Preparation of Research Reports

Research Report - types of reports – content of report – Style of Reporting – Steps in Drafting Reports – Qualities of a good report – Documentation – Citation - Footnotes – References – Bibliography – APA and MLA Format in writing references and bibliography

1. PREPARATION OF RESEARCH REPORTS
R.VASANTHAGOPAL PhD
University of Kerala

2. SYLLABUS
Research Report -types of reports –content of report –
Style of Reporting –Steps in Drafting Reports –
Qualities of a good report –Documentation –Citation -
Footnotes –References –Bibliography –APA and MLA
Format in writing references and bibliography.
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3. Preparationofreportisthelaststepinaresearchstudy.
Thepurposeofresearchisnotwellservedunlessthefinding
aremadeknowntoothersintheformofareport.
ResearchReportisawrittendocumentororalpresentation
basedonawrittendocumentthatcommunicatesthe
purpose,scope,objective(s),hypotheses,methodology,
findings,limitationsandfinally,recommendationsofa
researchprojecttoothers.

4. GOAL OF RESEARCH REPORT
Thecentralgoalofreportwriting:Areportiswrittentoberead,
bysomeoneelse
Theresearcherneedtohaveinmindtheintendedaudience
Meantforreadingbyhimself,hissupervisorandbyhis
evaluators(Inthenarrowestpossibilities)
Readablebyhispeersandjuniors(Inthebroaderpossibility)
Isofpublishablequality(Inthebestcasepossibility)

5. TYPES OF RESEARCH REPORTS
TechnicalReport:
It’stechnicalinnature
Usestechnicallanguage
suitableforatargetaudienceofresearchers,research
managersorotherpeoplefamiliarwithandinterestedinthe
technicalitiessuchasresearchdesign,samplingmethods,
statisticaldetailsetc.,
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6. TYPES OF RESEARCH REPORTS
Popular Report
Non-technical in nature
suitable for a more general audience, interested mainly in the
research findings
The writing style is designed to facilitate easy and rapid
reading and understanding of the research findings and
recommendations.
Uses as many pictures and graphs
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7. TYPES OF RESEARCH REPORTS
Interim Report
Used in sponsored research
When there is a long time lag between data collection and
presentation of the result
It’s narration of what has been done so far and the out
come up to that point.
Presents a summary of the findings
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8. TYPES OF RESEARCH REPORTS
Summary Report
Used in case of studies of general nature
It’s generally prepared for the general public
Non technical in nature
Uses as many pictures and graphs
It’s too short of 2-3 pages.
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9. TYPES OF RESEARCH REPORTS
Research Abstract
Short summary of a technical report
Prepared by doctoral students on the eve of submitting thesis
Contains, problem, scope, objectives, methodology, brief summary of
the results etc.
Research Article
Designed for publication in a professional journal
It is covering one or two aspects of the study in depth
Contains, introduction, concept, objectives, methodology, results and
discussion, conclusion and reference
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10. STEPS IN DRAFTING REPORTS
The Target Audience (Academic community, sponsors, general
public)
The level of knowledge and understanding of the audience
Intended purpose of the report
Type of report(either technical or popular)
Scope of the report (purpose)
Style of reporting
Format of the report
Outline of the report (scheme of presentation)
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11. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH REPORT
Title and Title Page
Avoid redundant phrases such as “ A Study of….
Double barreled titles can be effective, stating a broad topic
plus a more precise title.
Financial Inclusion and Inclusive Growth: An Empirical Study
The title page should include the title, name of the candidate, his
number, institutional affiliation, month and year.
cont…

12. SELF HELP GROUPS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS IN KERALA
Project report submitted to University of Kerala in partial fulfillment of the requirement for
the award of Master of Arts in Economics
By
NANDITA.V
(Reg. No.12345)
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
UNIVERSITY OF KERALA
TRIVANDRUM-695581
MARCH 2017

13. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH
REPORT
Abstract
A brief summary of the project
The abstract should be short, generally within about one
page(in two paragraphs)
It generally contains-
Main motivation, difference from previous works, methodology,
major findings etc.
cont…

14. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH REPORT
Introduction
Importance of the topic under study
Review of empirical studies relating to the topic undertaken to state the research
gap
Statement of the problem
Significance of the study (Importance and contribution in the domain knowledge)
Scope of the study (Area covered)
Objectives
Methodology (Sample, data source, tools of analysis)
Variables used
Period of the study
Limitations
Chapterisation cont…

15. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH
REPORT
Theoretical Review
Aims to give a theoretical understanding of the topic under study
Secondary data is the base for theoretical review
Presented in a logical order by giving numbers to sections, sub
sections and sub-subsections
To ensure logical and objective reporting use secondary data from
published sources.
Use descriptive statistics for analysis
cont…

16. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH
REPORT
Data Analysis(Results and Discussion for a research paper)
Start the result section with a descriptive summary of demographic
data, if they are useful.
Proceed the analysis based on objectives
Follow the order for analyzing each independent variable:
Secondary literature> Table> Table explanation> descriptive statistics>
inferential statistics > interpretation based on hypothesis or theory.
Do not include tables taken directly from SPSS.
Do not draw conclusions in the results section. Reserve data
interpretation for the discussion
Figures are preferable to tables, and tables are preferable to straight text.
However, many times a figure is inappropriate, or the data come across
more clearly if described in narrative form.
cont…

17. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH REPORT
Summary of findings, conclusion and suggestions (Conclusion for a
research paper)
Readers usually read the title, abstract, introduction and
summary/conclusion. In that sense conclusion is important
Describe briefly the introductory part viz. problem, objectives, and
methodology
Give separate headings for findings, conclusion and suggestions
State conclusion crisply the main take away points from your work briefly
in the order of objectives (without the technical details)
Suggestions based on the findings only
The end of every report might be seen as the beginning of a new project.
Scope for further research
cont…

18. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH REPORT
Bibliography (References for a research paper)
Follow APA style for bibliography or references
Books: Author> year> Title>Place of Publication>Name of the
publisher
Kothari, C.R., & GauravGarg. (2014).Research methodology-Methods
and Techniques. New Delhi: New Age International(P) Limited
Publishers.
Journal Article: Author> year> Title of the article>Name of the Journal>
Vol.> No> Page.
Roediger, R.(2004). What should they be called? American
Psychological Society Observer, 17,5,46-48.

19. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH REPORT
•Titlepage
•Abstract(onaseparatesinglepage)
•ListofTables(onetoapage)
•ListofFigures(onetoapage)
•TheBody(nopagebreaksbetweensectionsinthebody)
Chapter1:Introduction
Importanceofthetopicofstudy
Reviewofliterature
Researchproblem(
Scopeandsignificanceofthestudy
Objectives
Hypotheses
Methodology(Sample,DataSourceandToolsofAnalysis)
Limitations
Chapterisation
Chapter2:TheoreticalReview(10-15pages)
Chapter3:DataAnalysis
Chapter4:Summaryoffindingsconclusionandsuggestions
Scopeforfurtherresearch(
•Bibliography
•Appendices

20. QUALITIES OF A GOOD REPORT
Simplicity(simple language, Jargons and technical words should
be avoided
Clarity (The language shall be lucid and straight)
Brevity (A report shall not be unnecessarily long)
Positivity (it is better to say what should be done and not what
should not be done)
Punctuation
Approach (When a report is written based on personal enquiry or
observations, the approach shall be personal and the sentences
shall be in the first person and in direct speech; otherwise third
person, indirect)
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21. QUALITIES OF A GOOD REPORT
Readability
Accuracy
Logical Sequence
Proper Form
Presentation (A report needs an attractive presentation. It depends on
the quality of typing or printing as well as quality of paper used)
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22. PRECAUTIONS FOR PREPARING
RESEARCH REPORTS
It should be long enough to cover the subject but short enough to maintain
interest
The report should be able to convey the matter as simple as possible.
It should ensure precision i.e. you know what you mean
It should be free from spelling/grammatical mistakes and prepared in
accordance with the technique of composition of report writing such as
quotations, footnotes, punctuation etc.
It ensures typographical rules
Give illustrations (figures and diagrams), if found necessary
State scope for further research either as a separate section at the end or
included in the conclusion.

23. Thank you
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