Interactive Approach to Writing Essays and Research Reports in Psychology

An interactive approach to writing essays and research reports in psychology
Contents
About the author
Acknowledgements
CHAPTER 1 Where to begin
	1.1 Introduction to APA style
		Why research is reported
	1.2 Essays versus research reports
		Structure of an essay
		Sections of a research report
	1.3 Finding the right information
		Searching the literature
		Using the library
		Using the internet
		Evaluating the quality of information on the internet
	1.4 Reviewing the literature
		Reading articles
		Note taking
	1.5 Academic integrity
		Plagiarism
		Collusion
	Checklist
	Key terms
	Internet activity
	Applied activity
	Acknowledgements
CHAPTER 2 Writing in APA style
	2.1 Learning the mechanics of APA editorial style
		Punctuation
		Spelling
		Capitalisation
		Abbreviations and acronyms
		Headings
	2.2 Point form or seriation
		Anchors on a scale
	2.3 Numbers
		Footnotes
	2.4 Writing clearly and concisely
		Grammar
	2.5 Choosing your words carefully
		Avoiding jargon
		Wordiness
		Sentence and paragraph length
		Using non-discriminatory language
	Checklist
	Key terms
	Review questions
	Applied activity
	Acknowledgements
CHAPTER 3 Critical thinking
	3.1 Critical thinking
		Scepticism
		Objectivity
		Open-mindedness
	3.2 Critically evaluating research
		Interpret and evaluate the research evidence
	3.3 General tips on how to write critically
		Develop a balanced argument
		Logical flow of argument
	Checklist
	Key terms
	Applied activity
	Internet activity
	Acknowledgements
CHAPTER 4 Essays
	4.1 Basic steps in essay writing
	4.2 Identifying the essay topic
	4.3 Sections of the essay
		Title page
		Abstract
		Introduction
		The essay body
		Conclusion
		Reference list
		Word limit
	Checklist
	Key terms
	Applied activity
	Acknowledgements
	Bad essay
	Good essay
CHAPTER 5 Quantitative research reports
	5.1 Writing a research report
	5.2 Identifying the research topic
		Quantitative research
		Qualitative research
	5.3 Parts of a quantitative research report
		Title page
		Abstract
		Introduction
		Hypotheses
		Method
		Results
		Discussion
		Reference list
		Appendices
		Word limit
	Checklist
	Key terms
	Applied activity
	Acknowledgements
	Bad report
	Good report
CHAPTER 6 Qualitative research reports
	6.1 Qualitative research in psychology
	6.2 The structure of a qualitative research report
		Title page
		Abstract
		Introduction
		Methodology
		Data analysis
		Analysis and Interpretation
	6.3 Reflexivity and subjectivity in the analysis and interpretation section
		Concluding your qualitative research report
		References
		Final word
	Checklist
	Key terms
	Applied activities
	Acknowledgements
	Qualitative research report 1
	Qualitative research report 2
CHAPTER 7 In-text citations
	7.1 Acknowledging other works
	7.2 General forms for in-text citations
		Single author
		Two authors
		Three, four, or five authors
		Same work in one paragraph
		Six or more authors
		Authors with the same surname
		Multiple works by the same author
		Same author and same year of publication
		Two or more works within the same parentheses
		No publication date
		Online media
		Personal communications
		Latin abbreviations
	7.3 Quotations
		Quotations of fewer than 40 words
		Quotations of more than 40 words
		Quotations from online documents and websites
	7.4 Exceptions within the author–date method of citation
		Use of “et al.”
		No individual author
		Year and author integrated in text
		Distinguishing between major and minor citations
		Citing from online documents and websites
		Errors in material being quoted
	7.5 Citing a secondary source
	Checklist
	Key terms
	Applied activities
	Acknowledgements
CHAPTER 8 Reference list
	8.1 Creating a reference list
	8.2 APA reference style
	8.3 General form of reference entries
		Periodicals
		Non-periodicals
		Electronic media
		Other sources
	8.4 Ordering the reference list
		Special cases for ordering references
	Checklist
	Key terms
	Internet activities
	Applied activities
	Acknowledgements
CHAPTER 9 How to end
	9.1 Polishing your work
		Revise and rewrite
		Proofread
	9.2 General tips for presentation
		Typed or handwritten?
		Font
		Margins
		Borders
		Spacing
		Paragraph indents
		Justification
		Starting on a new page
		Ordering the pages
		Length
	9.3 Submitting your work
		Cover sheets
		Late assignments
		Backup copies
	9.4 Constructive feedback
	Checklist
	Acknowledgements
Appendix 1
	Answers to questions and activities
Appendix 2
	Key to errors in bad essay
Appendix 3
	Key to good essay
Appendix 4
	Key to Good Qualitative Research Report
	References
Index
EULA