Transcript The Research Report Ten key parts of the manuscript 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Title page Abstract Introduction Method Results 6. Discussion 7.

The Research Report
Ten key parts of the manuscript
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Title page
Abstract
Introduction
Method
Results
6. Discussion
7. References
8. Footnotes*
9. Tables
10. Appendix*
*if necessary.
The Introduction
Three tasks:
1. Identify and introduce research problem.
2. Review relevant background theory and
research.
3. Define purpose and approach to research
problem.
Task 1: The Problem
1-2 grafs
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1 graf
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1 graf
3-4 grafs
Questions addressed:
• What is the problem or issue?
• Why is it important?
• How does the current study extend,
alter, augment, refute, etc., an aspect of
the research issue?
• What propositions were tested?
Task 2: Review
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•
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Summary of relevant research and theory
Avoid lists and “abstracting” all works cited.
Use transitions and headings to cue the reader.
Discuss shortcomings and be critical, where
appropriate. Not simply an intellectual travelogue.
• Craft a coherent and concise analysis that flows
logically into the questions addressed in the
current research (i.e., Task 3).
Task 3: Approach
• What was done in the current study to address the
problem identified in Task 1 and elaborated in
Task 2?
• Key variables (i.e., sets of role expectations).
• How variables will behave—Hypotheses and
rationale for predictions (flowing logically from
Task 2).
• Lead-in to Method section.
Housekeeping
• Don’t use “Introduction” heading.
• Pay attention to how authors structure the
introductions of their reports.
• Be purposeful in your review. “How does this
empirical or review article relate to the problem
and how we’re addressing it?” Consult with me,
Tim, or your classmates when needed.
• Make it all count. Ask yourself, “How does this
word, sentence, paragraph, section, perspective,
finding, etc., persuade the reader or help her/him
understand the nature of the problem, its
significance, or the approach of the current
study?”
Method
Goal: Write enough about what you did and
how you did it so that it could be replicated.
Conventions:
• Label section (Method, not Methods).
• Use subsection labels—usually Participants,
Materials, Procedure.
• Other labels: Measures, Apparatus, Analyses.
• Write at threshold of sufficiency.
Participants
Report:
• Where and how recruitment occurred.
• Sample size for all raters and for each
set of raters.
• Sex, age, race/ethnicity, relationship
status, # marriages, # children, age of
youngest child, and employment status.
Materials
Report:
• Measures used (includes demographic
questionnaire items).
• Attribution: Where did the measure come
from, or how was it created?
• Sample items for measures/scales.
• Response format.
Procedure
Report:
• What participants did from start to finish.
• Where did the assessment occur (setting,
circumstances, supervision)?
• Instructions?
• What were the media (computer, paper and
pencil)?
• How long did it take?
Method Section Tips
• If you did it right, it’s boring, but straightforward.
• Participants subsection should give the reader a
gross understanding of the sample (err on the side
of being over-descriptive).
• Materials subsection shouldn’t reproduce the
measure, it should characterize and summarize it.
• Procedure subsection should be visual. The reader
should be able to mentally sketch the scene(s) and
progression of events.
• Remember, the Method section is the bridge
between the Introduction and Results sections.
Results
Goal: Describe analyses and findings as they
relate to hypotheses.
Conventions:
• Label section (Results).
• Describe analyses.
• Report findings in words (1st) and statistics
(2nd, usually parenthetically).
• Use of tables.
Not Just Numbers
Remind reader of context of analyses and findings
(i.e., hypotheses and predictions).
Describe type of statistical analyses (ANOVA).
Use subsection headings to report distinct sets of
findings.
Tables must be referred to in text.
Tell reader how findings relate to hypotheses.
Report degrees of freedom, significance levels (p
values), means, standard deviations, and sample
sizes.
Discussion
Goal: Clarify and interpret results: 1) within specific
scope of hypotheses and, 2) within a broad
theoretical and/or empirical context.
Conventions:
• Label section (Discussion—not conclusion,
summary, etc.).
• Don’t report statistics. Statistical findings should
be written in English.
• Parallel Introduction.
• Be reasonably conservative, yet unapologetic.
Structure
How did you do? What does it really mean?
1.
Were hypotheses supported by the results?
•
Restate hypotheses/goals.
•
Report validation or invalidation in same order as results
section.
2. How do findings relate to previous work (empirical and
theoretical)?
•
Discuss how results fit (or not) with trends of findings and
theories of articles in Introduction. If inconsistent, try to
explain why or cite similar exceptions.
3. What was done poorly? What could be done better?
4. Implications of research? Why might anyone be interested in
these findings?