Provide an APA style Title page for the manuscript (a separate title/cover page is needed for the whole thesis)
Use student number instead of author name (for blind review)
Strive for an accurate, cogent 10-15 word title
Abstract
Probably the most important yet poorly written section of a manuscript
Like the first few seconds of a job interview, the Abstract makes an early impression on the reader
Deserves more drafting than any other section
150 - 250 words
An Abstract reader should be able to walk away with a clear understanding of the study, its findings, and the implications.
Keywords - include up to 5
Introduction
General introduction
~1 page introduction to, and overview of, the topic/problem, explaining key constructs and their possible relations.
Body
May be organised with several headings
Critical review of key theory and research with regard to a problem or question
Avoid extraneous matters - provide a disciplined focus around a central purpose
Set up a narrative that leads logically into the research question and hypotheses
Conclusion and hypotheses
Conclude the critical review narrative
Consider clearly stating a research question
Propose and outline rationale for hypotheses to be tested
Method
Participants
A common problem is a pedestrian description of the sample
Strive to offer clear insight into who participated in the study
A litmus test is whether someone on the other side of the world in 50 years time will understand what kind of responses were in the sample
Materials
Provide clear, sufficient description of the materials that allow:
Understanding of results and their interpretation
Replication
Avoid extraneous detail
Procedure
Provide clear, sufficient description of the procedure that allows:
Understanding of results and their interpretation
Replication
Avoid extraneous detail
Design or Analysis
Optional - usually only for complex designs or unusual analytic techniques
Results
Data screening
Provide a brief, high-level overview of the process using to screen the data
Analyses for each hypothesis
Generally, avoid presenting extensive descriptive statistics etc. which are not tied to addressing specific hypotheses
Use the hypotheses as the key organising structure
Explain how each analysis was conducted and why and present and explain the results in a clear, understandable way
Avoid interpretative discussion
Discussion
The Discussion book-ends the article, along the the Introduction. It should be possible to read from the Introduction and into the Discussion, skipping the technical Method and Results sections, and be able to understand the research study, its findings, and implications.
A common problem is quickly-written, insufficiently drafted, a|nd somewhat pedestrian or immature Discussion sections.
While some summary of results is appropriate, focus on the forest rather the trees, and interpret the results in light of the theories and previous research considered in the Introduction.
Include a conclusion, with recommendations about practical implications and future research directions
References
Check that all citations are referenced and all references are cited.
