You need all of the following for your paper:
• Title Page
• Abstract
• Introduction
• Method
• Results
• Discussion
• References
You can find information about each of these sections on Blackboard. Although the PowerPoints on Blackboard were not specifically made for this class, the information is the same (just ignore anything that is obviously for a different class in there)
Title Page
Follow the Sample paper on Blackboard. Remember to include running head too!
Abstract
See information on Blackboard. Remember to include keywords
Introduction
Please do not let the title confuse you! The introduction includes an introduction of the topic, but also a literature review, and a paragraph at the end where you state your hypothesis. You need to include 3 articles from PsycINFO here. You can also include information from other sources here, but make sure these sources are trustworthy. Basically, you need to explain what you are planning to do, and why this might work. See Blackboard for what information to typically include in the Introduction.
Method
You need a Participants, Procedure and Materials subsection of this one.
Participants: This is a short section. Provide basic information (age, gender, type of dog if it is a dog)
Materials: What did you need to do this observation? A data collection sheet? A clicker? A clock?
Procedure: This section is important to you! Explain every relevant detail of what you are doing. Imagine that someone wants to replicate your study. What would they need to know?
Results
Usually this contain a lot of analyses. This is not the case for your Results section. This is going to be different than the typical Results section. Describe the numbers you got. Thereafter, refer to the graphs. These will be included towards the end of your paper. For how to refer to the graphs, see Concise Guide to APA Style (see index).
Discussion
Talk about the results. First describe what you found. Was this what you expected and according to what others have found when doing similar experiments/treatments? Were there any limitations to your methods here? Maybe there was a change, but this could be attributed to something else? If no change, why do you think that was the case? What could others trying this in the future do? What is your conclusion? These questions are best answered in some subsections of the Discussion. Please see PowerPoint about the Discussion on Blackboard.
References
When you are using other sources than just PsycINFO articles, make sure you are citing them correctly and according to the newest version of the Publication Manual (7th edition)
Graphs
Although these can be included in the same section you are talking about them (i.e., results). It is both allowed and easier to put them at the end. Do this to avoid problems with the formatting of the paper. Make sure to look up the details about the graphs in Concise Guide to APA Style