SLRP welcomes quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies.

Quantitative Research

The Editors of SLRP recommend that authors of manuscripts based on quantitative research consider the general guidelines outlined in Chapter 1 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th edition. 2020. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, pp. 9-20).

In particular, a quantitative research report should generally include the following sections:

An Introduction that 

• states the problem to be investigated

• contextualizes the research by describing the underlying theoretical framework and reviewing previous studies

• defines the variables and research hypotheses

A Method Section that describes 

• the participants (e.g., demographics, selection criteria, and group assignment)

• the materials (e.g., task[s], equipment, instruments, including a discussion of their validity and reliability, if appropriate)

• the procedures employed in the study such as treatment(s)

A Results Section that includes

• graphs and tables that help to present and explain the results

• descriptive and inferential statistics used to analyze the data, including the following:

  • name of the statistic used and in the case of an uncommon statistical procedure, a reference to a discussion of the procedure

  • statistical significance of the results obtained

  • measures of effect sizes

  • how all necessary assumptions were met

A Discussion Section that includes

• an interpretation of the results

• an explanation of the results, including alternative explanations when appropriate

• a statement relating the results obtained in the study to original hypotheses

• theoretical implications

• limitations of the study

A Conclusion that includes

• general implications of the study

• limitations of the study

• suggestions for further research

References

Appendices

Qualitative Research

The editors of SLRP recommend that authors of manuscripts reporting on qualitative research generally include the following sections in their articles:

• An introduction that states the problem to be investigated

• Statement of the research questions examined in the study

• Description of the theoretical framework(s) underlying the research question

• Description of the methodological traditions in which the study was conducted

• Relationship between the study and previous work in the area under investigation

• Detailed description of the participants and research site

• Detailed description of data collection and analysis procedures

• Report of findings

• Limitations of the study

• Implication(s) of the study

• Suggestions for further research

• References

• Appendices