The Editor’s Studio

Introduction

Chapter 15

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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.

Communicating the Science of Psychology

In this activity, you will explore how to use APA-style writing to communicate clearly, consistently, and concisely with others.

Dr. Melanie Maggard

Dr. Natalie J. Ciarocco, Monmouth University

Dr. David B. Strohmetz, University of West Florida

Dr. Gary W. Lewandowski, Jr., Monmouth University

Something to Think About…

The APA style of writing is technical, meaning that when we write an APA-style report, our writing must be clear, consistent, and concise. Unlike in more artistic styles of writing, where we may use flowery language and detailed explanations to convey a point, we use technical writing to communicate ideas and research in the most easily understandable, least-biased format possible.

Something to Think About…

When you know how to write in APA style, you become better able to communicate effectively with others. Keep in mind that one of the qualities of a good researcher is the ability to communicate findings in order to advance science. But this ability can only come with practice—and more practice!

Instructions

Let’s put your APA-style communication skills to the test. The following questions will ask you to choose the best option for communicating information, and they will help you practice writing more clearly, simply, and directly.

Say It Succinctly

Conaway and DeBoer (2015) conducted a correlational analysis of TV-viewing time and BMI scores in children between kindergarten and the first grade. Results showed a positive correlation between the number of hours of television watched and BMI.

Question 1.1

Which of the following summaries of this study is the clearest and most succinct?

Children who watched more television had higher BMIs.

Children who watched less television tended to have higher BMIs.

Children who watched more television at home tended to have higher BMIs in school.

Try again.

Correct.

Incorrect.

Say It Succinctly

Maggard (2000) provided male and female college students with informational, controlling, or no feedback after they completed an anagram task. Before completing a second anagram task, students received feedback about their initial performance on the task. Female students who received informational feedback had significantly higher self-efficacy when given the second anagram task compared to those who received controlling or no feedback.

Question 1.2

Which of the following summaries of this study is the clearest and most succinct?

People respond to different types of feedback differently. It was found that those who received informational feedback had higher self-efficacy than those who received controlling feedback or no feedback.

Informational feedback resulted in levels of self-efficacy higher than other types of feedback.

Informational feedback resulted in higher levels of self-efficacy in females than controlling feedback or no feedback.

Try again.

Correct.

Incorrect.

Choose Your Words Wisely

A correlational analysis of IQ and head size of children between the ages of 4 and 7 showed a significant positive correlation (Jensen & Johnson, 1994).

Question 1.3

Which of the following sentences is the most precise description of this study?

It has been proven that those with larger heads have higher IQs than those with smaller heads.

Head size may be related to IQ, with those with larger heads having higher IQs on average than those with smaller heads.

Those with larger heads tend to have higher IQs than those with smaller heads, which could indicate that head size influences intelligence.

Try again.

Correct.

Incorrect.

Choose Your Words Wisely

Dittmar, Halliwell, and Ive (2006) conducted a study exposing young girls to images of Barbie dolls (representing ultra-thin body ideals), Emme dolls (representing more realistic body ideals), or no dolls at all. When they measured body esteem after exposure, those girls who were exposed to Barbie dolls had lower body esteem than those in the Emme dolls or no dolls conditions.

Question 1.4

Which of the following sentences best describes the findings of this study?

Playing with dolls can cause young girls to have low body self-esteem.

The more often young girls play with Barbie dolls, the lower their body self-esteem becomes.

Exposure to thin dolls may lead young girls to have lower body esteem.

Try again.

Correct.

Incorrect.

Use Your Verb Tenses Correctly

Question 1.5

Which of the following sentences uses the correct verb tenses in describing the findings from the Barbie, Emme, and no dolls study?

Exposure to thin dolls caused young girls to have lower body esteem.

Exposure to thin dolls causes young girls to have lower body esteem.

Exposure to thin dolls will lead young girls to have lower body esteem.

Try again.

Correct.

Incorrect.

Use Your Verb Tenses Correctly

Question 1.6

Which of the following sentences is preferable when describing the results of another previous study?

Higher levels of performance in adults were caused by participation in the training program.

Adults performed better after participating in a training program.

Higher levels of performance were observed among adults who participated in the training program.

Try again.

Correct.

Incorrect.

Keep Things Clear and Organized

Question 1.7

Which of the following sentences presents information on sociocultural factors’ influence on body image in the most clear and organized way?

Many studies have found that sociocultural factors can influence one’s body image.

Women greatly overestimate their body size after viewing popular fashion magazines. Many studies have found that sociocultural factors contribute to poor body image.

Many studies have found that sociocultural factors contribute to poor body image. For example, women tend to overestimate their body size after viewing popular fashion magazines.

Try again.

Correct.

Incorrect.

Keep Things Clear and Organized

Question 1.8

Which of the following sentences presents information on the relation between violent video games and negative interpersonal interactions in the most clear, organized way?

Several studies clearly show that violent video games and interpersonal violence are related.

Several studies found support for a connection between violent video games and immediate negative interpersonal interactions. However, researchers do not believe that the impact is serious or long-term.

The impact of video games is not believed to be serious or long-term since several studies have found support for an association between violent video games and immediate negative interpersonal interactions.

Try again.

Correct.

Incorrect.

Take Home Message

As you proceed in your academic and professional career, it might be useful to consider the old adage K.I.S.S.—or, “Keep It Simple, Stupid!”—when it comes to writing. The more clear, concise, and consistent your writing, the better able you are to communicate your ideas.

Although mastering the ability to write simply and directly requires practice, doing so allows us to contribute to the advancement of science. APA style provides guidelines for how we can communicate more effectively, and, as a result, be better researchers.

Congratulations

Congratulations! You have successfully completed this activity.