RESEARCH REPORTS

MODULE IV
Report Writing
 Research report is considered a major
component of the research study for the
research task remains incomplete till the
report has been presented and/or written.
 The purpose of research is not well served

unless the findings are made known to others.

 Writing of report is the last step in a research

study and requires a set of skills, which can be

attained through assistance and guidance of
experts.
Different steps in Report-Writing
 Research reports are the product of slow, painstaking,
accurate inductive work.

 The steps involved in writing report are:

1. Logical analysis of the subject-matter;

2. Preparation of the final outline;
3. Preparation of the rough draft;
4. Rewriting and polishing;
5. Preparation of the final bibliography; and
6. Writing the final draft.
Layout of the Research Report

 A proper layout of the report is necessary :

 To understand the general scientific context

 Judge the adequacy of its methods
 Forming an opinion of the seriousness of the

findings
 The layout of the report means as to what the

research report should contain.

 A comprehensive layout of the research report should

comprise preliminary pages, the main text and the

end matter.
1) Preliminary Pages

 In its preliminary pages the report should

carry a title and date, Letter of
Authorization followed by
acknowledgements in the form of ‘Preface’
or ‘Foreword’. Then there should be a table
of contents followed by list of tables and
illustrations so that the decision-maker or
anybody interested in reading the report can
easily locate the required information in the
report.
2) Main Text

 The main text provides the complete outline of

the research report along with all details.
 Title of the research study is repeated at the

top of the first page of the main text and then

follows the other details on pages numbered
consecutively, beginning with the second
page.
 Each main section of the report should begin

on a new page.
 The main text of the report should have the following
sections:
a) Background Section – Problem Statement, Study
Introduction , Background Scope along with
Objectives of the study and Literature Review
b) Methodology Section – Research design, Sampling
design, Data collection and Data analysis
c) Findings Section – Results, Interpretation of
Results
d) Conclusion Section – Recommendations and
Limitations of the Study
e) Appendices and Glossary of Terms.
f) Bibliography
3) End Matter

 At the end of the report, appendices should be

enlisted in respect of all technical data such as
questionnaires, sample information, mathematical
derivations and the like ones.

 Bibliography of sources consulted should also be

given.

 Glossary : It gives an explanation of the specific

terms and technical jargons in the form of a word list.
This section is usually the last section of the report.
TYPES OF REPORTS
 Research reports vary greatly in length and type,
depending upon the problems at hand.

 For instance, business firms prefer reports in the letter

form, just one or two pages in length. Banks, insurance
organizations and financial institutions are generally
fond of the short balance-sheet type of tabulation for
their annual reports to their customers and shareholders.
Mathematicians prefer to write the results of their
investigations in the form of algebraic notations.
 News items in the daily papers are also forms of report
writing.
 Book-reviews which analyze the content of the book and
report on the author’s intentions, his success or failure in
achieving his aims, his language, his style, scholarship,
bias or his point of view, are also a kind of short report.
 The results of a research investigation can be presented in
a number of ways viz., a technical report, a popular
report, an article, or at times even in the form of oral
presentation.
 Which method(s) of presentation to be used in a particular
study depends on the circumstances under which the study
arose and the nature of the results.
Technical Report

 A technical report is used whenever a full written

report of the study is required whether for
recordkeeping or for public dissemination.

 In the technical report the main emphasis is on

I. the methods employed,
II. assumptions made in the course of the study,
III. the detailed presentation of the findings including
their limitations and supporting data.
 A general outline of a technical report can be as
follows:

a) Summary of results
b) Nature of the study
c) Methods employed
d) Data collected
e) Analysis of data and presentation of findings.
f) Conclusions
g) Bibliography.
h) Technical appendices
i) Index
Popular Report
 A popular report is used if the research results have
policy implications.

 The popular report is one which gives emphasis on

simplicity and attractiveness.

 The simplification should be sought through clear

writing, minimization of technical and mathematical
details and liberal use of charts and diagrams.
 Attractivelayout along with large print, many
subheadings, even an occasional cartoon now
and then is another characteristic feature of the
popular report.

 Besides, in such a report emphasis is given on

practical aspects and policy implications .
 The general outline of a popular report is as
follows:

a) The findings and their implications

b) Recommendations for action
c) Objective of the study
d) Methods employed
e) Results
f) Technical appendices
Oral Presentation
 Preferred when policy recommendations are
indicated by project results.
 It provides an opportunity for give-and-take decisions

for better understanding of findings and their

implications.
 The researcher has to focus on study background,

study findings and study implications.

 Slides, wall charts and blackboard can be used as

visual aids to the presentation.

Mechanics of writing a Research Report
 There are very definite and set rules which should be
followed in the actual preparation of the research report
or paper.
1. Size and physical design
2. Procedure
3. Layout
4. Treatment of quotations
5. The footnotes
6. Documentation style
7. Punctuation and Abbreviations in footnotes
Mechanics of writing a Research Report
Contd..
 Use of statistics, charts and graphs
 The final draft
 Bibliography
 Preparation of the index
Precautions for writing Research Reports
 A good report should be long enough to cover the
subject but short enough to maintain interest.
 Abstract terminology and technical jargon should be

avoided in a research report.

 Readers are often interested in acquiring a quick

knowledge of the main findings and as such the

report must provide a summary of the findings, with
the help of charts, graphs and statistical tables.
 The layout of the report should be well thought out

and must be appropriate and in accordance with the

objective of the research problem.
Precautions for writing a Research Report Contd..

 The reports should be free from grammatical

mistakes and must be prepared strictly in accordance
with the techniques of composition of report-writing
such as the use of quotations, footnotes,
documentation, proper punctuation and use of
abbreviations in footnotes and the like.
 The report must present the logical analysis of the

subject matter in the sequential order.

 A research report should show originality and should

necessarily be a solution to a problem.

Precautions for writing a Research Report
Contd..
 Appendices should be enlisted in respect of all the
technical data in the report.
 Bibliography of sources consulted is a must for a

good report and must necessarily be given.

 Index is also considered an essential part of a good

report and as such must be prepared and appended at

the end.
 Report must be attractive in appearance, neat and

clean, whether typed or printed.