Reporting Psychological Investigations
What is a scientific report?
- A scientific report presents the findings of a piece of research which has been designed, conducted and then analysed by one or more researchers
- Scientific reports follow a specific structure and use a standardised format
What is the structure of a scientific report?
A scientific report consists of the following sections which are always presented in this order:
Abstract
- This is a summary of the entire research process which should be 150 - 200 words long (APA guidelines)
- Reading an abstract can help to inform the reader as to whether or not the report is going to be useful for their purposes
Method
- The sample is described e.g. how many participants; their age, gender, nationality, profession etc.along with the sampling method that has been used and the choice of each is justified
- The design is described e.g. repeated measures, participant observation and the choice of the design is justified
- The materials are described and their use explained e.g. video of car crash lasting 7 seconds used as the basis for eyewitness testimony
- The procedure is described using which should be standardised so that it is easily replicable and to highlight that ethical guidelines have been adhered to e.g. the participants gave informed consent
Milgram’s (1963) may have used a standardised procedure but it could not be replicated today due to ethical considerations
Results
- The results summarise the findings of the study measured as the performance of the participants on the task set up by the researcher (experiments); their behaviour in a given context (observations) or their responses to questions (self-report methods)
- If the research has collected quantitative data this is analysed statistically via (usually) both descriptive and inferential statistics
- If the research has collected qualitative data this is analysed using appropriate methods such as thematic analysis or content analysis
Discussion
- This section starts with a consideration of the results which are analysed in light of the aim of the research and the theory being investigated
- The discussion will present an evaluation of the research itself, identifying strengths and limitations of each aspect of it
- The discussion will conclude by considering the research in the light of wider contexts, the implications of the research and what its potential applications are e.g. in health settings, in education, as a useful contribution to the understanding of the theory
Referencing
- In order to avoid accusations of plagiarism the research must acknowledge all sources used throughout the process
- Referencing must adhere to a particular convention and be consistent throughout the report, with different formats being used for journal articles, books, websites etc.
Exam Tip
You may be asked to write up one or more sections of a scientific report in the exam. It is a good idea to practice this as the style used in reports may not be in line with your usual writing style. When writing up any section of a scientific report your language should be clear, concise, straightforward and coherent. Avoid any ‘frills’ or ‘ornamentation’ in your writing and ensure that terminology is used only when appropriate and when it will add value to your response. You don’t have to channel your inner Shakespeare here, just keep it simple!
A psychologist writing up their report - it’s a serious business…
