Preparation of the research report

Business Research Methods

1. Preparation of the Research Report For III B.Com and BBA

2. Research report Communication of generalisations /findings and conclusions made by the researcher/investigator in a comprehensive written form Small projects  Oral reports Extensive projects  Written documents + Interim reports + Long final reports + Several oral presentations Defenition by William G Zigmund

3. Functions: Organised /systematic and permanent form of report  future research Know quality of work done Helps policy makers Importance: Communication Evaluation of success Reveals researcher’ ability Policy and decision making

4. Types of Report Based on background of potential audience What & how Readers of report  General public Administrator/ Project sponsor Fellow researcher/ technical expert Oral Report  Government & industries – USA – Continuous communication Written Report : Popular Report  For layman – Simple style – Broad facts, findings and recommendations- no technical aspects To administrators  (Essence) Take decisions – Technical details + Supporting data + Summary + Important recommendations of the study Technical report  For specialists – detailed report – 4 items included

5. Format The Preliminaries The text The Reference material Title page Abstract Bibliography Letter of transmittal Introduction Appendix Acknowledgement Research procedure Index Letter of authentication Results Table of contents Discussions List of tables Conclusion & summary List of figures & illustrations

6. Executive summary Key points Project summary, Background, process, Findings & conclusions, Recommendation(Not inclu . In abstract) Steps: Read entire document Important Points Sections Combine information Re-read executive summary Points to remember: Length, Cutting & pasting, Audience, Clarity

7. Chapterisation Of Research Report Introduction, Theoretical concept of the study, Terminologies, Defenitions , Statement of the problem, Objectives of the study, Scheme of the report, Limitations Review of literature  Different heads Research methodology  Design, Location of study, Nature & source of data, Components of questionnaire(if used), Scale, Pilot study result, Sampling design, Research tools and software packages for analysis etc. Analysis & interpretation  Different heads – Based on objectives – Descriptive and statistical techniques Findings, Suggestions and conclusion Bibliography and references Planning Report writing: 1. Organisation /structure [Horizontal/ sequential, Mixed ] 2.Writeup 3.Documentation

8. Role of Audience : Experts Technicians Executives Non specialists Readability  Ease with which a reader can understand the text – factors & Guidelines Comprehension  Whether an user can understand the intended meaning of a text and can draw the correct conclusions from the text - Guidelines Tone  Writer’ voice in a written work Technical Report

9. Report writing stages No universally accepted standard format Depends on researcher and decision maker Allocate time for planning & preparation Clear, concise & well structured Convince readers  findings can be acted on for their benefit Time allocation for each stage  deadline 8 stages

10. Understanding the report brief - Researcher understand the purpose of the report 2. Gathering material & data - Relevant material  to understand topic/issue - Questionnaire, survey etc.  Inclusion, grouping, sequence of information 3. Make overall report format - Before 1 st draft  make note - Consider  heading, introduction, methodology, report, conclusion, evidence - limitation/flaw & conflicts - Relate information to issue/problem & organize(sections & heading) T itle  main idea(s) of the study – capture attention – fewer words Parameters  purpose, tone, methods W orking title & F inal title

11. 4. Make a detailed outline  basic structure - Organise materials  sections & headings - Ideas  Major & supporting, develop & eliminate - 3 parts  Introduction, Body (3-5 points), Conclusion 5. Drafting of the report 1 st  Accurate facts – balance, transition, development,unity  comprehensive report - Less importance  language & form - 2 ways  One’s own head, From notes - Problems & steps 2 nd Form & language - Critical evaluation - Tips 3 rd  Final touch - Polishes – Attractive & reliable

12. 6. Editing of the final draft - Spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, hyphenation, abbreviations - Points 7. Documentation - Purpose - Footnotes  Authenticate or supplement - Tables, charts & diagrams - Bibliography  Working & Final – 4 forms – Point & General guide - Quotations - Appendices  To avoid cluttering 8. Final word processing & publishing

13. Ethics In Research To protect the dignity, rights and welfare of research participants Sponsors, those who permit access to source of data, research participants/respondents Principle of voluntary participation - Earlier  Captive audience ( Ex:Prisons ) Informed consent  Fully inform procedures and risk (Physical or psychological) 2 standards : Participant’ confidentiality Principle of anonymity No-treatment control group

14. Reasons For Following Norms Knowledge, truth and avoidance of error Trust, mutual respect and fairness Accountable Moral and social values Ethical Principles In Research Hones ty C onfidentiali ty Social Responsibil i ty Respect for Intellectual property Objectivi ty C ompetence Responsible publication Non discrimination Integri ty C areful ness Responsible mentoring Human subjects protection Legali ty Open ness Respect for colleagues Animal care

15. Objectivity Subjectivity Considered/Interpreted  Mind independent  Personal impartiality Mind dependent Personal impressions, feelings, opinions,rumor etc. Information Based on facts Based on opinion Information  Does not vary Can vary from person to person or day to day Close to the truth as possible Can be wrong or far from truth Used in decision making process Less strongly considered Differences between OBJECTIVITY and SUBJECTIVITY