• gain in-depth insight into a specific research question and its empirical study in psychology
• learn to read primary source material on the selected study
• learn to summarize all aspects of the study (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion) and communicate them to class
• learn to use newly acquired expert knowledge to answer questions from class

• oral presentation of 15 to 20 min
• use of visual aids (overheads, power-point) strongly encouraged

Content (follow in order indicated):

1. What is the research question being asked in the study? Why is this an important question?
2. Give brief overview of previous relevant work - just enough for rest of class to understand what motivated the study
3. What are the specific hypotheses of the study?
4. Describe the design of the study - indicate why the authors have included the main independent and dependent variables and how these are related to the hypotheses
5. Present main results of the study
6. Indicate how results support or fail to support the hypotheses of the study
7. If there is more than one experiment in the study, indicate how the different experiments are related
8. Discuss the theoretical and, if relevant, practical implications of the study
9. Be prepared to answer questions from class and/or professor

Potential problems regarding content:

• use of technical terms that are not understood by the audience
• rushing too quickly into description of study without providing sufficient background in order to appreciate what study attempted to address
• failing to relate design of study to hypotheses (i.e. why was study designed in such a way?)
• going into too much detail about methodology and/or results
• failing to give information to understand the tasks participants of study were asked to perform
• failing to discuss theoretical significance of the results

Presentation Style:

1. Speech: speak clearly, loudly enough, not too quickly, and using vocal expressiveness (avoid monotony in voice); avoid 'umms' and very casual language
2. Self-Presentation: Look at audience; appear relaxed; don't fidget or remain too rigid
3. Try to reduce reliance on notes as much as possible; use visual aids (for general audience) to help organize your thoughts and to remember what you need to say
4. Show concern for understanding in audience: be open to questions relating to comprehension and ask, if necessary, whether explanation is clear
5. Effective use of visual aids:
   
   Remember that audience can only keep a limited amount of information in mind at once; visual aids can help to overcome potential problems with overload
   
   Visual aids are helpful to:
   • Present research question
   • Show design of study
   • Give examples of stimulus material / tasks
   • Present results in form of graphs or tables
   • Present conclusion
   Be sure to make visual aids readable for audience (size, spacing, color etc)
6. Pacing and timing: use comfortable pace (don't rush) but keep track of time and make sure to finish punctually

Note: Practicing your talk beforehand can be of great benefit in building up your competency, improving your style, and in reducing your anxiety!!!