2. UNIT V
REPORT DESIGN, WRITING AND ETHICS IN BUSINESS RESEARCH
SYLLABUS
Research report – Different types – Contents of report – need of executive
summary – Chapterisation – contents of chapter – report writing – the role of
audience – readability – comprehension – tone – final proof – report format –
title of the report – ethics in research – ethical behaviour of research –
subjectivity and objectivity in research.
3. RESEARCH REPORT
“Research report is a statement of collected and considered facts, so drawn-up as to
give a clear and concise information to persons who are not already in possession of
the fall facts of the subject matter of the report”.
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH REPORT
1) Accuracy 2) Simplicity
3) Clarity and completeness 4) Brevity
5) Appearance 6) Comprehensibility and
readability
7) Reliability 8) Economy
9) Timelines 10) Logical content
4. CONT…
FUNCTIONS OF REPORTS
1) Keeps permanent record of the research 2) Awareness
3) Formulation of principle 4) Validate other’s
work
TYPES OF REPORTS
1) Technical report 2) Manuscripts for journal articles
3) Thesis and dissertations 4) Others types of research
reports
5. CONT…
CONTENT OF A REPORT
1) Title page
2) Table of content
3) List of tables and graphs
4) Research proposal and letter of
authorisation
5) Executive summary
6) Introduction
7) Methodology
8) Conclusion and recommendation
9) Appendix
10) Bibliography and references
6. IMPORTANCE OF REPORT WRITING
1) Communication the information
2) Helps in evaluation
3) Facilitates measuring performance
4) Predicts future trends
5) Helps in making desirable changes
CONT…
7. STRUCTURE OF THE RESEARCH REPORT / REPORT
FORMAT
A research report does not have any specific format: every research report follows a
different format. But the desired clarity and emphasis can be maintained in the reports
by following the physical format which includes using different margins, headings,
colours and size, broad paragraphs etc.
1) Preliminary section.
- Title page
- Acknowledgement
- Table of content and Chapterisation
- Content and chapter
- List of tables and graphs
- Executive summary
8. CONT….
2) Main body
-Introduction
-Literature review
-Research method
-Interpretation of data
-Conclusion
-Suggestions and
recommendation
-Limitations of study
3) Reference section
- End notes
- Bibliography
- Appendix
9. REPORT WRITING
Report writing is an art, which must be learnt through hard work,
practice and effort. The information and recommendations place before
the management are of little value unless they assist in making
judgement and leads to decisions. Report writing should concentration
on the collection of relevant data, organising the data and arriving at a
conclusion.
10. CONT….
PROCESS OF WRITING RESEARCH REPORTS
1) Verifying the sources of data collection
2) Formulating a rough pattern
3) Formulating final pattern
4) Making an outline
5) Writing the first draft
6) Presenting a rough pattern
7) Refinement a rough pattern
8) Evaluation of report
9) Final report
12. PREENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
1) Selecting objectives and presentation topic
2) Analysis audience
3) Select the types of presentation
4) Decide upon the audio-visual aid needed
5) Be informed about the venue and equipment to be used
6) Practice presentation
7) Make body language effective
8) Maintain active listening
CONT…
13. PRECAUTIONS IN WRITING THE
REPORT
1) Accuracy
2) Simplicity
3) Clear and completeness
4) Conciseness
5) Comprehensibility and
readability
6) Reliability
7) Timelines
8) Logical content
9) Original content
10) Free from errors
11) Good appearance
CONT…
14. GUIDELINES FOR PRESENTING TABULAR DATA
• Table title
• Table identification number
• Data arrays
• Measurement units
CONT…
• Space, lines and rulings
• Assumptions details and comments
• Data sources
• Special mention
19. ORAL PRESENTATIONS
• Study background
• Study findings
• Study implications
• Handouts
• Slides
• Flipcharts & chalkboards
• Video & audio tapes
20. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Executive summary provides the reader with an overview of the report’s essential
information. It is designed to be read by people who will not have time to read the whole
report.
NEED FOR EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• Crystallizes the thoughts: since it is a miniature, it contains the report’s highlights, its key
points.
• Sets priorities: it should be organized according to the items order of importance.
• Provides the foundation of the full plan: it helps the researchers in the process of
writing the report much easier.
21. ROLE OF AUDIENCE
A good writer changes a document to accommodate different audience roles.
To determine audience roles, the following questions to be asked:
• Who will read this document?
• What is the audience need?
• How does the writer’s goal fulfill the audience’s need?
• What is the audience’s task?
• Is there more than one audience?
22. READABILITY
• Sensitive writers consider the reading ability of their audience to
achieve high readership.
• The writer can show the usefulness of the report by pointing-out
how it will help the readers.
• Finally he can write at a level that is appropriate to the audience’s
reading abilities.
23. COMPREHENSION
• Good writing varies with the writing objective.
• Take care to choose the right words- words that convey thoughts
accurately, clearly and efficiently.
• Words and sentences should be carefully organized and edited.
24. TONE
• Proper use of tone is essential for better reading effects.
• This highlights the attitude of the writer and reflects his understanding of
the reader.
• The report should make tactful use of details and generalizations.
• It should focus on facts and not on the opinions of the writer.
25. FINAL PROOF
• Final editing of the draft should be taken-up after a gap of at least a
day.
• This helps in identifying mistakes.
• The executive summary follows the final stage of editing.
26. ETHICS IN RESEARCH
PRINCIPLESOF ETHICAL RESEARCH
1) Non-maleficence
2) Beneficence
3) Autonomy
4) Justice
5) Fidelity
6) Respect for participant’ right and dignity
27. ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR OF RESEARCH
1) Sugging and frugging
2) Research integrity
3) Treating others fairly
-Buyer -Supplier -Public
-Respondents -Client -Team
members
CONT…
28. SUBJECTIVITY IN RESEARCH
• Subjectivity refers to that the results are researcher-dependent.
• Different researchers may reach different conclusions based on the same
interview.
• Subjectivity guides everything from the choice of topic to formulating
hypothesis, methodologies and interpreting data.
CONT…
29. CONT…
OBJECTIVITY IN RESEARCH
1) Evaluate sources of bias
2) Balance position with opposing view
3) Use objective language
4) Avoid first-person and second-person pronouns
5) Express thoughts explicitly
