Writing About Data in Psychology Papers and Reports

Have you seen the data?

The word data is a plural noun and takes a plural verb. See the following two examples.

Our data do not indicate why a discrepancy might exist, but the findings could be consistent with those of Kakhnovets (2011) who found that Extraversion was a factor for women but not
men in seeking psychotherapy (Sutton et al., 2018, p.20).

There are data suggesting that certain infants appear to actively suppress activation of the attachment system (i.e., have trouble seeking care). Cassidy, 2000, p. 116)

We write:

Data are not data is.

Data were not data was.

Data reveal not data reveals.

Data show not data shows.

If we wanted to write about one item from a data set, we could use the singular form, datum.

One score in a set of scores is a datum. Datum is rarely used.

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References

Cassidy, J. (2000). Adult romantic attachments: A developmental perspective on individual differences. Review of General Psychology, 4, 111-131.

Sutton, G. W., Kelly, H., Worthington, E. L. Jr., Griffin, B. J., & Dinwiddie, C. (2018) Satisfaction with Christian psychotherapy and well-being: Contributions of hope, personality, and spirituality. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 5 (1), 8-24. doi: 10.1037/scp0000145

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Comments

Academic Self-Efficacy Scale ASE

Overview The Academic Self-Efficacy Scale is an application of Self-Efficacy Theory to examine the relationship between self-efficacy and academic performance using 8-items rated on a 7-point scale. The work of Chemers et al. (2001) has been widely cited. Format The 8-items are rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 = Very Untrue to 7 = Very True. Sample Items 2. I know how to take notes. 6. I usually do very well in school and at academic tasks. Reliability, Validity, and Other Research notes In the article describing the development and use of the ASE, the authors observed: “As predicted, academic self-efficacy was significantly and directly related to academic expectations and academic performance.” (Chemers et al., 2001, p. 61) Sutton et al. (2011) reported Cronbach's alpha of .83 in their study of academic self-esteem and personal strengths. ASE was highly positively correlated with ACT scores (.24) and GPA (.39)....

Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS)

Assessment name: Brief Self-Control Scale Scale overview: The Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) is a 13-item self-report measure of self-control, which is also called self-discipline and willpower. Authors: June P. Tangney, Roy F. Baumeister, Angie L. Boone Response Type: Items are rated on a five-point scale of self-evaluation from 1 = not at all like me to 5 = very much like me. Scale items Example items include “I am good at resisting temptation” and “I have a hard time breaking bad habits” (reverse coded). Psychometric properties In their original publication, Tangney and others (2004) documented high internal consistency and retest values. High scores representing self-control were associated with academic success and better relationships whereas low scores were correlated with personal problems and problem relationships. Availability: The BSCS is widely used and available in many languages. The original 36-item scale and the Brief...

Rotterdam Emotional Intelligence Scale (REIS)

Scale name: Rotterdam Emotional Intelligence Scale (REIS) Scales overview : The Rotterdam Emotional Intelligence Scale (REIS) is a 28-item measure of emotional intelligence having four subscales. Authors: Pekaar, Keri A., Bakker, Arnold B., van der Linden, Dimitri, & Born, Marise Ph. Response Type: All items are rated on a 5-point Likert type scale ranging from 1 (totally disagree to 5 (totally agree). Subscales = 4 Following are the four subscales with a sample item. Self-focused emotion appraisal( 1. I always know how I feel.) Other-focused emotion appraisal ( 8. I am aware of the emotions of the people around me.) Self-focused emotion regulation ( 15. I am in control of my own emotions.) Other-focused emotion regulation ( 22. I can make someone else feel differently.) Reliability and Validity “The results indicate that the REIS follows a four-factorial structure and can be reliably measured with 28 items. The REIS was strongly correl...

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