Writing Process Writing the manuscript for Publication and Proposal

When to start writing? Phases 1 through 4 are iterative Can go on forever because of moderators, mediators, new measures, new manipulations, new participants, etc. If 1 study: if: “short report”, follow-up study, descriptive, conclusive after one study, moderate importance If 2+ studies: if: common research question? complimentary strengths and weaknesses? conclusive after two or more?

Sections Overall Structure –Title –Abstract (telling a story) –Introduction - Hypotheses: past and present –Method - How Hypotheses operationalized –Results - If Hypotheses confirmed or not –Discussion - Hypotheses: implications and future –References –Figures/Tables –Appendices

Purpose of each Section (1) Introduction –Prior Research –Present Research –Hypotheses (2) Method –Design –Participants –Materials –Procedures (3) Results –Evaluate participants –Evaluate materials –Evaluate procedures (4) Discussion –Restate results –Interpret results –Implications –Limitations of study –Future Research

Hourglass Opener: Big picture to purpose (mini-hourglass) Topic(s) of paper/research Prior Research Literature Present Research Hypothesis Method: Results: Restate results Interpret the results Implications and Relevance Limitations of the study if they exist Future Research and closing paragraph

Write Method first –As you are collecting data, can write method section describing blueprint for study Write Results second –As you are analyzing data, can write each part of the Results section Write Introduction third –Need to analyze results before writing Introduction because you need to know what “story” you are going to tell in Introduction Write Discussion fourth –Write Discussion section after the others because it is restatements and summary of prior sections Write Abstract last –Can only summarize in Abstract after you have locked in place what you need to summarize Journal Order in which to write: Journal

PRE-DATA COLLECTION Write Introduction first –Once you have the “Research Idea” can start on Introduction but realize will modify after… Write Method second –Once you have “Research Design” can start on Method but realize will modify after… (this is the PROPOSAL) POST-DATA COLLECTION Following steps from previous slide Thesis Order in which to write: Thesis

(1) Create Outline -- Start with APA-formatted template -- Use “hourglass” as guide to sections -- Brainstorm major/minor topic(s) -- Type those into outline as headers (paragraphs) (2) Fill-in the Outline -- Read relevant articles -- Abstract out important ideas/sentences -- Insert into appropriate place(s) in outline with page #s -- Reading articles will bring up new topics/headers -- Will constantly revise outline/headers (3) “Write” paper by flushing-out the Outline -- Within each header you’ll have notes/references -- Lay out each relevant article on desk and re-read each -- Then write that paragraph referring to notes & articles Write each day – Small, manageable, concrete Steps in Writing

“Guide to publishing in Psychology Journals”, edited by Sternberg –Part 1 and 2 of the book are about how to write each section of a psychology article. “The Psychologist’s Companion”, written by Sternberg –Many good chapters on how to write a psychology article, including common misconceptions, using APA format, and how to write different sections. Advanced Sources