APA Methods & Results: Peer review worksheet

As we did last time, you are to read through your partner’s paper once as a whole. Then read through it again more carefully as you fill out this form. Please aim to be polite and constructive in your feedback.

Overall formatting

Yes NoA simple font is used.Text is double-spaced.A running head is in the upper left of the page.A page number is in the upper right of the page.Paragraphs are indented.Paragraphs begin on a new line (not the same line as the heading).No section is intentionally started on a new page, except to keep a heading with its bodyThe heading “Methods” is centered at the top.The 3 subheadings are used: “Participants,” “Materials,” and “Procedure.”The 3 subheadings are left-justified (not centered).The 3 subheadings do NOT have any punctuation after them.All headings are in bold.

Participants section

Yes NoIncludes the number of participants.Indicates why they participated.Indicates that they were from an experimental design class (NOT “Psy 205”).Only includes relevant information (no extra details).

What was done well in this paragraph?

What needs to be improved in this paragraph?

Additional comments/suggestions:

Materials section

Yes NoCorrectly describes the words and sentences used, including how many there were.Mentions that PowerPoint was used to display the stimuli.Mentions that stimuli were projected onto a screen in a classroom.

What was done well in this paragraph?

What needs to be improved in this paragraph?

Additional comments/suggestions:

Procedure section

Yes NoMentions that participants were randomly assigned to two groups.Correctly describes what each group had to do.Mentions the timing of everything.Does NOT say anything about collecting/analyzing the data at the end.

What was done well in this paragraph?

What needs to be improved in this paragraph?

Additional comments/suggestions:

Results section

Yes NoBegins with an easy to understand description of the main finding.The description is an accurate reflection of what we found.Provides the numbers to back up the first statement.Includes the statistical test results if you understand what they mean (otherwise leave them out).

What was done well in this paragraph?

What needs to be improved in this paragraph?

Additional comments/suggestions:

Grammar/style

In the paper, underline any instances of the following items that need to be fixed or improved. Add comments or corrections as necessary so the author knows what the problem is; Put a √ by any instances where the item was done well.

Precision – avoiding vague terms and phrases; Check for careful wording when using the word “random”

Writing concisely – are there places that could be written with fewer words?o Avoiding redundancy – are there unnecessary words anywhere?

Consistent use of terminology Objectivity Avoiding the words I told everyone to avoid (subjects, prove, you, contractions) Correct usage of problem words

o affect/effecto based ono datao stimulio number/amounto significant

Not using “they” as a singular pronoun Overall grammar – any other grammar issues should be noted and discussed

Additional comments/suggestions:

When you have finished, return this sheet to your partner, and take some time to discuss your review so your partner knows how to proceed in improving the paper. The author of the paper should take this information and use it to revise the paper. The final improved paper is due in class on Monday.