Writing a Scientific Research Paper Heather A. Wild Q270 23 September 2003

Overview Title Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Bibliography General

Title Title should succinctly communicate what your study was about and the effect you found One possibility is to indicate the independent variable(s) and dependent variable For more ideas, see “Writing Research Reports,” articles for this class, etc.

Abstract Optional Abstract: 100 - 200 word summary of study Describe each section of the paper in about 1 sentence: Introduction (the phenomenon) Methods (what you did to examine this phenomenon) Results (what you found; no numbers/stats included) Discussion (conclusions/ implications)

Introduction In this section, build a case for what you are doing and why, as well as what you expect to find 1) Introduce your specific topic First few sentences should be general, catchy, interesting Do not claim that “this is the most important question in psychology” etc.

Introduction (continued) 2) Give background, describe: Current theories Previous research Remaining questions 3) Narrow in on your study foreshadow your experiment overview of your experiment state your hypotheses and what you might expect to find

Methods The purpose of this section is to provide enough detail so someone else anywhere in the world can replicate your experiment EXACTLY Use subsections and subheadings Use past tense

Methods (continued) Participants (subjects) – # of subjects; how they were recruited; demographics Stimulus – describe in detail (font size, image size, distance from screen, etc.) Procedure – narration of exactly what the subject did; instructions; number and length of trials; randomization, controls, and counterbalancing

Results Describe your data and analyses Do not draw conclusions - just give the facts Quality of data is very important Use graphs and refer to them in-text as “Figure 1”etc. Explain pattern of results in graphs

Results (continued) Be sure to indicate factors/variables and exactly what type of statistical test is being used Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviation). Again, it is often best to give these in a graph. Inferential statistics (t-test, ANOVA). Use sentences that say, e.g.: “There was a significant effect of Factor A, t(19)=999, p < .05.” You do not have to explain what a t-test, ANOVA, etc. is

Discussion Summarize what you did and what you found Draw conclusions about your results and describe the implications of your findings Tie results to ideas presented in the introduction, i.e., put findings in theoretical context Discuss limitations of your study Here you have some freedom to speculate (using logic & reason based on empirical knowledge) about findings Discuss possible practical implications and ideas for future directions

Bibliography This section is very, very important! You MUST use APA style to cite works in text and to format your bibliography ENDNOTE citation management software is available for free download at: http://iuware.indiana.edu/

General Do not directly quote anything Always spellcheck and proofread Label your tables/graphs and include captions. Be concise Do not exceed the page limit (not including separate pages for references and tables) Try to limit redundancies – make sure you have things in the right section and do not repeat them elsewhere. Use a heading for every section and subheadings for the subsections of the Methods section.