Title Page should include the title of the paper, your name, and other identifier information.
Abstract is the short summary of the entire paper. This should be around 100 to 120 words. The abstract should include the problem/issue, the method, the results, and major conclusions. Pro tip: write the abstract after you have finished writing the rest of the paper.
Introduction is to explain the rationale of your research to your readers. This section should give your readers a broad outline of the background and existing theories, the exact problem to be researched, the research hypothesis and the expected results. This section can sometimes include the literaturf review.
Literature Review is where existing research and findings will be mentioned. This section provides clearer justification for your research. Start broad and get more specific as you write.
Start with the history and the theories, narrow down to broadly related research, and finally, specific related research.
Method should contain sufficient information for the reader to understand the replicate the study.
Include information about your participants, your experimental design, your apparatus/materials, and describe the procedure.
Design – section should include the type of design that was used, and all variables in the research,
Participant – section should include number of participants, sampling method, demographic information, and study-specific criteria.
Procedure – is like the instructions for baking a cake or making something from Lego – it describes exactly what was done in the study, how participants were instructed, whether standardised instructions were used and the order in which things were done. The procedure should be logical, insightful and contain sufficient information for the reader to follow.
Results should report the key findings. This is not the section to explain why you think the results are as they are; that would come later in discussion. This section should only include clear and concise summary of the data (descriptive statistics) that was collected and the results of any statistical tests related to hypotheses (statistical tests). Each statistical test has its own format for reporting which should be adhered to. Use graphs if they can help better illustrate your data.
Discussion is where you provide an interpretation and explanation of the study results. Results should be related back to research studies discussed in the introduction. The discussion outlines any limitations with the current study (e.g., Extraneous variables) and provides a rationale for future studies. Offer ideas for where future work might be directed. This section can often include the conclusion.
References section is here you cite your academic and reputable sources in APA format.
Appendix is where you will include supplementary information that does not fit in the paper. This can be stimuli used in your study.
When writing a paper (starting from introduction), start broad and provide overview and background. Then narrow the focus and provide statement of purpose. Further narrow down with specific hypotheses. Report your method and procedure, and report your results. In your discussion, start specific and broaden the focus. Discuss implications in the boarder field.
This structure may seem rigid, but it serves to ease the communication of what was done. The predictable structure provides a logical framework and provides a consistent format within the discipline. You and your colleagues know what to expect in a paper and where to find information in the paper. It also allows for readers to cross-reference your sources easily.
Psychological writing tends to differ from other academic writings. Remember that this is not a creative writing exercise. Present an argument based on data and logical reasoning. Try to avoid using direct quotes, restate things in your own words. Avoid digressions and keep it concise.
Footnotes are rare. If you need to elaborate or clarify a point, try to do so in the text. If there are long digressions, use the appendix. Consider digressions carefully.
