7.3.4 Sections of a Scientific Report

• Psychological reports need to be written in a conventional way that allows for replication by other researchers
• The basic requirement of a scientific report answer the four following questions
  1. What was done?
  2. Why was it done?
  3. What were the findings? 
  4. What do the findings mean?
• The most common way to set out a scientific report is;

Title 

• The title of the report must be clear, relevant and fully informative 

Contents page 

• The contents page should be clear, include page numbers and include everything that is in the report, including the different appendices 

Abstract 

• This is a summary of the research 
• It usually explains why wanted to complete the research, usually briefly mentioning previous research in the area 
• It also outlines the aims of the research, the method and the outcome 
• The abstract will also identify possible ideas for future research 

Introduction 

• The introduction explains why the research was conducted 
• It will describe previous theoretical research conducted on the same area
• Looking at relevant and concise material on the previous research and identifying those that are most important to the study 
• By ensuring it is only the relevant theoretical studies being used, it narrows down the area of research and helps lead the researcher to the aims and hypothesis of the research
• Aims 
  • The aim/s of the research are stated concisely, clearly and precisely in the report
• Hypothesis 
  • Both the null and directional hypothesis are stated
  • Justification of the directional hypothesis is also included 

Method 

• The method is an outline of what is done, step by step to allow for the research to be replicated 
• All materials used (such as consent forms, standardised instructions, questionnaires, debriefs, will be included in the appendices)
•  The method is split into subsections;
  • The design of research:
    • Including which method was used
    • The design chosen, techniques used,
    • Identification of the variables (both the independent variable and dependent variable, also any extraneous variables that may be there) 
    • Any ethical concerns and considerations 
  • Participants 
    • The sampling method chosen 
    • The target population desired 
    • The actual sample, including their characteristics 
    • How participants are allocated to the conditions 
  • Materials used
    • Description of any materials used 
    • This includes all materials used in the research that are relevant to the study 
  • Standardised procedure
    • This is a step by step procedure that allows for reproduction 
    • Explains details of where the study was conducted 
    • Includes debriefing explanations 
  • Controls 
    • Details of any controls used to conduct the research 
    • It also explains what steps were taking to avoid bias in both the sampling and experimental techniques 

Findings 

• Presentation of what was found 
• Raw data is referenced and included in the appendices 
• Raw data is presented usually as graphs 
• Written explanations follow 
• The findings include both 
  • Descriptive statistics: 
    • Outline key findings 
    • Numerical statistics (mean, mode, median) 
    • The measure of dispersion (the range, standard deviation) 
    • The graph included should be clear and simple to understand 
  • Inferential statistics: 
    • Statistical test chosen 
    • Explanation as to why that test was chosen 
    • The actual calculations are presented (physically in the appendices) 
    • The outcome of statistical analysis 
    • The significance test and outcome 
    • Explanation if it was a one or two tailed test 
    • The outcome explains whether the experimental/null hypothesis is accepted or rejected 

Discussion 

• The discussion explains what the results mean 
• it is broken into subsections 
  • Explanations of findings 
    • Key findings relating to the aims and hypothesis are explained 
    • All findings are presented 
    • Explanation of what the findings show 
  • Relationship to background research 
    • Looking at similarities and differences to previous research in the area 
  • Limitations and modifications 
    • Explanation of possible sources of errors 
    • ideas for modifications to improve the research and findings 

Conclusion 

• This is concise paragraph that summarises the findings of the research and the key conclusions drawn 

Referencing 

• Full details of all those referenced are included 
• including; 
  • Those who had conducted previous research mentioned in the report 
  • any information used to conduct the report, including previous questions, standardised instructions or interviews 
  • This allows others to identify and find the information

Appendices 

• Appendices are numbered and presented clearly
• Appendices included are
  • Full instructions given to participants 
  • Raw data 
  • Calculations made 
  • Materials used 
  • Anything else used within the research