Lab Report How reinforcement affects customers’ product return decision in online retailing
Abstract
The abstract starts on a new page after the title page with the heading “Abstract”. The heading is a
Level 1 heading (see Headings section in handout for APA style headings). It is easiest to write the abstract
last as it is a summary of the report (approximately 100 to 120 words). The abstract should summarise: the
problem under investigation (the aim); participant characteristics (including the number, age, gender and
any other relevant information); the method (including materials and procedure); the findings (including
statistical significance levels); and a concluding statement based upon the findings (this may also include
implications of the research). Note that the abstract length does not count towards the word limit of the
report.
Introduction
The introduction starts on a new page (without a heading). In the introduction you will need to
introduce the problem, develop the background and state the purpose or rationale of the current study.
When introducing the problem (approximately one paragraph) consider what the area of research
is, what the purpose of study in this area is (consider more generally what the implications of research in
this area may be – the purpose of the specific study is considered later) and what the theoretical
propositions are that are being tested. It is important to define the theoretical concepts being studied.
To develop the background the introduction should provide a summary of the literature in the
field. This summary should not be exhaustive, instead write for a reader who has some knowledge in the
field. The background summary should tell the reader what research has already been done in this area,
what the theoretical implications of the current study are and how it relates to previous work in the field,
and how the current work continues logically from previous work.
Finally, the introduction should state the purpose or the rationale of the current study in the
closing paragraph. This should reflect the information already presented in the introduction and tie it to the
current study. In this section the aim and the hypotheses should be clearly stated for the reader. At the end
of the introduction the reader should have a very clear idea about why you conducted the study, and what
you expected to happen.
Method
The method follows on from the introduction (does not start on a new page) and is a 1st level
heading “Method”. The method provides the reader with an account of how the experiment was conducted.
The information in the method should be clear and detailed enough to allow other researchers to be able to
replicate your experiment. The method consists of three sub-sections: participants, materials and
procedure. Note that there should be no text between the method heading and the participant sub-heading.
Participants
The sub-heading “Participants” should follow immediately under the methods heading and is a 2nd
level heading. In the participants section report the procedures for selecting and assigning participants and
whether any benefits were offered for participation (i.e. receiving credit points). Report major
demographic characteristics (gender and age) and any other characteristics which might be relevant to the
study. Give the total number of participants and if applicable, the number assigned to each group. If any
participants did not complete the experiment, report how many and why.
Materials
The materials starts with a 2nd level heading “Materials” and briefly describes the materials used
to conduct the experiment. This includes any stimuli used, or any published survey materials.
Procedure
The procedure starts with a 2nd level heading “Procedure” and summarises each step in the
execution of the research. Make sure to include instructions to participants, formation of groups (if
relevant) and a step by step recount of the specific experimental manipulation. When writing the method, it
is important that all sections are expressed in sentences – do not use bullet points within a lab report.
Results
The results follows on from the method section (does not start on a new page) with a 1st level
heading “Results”. The results summarises the results found and statistical analyses done. It is important
not to interpret the results in the results section – interpretation of the results is presented in the discussion.
Mention all relevant results, including those that are not consistent with the hypothesis reported in the
introduction.
Discussion
The discussion follows on from the results section (does not start on a new page) with a 1st level
heading “Discussion”. The discussion should start with a clear statement of support or non-support for the
original hypothesis. The discussion should then go on to integrate the findings (presented in the results)
with the existing literature (presented in the introduction). There should be no new theoretical information
(all relevant theory should have been presented in the introduction). The discussion should also include a
brief critique of the limitations of the study and provide suggestions for the future directions of the
research.
References
Use an APA 1st Level Heading with the heading “References” on a new page. APA reference lists
should be presented double spaced, in 12 point Times New Roman font, have no spaces between
references, in alphabetical order (by leading author surname), with handing indentation (to create a
hanging indent in Word, highlight the text and press Ctrl + T). Only include references that are actually
cited in the report but make sure that you include all sources cited in the report. See the following page for
how to reference different sources. For more information on referencing, please refer to the Referencing
Guide on LearnJCU and the JCU LibGuides APA Referencing Guide (https://libguides.jcu.edu.au/apa).
Setting up the Format
You need to consider all aspects of the format of the document. The easiest thing to do is to
adjust your ‘default’ settings in Microsoft Word to the following:
• Font = Times New Roman, Size 12
• This is non-negotiable
• Line Spacing = double – everywhere (including the References)
• Page Numbers = upper right corner
• Title page should not have a page number
• Begin page numbering with ‘1’ on the first page of the critical evaluation
• Margins = 2.54cm (top, bottom, left & right)
• Left-aligned and indent the first line of each paragraph
Headings
Level of Heading Format
1 Centred, Boldface, Title Case Heading
Text begins as new paragraph
2 Flush Left, Boldface, Title Case Heading
Text beings as new paragraph
3 Flush Left, Bold, Title Case Heading.
Text begins as new paragraph
4 Indented, Boldface, Title Case Heading, Ending with
a period. Text begins on the same line and continues as a
regular paragraph.
5 Indented, Bold Italic, Title Case Heading, Ending with a
period. Text begins on the same line and continues as a regular
paragraph.
Writing the Lab Report
• Follow the APA Guidelines – APA Publication Manual of the American Psychological
Association (7th Edition) – especially for referencing.
• Write clearly and concisely for an academic audience.
• Proofread your work!
• Do not use ‘first person’ language No “I”, “we” etc.
Some other important things to consider
Direct Quotation (using words that are not your own) Direct quotations should be avoided.
• Use quotation marks eg. “blah, blah, blah” (author, year, p. #)
• Ensure that you include the page numbers of the quotation in the citation
o e.g. (Jones, 2008, p. 24)
• If quote is more than 40 words long, needs to be inserted as an indented paragraph.
Summarising
• Refers to taking ideas from a large passage of another source and condensing them, using your
own words. This must be referenced.
Paraphrasing
• Using the ideas from another source but changing the phrasing into your own words. This must
be referenced.
