Short Answer

A researcher decides to skip reporting their manipulation check and participant exclusions at the beginning of the Results section, arguing that because APA style does not mandate standard subsections, they are free to organize the section however they want to highlight their most exciting primary findings first. Evaluate this researcher's decision based on the principles of APA Results section organization.

Question: A researcher decides to skip reporting their manipulation check and participant exclusions at the beginning of the Results section, arguing that because APA style does not mandate standard subsections, they are free to organize the section however they want to highlight their most exciting primary findings first. Evaluate this researcher's decision based on the principles of APA Results section organization.

Sample answer: The researcher's decision is flawed. Although the APA results section lacks standard mandatory subsections, it must still follow a logical organizational progression. This progression dictates that preliminary issues, such as participant exclusions and manipulation checks, must be established before tackling the primary research questions, regardless of which findings the researcher finds most exciting.

Key points:

  • The researcher's decision is flawed or incorrect.
  • An APA Results section lacks standard subsections but still requires a logical organizational progression.
  • Preliminary issues must be established before tackling primary research questions.

Rubric: Answers must state that the decision is flawed and justify this by explaining that despite lacking standard subsections, a logical progression starting with preliminary issues is required before presenting primary findings.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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