Undergraduate writing in psychology : learning to tell the scientific story / R. Eric Landrum.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This third edition features new writing samples, including a full-length literature review and full-length scientific research paper, and new guidance to reflect the seventh edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association .

This accessible, practical guide to undergraduate writing takes the reader step by step through the process of developing research questions or theses, conducting literature searches, analyzing and synthesizing the literature, writing the paper, and more. Students will learn how to analyze and organize ideas for literature reviews, as well as how to prepare each section of a scientific research paper (introduction, method, results, discussion).

This updated edition is full of: advice and resources, including a checklist and self-quiz; a sample grading rubric that an instructor might use; example reference formats; and several before-and-after writing samples showing marked-up changes. Bonus guidance is given for communicating effectively with instructors and preparing conference posters.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface (p. ix)
• Introduction (p. 3)
• 1 Why Psychology Students (and Not Just English Majors) Have to Write (p. 7)
• Telling a Good Story With Scientific Information: Can It Be Done? (p. 8)
• Why Do We Tell the Scientific Story? (p. 10)
• Types of Assignments (p. 12)
• Meeting Audience Needs: What Is the Instructor Asking For? (p. 15)
• Why APA Style and Format Exist (p. 16)
• 2 Starting Your Paper: Finding the Thread of Your Story (p. 19)
• Selecting a Topic (p. 19)
• Developing a Thesis Statement or a Research Question (p. 22)
• Uncovering the Backstory, Part 1: Your Library Search Strategy (p. 24)
• What Sources Are Allowed? (p. 30)
• 3 Extracting the Useful Nuggets From a Literature Search (p. 33)
• Uncovering the Backstory, Part 2: Primary and Secondary Sources (p. 34)
• Evaluating Sources (p. 36)
• Which Information Is Most Pertinent? (p. 37)
• Keeping Track of Ideas (p. 44)
• Keeping Track of Sources (p. 45)
• Alternate Methods of Recording and Using Research Notes (p. 46)
• 4 How to Write Your Psychology Paper With Style: General Tips (p. 49)
• Why Instructors Like to Read Stylish Papers (p. 51)
• Audience Approval Meter: Ask What You Are Being Graded On (p. 58)
• Telling and Retelling Your Story: Drafting, Editing, Revising, and Proofreading (p. 60)
• How to Avoid Plagiarism With Style and Good Academic Citizenship (p. 66)
• Quiz Yourself on APA Style (p. 71)
• 5 Bringing the Audience Up to Speed With Literature Reviews (p. 79)
• Literature Reviews Provide Story Context (p. 79)
• Guiding Principles for Writing Literature Reviews (p. 80)
• Reassembling Pieces of the Story: Synthesis (p. 81)
• Organizing a Literature Review (p. 84)
• Sample Literature Review (p. 87)
• 6 Telling an Original Story Through a Research Paper (p. 103)
• Set the Tone: Introduction and Sample (p. 104)
• Total Transparency: Method Section and Sample (p. 109)
• What Happened, but Not Why: Results Section and Sample (p. 110)
• Explain and Question Again: Discussion Section and Sample (p. 117)
• 7 The Rest of the Story: Title, Abstract, References, and Tables (p. 125)
• Titles and Abstracts for Posterity's Sake (p. 125)
• References: Your Paper's Pedigree (p. 126)
• Tables at a Glance (p. 127)
• Sample Research Paper, Completed (p. 128)
• 8 Reshaping Your Story for Different Audiences: Other Types of Writing in Psychology (p. 147)
• Presenting at Conferences (p. 147)
• Writing Your Resume or Curriculum Vitae (p. 151)
• Writing for the Internet (Including Blogging, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) (p. 154)
• Writing for Pleasure and Insight (p. 156)
• References (p. 159)
• Index (p. 165)
• About the Author (p. 171)

Author notes provided by Syndetics

R. Eric Landrum, PhD, is a professor of psychology at Boise State University, Idaho. His research interests center on the study of educational issues, identifying those conditions that best facilitate student success (broadly defined).

Over the course of his career he has worked with or mentored hundreds of students and taught tens of thousands. His teaching and research awards include the Associated Students of Boise State University Outstanding Faculty Member Award,1994 and 2005; Boise State University Foundation Scholars Outstanding Teacher Award, 2002; and Social Sciences Public Affairs Tenured Research Award, 2004.

Landrum has published 17 books or book chapters and over 60 professional articles in scholarly, peer-reviewed journals. His work has appeared in journals such as Teaching of Psychology , College Teaching , Educational and Psychological Measurement , Journal of College Student Development , College Student Journal , and Psychological Reports .