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	Psychology Laboratory Report Writing

< Writing the report | Abstract >

1: Title page

The first page of your report is the title page. Its principal purpose is to present the title of the report. The report is the means by which you communicate to the reader about the research that you have undertaken. An effective title, therefore:

• is comparatively short (no more than 10-15 words), but
• is maximally informative, providing sufficient detail for any reader to have a good idea of the major focus of the research that was undertaken.

One strategy that can inform the reader about the focus of the research is to include the dependent variable(s) (DVs) and the independent variable(s) (IVs) in the title.

• Example
  The effect of anger suppression on the eating behaviour of high and low disinhibitors.
  Note that in this title, "the effect of anger suppression" and "high and low disinhibitors" are the independent variables. "Eating behaviour" is the dependent variable.

The title page should be numbered as 1 (page numbers go in the top right hand corner). Sometimes journals ask for a shortened version of the title to be included on the top right hand side of every page.

• Example of a title page (1st year student)

< Writing the report | Abstract >

Last updated August 30, 2004 | Site credits and information Site contacts - content: Prof. Gail Huon School of Psychology, construction: Belinda Allen EDTeC © The University of New South Wales 2004