Report Writing

Introduction to Report Writing

• Understanding what a psychology report is: Analysis of data gathered through research, conveying the findings, and demonstrating how the research question was studied.
• Importance of clear and concise language: Ensure the report is easy to read and understand by avoiding jargon and complicated sentences.

Structure of a Report

• Title of the report: It should be descriptive and reflect the nature of the study carried out.
• Abstract: A brief summary highlighting the aims, methods, results, and conclusion of the report.
• Introduction: This section should cover the background of the study and state clearly the research question or hypothesis.

Method Section

• Participants: Describing who took part in the study and how they were selected.
• Materials: Listing the tools and resources used in the research.
• Procedure: A detailed account of how the study was conducted.

Results and Discussion Section

• Presentation of the findings from the study: Using tables and graphs to illustrate the results can aid understanding.
• Evaluation of the findings: Relating the results to the original research question or hypothesis.
• A discussion where the findings are interpreted and compared to previous research.

Conclusion and References

• Summary and implications of the findings: Discussing the study’s significance and potential applications.
• Reference list: Citing the sources used in conformity with the appropriate style guide.
• Appendices (if needed): Including any additional information or data that doesn’t fit elsewhere in the report.

Overall Quality and Presentation

• Checking the report for spelling and grammatical errors: To ensure professionalism and credibility.
• Consistency in formatting/subheadings: Making sure the report appears coherent and well-structured.
• Rewriting and refining: The first draught is usually improved by subsequent revision.