PSYCHOLOGY PSYCHOLOGY COURSEWORKCOURSEWORK

THE INTRODUCTIONTHE INTRODUCTION

RATIONALE/PURPOSERATIONALE/PURPOSE

HLHL•The introduction is a The introduction is a literature/research review of the literature/research review of the topic area you are studying. topic area you are studying. •It acts like a ‘funnel’ to your It acts like a ‘funnel’ to your hypothesis; in other words it sets hypothesis; in other words it sets the scene for your study. the scene for your study.

What to includeWhat to include• General introduction to the subject under General introduction to the subject under

investigationinvestigation• Brief summary of the theory and key pieces Brief summary of the theory and key pieces

of research associated with the topic. Do of research associated with the topic. Do not include more than 3 pieces. Any not include more than 3 pieces. Any works works citedcited must be correctly referenced. must be correctly referenced.

• The rationale (reasons) behind your The rationale (reasons) behind your investigation. Specify your investigation. Specify your aim aim and include and include details about why you chose your details about why you chose your hypothesis.hypothesis.

• Research hypothesisResearch hypothesis• Null hypothesisNull hypothesis

ASSESSMENT CRITERIAASSESSMENT CRITERIA

HL Criterion A – 5 marksHL Criterion A – 5 marks

The aim of the study is clearly stated. The aim of the study is clearly stated. The background theories and studies The background theories and studies are adequately explained and highly are adequately explained and highly relevant to the hypotheses. The relevant to the hypotheses. The experimental and null hypotheses are experimental and null hypotheses are appropriately stated and appropriately stated and operationalized. The prediction made operationalized. The prediction made in the experimental hypothesis is in the experimental hypothesis is justified by the background studies and justified by the background studies and theories.theories.

For Example……For Example……

See p392 of the course companion for a HL See p392 of the course companion for a HL exampleexample

If you were doing your IA on the effects of If you were doing your IA on the effects of eating cheese on people’s nightmares, you eating cheese on people’s nightmares, you could start off by writing a few (referenced) could start off by writing a few (referenced) sentences about cheese – perhaps a sentences about cheese – perhaps a definition of cheese and a description of definition of cheese and a description of various types of cheese – you might also various types of cheese – you might also include the procedures, findings and include the procedures, findings and conclusions of a couple of ‘cheese eating conclusions of a couple of ‘cheese eating studies’ – eg, Jones studies’ – eg, Jones et al’s et al’s (1947) comparison (1947) comparison study of stilton preferences over study of stilton preferences over Wensleydale. Wensleydale.

You could then consider research into You could then consider research into nightmares; for instance Smith’s (2006) nightmares; for instance Smith’s (2006) study of food related nightmares. study of food related nightmares.

You might then move on to consider You might then move on to consider Abbott’s (2007) study of the effects of Abbott’s (2007) study of the effects of eating yoghurt (and other dairy eating yoghurt (and other dairy products) on people’s dreams.products) on people’s dreams.

The final study would be the one you The final study would be the one you are replicating/modifying (or the one are replicating/modifying (or the one that is closest to the subject you are that is closest to the subject you are studying).studying).

Eg, Kimber’s (1850) study of Eg, Kimber’s (1850) study of nightmare occurrence following cheese nightmare occurrence following cheese consumption!consumption!

Then state your hypothesesThen state your hypotheses……

HypothesesHypotheses

• Don’t forget you will need to supply two of Don’t forget you will need to supply two of these:-these:-

• HH11. Your experimental hypothesis . Your experimental hypothesis (only if (only if your research study is an experiment – your research study is an experiment – otherwise this is called an alternative otherwise this is called an alternative hypothesis).hypothesis).

• HHoo. Your null hypothesis . Your null hypothesis (roughly speaking (roughly speaking the opposite of the experimental the opposite of the experimental hypothesis).hypothesis).

• These should be in the form of a testable - These should be in the form of a testable - (fully operationalised – statement)(fully operationalised – statement)

For example…..For example…..

• ““Participants will experience a higher Participants will experience a higher occurrence of nightmares - as occurrence of nightmares - as measured by self report study - measured by self report study - following the consumption of following the consumption of 100grams of cheddar cheese”100grams of cheddar cheese”

• ““There will be no significant There will be no significant difference in nightmare occurrence difference in nightmare occurrence following the consumption of following the consumption of 100grams of cheddar cheese” 100grams of cheddar cheese”

How long should it be?How long should it be?

Around one and a half sides of Around one and a half sides of A4, with a 12 point font size. A4, with a 12 point font size. Approximately 400 words.Approximately 400 words.Remember the whole write up Remember the whole write up should be a maximum of 2000 should be a maximum of 2000 words, and a page is words, and a page is approximately 250 – 300 words!approximately 250 – 300 words!

Which research should I Which research should I include?include?• It depends on the topic you are It depends on the topic you are

researching; however some named researching; however some named suggestions have been given in the suggestions have been given in the experiment brief – Hint; stick to the experiment brief – Hint; stick to the order they are in on the brief!order they are in on the brief!

• Make sure you do not list the studies Make sure you do not list the studies in APFCE format though, you should in APFCE format though, you should only include information that relates only include information that relates to your hypothesis.to your hypothesis.

How will I know if it’s OK?How will I know if it’s OK?

When you’ve finished the When you’ve finished the introduction, see if it reads like an introduction, see if it reads like an ‘inverted triangle’ – In other words, ‘inverted triangle’ – In other words, does it start with broad research, does it start with broad research, narrow through more specific narrow through more specific research and end up with the research and end up with the research you are replicating? research you are replicating?