Psyc 251: Research Methods
Dr. Marcia J. McKinley
Spring, 2013
RESEARCH REPORT #3
Due Date:
Saturday, April 27th, 2013 at noon (firm deadline, as my grades are due by Monday April
29th at 8:00 am)
Overview:
For research paper #1, we collected a considerable amount of data but did not enter all of it
into SPSS. Specifically, we have the following data. (You can see the link for Research
Report #1 on my webpage for more information.)
Demographic characteristics (age, gender, race)
Academic variables (high school GPA, combined math & verbal SATs, expected grade
in Dr. McKinley’s class)
Academic Expectations Stress Inventory (AESI) scores
Dispositional optimism (LOT-R) scores
Brief COPE (BCOPE) scores
For this last research paper, we will enter the remainder of that data set. You will form any
two hypotheses you want using this data. For example, you might hypothesize that LOT-R
scores and AESI scores are negatively correlated; that BCOPE and AESI scores are
negatively correlated; that AESI scores and high school GPAs are negatively correlated; etc.
At least one of your hypotheses must involve the AESI.
For this paper, you must use a minimum of 9 sources, including the following:
Any of the journal articles and literature reviews previously provided on dispositional
optimism, coping, the LOT-R, or the BCOPE.
The article on the development of the AESI which I previously provided
Articles on any of the other measures that you use in your hypotheses
At least four more empirical journal articles that you find on PsycArticles, PsycINFO,
or another database. Please send copies of these articles to me at
mjmckinleyphd@gmail.com.
You will write an APA-formatted empirical research report on the study we did.
Sources:
Please use your APA Manual and your textbook, Writing Empirical Research Reports, as you
write this report. Your APA Manual even contains a sample paper for you to refer to. Also
remember that all the journal articles that you will be reading are models for the paper you
will be writing; the difference is that journal articles are in published format, and you will
be preparing your paper in manuscript format.
Outline of Paper:
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The title page of the paper should be formatted according to APA format and the
chapter in the textbook.
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Write the abstract of the paper last. This should be a short, 250- to 400-page
summary of the whole paper.
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In the introduction of the paper, you should
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Introduce the topic of the paper
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Summarize the previous studies in the area (the literature review and 4
empirical sources), organizing by topic NOT by study!
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End this section with a paragraph about our study (our basic question, our
methods, and our hypothesis) and how this new study fits with previous
research.
In the methods section, describe our study in detail, including the surveys that we
used. (This is where you will cite the articles that describe the surveys we are using.)
In the results section, first provide descriptive statistics for all measures used. Then,
provide inferential statistics that test your hypothesis/hypotheses. Include how
significance levels and test results. We will review this information in class.
In the discussion section, state whether the hypotheses were supported or not and
then discuss possible reasons for the results, such as how these results fit with
previous studies, the limitations of this study, and then directions for subsequent
research.
In the references section, list your 9 (or more) references in APA format. These 9
references include the sources listed above.
Other Points:
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Your report should be approximately 8 pages long, including a title page, an abstract,
and a reference page. However, the content is much more important than the length!
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An “A” paper will be thoughtful, specific, and detailed. It will be written clearly and
concisely; contain no grammatical, typographical, or spelling errors; and be correctly
formatted using APA style.
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You will turn your paper into two places:
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A hard copy in class. Please staple your paper in the upper-left corner. Do not
use paper covers, etc.
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Turnitin.com. More details about this requirement will be provided in class.
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Your paper is due by noon on Saturday April 27th. There are absolutely NO late
submissions, as my grades are due on the 29th at 8:00 am.
Turnitin.com:
 It is required that you submit your research reports to Turnitin.com for an originality
report (i.e., a report of how much your paper matches up to existing papers in their
very extensive database). To do this, go to www.turnitin.com and create an account.
(It is free.) I will provide you with password information for the class. Our class ID is
6129769, and the password is my last name. (Caps do count so make sure you get
the K.)
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View your Turnitin report to see how much your paper matches up with other
sources. If your Turnitin report is high (total of more than 15% or more than 3%
from any one source), you may lose points. To avoid this, you can revise your report
and submit the revised version to me. Be sure to tell me that this is a revised version
and describe the changes you made.
If significant plagiarism is evident in your report, you may receive grade of 0 for the paper
or for the course; suspension or expulsion are other possibilities, especially for repeat
offenders. (See the academic integrity policy you signed at the beginning of the year.)
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