IPR Term 2 Week 7 - Lab Report writing (2)

General Report Tips

• Keep the report simple and clear by avoiding overly complicated language to communicate ideas effectively.
• Write logically and sequentially, ensuring each part flows naturally, with smooth transitions between ideas.
• Use sub-headings where appropriate, especially in the Method section; use in the introduction but use them correctly to keep the writing flow smooth.

Report Title

• Key function to summarise the main idea of the proposed study
• The title is the first thing a reader sees; it should be clear, concise, and informative.

Tips for Writing a Title

• Be specific and concise by describing the main topic, focus, and scope of the research.
• Keep it simple and brief, avoiding vagueness or broadness.
• Include only essential information, such as key specific independent variables (IVs) and dependent variables (DVs).
• Incorporate key concepts, like population and area of study, or paradigms like the Rubber Hand Illusion and reflect the study design, including the type of design, such as an interview or survey, if relevant.
• Make it interesting and engaging, avoiding jargon and aiming for simplicity.
• Don't use abbreviations or acronyms.
• Avoid redundant words like “method,” “results,” “a study of,” or “an experimental investigation of.”
• Don't put it in quotation marks.

Writing an Abstract

• An abstract is a summary of the study, typically around 150 words.
• Abstracts should include a sentence or two about each section of the report.
• Area being studied and why in the introduction
• Method used
• Main finding of the results
• Interpretation, take-home message, and answer to the research question in the conclusion
• The abstract often becomes clearer after the lab report is finished.
• Some journals or assessments require sub-headings in the abstract.

Content of the Abstract

• The first thing people read to decide whether to read the paper.
• Draw the readers in.
• Keywords identified in searches.
• Communicate ideas effectively and make it smooth and ‘easy-read.’

Introduction Section of Abstract

• Include background information and broader context
• Include why the research is important and draw the readers in.
• Define objectives and state the main research question. Purpose should align with a gap in the literature.
• Avoid citations as much as possible.

Methods Section of Abstract

• Overview of research design and, or type of research.
• Number of participants(sample size, population or noteworthy demographics)
• Materials and procedures used
• Specific, and or unique techniques or tools used in data collection or analysis

Results Section of Abstract

• Include key and or major results, the take home message
• Details are not needed; avoid the type of analyses
• Values such as p-values should be avoided, use a general description or an interpretation.

Conclusions Section of Abstract

• Summary of important aspects of the study
• Interpret main conclusions drawn from the study.
• Describe the implications of findings and significance to the research area.
• Note how it contributes to existing knowledge, new insights
• Do NOT list any limitations or ideas for future studies which serves as a sales pitch.

Top 10 Tips for Writing an Abstract

• Start with a clear purpose.
• Summarise methods.
• Highlight key findings and main results.
• State the conclusion, "what this means".
• Be concise.
• Use clear and simple language.
• Maintain a logical flow.
• Include keywords.
• Avoid citations.
• Revise and edit.

Writing an Introduction

• Introduction is to justify your study using previous research.
• Set the stage for the research and grab the reader's attention to justify the importance of the study.
• Introduce the reader to the area and relevant literature.
• Be selective and include only relevant material.
• Form a narrative to lead the reader to your study.

Funnel Method Introduction

• Gradually narrow down the topic area.
• Start broad with the topic area, then narrow down, getting more precise as you go along.
• End with your study aims and predictions or hypothesis
• Review relevant literature focusing on the theoretical or experimental background and relate these to your study.
• Provide justification or rationale for the study based on the review.

Leading the Reader

• Discuss relevant literature and lead the reader to think about its impact and discuss any problems.
• Practical and theoretical importance of research should is explain.
• Facilitate the explanation of a research gap, demonstrating how the study can help address these gaps
• Explain the research gap or problem and how the study can help address it by explaining the practical or theoretical importance of the research.

Describing a Study

• Provide initial context by linking it to the study, so the reader knows why you have included it and why it is relevant
• Briefly describe the methodology, results, and the conclusion drawn
• Evaluate the study, and ensure that findings are relevant to the research being worked on
• Provide a clear research question, at the end of the introduction
• Only include information for understanding of the take-home message of the study

Clear Research Question

• End the introduction with a question
• Make a prediction about what you expect to find (hypothesis)
• The prediction can be general if the literature isn't clear

General Structure of an Introduction

• Context and Background: Provide general information on the topic.
• Problem Statement: Clearly define the issue the research will address.
• Rationale: Explain why the study is necessary.
• Research Objective(s)/Question(s): Specify what you aim to achieve.

Summarising Key Findings

• Outline major results or conclusions of the study that directly relate to the research question.
• Explain how the study is important to your research, such as filling a research gap or providing a theoretical foundation
• If the method of the previous study is important for comparison, briefly state it, and if the study has limits, highlight them
• Studies can be collated (that show similar) together

Describing Studies

• Don't provide excessive detail.
• Focus on the elements of the study that directly relate to your research question and study.
• Don't copy the study’s language but describe the findings in one's words.
• If you point out a limitation in the other study, do so only if it's relevant to your research and you plan to address it, don't critique without purpose.
• Don't list studies aimlessly, integrate the study into your narrative logically, rather than just listing it. Show how it connects to your research question.

Discussing Study Limitations

• A detailed discussion of a limitation is better than none .
• Good limitations are convincing and justified. Specify the sample size and its impact on the research, such as generalisability.
• Highlight relevance to overall narrative to see if the study compares to others
• Consider why the included, and what the the reader is supposed to believe.
• An overall narrative of general patterns or trends should be created by comparing and contrasting studies, focusing on their collective suggestions, findings and common issues

Writing A Method

• The function of the method is so others read the study and perform it. Step-by-step guidance
• Sections include: Participants, design, materials, and procedure. Participants
• Info to provide: Who the participants are, basic info like sample size, relevant demographics, ethical considerations
• State will participants will be compensated for participation

Design

• The method design should include:
• Research methods used
• Why that study is appropriate
• Variables for the study

Materials

• The materials should state the means of data collection
• Avoid bullet points
• The paradigm you are using, any questionaries, or equipment Include citations for materials

Precautions

• Step-by-step directions to follow that is both chronological and organised
• Avoid numbered lists
• Is should be stated how different groups will do things/ how much the participant will know
• State ethical precautions, and the duration of the testing Don't include standard precautions

Writing Results

• Report what was found/ raw data; descriptions of raw data from variables must be included
• How you processed the data; the way the data was analyzed, it’s design
• Whether the assumption of normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test was met State Descriptive statistics, and analysis tests which are optional

Writing Style for Figures/ Tables

• APA Formatting
• Use ALWAYs and refer to tables/figures first in text before placing table/ figure
• Don’t repeat information
• Use titles and notes
• Figures/tables must not cut across two pages
• Sequential Numbering of tables
• Error bars are needed

A note on copying from JASP

• Don’t paste the analysis test itself, write results as you find them
• Include APA, correct titles, labels
• Make sure to report/ omit the assumption of normality figure by using the Shapiro-Wilk test

Writing a Discussion

• Purpose a discussion is to summarize the study, by repeating aims or objectives and, interpret the results, by stating whether your hypothesis was supported
• Discussion is NOT somewhere to restate the results, so ask if your results were as expected
• If there where several hypotheses supported: include new ones that support the finding and widen arguments
• Acknowledge if the hypotheses werent supported, state why.
• Don’t critique the work, unless with evidence
• Have a conclusion and make it a take home message.

Referencing

• The function is to acknowledge sources for consulting and use
• In APA style
• Needs to be referenced, and not listed References should be included throughout