understand something before attempting to convey it
    Tips & Reminders
    • Convince with facts but use cautious terms
    o Use hedging language
    o Show, don’t just tell
    • Poor ergonomics has important organizational and societal consequences – Telling
    • Poor workplace ergonomics can cost organizations millions of dollars in lost workdays (citation A)
    and employee healthcare costs (citation B) – Showing

    • Proofread
    o Take breaks before re-checking your work
    o If you have trouble understanding something you wrote, your reader will definitely not
    understand it

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