AP Psychology
                                                                            Method Section Rubric


General:  “The method section describes in detail how the study was conducted.  Such a description enables the reader to evaluate the appropriateness of your methods and the reliability and validity of your findings.  It also permits experienced investigators to replicate the study if they so desire” (APA, 1994, p. 12).

Participants:  “Appropriate identification of research participants and clientele is critical to the science and practice of psychology…When humans are the participants, report the procedures for selecting and assigning them and the agreements and payments made.  Report major demographic characteristics such as sex and age (APA, 1994, p. 13).

Apparatus (Materials):  “The subsection on apparatus describes the apparatus or materials used and their function in the experiment.  Standard laboratory equipment, such as furniture, stopwatches, or screens, can usually be mentioned without detail.  Identify specialized equipment obtained and the supplier’s name and location.  Complex or custom-made equipment may be illustrated by a drawing or photograph.  A detailed description of complex equipment may be included in an appendix” (APA, 1995, p. 14).

Since most, if not all, of you are using questionnaires, you need to briefly describe the questionnaire.  For example, “the Body Consciousness Questionnaire consists of 30 questions that assess perceptions of body competence, internal body consciousness, and external body consciousness.  Subjects respond to questions on a scale of 1 – 5 with 1 being “never true” and 5 being “always true”.  If you have information on the reliability and validity of the questionnaire, you need to report it.

If you have created your own questionnaire, be sure to describe it and provide any rationale that seems appropriate .  In any case, be sure to include a copy of your questionnaire(s) in the appendix.

Procedure:  “The subsection on procedure summarizes each step in the execution of research.  Include the instructions to the participants, the formation of the groups, and the specific experimental manipulations.  Describe randomization, counterbalancing, and other control features in the design…Remember, the Method section should tell readers what you did and how you did it in sufficient detail so that a reader could reasonably replicate your study” (APA, 1994, p. 14).

Participants:                                               /5

Materials:                                                  /15

Procedure:                                                 /20

Appendixes:                                               /10

 

TOTAL

 


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