Writing research report

NURSING RESEARCH

1. Niharibala Nayak Tutor,KINS

2. WRITING RESEARCH REPORT

3. Outline Introduction Research and Research Report Purpose of research report Characteristics of an Effective Research Report Importance of a Research Report Steps of writing research report Tips for Writing Research Reports Structure of research report Summary Conclusion

4. RESEARCH Research is the systematic investigations into study of a natural phenomena or materials or sources or existing conditions in order to identify facts or to get additional information and derive new conclusions .

5. What is a Research Report? A research report is a well-crafted document that outlines the processes, data, and findings of a systematic investigation. It is an important document that serves as a first-hand account of the research process, and it is typically considered as an objective and accurate source of information. A research paper/report is a systematic write up on the findings of the study including methodologies, discussion, conclusions etc. following a definite style

6. Purpose research report Present the results of a research. Allow research results to invariably enter the general store of knowledge. Provide a persuasive argument to readers of what researcher has found. Allow readers to read selectively. Add value to research results by effectively communicate to others.

7. Importance of a Research Report 

8. How to Gather Research Data for Report ?   Understand the Problem Know what report seeks to achieve Identify audience Create Surveys/Questionnaires

9. Steps of writing research report

10. Tips for Writing Research Reports Prepare the context before starting to write and start from the basics. Keep the target audience in mind while selecting a format that is clear, logical and obvious to them. Have a clear research objective. Establish a working model Gather all the information about the research topic.  Read aloud while writing

11. Check grammar and spelling. Discuss only the discoveries that are significant.  Try and stick to the survey questions/ The graphs must be clear enough so that they understand themselves. Be clear with messages. Be creative with titles. Create an effective conclusion Get a couple more pair of eyes to read the report

12. A standard format is used for writing the research report, in which the author presents the research in an orderly, logical manner.

13. Components of a research report IMRaD Format

14. Reports typically follow a conventional format referred to as the IMRAD format . These sections, respectively, address the following questions: Why was the study done? (I) How was the study done? (M) What was learned? (R) What does it mean? (D)

15. Structure of a Research Report

16. Title Be specific and concise but descriptive to grab the reader’s attention. Tell what, when, where, etc. In one main title and a subtitle, give a clear idea. Capitalize all words, except articles and prepositions. the title should be brief (no more than about 15 words), so writers must balance clarity with brevity. The length of titles can often be reduced by omitting unnecessary terms such as “A Study of . . . ,” “Report of . . .” or “An Investigation To Examine the Effects of . . .,” and so forth.

17. Sty l e , l a yo u t , a n d P a g e formatting Page numbering Pages are numbered at the top right . Numeric page numbering begins with the first page of Chapter I ( although page number is not placed on page 1). Spacing and Justification Text is double-spaced, except for long quotations and the bibliography ( which are single-spaced). There is one blank line between a section heading and the text that follows it. Do not right-justify text. Use Ragged-tight. Page layout Left margin: 1.5” Right margin: 1” Top margin: 1” Bottom margin: 1”

18. Font Face and size Any easily readable font is acceptable. The font should be 12 points. Usually the same font must be used throughout the research, except the tables and graphs may use a different font and chapter titles and section headings may use a different font.

19. Acknowledgment Professionally acknowledge individuals and organizations that were important in making study possible. Avoid being "gushy" or overly flip. Include only if special help was received from an individual or group.

20. Table of Contents Formal tables generally contain five major elements: Title Column heading Row heading, Body consisting of individual cells footnotes. This is like a compass that makes it easier for readers to navigate the research report. This should list any chapter titles, normally in upper case, preceded by their numbers in Roman or Arabic numerals; Subheadings should be in lower case. It is recommended that different levels of subheadings can be included in the Table of Contents

21. Abstract An abstract is an overview that highlights all important aspects of the research including the research method, data collection process, and research findings, typically 250 words and goes straight to the point.

22. Specific suggestions: 2 sentences -- describe the general problem being addressed and then introduce the objectives or hypotheses that your particular study considers. 1-2 sentences -- describe the technique(s) used. 1-3 sentences -- report the most significant results from the experiment. Last sentence -- concluding statement. References are not cited in an abstract.

23. Key Words It is often necessary to include key words that will be used in indexes to help others locate your study. Usually 5 to 10 key words suffice; indexing services may add other key words. Ideally, the key words identified conform to subject headings used in CINAHL or Index Medicus .

24. Chapter 1: Introduction Should establish the existing state of knowledge of research topic and identify the specific focus of work. The first paragraph should be written with special care to grab the readers’ attention. Convey enthusiasm for topic and try to present the problem in an imaginative way.

25. The introduction typically includes a summary of related research to provide a pertinent context. It should give a clear idea of reason, method and significance for intended audience of the report. Start with a relatively broad background of the topic you are investigating.

26. Introductions are often written in a funnel shaped structure, Researchers should explain why the problem is important, in terms of either practical or theoretical significance. Include relevant citations from primary literature and other appropriate technical references . 

27. The introduction also should describe the study’s theoretical or conceptual framework, if relevant. The introduction should include definitions of the concepts under investigation. Complete operational definitions are often reserved for the method section, but conceptual definitions belong early in the report.

28. Chapter 2: Background and Literature Review A literature review is a written survey of existing knowledge in the field of study. I t provides an overview and analysis of different research works that are relevant to the systematic investigation.  It highlights existing research knowledge and areas needing further investigation .

29. Literature reviews are usually done in the early phase of a project, before data collection. When writing report, be sure to bring literature review up to date by including new researches. Each of the references cited in research must be listed in the Literature Cited section. Avoid listing uncited references

30. Chapter 3: Methodology ( Materials & Methods) The method section is often subdivided into several parts, which helps readers to locate vital information. Research Design Sample and Setting Data Collection Instruments Procedures Data Analysis etc.

31. Gives the reader the information necessary to exactly replicate (repeat). Description of the Research Design and Procedures Used : Completely explain step-by-step what was done. Sources of Data : Give complete information about who, what, when, where, and how the data was collected. Sampling Procedures : Explain how the data was limited to the amount which was gathered. If all of the available data were not utilized, how was a representative sample achieved?

32. Methods and Instruments of Data Gathering Explain the procedures for obtaining the data collected. Include the forms or manner by which it was recorded. Statistical Treatment : Explain the complete mathematical procedures used in analyzing the data and determining the significance of the results.

33. Information about response rates and response bias to be written . Should describe basic characteristics of study participants (e.g., age, gender, medical condition). Describe the measurement of all variables used in the analyses ,

34. Descriptive statistics ordinarily come first, to provide an overview of study variables . Analyses should be addressed as per the research questions or hypotheses have numbered . The level of significance is typically set at .05 Write in third person and past tense .  Describe what you did. For field studies , include the locations and times that data were collected.  Avoid the use of slang or jargon . 

35. Three pieces of information are normally included when reporting the results of statistical tests:

36. When results from several statistical analyses are reported, it is useful to summarize them in a table by numbering (e.g., “As shown in Table 2 ”) . Figures may also be used to summarize results. Figures are especially helpful for displaying information on some phenomenon over time , or for portraying conceptual or empirical models.

37. Chapter 4: Analysis & interpretation of Data (Results) Use tables and figures to help clarify the material when possible. P resent the results of the systematic investigation . Interpret data presented. Describe data analysis process and computer programs. Use graphs and charts as necessary. Support important interpretations with evidence and diverse quotes if applicable.   Show how the boundaries of the sample, research site, timing, methodology and/or analysis limited results.

38. Chapter 5: Discussion This section is often the most challenging section to write. Interpret the data and draw conclusions regarding your hypothesis. Avoid repeating the results section --evaluate your data and their implications in a broader context.  Present justification for each outcome. Key findings should be emphasized first. Compare your results and interpretation to other studies in the primary literature

39. Tables allow precise numerical presentation of data. They should be concise and organized. All tables should have the following elements: Title Tables are numbered (1, 2, 3...) in order of their being referenced in the text. The title is at the top of the table. It should briefly describe the information presented in the table.

40. Column and row headings . Subheadings . Body (numerical data). Align the columns of numbers by their decimal points Horizontal lines . All tables have at least 3 horizontal lines that separate . DO NOT use vertical lines in tables.  Footnotes . Footnotes contain explanatory information. Double space the entire table. 

41. Chapter 6: Conclusions and Recommendations This is a summary of all the information in the report. It also outlines the significance of the entire study.  Restatement of the Problem. Description of the Procedures Major Findings Conclusions Recommendations for Further Investigation

42. Write with accuracy, brevity and clarity Use a good topic sentence for each of your paragraphs.  Avoid discussing the results. Summarize statistical analyses in tables and figures .  Construct tables and figures before writing the Results section.  Number tables and figures in the same sequence as they are first mentioned in the text.  Figures and tables should be appropriately cited in the text of the manuscript. 

43. References and Appendices This section contains a list of all the primary and secondary research sources.  These are the bibliographic reference for each of the works cited in the End Notes. Each reference is cited consecutively using a superscript in Arabic numeral. Multiple references can be cited by listing each in order in the superscript citation, separated by a comma. Citation numbers come after full stop and commas but before a colon or semicolon. References are numbered and listed in the order they appear in the text.

44. Be accurate and precise. A reader must be able to locate your sources. Include extra data sets and diagrams illustrating analysis. Add permission letters and a sample of participants' consent forms. Block out names of persons and institutions.

45. Journal article, up to 6 personal author(s ): Morrow D, McCarron PA, Woolfson AD, Donnelly RF. Innovative Strategies for Enhancing Topical and Transdermal Drug Delivery. The Open Drug Delivery Journal, 2007; 1: 36- 59. doi:10.2174/187412660701013606. Book: Cameron MH. Physical Agents in Rehabilitation: From Research to Practice. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; 1999: 185-217

46. SUMMARY

47. Do not panic Academic writing skill can be taught and learnt. Be structured The key is to build the logical thinking and flow of ideas. Be serious If you have any doubt, make it clear as early as possible . Do it yourself Hands on experiences are essential and irreplaceable