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Chapter 16 Appendix B: Writing a Research Report in APA Publication Style 16.1 Appendix B Items 1) Style guidelines used by most psychological journals A) are almost all focused on research ethics. B) are presented in the APA Publication Manual. C) vary enormously from one journal to another. D) must be selected by the researcher to present the information most effectively. Answer: B Rationale: Option B is correct because most psychological journals follow the style guidelines outlined in the APA Publication Manual, ensuring consistency and clarity in research reporting. 2) In published research articles, levels of headings A) organize the article. B) are the same as levels of constraint. C) are used only in the results section. D) define the statistical significance level. Answer: A Rationale: Option A is correct because levels of headings in published research articles help organize the content and structure of the article, facilitating readability and navigation for the reader. 3) An abstract is A) a brief summary of the research paper. B) the rationale for a research paper. C) a summary of the references. D) a conceptual model for a research paper. Answer: A Rationale: Option A is correct because an abstract serves as a concise summary of the key aspects of the research paper, including its purpose, methods, results, and conclusions. 4) Which of the following is an example of a well-worded title? A) a report of agoraphobics B) the study of anxious patients C) the psychological effects of test anxiety in college students D) test anxiety Answer: C Rationale: Option C is correct because it provides a clear and specific description of the focus of the study, adhering to the guidelines for a well-worded title in research articles. 5) The title of a research report should A) be as short as possible. B) be concise while still describing the focus of the study. C) include the author's name. D) be consistent with the title of the journal. Answer: B Rationale: Option B is correct because the title of a research report should be concise yet descriptive, accurately reflecting the main focus of the study while maintaining brevity. 6) The proper location for the abstract in an APA style research article is A) right after the reference section as an appendix. B) at the beginning of the paper before anything else. C) on a separate page just before the introduction to the article. D) just before the methods section. Answer: C Rationale: Option C is correct because in APA style, the abstract is typically placed on a separate page just before the introduction, providing a succinct overview of the research paper's content. 7) The introduction to a research paper should include A) a general statement of the research problem. B) a review of prior research directly relevant to the research study. C) a specific statement of the hypotheses being investigated. D) All of the above Answer: D Rationale: Option D is correct because the introduction to a research paper typically includes all the aspects mentioned in options A, B, and C, providing context, background, and purpose for the study. 8) The results section of a research paper should include A) a statistical description of the results found. B) the procedure used for group assignment. C) the computations performed to arrive at the inferential statistics. D) Both A and B Answer: A Rationale: Option A is correct because the results section of a research paper presents a statistical description of the findings, while option B is incorrect as the procedure used for group assignment typically belongs in the methods section. 9) The participants subsection of a research article should include a description of A) demographic characteristics of participants. B) selection criteria for participants. C) the method used to assign participants to groups whenever applicable. D) All of the above Answer: D Rationale: Option D is correct because the participants subsection typically includes all the aspects mentioned in options A, B, and C, providing comprehensive information about the individuals involved in the study. 10) The purpose of the method section of a research article is to A) give a summary of the research findings. B) describe the pattern of scores on the dependent measure. C) describe how the research was carried out. D) specifically state the research hypotheses. Answer: C Rationale: Option C is correct because the method section of a research article describes in detail how the research was conducted, including the study design, procedures, and data collection methods. 11) The order of references in the reference section of an APA style article should be determined by A) alphabetizing the list based on the last name of the authors. B) alphabetizing the list based on the title of each paper. C) the order in which the references are first introduced in the paper. D) the publication date of each article. Answer: A Rationale: In APA style, references are arranged alphabetically by the last name of the first author. This convention ensures consistency and ease of reference for readers. 12) The methods section includes a description of A) the participants and how they were selected. B) the apparatus, equipment, and materials used. C) the procedures used. D) All of the above Answer: D Rationale: The methods section of a research article typically includes all aspects related to how the study was conducted, including participant details, equipment/materials used, and procedures followed. 13) It is important to describe exactly how the research was carried out in a research article because it A) allows other researchers to replicate the study. B) ensures that the research was done in APA format. C) is a rule that has always been followed. D) makes it possible to contact participants. Answer: A Rationale: Describing the research methods in detail allows other researchers to replicate the study, which is fundamental to the scientific process and contributes to the validity and reliability of research findings. 14) The description of the procedures for selection and assignment of participants should be included in the A) introduction of the paper. B) method section of the paper. C) reference section of the paper. D) first appendix of the paper, which is labeled "Participant Selection Criteria." Answer: B Rationale: The method section of a research paper is where the procedures for participant selection and assignment should be described, as it is the appropriate section for detailing the research methodology. 15) The proper location for a table in a manuscript written in APA style is A) in the text on the page after it is introduced to the reader. B) in the third appendix, which is labeled "List of Tables." C) after the reference section of the paper and before any figures. D) right after the results section of the paper. Answer: C Rationale: In APA style, tables are typically placed after the reference section and before any figures, ensuring that they are easily accessible to readers while maintaining the flow of the manuscript. 16) The discussion section of a research report is used to A) explain results and give an interpretation of their meaning B) point out flaws in the methodology (before someone else does) and suggest ways to correct these flaws in future research. C) point out new questions that are raised by the results of the study. D) All of the above Answer: D Rationale: The discussion section serves multiple purposes, including interpreting results, addressing methodological limitations, suggesting avenues for future research, and discussing the broader implications of the findings. 17) In the results section of a research article, figures and tables are often used to A) organize statistical information. B) present the dependent measures used. C) present demographic characteristics of participants. D) delineate which participants were assigned to which groups. Answer: A Rationale: Figures and tables in the results section are primarily used to organize and present statistical information, such as descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and graphical representations of data. 18) If there is more than one article by the same author cited in the reference section of a research report, these articles should be A) arranged in chronological order. B) combined into one reference. C) arranged in alphabetical order by title. D) arranged in alphabetical order by journal title. Answer: A Rationale: When citing multiple works by the same author in APA style, they should be arranged in chronological order, with the earliest publication first. This helps readers easily locate and differentiate between the works. 19) What should be italicized in a reference? A) the entire reference B) the author(s) and date of publication C) the title of the journal or book and the volume number of the journal D) page numbers used for the citation Answer: C Rationale: In APA style, the title of the journal or book and the volume number of the journal should be italicized in a reference to distinguish them from other elements and adhere to formatting conventions. 20) Precision, conciseness, and organization A) are important when writing a journal article. B) make reading a journal article dull and therefore should be avoided. C) are nearly impossible to achieve in a complex research article. D) are necessary only when writing research reports. Answer: A Rationale: Precision, conciseness, and organization are crucial elements in scientific writing, including journal articles, as they contribute to clarity, readability, and the effective communication of research findings. 21) If a study is cited in the text of a research article, which of the following is true? A) the authors should be notified. B) it must appear in the reference section of the article. C) it must be published in the same journal. D) it should be included in at least one table. Answer: B Rationale: When a study is cited in the text of a research article, it is essential to include it in the reference section. This allows readers to find the original source for further information. Failing to include it in the reference section would make it difficult for readers to verify the information or delve deeper into the cited work. Test Bank for Research Methods: A Process of Inquiry Anthony M. Graziano, Michael L. Raulin 9780205900923, 9780205907694, 9780135705056
