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How to Write an APA 7 Psychology Lab Report (Section-by-Section Example)
A psychology lab report follows the structure of a journal article: Title Page, Abstract, Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion and References. Students lose most marks in two places: the Results section (statistics reported in the wrong format) and the Discussion (repeating results instead of interpreting them). Below is each section with example sentences from one fictional study, a statistics-reporting cheat sheet, and a checklist.
The example study: Does background music affect memory? 60 undergraduates memorized a 20-word list in silence or with instrumental music, then recalled as many words as they could.
Structure and length (for a 2,000 to 2,500 word report)
| Section | Purpose | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| Title page | Title, author, affiliation, course, instructor, date | 1 page |
| Abstract | Summary of the whole study | 150 to 250 words |
| Introduction | Background, previous research, gap, hypothesis | 600 to 800 words |
| Method | Participants, materials, design, procedure | 400 to 600 words |
| Results | Statistics, tables, figures, no interpretation | 200 to 400 words |
| Discussion | Interpretation, links to literature, limitations, future research | 600 to 800 words |
| References | APA 7 reference list | new page |
APA 7 student papers don't require a running head or an abstract unless your instructor asks. Most psychology lab reports do require an abstract, so check your brief.
1. Title page
A student title page in APA 7 includes: title (bold, centred), author name, department and university, course number and name, instructor name, and due date.
Weak title: Memory Experiment
Stronger title: The Effect of Instrumental Background Music on Free Recall of Word Lists
A good title names the independent and dependent variables.
2. Abstract
Write it last. In one paragraph: aim, participants, method, key result with statistics, and the main conclusion.
This study examined whether instrumental background music affects free recall. Sixty undergraduates were randomly assigned to study a 20-word list in silence or with instrumental music, then recalled as many words as possible. Participants in the silence condition recalled more words (M = 12.4, SD = 2.8) than those in the music condition (M = 10.1, SD = 3.1), t(58) = 3.02, p = .004, d = 0.78. The findings suggest that background music may reduce recall of verbal material.
3. Introduction
Move from broad to specific, ending with the hypothesis:
- Topic: why memory and distraction matter.
- Theory: for example, working memory or the irrelevant sound effect.
- Previous findings: what studies have found, including disagreements.
- Gap: what's still unclear.
- Aim and hypothesis: stated clearly and testably.
Hypothesis example: "It was hypothesized that participants who studied in silence would recall more words than participants who studied with instrumental background music."
4. Method
Write in the past tense, with enough detail for someone to repeat the study. Use subheadings.
Participants: "Sixty undergraduate students (38 women, 21 men, 1 non-binary; age range 18 to 29, M = 20.6) took part for course credit. All reported normal or corrected-to-normal hearing."
Design: "A between-subjects design was used. The independent variable was study condition (silence or instrumental music). The dependent variable was the number of words correctly recalled."
Materials: describe the word list, the music (genre, tempo, volume), and any equipment.
Procedure: step by step, including consent, instructions, timing and debriefing.
See our guide to independent and dependent variables if you're unsure how to label them.
5. Results
Report what you found, without interpreting why. Give descriptive statistics, then the inferential test, then the effect size.
Participants in the silence condition recalled more words (M = 12.4, SD = 2.8) than participants in the music condition (M = 10.1, SD = 3.1). An independent-samples t test showed this difference was significant, t(58) = 3.02, p = .004, d = 0.78.
APA 7 statistics cheat sheet
| Statistic | APA 7 format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Mean and SD | M = x.xx, SD = x.xx (italic M and SD) | M = 12.40, SD = 2.80 |
| t test | t(df) = x.xx, p = .xxx, d = x.xx | t(58) = 3.02, p = .004, d = 0.78 |
| ANOVA | F(df1, df2) = x.xx, p = .xxx, η²p = .xx | F(2, 87) = 4.56, p = .013, η²p = .09 |
| Correlation | r(df) = .xx, p = .xxx | r(58) = .34, p = .008 |
| Chi-square | χ²(df, N = n) = x.xx, p = .xxx | χ²(1, N = 60) = 5.40, p = .020 |
| Very small p | p < .001 | never write p = .000 |
Rules students miss: no zero before the decimal for values that can't exceed 1 (p, r): write .004, not 0.004. Italicize statistical symbols (M, SD, t, F, p, r, d). Report exact p values to two or three decimals.
Tables and figures: number them (Table 1, Figure 1), give each a title in italic title case, and refer to each in the text. Don't repeat the same numbers in both a table and the text.
6. Discussion
- Restate the main finding in words, and whether it supports the hypothesis.
- Explain it using theory and previous research.
- Compare with studies that found different results.
- Limitations: sample, design, materials. Be specific: "All participants were undergraduates from one university, so results may not generalize to older adults."
- Future research: a concrete next study.
- Conclusion: one or two sentences on what the study adds.
Weak: "The results showed that silence was better (M = 12.4)." (repeats Results)
Stronger: "Recall was lower with music, consistent with the irrelevant sound effect: background sound may compete with rehearsal in working memory."
7. References
Every in-text citation needs a reference, and every reference needs an in-text citation. Use APA 7: hanging indent, double-spaced, alphabetical by first author. Include DOIs as https://doi.org/ links. Our free citation generator formats journal articles in APA 7.
Checklist before you submit
- Title names the IV and DV
- Abstract has the key statistic and stays within the word limit
- Hypothesis is stated clearly at the end of the Introduction
- Method written in past tense with Participants, Design, Materials and Procedure
- Results report descriptives, test statistic, df, p and effect size in APA format
- Statistical symbols in italics; no leading zero on p or r
- Tables and figures numbered, titled and referred to in text
- Discussion interprets rather than repeats; limitations are specific
- References in APA 7, matching all in-text citations
- Double-spaced, 12 pt font, 1-inch margins, page numbers
Frequently asked questions
What are the sections of a psychology lab report?
Title page, Abstract, Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion and References. Some reports add Appendices.
Do I need a running head in APA 7?
Not for student papers, unless your instructor asks for one. Professional papers still use a running head.
Should the lab report be in past or present tense?
Past tense for Method and Results ("participants recalled"). Present tense for conclusions that still hold ("these findings suggest").
How do I report a non-significant result?
The same way as a significant one, with the exact p value: t(58) = 1.12, p = .267, d = 0.29. Don't say it "proves" no effect; say the difference was not statistically significant.
What's the difference between a lab report and a research paper?
A lab report describes one study you ran. A research paper or literature review summarizes and analyzes existing studies.
How many references does a lab report need?
Often 8 to 15 peer-reviewed sources for an undergraduate report. Follow your brief.
Related guides and tools
- Independent and dependent variables: 25 psychology examples
- How to write a research paper
- Free APA 7 citation generator
- Word counter with page estimates
- Psychology assignment help
Sources: American Psychological Association, Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.) and APA Style student paper guidelines. The example study and data are fictional and for learning only.
