Psychology Research Writing Essentials

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of writing in psychology, according to the provided text?

To convey factual knowledge supported by research. (correct)

To prioritize artistic expression and creative writing.

To showcase descriptive language and complex sentence structures.

To present personal opinions and beliefs.

Which of the following types of writing is NOT commonly done by research psychologists, according to the text?

Research articles

Textbooks

Personal diaries (correct)

Grant proposals

What are the two main types of papers students are most likely to write in psychology, according to the text?

Poetry and prose

Fiction and non-fiction

Biographies and autobiographies

Empirical papers and literature reviews (correct)

What is the main goal of a research summary or literature review paper?

To synthesize existing research and shed new light on a topic. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In a literature review, what sources should you primarily rely on?

Original sources or empirical studies (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these elements must be present in a good research summary or literature review, according to the text?

A clear introduction, body, and discussion (D) Signup and view all the answers

What should be included in the introduction of a literature review paper according to the text?

Historical context, related theories, and significance of the topic (A) Signup and view all the answers

What should be the format of literature review papers?

They can follow flexible structuring, using sub-headings to introduce new topic areas (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the body section in a summary paper or literature review?

To describe previous research on the topic, including controversies and alternative opinions, and relate it to the main conclusions. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In a psychology paper, how should a writer typically handle the work of previous researchers?

Distill the essence of the researcher's statements and cite their work without direct quotes. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does 'avoiding surprises' mean in the context of writing psychology papers?

Ensuring that the reader knows where the paper is going, where it is during the presentation of the evidence, and where it has been in the discussion. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the discussion/conclusion/implications section of a research paper?

To synthesize the findings, discuss implications for other theories and real life, and address remaining questions. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to use bias-free language in psychology papers?

To refer to people as they refer to themselves and avoid using male pronouns generically. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How should evidence be presented in a psychology paper to support the claims?

Each stage should relate all evidence to the primary point being addressed. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these options is the best way to refer to previously published research in a psychology paper?

<code>Smith (2010) suggested that...</code> (A) Signup and view all the answers

What should a well-written introduction achieve?

Explain where the reader is going by giving direction to the reader. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Essentials in Psychological Research Writing

Psychology writing, like other scientific writing, aims to inform the reader about new ideas, theories, or experiments.
Academic psychologists emphasize clarity and brevity, minimizing complex sentence structure and descriptive language.
The primary goal of a research summary or literature review is to synthesize research on a topic, while also shedding new light on it.
Writing a literature review involves significant research, both online and in libraries.
The goal is to evaluate sources, not just find all relevant articles.
Reliable sources are usually peer-reviewed by experts in the field prior to publication.
Empirical papers present original data; literature reviews summarize others' research.

Types of Psychology Papers

Research psychologists create varying papers, including grant proposals, applications, review articles, and textbooks.
Most student papers are either empirical (presenting original data) or literature reviews (summarizing other research).
These types of papers follow similar writing conventions, though their formats may differ slightly.

Elements of Literature Review/Summary Papers

Avoid relying on research summaries; use original sources (empirical sources).
Literature reviews don't have a fixed structure. Use subheadings to introduce new topic areas within a paper.
Ensure your paper has a clear introduction, a body presenting the evidence, and a discussion.
The introduction outlines the topic's importance, its history, and related theories. It should include your claim or thesis statement and examples.
The body presents evidence supporting your claim, addressing contrary evidence, and explaining how it relates to your claim. It should also cover previous research on the topic and any controversies/alternate opinions.
At every stage in the discussion relating evidence to the major conclusions you are trying to make.
The discussion/conclusion synthesizes the findings from the body. It should address remaining questions and conclusions relevant to others’ theories and everyday life.

Avoiding Surprises in Writing

Psychologists want smooth transitions, avoiding unexpected shifts in the paper's direction.
Make arguments clear, showing how new evidence or theories fit into the overall point of the paper.
Think of the reader's perspective, ensuring the introduction, evidence presentation, and discussion all maintain a clear logical flow.

Writing Conventions in Psychology Papers

Avoid direct quotes. Summarize and cite other research directly.
Use bias-free language. Avoid gendered pronouns as generic references, or phrases implying negativity towards certain groups.
Avoid jargon or excessively unusual words unless essential.
Be concise and avoid wordiness. Always use headings and subheadings and a title for each paper.
The use of “I” and “We” refers to the authors of the paper, not general people.
Use active voice, avoiding passive constructions. Use “participants” in place of “subjects”. Be aware that "data" is plural (data were), and not singular like datum (datum was).

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamental components of writing in psychology, including research summaries, literature reviews, and the types of psychology papers. It emphasizes clarity, brevity, and the importance of evaluating credible sources in psychological research.