slide 1: RESEARCH REPORT WRITING TYPES OF REPORT
DRAFT REPORT AND PRESENTATION AND
DISSEMINATION PLAN
Dr. Binaya Sapkota
BPharm PharmD
sapkota.binayagmail.com
slide 2: RESEARCH REPORT
• Burns 1997: “Extremely valuable
interesting practical work spoiled at last
minute by a student who is not able to
communicate results easily.”
• More than a summary of findings.
• Record of research process.
slide 3: NEED OF RESEARCH REPORT
• To fulfill a class or lab. Assignment
• To meet an obligation to an organization
• To persuade a professional group about
scientific aspects of a problem
• To tell the general public about findings.
slide 4: FUNCTIONS OF RESEARCH REPORT
• Findings of study their implications:
Communicated to the supervisor readers
through research report.
• Informs the world on following matters:
v What researcher has done.
v What he has discovered
v What conclusions he has drawn from his
findings.
slide 5: FUNCTIONS OF RESEARCH REPORT
vTells the readers prospective researchers
following matters:
• Problem investigated
• Methods used to solve the problem
• Results of investigation
• Conclusion derived from results.
slide 6: Qualities of Good Research Report
1. Clarity
2. Definition of different Concepts used
3. Careful use of Terminology
4. Clarification of the Problem
5. Presentation of the Report
6. Proper Organization of the Report
7. Inclusion of Data
8. Size of the Report
9. Authenticity
10. Use or References or Bibliography
slide 7: 1 Clarity
• Written communication skills clarity of
thought: Imp. for Research Report
• Ability to express thoughts in a logical
sequential manner: Crucial
• Every explanation in the report must be clear
so that readers can easily understand what the
researcher wants to express.
• Language should be simple.
slide 8: 2 Definition of different Concepts used
• Different concepts used in the report should
be clearly defined.
• Contradictions confusions in the concept:
Should be avoided.
slide 9: 3 Careful use of Terminology
• Researcher may use different terminologies
the meaning of which may be different from
common sense meaning.
• So such terminologies should be clearly
defined.
• Meaning of such terminologies throughout
the report should be same.
slide 10: 4 Clarification of the Problem
• Clearly define the problem under study.
• Mention the necessity of studying that
particular problem.
• Also mention objectives of study scope of
study methods used in study difficulties
faced by investigator during the course of
study.
slide 11: 5 Presentation of the Report
• Should be presented in such a way that it can
be understood even by the laymen.
• For this language terminologies should be
simple.
• Use of graphs to present the findings though
not essential: To make information more
easily understood by readers.
slide 12: 6 Proper Organization of the Report
• Should be well organized ie. should follow
certain structure format during Report
Writing.
• However every institution can make some
changes add certain requirements for the
organization of Research Report.
slide 13: 7 Inclusion of Data
• Researcher should include all the data in his
report.
• Those data which are not related to the study:
Should not be included.
qReason: If such data are included it will make the
report boring lengthy.
slide 14: 8 Size of the Report
• Should be neither too voluminous nor too
concise.
• Should be written in proper size.
• Should include all necessary components.
• Lengthy report may discourage the readers to
read it.
slide 15: 9 Authenticity
• Should be authentic to attract the confidence
of readers towards the Report.
• For this researcher mention reliable sources
of information.
• Scientific techniques should be used to
analyze data.
slide 16: 10 Use of References or Bibliography
• Researcher should include “References” or
“Bibliography” at the end of the Report.
• References section: Consists of all those
documents which were cited in the Report.
• Bibliography section: Consists of every
document included in “References” as well as
those documents which were useful but not
cited in the report.
slide 17: Other Determinants of Quality of
Research Report
• Experience in research writing: The more
experienced the researcher the more effective
is his research report.
• Use of statistical procedures: Reinforce
validity of conclusions arguments. Reason:
They enable researcher to establish if an
observed association is due to chance or
otherwise.
slide 18: TYPES OF REPORT
• 2 broad categories of reports: Quantitative
Qualitative Their findings communicated differently.
vQUALITATIVE RESEARCH REPORT:
• Findings communicated in descriptive or narrative
format.
• Written around major themes or events emerged from
findings.
• Describes variation in a phenomenon situation or
event without quantifying it.
slide 19: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH REPORT
• Descriptive
• Also includes quantification.
• Statistical tests: Also a part of research writing
to support findings.
slide 20: Other Types of Research Report
v Baker 1998: Identified following 6 types of
Research Reports.
1. Research Papers for Courses
2. Presentation before a Professional Audience
3. Publication in Professional Journals
4. Papers prepared for the Mass Media
5. Dissemination in Book Form
6. Commissioned Research Report
slide 21: 1 Research Papers for Courses
• Prepared to fulfill the requirements of
academic courses.
• You must make it clear to the instructor that
you understand every methodological step
taken to conduct research.
• Should include comprehensive discussions
evidences of methods used in research
process.
slide 22: 2 Presentation before a Professional Audience
• Designed for professional audience.
• Methodology not discussed in depth. Reason:
Audience less concerned with methodological
details.
• Focus given to findings of study.
• Should draw sharp conclusions to make sure
that audience remembers what has been said.
slide 23: 3 Publication in Professional Journals
vShould be precisely written. Reason: Once
published article becomes part of literature
for others.
vGreat care must be taken to make certain
that:
• Evidence presented is without error
• Implications of the findings most rational
• Background literature supporting the project:
Most relevant current.
slide 24: 4 Papers prepared for the Mass Media
• Made available to the public through mass
media.
• Should be prepared to make it most
fascinating to lay audience.
• Researcher may prepare a written piece or
article for a mass media.
• May be written by reporters on the basis of
reading or hearing your paper.
slide 25: 4 Papers prepared for the Mass Media
• Details of methods can not be given. But
most central facts such as sample size type of
individuals sampled are required.
• Background literature way the methods were
measured way the data were collected:
Entirely left out.
• Should include most critical information
which the readers need to apply your
findings.
slide 26: 5 Dissemination in Book Form
• Book: Much more ambitious form of
dissemination
• If the book contains qualitative data in tables
explain the methods used.
• If the book is based on the field study
methods are kept only in appendix.
• Methodological techniques details: May be
cited in notes or references so that interested
readers may consult them if they wish.
slide 27: 6 Commissioned Research Report
• Prepared to fulfill the obligations of a grant or
a contract.
• Also prepared for an agency or organization
which hired the researcher to conduct a study
to evaluate or formulate policy.
• Should offer policy recommendations at the
end of the report.
slide 28: RESEARCH REPORT WRITING
• Should be written in an academic style.
• Should be divided into different chapters
and/or sections based upon the main themes
of study.
• Clearly present what was done why it was
done outcome of doing investigator’s
conclusions.
slide 29: PROCEDURES FOR PREPARING RESEARCH REPORT
• No clear rule for research report writing.
• Researcher can plan organize report writing
processes.
• Commonly adopted research writing processes:
1. Preparation/Design of Outline
2. Planning of Time Time Mgmt.
3. Arrangement of Data
4. Drafting Reports
5. Direct +ve Sentences
6. Presentation
slide 30: 1. Preparation/Design of Outline
• Prepared before writing report.
• Helps the researcher in arranging ideas in a
comprehensive way to identify the points
related to one another.
slide 31: 2. Planning of Time Time Mgmt.
• Researcher has to plan the entire process of
inquiry.
• Researcher has to plan the task to meet the
required time schedule.
• Effective time planning can prevent 11
th
minute’s rush.
slide 32: 3. Arrangement of Data
• Data collected: Generally in raw form
• Processed tabulated before starting analysis
with usual editing.
• The better is the organization arrangement
of data the better the data will be appealing.
slide 33: 4. DRAFTING REPORTS
DRAFT REPORT PRESENTATION
• 3 steps involved:
1. 1
st
Draft
2. 2
nd
Draft
3. 3
rd
Draft Final Draft
v Each step: Own distinguishing features.
slide 34: 1
st
Draft
• Written in a no. of ways.
• Working draft
• Researcher can give simple clear shape to make
the 1
st
draft readable.
• 3 stages in writing 1
st
draft:
1. Mix the notes under each sub-topic put them
in sequence.
2. Expand the notes outlines into manuscript.
3. Read own notes to draw out their full
significance.
slide 35: 2
nd
Draft
• After an interval of certain time from the
completion of 1
st
draft make revisions for
writing 2
nd
draft.
• Concentrate mainly on the form language.
• Evaluate all the written facts findings
conclusions recommendations critically.
slide 36: 3
rd
Draft Final Draft
• Final stage in drafting research report
• Concentrates mainly on documentation
polishing to make the research weighty
authoritative convincing attractive.
• Good research report depends on amount of
readings or notes taken accurate thoughtful
investigation.
slide 37: 5. Direct +ve Sentences
• Researcher should not use non-essential
words phrases.
• Use of unnecessary slang technical or unusual
words or phrases should be avoided.
• Researcher should write naturally directly
using familiar words short sentences with
simple constructions.
slide 38: 6. Presentation
• Each step section should be sequentially
presented.
• Charts sections tales etc. should be labeled
adequately.
• System of presentation should be simple
logical.
slide 39: Presentation
• Introduction Methods Results: Written in
past tense.
• Recommendations: Written in future tense.
• Should be written in third person.
• 1
st
person pronouns such as I me my mine
our we us etc.: Should be eliminated.
• If required to refer to the researcher terms
“the writer” or “the investigator” should be
used.
slide 40: DRAFT REPORT DISSEMINATION PLAN
Standard Format of Research Report
• No uniformity on the format of research
report.
• Structure/format: Varies from researcher to
researcher place to place.
• General format:
Title
Acknowledgement
Table of Contents
List of tables figures
Abstract
slide 41: Chapter I: Introduction Background of Study
Statement of Problem
Rationale of Study Significance of Study
Objective of Study
Research hypothesis
Operational Definitions
Chapter II: Literature
Review
Theoretical Review of Literature
Empirical Review of Literature
slide 42: Standard Format of Research Report
Chapter III: Research
Methodology
Research Design Study Design
Study Population
Sample Size
Sampling Techniques
Data Collection
Data Analysis Statistical Analysis
Limitation of Study
Chapter IV: Results
Chapter V: Discussions
Chapter VI: Conclusions
Recommendations
References
Appendices
slide 43: Share of IMRaD Format in a Report
• Introduction: 20 of a Report
• Methodology: 10 of a Report
• Results: 25 of a Report
• Discussion: 25 of a Report
• Conclusion: 10 of a Report
• Recommendations: 10 of a Report
slide 44: Title Page
• 1
st
page of the report
• Should be concise adequately descriptive.
• Should include following:
i. Title of the Study
ii. Full Name of the Candidate
iii. Name of the Institution to which the Report is
submitted.
iv. Degree for which the Report is presented.
v. Name of the place year when the degree is to
be conferred on.
slide 45: Title Page
• Entire title: Should be typed in all CAPITAL
letters.
• All items of the title page: Should be centered
between the margins of the page.
• If the title extends beyond one line it should
be double spaced placed in an inverted
pyramidal style.
slide 46: Acceptance Page Approval Sheet
• Includes advisor’s signature along with title
name of researcher.
• If the thesis is examined by a Committee the
examiner’s names should also be presented in
the page.
slide 47: Acknowledgement Page Preface
vIncludes: Reasons why the topic was selected
by the researcher.
vExplains:
• Scope
• Methodology or researcher’s opinion in the
field of knowledge
• How researcher’s opinion provides a basis for
the dissertation.
slide 48: Table of Contents
• Provides an outline of the contents of the
report.
• Appears after the Acknowledgement/Preface.
• Contains a list of chapters their appropriate
Roman numbers followed by page number on
which each chapter begins.
• The heading “TABLE OF CONTENTS” should be
in the center at the top of the page the
heading “PAGE NUMBER” at the right margin.
slide 49: Table of Contents
• Main headings: Should be in CAPPITAL letters
without using punctuation.
• Sub-headings: Kept under the concerned main
heading interpreted as 1.1 1.2 1.3 so on.
Further sub-divisions interpreted as 1.1.1
1.1.2 1.1.3 so on.
slide 50: List of Tables Figures and illustrations
• If tables figures included in the report they
are listed in separate pages with full titles
worded exactly as they appear in the text.
• Arabic numerals used for identifying tables
figures.
slide 51: Abbreviations Acronyms
• It is possible to use abbreviations to avoid
writing typing long names in full.
• List of abbreviations should appear before the
beginning of the main text.
slide 52: ABSTRACT
• Overview of the whole report.
• Summarizes the research report.
• Readers prospective researchers look
read this after the title and decide whether to
proceed with reading or not.
• Should be written at last to reflect accurately
the content of the report.
slide 53: ABSTRACT
• Length depends on the length of the report.
• For small sized report: 200 words
• Usually 350-500 words
slide 54: ABSTRACT
vIncludes:
i. What the researcher set out to do.
ii. Brief summary of research problem
iii. How reviewing literature focused narrowed
the research.
iv. Relation of methodology chosen to the aims of
the study.
iv. Summary of main principal finding
v. Researcher’s analysis of findings
vi. Recommendations
slide 55: Main Body Main Text
• Division of the text into chapters/sections/
sub-divisions should be logical to make the
contents meaningful.
• Consists of:
vIntroduction
vMain body of the report developed for
analysis interpretation presentation of data
vConclusions
slide 56: CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
vBackground of Study:
• Introduce the subject by highlighting its
special features in about 2 or 4 paragraphs/
pages.
• Should be interesting to the readers in the
subject matter of research.
• Should not be confusing aimless lacking in
precision.
slide 57: CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
vStatement of Problem:
• A clear statement of nature importance of
problem with specific “Qs” to be answered or
hypothesis to be tested.
• Consideration of significance of problem its
historical background: Also imp.
• Key “Qs” location of problem in the
theoretical context of the concerned
subject/discipline: Should be specified.
slide 58: CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW
• Summarizes the current status of research
work already done.
• A review of pertinent past work pitfalls
other failings of earlier work mainly to
substantiate need for other research work.
• A brief summary indicating areas of
agreement or disagreement in findings or gaps
in existing knowledge: Should be included.
slide 59: CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW
vSignificance or Justification for the present
study:
• Significance of the problem its contribution to
the theory its practical importance overall
relevance: Should be satisfactorily indicated.
vScope of the Study:
• Point out the exact coverage reported upon
research within its large context.
slide 60: CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW
vConceptual Framework:
• States concepts or domains proposed to be
used in research.
• Enables readers prospective researchers to
understand the concept underlying the
investigation.
slide 61: Theoretical Review of Literature
• List of relevant books other sources each
followed by a description comment on its
relevance.
• Demonstrates that the researcher has read
analyzed literature relevant to the topic.
• Should cover the discussion of available
theories.
slide 62: Empirical Review of Literature
• Should contain past relevant studies done on
the subject matter. ie. Describes previous
research works on the subject.
• Helps the researcher define the gap between
what he intends to do what others have
done.
• Establishes the need for additional researches.
• Helps to identify the difference in approaches.
slide 63: CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
vResearch Design:
• Describes the design used in research
activities such as case-control cross-sectional
etc.
vSampling Procedure:
• Describes the sampling procedure of data
collection such as simple random sampling
systematic sampling etc.
slide 64: CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
vData Collection:
• Indicates sources of data how they were
collected.
• Includes interview technique questionnaire
procedure extraction of data from files use
description of measuring instruments.
• Format of interview schedules or
questionnaires: Presented in appendices.
slide 65: CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
vData Processing Procedure:
• Gives a brief description of data coding
procedure computer programs in advance.
vStatistical Procedure:
• Descriptive statistics: frequency mean SD
• Inferential statistics: Chi Square test t test
ANOVA etc.
slide 66: CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
vLimitations of the Study:
• All research designs have inherent limitations.
So their implementation
generalizability: Also affected.
slide 67: CHAPTER IV
RESULTS
vGeneral Guidelines for Presentation of Data:
• Present demographic characteristics such as
age gender income education level etc. in
tables using categories or frequencies
with range mean SD.
• Do not present without frequencies.
• Do not present means without SD.
slide 68: CHAPTER IV
RESULTS
• General Guidelines for Presentation of Data:
• Establish cause-effect relationship for 2
qualitative variables.
• Select proper statistical test for inference.
• Examine hypothesis report relationship
objectively.
• Interpret results in rational with statistical
laws.
slide 69: CHAPTER V
DISCUSSION
• In this part Results should be analyzed
interpreted in the light of available theories
past studies done on the subject.
• Reasons should be sought for any discrepancy
between the Results the available theories
on the subject.
• Should be related to the Research Objectives.
• Should include implications of the findings.
slide 70: CHAPTER VI
CONCLUSIONS RECOMMENDATIONS
• Last part of Report
• Answers to “Qs” raised or statements of
acceptance/not acceptance of hypothesis.
• Main conclusion: Should be drawn from the
Results of the study.
• Recommendations for future research work:
Should be suitably expressed.
• Should not introduce new information.
slide 71: END SECTION
Bibliography/References
• Includes all published/unpublished sources
mentioned in text or footnotes.
• General entries in Bibliography: Made in
following order.
vFor Book:
i. Name of author: Last name surname 1
st
name
issuing body
ii. Title of publication/book
slide 72: Bibliography
vFor Book:
iii. Place publisher date of publication
iv. No. of volumes in Roman letter
v. Page no.
Eg. Kerlinger F.N. Foundation of Behavior
Research New Delhi Surjeet Publishers
1983:75-105.
slide 73: References
• Referencing: Standard method of
acknowledging sources of information ideas
that were used in the report in a way that
uniquely identifies their sources.
• Direct quotations facts figures ideas
theories from both published unpublished
works: Must be referenced.
• Different referencing formats: In common use
slide 74: Purposes of References
• To acknowledge the source of data/
information
• To allow readers prospective researchers to
verify data/information
• To allow readers prospective researchers to
consult the sources of data/information
independently
• To show the reader the depth breadth of
reading
slide 75: End Section
Appendix/Appendices
vUsed for additional or supplementary material
which were not found in the main text.
vIncludes:
• Complex tables
• Original data collection schedule
• Questionnaire/Interview forms
• Copies of cover letters
• Any data calculations formulae etc.
slide 76: Footnotes
• Piece of text which for some reason cannot
be kept within main body of document
which is therefore placed elsewhere.
• It is usual preferable to place them at the
bottom of the page on which they are referred
to.
• A reference mark that allows readers to find
source of information noted.
slide 77: Purposes of Footnote
• To identify material used in report.
• To identify material not immediately
necessary to the body of research text but
still of supplementary value.