A concise information on Report writing - Research Protocol ( Best Exam Preparatory)

1. Report
WritingBy,
Sarang.P
23

2.  Report – A highly structured document written in a formal style
 They are based on one’s reading / practical findings that is presented in a readable
and technically acceptable way.
 Good writing is essential for a report to convey the importance and usefulness of the
findings.
The overall quality of a finding / project is judged on how well the report is written.
Generally reports aim to:
 Set out the issue.
 Describe what was done and how it was done .
 Present the findings, conclusions, and any recommendations .
Introduction

3. Front page
 Short, relevantand interesting title.
- Maximum 16 words
- Avoid ‘filter’words ,Question marks, Abbreviations.
For eg: Red hens undergo spontaneous chromosome rearrangement when exposed to ultraviolet light
Insteadwrite as, “Ultraviolet light induced chromosome rearrangementin red hens”.
- Enough informationshould be provided in the title.
For eg: Novel cancer biomarker
Informationregarding the type of cancer, type of biomarkersshould be provided.
- No oversellingof manuscriptwith your title
For eg: Molecular mechanism of Chromosome rearrangement in red hens when exposed to UV light.
If no enough data is available onthe complete mechanism of chromosome rearrangement, it will lead to
the downfall of the manuscript.
 Date and releaseof publication
Report Structure

4.  Author name and contact details.
 Acknowledgements
 Copyright and license information- if published
Table of contents
This allows the reader to gain an overview and quickly locate sections they may wish to
read.
- List the main sections including the page numbers.
- Tables, diagrams and illustrations also needed to be included in the separate list.
Abstract/ Summary
Summarization of all the key points – Introduction, methods, results and conclusions
(miniature of the whole report)
Limited to one or two pages.
A reader should get all the messages without reading the main report.

5. Introduction
Should state the background of the survey / experiment and the reasons for which the
current researchis being undertaken – quoted with references
Eg: Survey on prevalence of herbal supplementation amongcancer patients in a
tertiary care hospital- Why & What?
Followed by objectives(aim), limitations,expected results and how the expected results
are intended to be used.
Methods
For a Survey - This part should discussabout the target population, inclusion and exclusion
criteria,no. of people, their mode of contact, detailsof questionnaireand the method of
data collection.
For a lab experiment - Material details,procedure followed ( with references) and any
variation in the procedure.

6. Results and Discussions:
This is the main body of the report.
Structure the section according to the objectives of the Project / Survey
Results should report the data and also should interpret / analyze the data.
Eg: Reporting data
26% of the population in India are reported knowing how to perform emergency
procedures like mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Interpreting data (Discussion)
This finding shows how unprepared Indians are in emergencies and illustrates that
perhaps efforts are to be taken to provide emergency training.
Graphs, charts and diagrams can be used to identify key results and break the
flow of written text.

7. References
Precise and accurate details of authors that you have cited within the
report.
They are normally listed in alphabetical order by the authors' names or
in numerical order - Depends on type of Journal
Appendices:
Additional related information which is not essential to read but can be
consulted if the reader wishes - Tables, Graphs and questionnaires

8. Style
Journal agencies and organisations will have their own preferences in terms of
style. Regardless of specific style preferences, the report should be consistent
in application of the following components:
• Font
• Spacing
• Abbreviations
• dot points
• formatting of headings and subheadings
• page numbering
• quotes and references.

9. Careful usage of language/word is important. Poor quality may lead to
misinterpretation of results.
For eg:
1. Above – Often people tend to refer something preceding, but not necessarily
above.
2. Accurate / Estimate
3. Alternate / Alternative
4. Among
5. As well as..
Keep the words simple.
Basic Principles to be
followed

10. Avoidance of Jargon, cliches, vague (eg: various, some, numerous),(In my opinion, I
think..) unnecessary (eg: that) and technical language. If technical terms are used, it
should be defined.
Shorten the sentences as possible.
There should be a flow in sentences from beginning to end
- Usage of tense and voice
- Transition between and within paragraphs
Use of too many nominalisation make a report look dull.
For eg: The implementation of the policy has been done by a team
Instead write as, A team has implemented the policy
Correct spelling, grammar and punctuation should be taken care of.
Consider the audience – Information should be properly conveyed to the decision
makers.

11. A good report should:
• Address the objectives
• present clear findings with strong conclusions (and recommendations
if appropriate)
• be accurate and free of errors
• use tables, graphs and text appropriately
• be written in a way that will convey the results without boring the
reader.