UNIT 5 W

 RITING RESEARCH
PROPOSAL AND RESEARCH
REPORT
Structure
5.0 Objectives
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Research Proposal
5.2.1 Definition and Purposes
5.2.2 Major Sections of Research Proposal
5.2.3 Work Plan
5.2.4 Budget
5.2.5 Legal and Ethical Considerations
5.2.6 References
5.2.7 Personnel Planning for resources
5.3 Writing a Research Report
5.3.1 Purpose
5.3.2 Types of Research Reports
5.3.3 Content
5.3.4 Style of writing: Language, Bibliography, References, Quotations
5.3.5. Sample Research Report
5.5 Let us sum up
5.6 Key Words
5.7 Answers to Check your Progress

5.0 OBJECTIVES
After studying this unit, you should be able to:
●● outline the major sections of writing a research proposal;
●● explain the methods of preparation of work plan;
●● enumerate the planning for resources;
●● enlist the criteria for evaluating research plan
●● state the purpose of writing research report;
●● identify the types of research report;
●● describe the content of research report; and
●● explain the style of writing report.

198
 Writing Research Proposal
5.1 INTRODUCTION and Research Report

In Unit 4, you have learnt about sampling error, hypothesis testing,

parametric and non parametric tests, bivariate and multivariate statistical
analysis. In this Unit 5, you will be studying about major sections of writing
a research proposal, criteria for evaluating research plan, purpose of writing
research report and how to communicate these research findings. Normally
researchers have their research plans reviewed by several experts before
proceeding to actual implementation of the plan. When a researcher, needs
financial support for the conduct of the study, the research plan is usually
presented as a formal research proposal to a potential funding agency.
Students conducting a study as a part of a course or degree requirement
have their plan reviewed by faculty advisers.

5.2 RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Research proposal is written for the purpose of conducting research and for
funding.
5.2.1 Definition and Purposes
Research proposal is a document specifying what the research proposes
to study. It communicates the research problem, its significances planned
procedures for solving the problem, and when funding is sought.
A research proposal is a written document, which outlines the plan of
research study. Proposals are written before the research project is started.
Proposals serve several purposes.
●● Teachers, academic bodies, funding agencies or the scientific
community can examine what the researcher intends to do.
●● It helps researcher to get a clear and precise views of what s/he intends
to do, how actually to conduct the study, how does s/he monitor the
progress of work. This is also a university requirement for student
researchers.
●● Funding agencies that sponsor research usually allot fund on a
competitive basis. They go through the proposal to judge the relevance
and significance of the study as well as the researcher’s competency
of conducting such research project. The document also becomes a
contact for the projects.
5.2.2 Major Sections of Research Proposal
The major parts of the proposal are presented below: (Remember each
educational institution or funding agency usually prepares the general
outline of proposal presentation. The instructions may vary a little but the
basic elements are same.
i) Background of the Problem
This will explain how the proposed research builds upon what has
already been done in an area. The background material should
strengthen the investigator’s arguments concerning the significance
of the study, and should orient the reader to what is already known
about the problem and how the proposed research will increase that
199
Data Analysis, Statistical knowledge. It should have a discussion of highly selective studies
Methods And Evidence which are clearly related to what the investigator proposes to study.
Based Practice
A well integrated, thoughtful and critical review should be given.
Details of related literature reviewed need to be done in the appendix.
ii) Statement of the Problem
The statement of the problem which the investigator wants to study,
need to be stated clearly and concisely. The statement should clearly
indicate the key variables in the study, specify the nature of population
being studied and suggest the possibility of empirical testing.
iii) Purpose of the Study
The investigator should state clearly the reasons for undertaking the
research. A specific research study may have two or more goals.
iv) Objectives of the Study
This should include the specific objectives to be achieved in the
proposed study. The objectives should be clearly stated in achievable
and measurable terms. The objectives will provide the criteria against
which the proposed research methods can be assessed. Objectives
should be formed on the basis of specific questions to be answered.
v) Assumptions
An assumption is a statement whose truth is either considered self-
evident or has been satisfactorily established by earlier research. This
will act as a foundation of accepted knowledge.
vi) Conceptual Framework
The investigator should explain the framework of concepts on which
the problem is linked. The framework also should explain the
interrelationships among the phenomena under investigation.
vii) Definition of Terms
This refers to the clarification of the terms in such a way that they
are potentially observable. It is the specification of the operations
which the researcher must perform in order to collect the required
information.
viii) Hypothesis
Hypothesis is a statement of the expectation of a researcher regarding
relationships between the variables under her study, In simple terms it
is prediction of expected outcomes. Hypotheses which are to be tested
should be stated clearly on the basis of objectives of the study.
ix) Research Methodology
This part should explain clearly and completely the following:
a) Selection of research method/strategies
b) Selection of research design
c) Research setting
d) Population, sample and sampling technique
e) 
Selection and development of study instruments, including
reliability and validity testing of the instruments.
200
 f) Result of pilot study Writing Research Proposal
and Research Report
g) Plan for data collection
h) Plan for data analysis
x) Work Plan
This is the plan according to which the various tasks and sub-tasks
will be accomplished by the investigator.
xi) Budget
This should give the proposed expenses towards the investigation in
terms of money, material and manpower.
xii) Ethical Considerations
The plan of the investigator to conduct research within the ethical
considerations need to be explained.
xiii) Reference and Appendices
5.2.3 Work Plan
The work plan refers to the step by step plan of conducting the research
within a time frame. The work plan gives an idea of the specific activity/job
to be performed with a realistic description of the sequence and duration of
completion.
Work plan is usually presented in a tabular or graphic form. An example of
each is given below:
The Gantt chart
The Gantt chart is a planning tool which shows graphically the order in
which various tasks must be implemented (done) and the duration of each
activity
Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April
Identify research area

Formulate research
questions

Formulate research
strategy, research design
and select methods

Write research proposal 15th

Negotiate access

Literature review

Data collection

Data analysis

Write first draft

Write second draft

Write final draft

Dissertation due 21st

201
Data Analysis, Statistical Researh Proposal Flow Chart
Methods And Evidence
Based Practice 1. Introduction
Research Question Summary of Proposal
What? Why? How?

Literature on Topic Find a Hole

2. Literature Review
Literature on Method
Why? How? Look for Debates
Theoretical Approach
Research Design Selection and Access
Research Procedures 3. Methodology Human Subjects Review
Kind of Data How? Ethics Statement
Collection Procedures Costs and Funding

Evidence of Importance 4. Preliminary Data Preliminary Findings

Informs Methodology What? Important categories
& Relationships

Alternatives What your research

5. Statement of Limitations will do
Weaknesses

6. Conclusion
Contributions Importance
What? How? Why?

5.2.4 Budget
The budget translates the project activities in monetary terms. First,
researcher has to locate the availability of grant from institution, organization,
association or other funding bodies. For graduate students it is difficult to
get money for research. Therefore while budgeting for advanced studies
student should plan for research expenses.
Research projects cost money and funding sources are frequently sought
by researchers. Many organizations provide funds for nursing research. If
funding is received for the study, the researcher is expected to provide final
report at the completion of the project. The report may be brief summary or
a lengthy report similar to one written in thesis or dissertation.
There are various ways of writing budget outline. Some budgetary
categories are listed below:
a) Personnel (Salaries and benefits)
b) Consultant fees
c) Equipment and rent of space
d) Supplies and Xeroxing
e) Travel
f) Analysis costs (statistical consultant, computer services)
g) Miscellaneous expenditures (for example, illustrations, graphs, postage)
h) Overhead
5.2.5 Legal and Ethical Considerations
For conducting research many institutions have developed Institution
Review Committees for research.
202
Research involving humans requires a careful scrutinising for procedures Writing Research Proposal
to be used to protect the rights of human subjects. Codes of ethics have and Research Report
been developed to guide researchers. The three major ethical principles that
are incorporated into most guidelines are beneficence, respect for human
dignity, and justice. (Refer BNS-101).
Beneficence encompasses the maxim: Above all, do no harm. This principle
involves the protection of subjects from physical and-psychological harm,
protection of subjects from exploitation, and the performance of some good.
The principle of respect for human dignity includes the subject ‘right
to self determination, which means that subjects have the freedom to
control their own activities, including their voluntary participation in
the study. The respect principle also includes the subjects’ right to full
disclosure. Full-disclosure means that the researcher has fully described to
prospective subjects the nature of the study and subjects’ right. In some
research situations, researchers have used deception (either withholding
information from subjects or providing false information) to avoid biases.
When deception or concealment are necessary, researchers should use extra
precautions to risks and protect the other rights of subjects.
Most studies should involve informed consent procedure designed
to provide prospective subjects with sufficient information to make a
researcher know about the potential costs and benefits of participation.
Informed consent involves having the subject sign a consent form, which
documents the subject voluntary decision to participate after receiving a
fall explanation of then research.
The third principle, justice, includes the right to fair treatment (both is on
selection of subjects and during the course of the study). And the right to
Privacy of subjects can be maintained through anonymity (wherein not even
researcher knows the identity of the subjects) or through formal confidential
procedures. .
The present ethical standards used in nursing research, and in research
conducted by other disciplines, are based on the guidelines that were
developed for research are:
1) Researcher must inform subjects about the study.
2) Research must be for the good of society.
3) Research must be based on animal experiments, if possible.
4) Researcher must try to avoid injury to research subjects.
5) Researcher must be qualified to conduct research.
6) Subjects or the researcher can stop many institutions the study if
problems occur.
5.2.6 References
Research Journals articles conclude with a list of books, reports and other
journal articles that were referred in the text of the report. For those
interesting in pursuing additional reading on a substantive topics, the
reference list of a current research study is an excellent place of begin.
203
Data Analysis, Statistical Nurses are often interested in learning the current state of knowledge
Methods And Evidence regarding particular research topic. In such situation, S/he needs to turn to
Based Practice
research literature to find recent developments. To be thorough, nurse should
attempt to identify, locate and examine all major relevant research reports
on the topic. For this she needs to learn the skills to find the references about
books, reports etc.
5.2.7 Personnel Planning for Resources
●● Resources: Resources include Men, Materials and Money. While
planning for budget it is necessary to highlight the requirements of
personnel who would play the key role in the study. When the student
herself is doing the study, s/he may need a research consultant, a
statistician and an editor. For a full fledged project, the qualification
and experience of the project director should be highlighted. In
addition to the director, there may be project team members according
to the appropriateness of the job to be performed. For example, if the
major function of the person is administrative, the proposal should
stress the person’s experience in supervising others on research work.
Most funding agencies look for competent statistical experts in the
team.
●● Cost: All research projects cost money; some studies are much more
expensive than others. The researcher must realistically consider the
financial resources available. Many sources of outside funding exist
but not nearly enough to cover all the needed research.
●● Equipment and Supplies: “The best laid plans of mice and men
of times go astray,” according to a line in Robert Burns’ poem To
a Mouse. This saying is certainly true in the research situation. The
researcher can devise a study, which is significant to nursing and that,
appears to be feasible to conduct, and suddenly find out that there is
no equipment to accurately measure the research variables. Even if
equipment is available, it may not be in proper working condition.
All research projects require some type of resources. An accurate
determination of the needed equipment and supplies should be made
before the final decision is made to conduct a study.
Some questions that should be asked (and answered) before beginning a
research project are:
1) What equipment will be needed?
2) Is this equipment available and in proper working order?
3) Is there a qualified operator of the equipment?
4) Are the necessary supplies available or can they be obtained?
Some of the more common pieces of equipment that are used in nursing
research are physiological data-gathering devices such as thermometers
and stethoscopes. Also, office equipment such as word processors and
duplicating machines may be needed. Access to a computer may be a
necessity if a large amount of data need to be analyzed. If the researcher
takes into consideration equipment and supplies in the early phases of a
research project, there is less likelihood that the project will have to be
revised or discarded later because of equipment or supply problems.
204
Administrative Support. Many research projects require administrative Writing Research Proposal
support. Nurses working in health care institutions, such as hospitals, may and Research Report
seek released time to conduct research or financial support for a proposed
project. Research requires time, money, manpower and materials.
Activity 1
Read and identify the following from the research sample:
i) Statement of the problem
ii) Research method used by Researcher
iii) Plan of data analysis
iv) The two appendices used by the writer
Check Your Progress 1
1) Outline the major items of a budget plan for a research.
………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………..

5.3 WRITING A RESEARCH REPORT

No research is complete unless the report is written and communicated. It
is necessary for you as the researcher to maintain proper notes on progress
made, e.g., problem statement objectives, justifications for the study, review
of literature, development of instruments for data collection, hypothesis,
sample description and sampling technique, pilot study, problems faced in data
collection, the data and the analysis. These notes help in preparing the research
report.
5.3.1 Purposes
The main purpose of research report is to let others interested in the subject
know the findings of the research. The researcher himself or herself may
have definite purpose of writing the research report.
Examples of purposes are listed below:
1) Research is conducted for the partial fulfillment of the degree like
[Link], Ph.D. Therefore writing report is a part of the academic
programme.
2) Research is conducted to find an answer to the problems faced by
the practitioner, teacher or administrator. Here the report is written to
communicate the findings to others in the profession for critiquing,
application of result or future investigation in the area of research.
3) 
When the research is funded by the government or a research
foundation. They stipulate the requirements of the report.
5.3.2 Types of Research Reports
The factors that govern the types of research report are purpose of writing
the report, expected readers of the report, time at hand and the money
available.

205
Data Analysis, Statistical Most common types of research reports are:
Methods And Evidence
Based Practice ●● Thesis: The research report written for the partial fulfillment of the
degree requirement.
●● Research Monograph: The research report written to communicate
the methodology and findings of a scientific work specially when it is
supported by a funding agency.
●● Research Article: The research report written for publication in a
professional journal. .
●● Newspaper Magazine Article: The research report is written to
communicate the findings to the general public. Usually a non-
technical language is used in writing an article for general public.
5.3.3 Content
The content of a research report may vary according to the institutional or
publication requirements. Before a researcher sits down to write, S/he should
find out the requirements of the academic institution, funding agency or the
publication agency. An outline of the contents of a typical report is given below:
Introduction
This section contains background of the problem, need for the study, problem
statement, statement of objectives, theoretical/conceptual framework,
operational, definitions, assumptions, scope and delimitation and statement
of hypothesis, if any,
●● Background of the Problem: Outlines the problem area, studies done
in this area and the findings of such studies, the areas not explored and
needing further investigation.
●● Need for the Study: This is an extension from the previous section
but specific to the research topic. The researcher explains the need for
the study by quoting available statistics where needed, mentioning
the recommendations of other researcher suggesting for further
investigation of the problem, and justifying the need for doing the
present study.
●● Problem Statement: You are advised to review block 3 Unit 1 for
writing the statement of a problem. The problem statement should
indicate the nature of the study e.g., “to find relationship between”,
“to compare the performance of, “to explore the” or “to answer the
question”, etc.
●● Statement of Objectives: The objectives are written in observable and
measurable terms. Each objective states one purpose. These may be
stated in declarative form or question form.
For example
Do families prefer to use untrained dais when trained personnel are
available?
This can be stated in a declarative form: e.g.
To identify the preference of the families regarding their choice of
untrained dais when trained personnel are available.
●● Rationale for the Study: This could be developed into a theoretical/
conceptional framework that supports the investigation, development
206
 of hypothesis, construction of instrument and analysis and Writing Research Proposal
interpretation of findings. and Research Report

●● Operational Definitions: All variables are defined in a way that

indicate how they are observed and measured.
●● Scope and Limitation: The scope indicates the areas that are covered
and where the results could be applied, whereas delimitation indicates
what the researcher is not investigating and the limitations that are
taken into consideration, while planning the research.
●● For writing a Thesis or Monograph these areas (listed from (i) to
vii) are usually included in Chapter I, whereas for an article these
descriptions are included in the introductory section of the article
covering three to four paragraphs.
Literature Study
●● There are different sections in the report on review of literature. The
first para usually contains the areas of related literature reviewed and
the outline of the presentation. While organizing the written report,
present the broad areas first and then the specific areas: For example
in IND-HND-007 first the author writes on maternal mortality and
mobility, and then presents on utilization of rural health services.
In a thesis while presenting the review of research literature, a brief
description of the research is given including design, analysis and findings.
The reviewer also emphasizes on what areas are explored and what is yet
to be studied.
Sometimes non-research literature are also included in the review but these
are mostly theories and principles. The writer should acknowledge all
sources of literature using accepted form of presentation. At the end of the
chapter summarize the review presented.
This is the second chapter of the thesis report. Theoretical framework may
follow the review of literature. It is important to bring out a comprehensive
summary in the last paragraph of the chapter. For an article, usually a
paragraph or two are written on the related research review.
Methodology
This section contains i) the research approach, design (specially if
experimental or evaluative method is adopted), ii) description of dependent
and independent variables (if these are not discussed in Chapter II), iii)
development or selection of research instrument including pretesting,
reliability and validity, iv) description of the tool, v) description of study
setting, vi) sample and sampling technique, vii) procedure for data collection,
and. viii) plan of data analysis.
The summary of the chapter is a necessity if the chapter is long.
This is the third chapter of the thesis report. The organization of different
section may vary on which comes first or second because there is no hard-
and-fast rule about it. The writer using her/his intuition and logic. Use
figures necessary to show the design or relation of variables.
If the researcher has used a standardized tool or an instrument prepared
by some other researcher, he or she needs to take the author’s (instrument)
207
Data Analysis, Statistical permission. There are tests which are confidential in nature, In that case the
Methods And Evidence instrument is not given in the Appendix.
Based Practice
This is also a major section in an article. A brief description of each of the
sub­section are mentioned above are presented in brief. Usually the content
is presented under the heading of method or research design and cover at
least 4-5 paragraphs in the article.
Data Analysis and Interpretation
This is one of the major chapters/sections which presents: i) the methods
used for analysis, and ii) the findings of the study. It is a logical development
of analysis presented according to the objectives and hypothesis stated in
earlier section.
One of the most common methods of presentation of descriptive analysis
is: i) To use table and graphs, ii) The statistical analysis for the test of
significance is presented by stating the null-hypothesis, the inferential
statistics selected and indicating the result of test of significance, iii) Use
tables to present data.
Usually interpretation of statistical analysis is done as the author presents
each table or graph. Testing of hypothesis should indicate rejection or
acceptance of null hypothesis and its interpretation. At the end of analysis
chapter a summary of major findings are presented following a discussion
of findings. In a thesis or monograph, sometimes a chapter is written on
discussion of the findings where the author compares the present result with
findings other studies indicating the similarities and differences. This may
be presented in one chapter forming either the fourth or the fourth and fifth
chapters.
Data analysis and discussion make the main body of the article. Essential
tables and figures are included. Discussion is presented under a separate
heading.
Summary, Conclusion, Implication and Recommendations
The summary contains briefly all the research steps including the list of
major findings; usually tables and figures are not used in this chapter.
●● All expected and unexpected findings and the conclusions drawn
from each of the findings are presented. It also explains how far
generalization of results can be made The researcher also reasons out
if the hypothesis tested is found to be not significant.
●● The implication indicate author’s reflective thinking in terms of
possible application of the result. For example, if the survey indicate
70 per cent of pregnant women are anaemic, the implications may
be written on the probable reasons for anaemia and what health care
strategies can be adopted to improve the status. In other words, that
implications suggest the values of these findings in terms of patient
care improvement educational changes or the administrative strategies
to be adopted.
●● Limitations of the present study are noted here. Limitations are those
restrictions or problems which the researcher had not deliberately
planned out but comes across while doing the study.
208
●● The recommendations give direction to future research and suggestion Writing Research Proposal
for improving the present study. and Research Report

●● Usually a monograph expounds on the conclusions and implications.

It not only says what may happen if the system continues but also
what need to be done for future.
●● Besides a summary, an abstract is prepared (executive summary)
which usually contains 500-1000 words.
In an article two or three paragraphs are written to discuss the implications.
A short summary is made which is usually put as a synopsis at the beginning
of the article.
Appendices, Bibliography, References
This section is specially needed for thesis and monograph and is not required
for an article. Except that all references used in the content are to be listed
at the end of the article. An approved style is to be adopted to write the
references and bibliography.
Acknowledgement, Preface, Table of Content
Acknowledgement, table of content, list of tables and figures are included in
the first part of the research report. The monograph in addition also includes
a page on preface. Articles do not require this section.
5.3.4 Style of writing: Language, Bibliography, References, Quotations
This unit does not attempt to teach the art of writing. Some guidelines
“are given for effective writing. Correct grammar, though important, is not
enough for good communication; use of precise and unambiguous words,
orderly presentation of ideas, simple (not too complicated) sentences,
smooth flow and clear expressions are the key to good writing.
Language
●● Use precise words. For example, do not mix up words like
“disinterested” (means impartial) and “uninterested” (means
apathetic, not interested).
●● Avoid qualifiers e.g., “almost never” “almost always”, “extremely
good” as every reader attaches different meaning to these words. Thus
qualifiers weaken statements that express empirical observations.
●● Avoid ambiguity: Simple words that are used “as referents e.g., this,
that, these and those can be troublesome. Instead of saying “in this
table” write” in “Table No. 12”.
●● Throughout units the sequences must be orderly. Presentation need
to be organized. Use punctuation, like commas but do not over use
them.
●● Use short simple sentences which are easy to comprehend, but make
sure that writing is readable and not a choppy prose. If long sentences
are required for explaining concepts, do not break the content in short
sentence.
●● Do not introduce topic abruptly. The reader should not ask “from
where did it has come or “how does that fit in”?

209
Data Analysis, Statistical ●● Avoid change of tenses, i.e., from past tense to present tense and vice-
Methods And Evidence versa. Verbs must agree with the subjects.
Based Practice
●● Avoid use of abbreviations unless it is absolutely necessary. Make
sure that the abbreviations used are useful and standard abbreviations.
●● Writing is a difficult task, specially when one is not used to writing
research report is advisable to take help of a critic or editor.
●● Use headings and sub-headings for writing an article or thesis as
headings indicate organization.
The following style is suggested:
A Centered Main Heading
Side Heading
An indented paragraph heading
The three headings are underlined (instead bold prints may be used). Note
that every word starts with capital letter for centre and side headings but not
in paragraph heading. Except for paragraph heading no punctuations (like
period/fullstop, comma, colon) are used at the end of the heading statement.
Whichever pattern is used for organizing the content, method consistently
in the manuscript.
●● Use the symbol for per cent (%) only when preceded by a number
e.g., 22%. Otherwise use the word percentage when a number is not
given. If the per cent is used in the funning text it is better to use the
word and not the symbol. But use the symbol in the table or when the
number is used in parentheses.
Examples:
Majority (80%) of the children were malnourished.
Children in the age group of below five years 80 per cent were
malnourished.
●● Usually a sentence is not started with a number; but if used write the
number in words.
Example 1
●● Eighty per cent of children were malnourished.
Some numbers are expressed in words in the text, i.e., any number
below 10 is written in words. Example:
●● Out of 100 subjects nine were female students.
Bibliography and References
There are different styles of writing bibliography and references. The
writer has to select one of the recommended methods or follow the method
prescribed by the publisher or the institution. There may by minor changes
in punctuation and order, but basic elements remain the same between
methods. In this unit the form recommended by the American Psychological
Association (APA style) is used.
A reference list cites works that are specifically referred/quoted in the writing,
e.g., in quotation; in reference to theory, in reference to the selection of tool
210
etc. Each reference cited in the text must be entered in the reference list. Writing Research Proposal
This is in contrast to a bibliography list which cites works for background and Research Report
or further reading and not necessarily they have been referred in the text.
In other words all the relevant studies that have helped the researcher in
planning and conducting the research and in analyzing the research result
are included in the bibliography list.
The writing of reference or bibliography style is followed religiously. If there is
,any omission or haphazard writing, the manuscript is usually returned, i.e.,
not accepted. Therefore, the students are cautioned for proper use of the
style
Arrange the elements in a reference entry in the following order:
Author: All authors of the work, with surnames and initials (not full name)
in inverted order.
Title: article, chapter, or book
Facts of publication: For journals — journal name in full, date of
publication, volume number, inclusive pages. For books — city of
publication, publisher’s name, date of publication.
Punctuation: Use periods (or full stop) to separate the three major sub­
divisions of a reference citation: author title and publication data. Use -
commas (,) within subdivisions (e.g., between data and volume number
in a journal entry) use a colon (:) between the place of publication and
the publisher, use parentheses (( )) for extensions, qualifications or
interpretations of each sub-divisions or the entire entry. Underline the title
of the book and the name of the journal.
Example 2
●● Periods separate the sub-division:
I------------1 I----------------------1 I----------------------1
* Author * Title of the Work * Publication Data
●● Commas separate within sub-divisions:
Journal (Underline the volume number and Journal title)
‘Nursing Journal of India. 1996.86, 221-229
* Book J.B. Lippicott Company, 1979
●● A Colon separates the place of publication and the publisher:
Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1979
●● Parenthesis extended, qualify, or interpret ( note the book title is
underlined)
Book
r-------------------------------i
Publication Manual (2nd ed.) Journal
‘S6 (2), 221-229
Where each issue of journal starts with page 1, enter issue number after
volume.

211
Data Analysis, Statistical ●● Inverted order of names (surname first)
Methods And Evidence
Based Practice Polit, D.F. — One author
Polit, D.F. & Hungler, B.P. — Two authors
Writing Book Reference
Example 3
Polit, D.F. & Hungler B.P, Nursing Research, Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott
Company, 1979.
Writing Journal Article
Example 4
Alderson, M.J., “Effect of Increased Body Temperature on the Perception of
Time”. Nursing Research, 1974, 23, 42-49.
For details of writing magazine articles, reports, unpublished literature
reference, the reader is advised to refer any of the books given in the
reference section of this module.
Quotations
Quotations used are usually short quotations of not more than four typed
lines. The quotations are writing in exact words of the writer quoted. When
long quotations a no quotation marks (“ “) are used and usually typed in
single-space as below (i.e., is set off in a separate paragraph, or paragraphs).
Short Quotation
Example 5
They stated “Evaluation research has an important role to play both in
localized settings and in programmes at the National level” (Polit and
Hungler, 1978, p. 210).
OR
Polit and Hungler ( 1978) explained that “evaluation research has an
important role to play in localized settings and in programmes at the national
level” (p .210).
Block Quotation
Example 6
Kaith (1987) explains that, ethical theories provide a framework which
let us determine what we ought to do. Professional nursing decisions
made by an appeal to justice should, in the long run, carry more weight
than just doing the best we can. Such approach may remove some of the
inequalities in health care that have come through the ‘he who shouts
loudest gets the most way of allocating resources’.
5.3.5 Sample Research Report
Title: A Study on Development of Evaluation Model for Nursing
Programme through
Distance Education
The Development of Programme Evaluation Model for Nursing Programme
through Distance Education was carried out by Kapoor, Bimla in the partial
212
fulfillment of the requirement for the award of degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Writing Research Proposal
A developmental approach with opinion survey was adopted to achieve and Research Report
the objectives of the study. The present study was carried at the School
of Education, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India.
The objective of the study were: i) To construct a set of evaluative criteria
for the development of a programme evaluation model, ii) To develop a
programme evaluation model for nursing programme through distance
education, iii) To determine empirical validation of the programme
evaluation model on the [Link]. Nursing Programme of IGNOU.
The sample of the study comprised experts from nursing education and
distance education. All 405 third year learners who appeared for the mental
health nursing terminal examination conducted in December, 2002 and
their 35 Academic Counsellors who were involved in conduct of theory
and practical courses of mental health nursing were a part of the study. The
records of IGNOU also formed the sample of the study.
The instruments developed and used for generating necessary data were:
●● evaluative criteria checklist for the development of PEM,
●● programme evaluation model checklist,
●● records checklist,
●● opinionnaire for the learners on mental health nursing course on
theory and practical and
●● opinionnaire for the academic counselors on mental health nursing
courses in theory and practical.
The data obtained were analyzed using frequency and percentage.
Qualitative analysis was done for open-ended responses. Chi-square was
used to test the significance of references in the responses of two groups.
Significant findings of the study revealed that all the experts agreed on the
most of the items on the evaluative criteria. However, some suggested a
reorganization of items which were incorporated. The final evaluative
criteria had eight areas. Guidelines were developed as suggested by experts.
There was 100 per cent agreement by the experts on most of the items on
the PEM in terms of experts’ comments the PEM was finalized under three
frames: evaluation of and development, evaluation of implementation and
evaluation of monitoring.
The empirical validation of the PEM was established by testing it on the
[Link]. Nursing Programme of IGNOU through records checklist, opinion of
learners and opinion academic counselors.
Findings revealed that records were available on almost all the areas listed
in the records checklist.
It was found that the mean age of learners were 40.3 years and most of them
were female. Three fourth of nurses worked as staff nurses. The mean gap
of resuming education was 8 years.
The profile of Academic Counselors indicated that about half of the ACs
were in age group of 29-50 years. Most of them were women. As many
as 46 per cent had specialization in mental health and psychiatric nursing.
213
Data Analysis, Statistical On an average, ACs had 15 years of teaching experience and 18 years of
Methods And Evidence clinical experience.
Based Practice
It was found that both the groups, the learners and academic counselors
provided evidence to the effect that the various dimensions mentioned in the
recommendations of PEM were relevant.
The two groups differed in their opinion on adequacy of lab facilities and
use of academic media. Both the groups emphasized that increasing theory
counseling and practical contact sessions in mental health nursing course
was important.
Based on the findings on the research, it was recommended that a study may
be conducted on empirical validation on implementation of PEM on larger
sample. It was also recommended that PEM can be tested on other distance
education programme for nursing. Empirical validation of PEM may be
done by using other tools to establish its reliability.
Good Research generally builds on existing knowledge. Links between new
research and existing knowledge are developed through review of the prior
research on a topic and through efforts to identify an appropriate theoretical
framework for the research problem. Both these activities are important not
only because they provide a conceptual context for a scientific investigation,
but also because they may help the researcher to refine and delimit the
problem to be studies.
Activity 2
Read the research report of IND-HND-007 given in the beginning of BNS-
211, Block 3 and answer the following questions.
●● What was the purpose of her writing the research report?
●● What is the type of report?
●● How many paragraphs have been used to explain the methodology?
●● How are the findings-of descriptive analysis presented?
Check Your Progress 2
1) Outline the broad content areas included in the methodology of the
thesis.
………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………..

2) What do you include in the appendix section of the thesis?

………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………..

3) Define research proposal?

………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………..
214
 Writing Research Proposal
5.4 LET US SUM UP and Research Report
Unit this contains two major sections, developing research proposal and
writing research report. The main areas are background of the problem,
statement of the problem, purpose and objectives of hypotheses, research
methodology, work plan, budget, ethical considerations, references and
appendices. Preparation of a work plan increases the efficiency of conducting
research step by step. A research report can be in the form of an article,
thesis or monograph. The length and form of each section of the report
differ according to the purpose of writing the report, space and time and
money available. Scientific communication should be presented as simply
and clearly as possible. Various styles of writing references exist to assist
the researcher to adopt an acceptable style. The proposal writing demands
certain acceptable format.

5.5 KEY WORDS

Ethics : The quality of research procedure with respect to their
adherence to professional, legal and social obligation to the
research subjects.
Proposal : is a document the researcher plans to study.
Resources : includes the involvement of various resources like
manpower, money and materials

5.6 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Check Your Progress 1
1) Major items of a budget plan are:
i) Direct labour (salaries and benefits of personnel)
ii) Supplies and xeroxing
iii) Equipment-purchase and rental
iv) Statistical analysis and computer expense
v) Typing and printing
vi) Travel
2) i) ● Is the problem stated clearly and explicitly?
● Is the problem researchable, relevant and meaningful?
● What is the core idea against which the investigation is
organized? or can you identify the variables, setting and
the type of relationship under study?
ii) ● What is the population of subjects sampled?
● Are the pertinent characteristics of this population clearly
stated?
● Is the size of the sample appropriate?
iii) ● What is the evidence to support the reliability of the
instrument chosen.
● Is the tool valid?
215
Data Analysis, Statistical ● Is the tool objective?
Methods And Evidence
Based Practice ● Is the tool appropriate?
Check your progress 2
1) 
The broad content outlines are research approach, study design,
descriptions and definition of variables, hypotheses, development of
tools, description of setting, sample, size and sampling, and procedure
for data analyses.
2) Appendix includes:
● Copies of important relevant correspondence
● Master sheet
● Description of treatment variables
● Tools
3) Research proposal is a written document which outlines the plan of
research study and is written before the research project is started.

216