2. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH REPORT
A research report has a different structure and layout in comparison to a project report. A research report is for reference and is
often quite a long document. It has to be clearly structured for the readers to quickly find the information wanted. It needs to be
planned carefully to make sure that the information given in the report is put under correct headings.
PARTS OF RESEARCH REPORT
Cover sheet: This should contain some or all of the following:
Full title of the report
Name of the researcher
Name of the unit of which the project is a part Name of the institution
Date/year.
Title page: Full title of the report.
Your name
Acknowledgement: a thanks giving to the people who helped you.
3. Contents
List of the Tables
Headings and sub-headings used in the report should be given with their page numbers. Each chapter should begin on a new
page. Use a consistent system in dividing the report into parts. The simplest may be to use chapters for each major part and
subdivide these into sections and sub-sections. 1, 2, 3 etc. Can be used as the numbers for each chapter. The sections of chapter
3 (for example) would be 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, and so on. For further sub-division of a sub-section you may use 3.2.1, 3.2.2, and so on.
Abstract or Summary or Executive Summary or Introduction:
This presents an overview of the whole report. It should let the reader see in advance, what is in the report. This includes what
you set out to do, how review of literature is focused and narrowed in your research, the relation of the methodology you
chose to your objectives, a summary of your findings and analysis of the findings
BODY
Aims And Purpose or Aims And Objectives:
Why did you do this work? What was the problem you were investigating? If you are not including review of literature, mention
the specific research/es which is/are relevant to your work.
4. Review of Literature
This should help to put your research into a background context and to explain its importance. Include only the books and articles
which relate directly to your topic. You need to be analytical and critical, and not just describe the works that you have read.
Methodology
Methodology deals with the methods and principles used in an activity, in this case research. In the methodology chapter, explain
the method/s you used for the research and why you thought they were the appropriate ones. You may, for example, be depending
mostly upon secondary data or you might have collected your own data. You should explain the method of data collection,
materials used, subjects interviewed, or places you visited. Give a detailed account of how and when you carried out your research
and explain why you used the particular method/s, rather than other methods. Included in this chapter should be an examination
of ethical issues, if any.
Results or Findings
What did you find out? Give a clear presentation of your results. Show the essential data and calculations here. You may use
tables, graphs and figures.
Analysis and Discussion
Interpret your results. What do you make out of them? How do they compare with those of others who have done research in this
area? The accuracy of your measurements/results should be discussed and deficiencies, if any, in the research design should be
mentioned.
5. Conclusions
What do you conclude? Summarize briefly the main conclusions which you discussed under “Results.” were you able to
answer some or all of the questions which you raised in your aims and objectives? Do not be tempted to draw conclusions
which are not backed up by your evidence. Note the deviation/s from expected results and any failure to achieve all that you
had hoped.
Recommendations
Make your recommendations, if required. The suggestions for action and further research should be given.
Appendix
You may not need an appendix, or you may need several. If you have used questionnaires, it is usual to include a blank copy
in the appendix. You could include data or calculations, not given in the body, that are necessary, or useful, to get the full
benefit from your report. There may be maps, drawings, photographs or plans that you want to include. If you have used
special equipment, you may include information about it.
The plural of an appendix is appendices. If an appendix or appendices are needed, design them thoughtfully in a way that
your readers find it/them convenient to use.
6. References
List all the sources which you referred in the body of the report. You may use the pattern prescribed by American
Psychological Association, or any other standard pattern recognized internationally.
7. The Mechanics of Writing a Research Report
Most research reports, however, include only five basic sections or chapters: introduction, literature review,
methods, results, and discussion.
Introduction
The introduction should alert the reader to what is to follow. Most introductions usually contain the following:
1. Statement of the problem. The first job of the report writer is to provide some information about the background
and the nature of the problem under investigation. If the research topic has a long history, then a short summary is
in order. This section should also discuss any relevant theoretical background that pertains to the research topic.
2. Justification. Another important area to be covered in this initial section is the rationale and justification for the
project. This section should address the question of why it is important for us to spend time and energy researching
this particular problem. Research can be important because it deals with a crucial theoretical issue, because it has
practical value, or because it has methodological value.
3. Aims of the current study. Most introductory sections conclude with an unequivocal statement of the
hypothesis or research question to be answered by the study.
8. Literature Review
The second major section is the review of the literature. As the name suggests, the literature review section
briefly recapitulates the work done in the field. This review need not be exhaustive; the writer should summarize
only those studies most relevant to the current project. All literature reviews should be accurate and relevant.
1. Accuracy
A concise and accurate distillation of each study in your review is a prerequisite for any literature review. The main
points of each study—hypotheses that were tested, sample, method, findings, and implications— should be briefly
summarized. The review should be selective but thorough.
2. Relevance
A literature review should be more than a rote recitation of research studies. It must also contain analysis and
synthesis. The writer is obligated to discuss the relevance of the past work to the current study. What theoretic
development can be seen in past work? What major conclusions have recurred? What were some common
problems? How do the answers to these questions relate to the current study? The ultimate aim of the review is to
show how your study evolved out of past efforts and how the prior research provides a justification for your study.
Methods
The methods section describes the approach used to confront the research problem.
9. 1. Variables used in the analysis
This includes a description of both independent and dependent variables, explaining how the variables were selected
for the study, what marker variables, if any, were included, and how extraneous variables were controlled. Each
variable also requires some justification for its use — variables cannot be added without reason. The mean and the
standard deviation for each variable should be reported when necessary.
2. Sample size
The researcher should state the number of subjects or units of study and also explain how these entities were
selected. Additionally, any departure from normal randomization must be described in detail.
3. Sample characteristics
The sample should also be described in terms of its demographic, lifestyle, or other descriptor characteristics. When
human subjects are used, at least their age and sex should be indicated.
4. Methodology
Every research report requires a description of the methods used to collect and analyze data. The amount of
methodological description to be included depends on the audience; articles written for journals, for instance, must
contain more detailed information than reports prepared in private sector research.
5. Data Manipulation
Often the collected data are not normally distributed, and researchers must use data transformation to achieve an
approximation of normality. If such a procedure is used, a full explanation should be given.
10. Results
The results section contains the findings of the research. It typically contains the following:
1. Description of the analysis
The statistical techniques used to analyze the data should be mentioned. If the analysis used common or easily
recognized statistics, a one-sentence description might be all that is needed, such as "Chi-square analyses were
performed on the data" or "Analysis of variance was performed….."If appropriate, the particular statistical program
used by the researcher should be identified. Finally, this part should include an overview of what is to follow: "This
section is divided into two parts. We will first report the results of the analysis of variance and then the results of the
regression analysis.
2. Description of findings
The findings should be tied to the statement of the hypotheses or research questions mentioned in the introduction.
The author should clearly state whether the results supported the hypotheses or whether the research questions
were answered. Next, any peripheral findings can be reported. Many researchers and journal editors suggest that
interpretation and discussion of findings be omitted from this section and that the writer should stick solely to the
bare facts. Others think that this section should contain more than numbers, suggesting the implications of the
findings as well. In fact, for some short research articles, this section is sometimes called "Findings and Discussion."
The choice of what model to follow depends upon the purpose of the report and the avenue of publication.
11. 3. Tables
Tables, charts, graphs, and other data displays should be presented prudently and, if the article is being submitted to
a journal, in the proper format. Remember that many readers turn first to the tables and may not read the
accompanying text; consequently, tables should be explicit and easily understood by themselves.
Discussion
The last section of a research report is the discussion. The contents of this section are highly variable but the
following elements are common.
1. Summary
A synopsis of the main findings of the study often leads off this section.
2. Implications/discussion/interpretations
This is the part of the report that discusses the meaning of the findings. If the findings are in line with current theory
and research, the writer should include a statement of how they correspond with what was done in the past. If the
findings contradict or do not support current theory, then some explanation for the current pattern of results is
provided.
3. Limitations
The conclusions of the study should be tempered by a report of some of its constraints. Perhaps the sample was
limited or the response rate was low or the experimental manipulation was not as clean as it could have been. In any
case, the researcher should list some of the potential weaknesses of the research.
12. 4. Suggestions for future research
In addition to answering questions, most research projects uncover new questions to be investigated. The
suggestions for research should be relevant and practical.
Writing Style
Since the writing requirements for journal articles and business or government reports vary in several ways, the
following guidelines are divided into two sections, writing for scholarly journals and writing a report for business or
government decision makers.
Writing for Scholarly Journals
There are nine principal guidelines for writing for scholarly journals.
1. Avoid using first person pronouns: I, me, my, we, and so on. Research reports are almost always written in third
person “Subjects were selected randomly.” “Subject A told the researcher . . . and so on. First person pronouns
should be used only when the article is a commentary.
2. When submitting a paper for professional publication, place each table, graph, chart, and figure on a separate
page. This is done because if the article is accepted, these pages will be typeset by one department of the printing
company and the text by another. (In management reports, tables, graphs, and other displays are included in the text
unless they are too large, in which case they should be placed on separate pages.)
3. Read the authors’ guidelines published by each journal. They provide specific rules concerning acceptable
writing style, footnote and bibliography formats, the number of copies to submit, and so forth. A researcher who fails
to follow these guidelines may decrease the chance that his or her report will be accepted for publication — or at least
substantially delay the process while alterations are made.
13. 4.Be stylistically consistent with regard to tables, charts, graphs, section headings, and so forth. Tables, for
example, should follow the same format and should be numbered consecutively.
5. Clearly label all displays with meaningful titles. Each table, graph, chart, or figure caption should accurately
describe the material presented and its contribution to the report.
6. Keep language and descriptions as simple as possible by avoiding unnecessary and overly complex words,
phrases and terms. The goal of scientific writing is to explain findings clearly, simply, and accurately
7. When possible, use the active rather than passive voice. For example, “The researchers found that. . .” is
preferable to ”it was found by the researchers that. . . .” Writing in the active voice makes reading more pleasant and
also requires fewer words.
8. Proofread the manuscript carefully. Even researchers who are meticulous in their scientific approach can make
errors in compiling a manuscript. All manuscripts, whether intended for publication or for management review, should
be proofread several times to check for accuracy.
9. Miscellaneous considerations:
a. Avoid phrases or references that could be interpreted as sexist or racist.
b. Check all data for accuracy. Even one misplaced digit may affect the results of a study.
c. Use acceptable grammar; avoid slang.
d. Provide acknowledgments whenever another researcher’s work is included in the report.
e. Include footnotes to indicate where further information or assistance can be obtained.
14.
15. Research report is simply a structure compilation of data founded by analysist and researcher after concluding their research study.
It consists of data that is collected after analyzing a large set of relevant data acquired through surveys and qualitative methods.
It is systematic written document that defines key aspects of research project and serves a medium of communicating it with relevant
individuals. It is designed in such a way that facilitate the easy understanding of all findings and recommendations to users.
Preparation of research report requires a good knowledge, experience, expertise and imagination by individual. A considerable amount of
money and time need to be invested for designing a proper report.
Every research reports comprises of 7 key components. These components are: Research summary, introduction, methodology, results,
discussions, references and conclusion.
Types of Research Report
Research report is mainly of 2 types: Technical report and Popular report.
Technical Report
Technical report is one that is needed where complete written report of research study is needed for the purpose of public dissemination or
record-keeping. In these report, data is presented in a simple manner and key results are defined properly. Technical report emphasis on
tools used in study, assumptions made and presentation of findings along with their limitation.
16. Outline of Technical report is: –
1.Results Summary- Description of key findings of the study conducted.
2.Nature of Study- Denotes objectives of study, formulating problem on operational basis, hypothesis used for working, type of data needed
and kinds of analysis.
3.Methods Used- Tools and techniques used for carrying out the study along with their limitations is explained.
4.Data- Description of how the data was collected, what are their sources, their characteristics and limitations.
5.Data Analysis and Presenting Findings- It is the main body of report where data is analyzed and finding are presented along with
supporting data. Distinct types of tables and charts are used for better explanation.
6.Conclusions- Findings are narrated in a detailed manner and implications of policies drawn from results is explained.
7.Bibliography- It provide details of distinct sources which were consulted while performing a research.
8.Technical Appendices- Technical appendices related to mathematical deviations, questionnaire and analysis technique elaboration.
9.Index- It is attached invariably at the report end.
Outline of a Technical report may not be same in all case and may vary in all technical reports.
Popular Report
1.Popular report is the one that focuses on attractiveness and simplification of data. It is used when its findings will have policy implications.
Focus is laid on writing in a clear manner, minimization of technical aspects, using charts and diagrams in liberal and detailed manner. Other
key characteristics of popular report are use of many subheadings, large prints and occasional cartoon. Practical emphasis is given more
importance in these type of report.
17. General outline of Popular report is as given below: –
1.Findings and Their Implications- Focus is given on practical aspects of findings of study conducted and how these findings
are implied.
2.Recommendations for Action- This section of report on basis of findings provides recommendations for action.
3.Objectives of Study- A description of nature of problem and key objectives of conducting a study are explained here.
4.Techniques Used- Review of all tools and techniques employed along with data employed for concluding the study is given
in this portion of study. All description is given in non-technical manner.
5.Results- It is the main portion of report where all finding are denoted in simplified and non-technical terms. All sorts of
illustration like diagrams and charts are used liberally.
6.Technical Appendices- Technical appendices provides a detailed informed on different methods used, forms etc. In case, if
report is meant for general public then technical appendices is kept precise.
18. OTHER TYPES OF REPORT WRITING:
There are various types of report writing, each with its own unique purpose and format. Some of the most
i. Business Reports: These reports provide information and analysis to support decision-making in a
include financial reports, marketing reports, operational reports, and strategic reports.
ii. Academic Reports: Academic reports are written for educational purposes and often take the form of
research reports, lab reports, or case studies. They are used to present the results of academic
of the findings.
iii. Feasibility Reports: Feasibility reports are written to assess the viability of a proposed project or
the costs, benefits, and risks associated with the project, as well as a recommendation as to whether or
v. Progress Reports: Progress reports are written to provide updates on the progress of a project or
communicate the status of the project to stakeholders and provide information on any challenges or
19. vi. Incident Reports: Incident reports are written to document events or incidents that have taken place, such as accidents,
security breaches, or equipment failures. They are used to record what happened, why it happened, and what steps were taken
to address the issue.
vii. Analytical Reports: Analytical reports are written to provide a comprehensive analysis of a particular issue or topic. They
may include an analysis of data, trends, and patterns, as well as recommendations for future action.
The type of report you write will depend on the purpose of the report. It’s important to choose the right format and style to
ensure that the report is effective in communicating its message.
20. THE LAYOUT OF THE RESEARCH REPORT:
The layout of a research report is an important aspect of the overall report as it affects readability, clarity,
intended audience. Here is a typical layout of a research report:
•Title page: The title page should include the title of the report, the author’s name, the date of submission,
or institution.
•Abstract: The abstract is a brief summary of the report, including its purpose, methodology, results, and
and not exceed 200-300 words.
•Table of Contents: This section lists the major sections of the report and their corresponding page
•Introduction: The introduction should provide background information on the topic of the research,
describe the research questions or hypotheses being investigated.
•Literature Review: This section reviews previous studies and research on the topic and provides a context
•Methodology: The methodology section should describe the research design, sampling method, data
analysis methods used in the study.
•Results: The results section presents the findings of the study, including any data collected, tables,
•Discussion: The discussion section provides an interpretation of the results, draws conclusions, and
findings.
•Conclusion: The conclusion should summarize the main findings of the study and their implications, and
future research.
•References: The references section lists all the sources cited in the report, including books, articles, and
references should be formatted according to the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, or Chicago).
•Appendices: The appendices section includes any additional material that supports the information in the
questionnaires, or interview transcripts.
It’s significant to keep in mind that the layout of a research report may vary depending on the specific
the academic institution. However, the above layout is a standard structure for most research reports.
21. Referencing
Referencing is how you acknowledge the source of the information you have used (referred to) in your work. It helps to
make clear to the reader how you have used the work of others to develop your own ideas and arguments.
Whether you are quoting directly from a book, summarising an idea from a journal article, illustrating a point with an
image, or paraphrasing an opinion from a newspaper article, you need to give credit to the original creator of the work.
Sometimes the words used to describe referencing can be confusing, especially as they are often used
interchangeably. To keep things simple, here is a quick summary of key referencing terms:
Citation: this is an acknowledgement that you place in your writing at the point you have referred to someone else’s
work. It may be in the author-date format (e.g., Jones, 2020) or in numeric format (e.g. [1].)
Reference: each citation should have a corresponding reference, which provides further details about the source of
information you have used. This may include the creator’s name, date of publication, title of the work, publisher details
and a URL if accessed online. References are usually placed at the end of your writing in a reference list.
Bibliography: this is another name for the list of references at the end of your document. A reference list usually only
contains references for material you have cited in your work. A bibliography may also include references for materials
you have read or consulted but not cited.
22. Need of reference in academic writing
Referencing is important for the integrity and quality of your academic writing.
• gives authority to your work by showing the breadth of your reading
•shows the reader how you have developed your arguments and engaged with the ideas of others
•enables a reader to see the original sources that you've used; they can follow up on your references so they can
learn more about the ideas you’ve discussed in your work or check any facts and figures
•allows others to use your work as a research source (for which you should be cited!)
•makes clear which ideas are your own and those inspired by others; this enables you to avoid plagiarism
The quality of your referencing can affect the marks you’re given for assessments, so it’s worth taking the time to get
them right.
23. The referencing is a two-step process.
1. Whenever you refer to another source of information, you need to firstly insert a citation in your text,
2. secondly, expand on that citation in a full reference at the end of your work.
How you format your citations and references will depend on the referencing style that you use and the type of
information you’re referencing.
Referencing styles
Referencing styles are a set of instructions. They tell you what information you need to include in your reference, the
order that information should appear, and the way it should be formatted in your work.
Referencing styles will provide specific instructions for different information types too, meaning a reference for a
book will look different to a reference for a website.
Cite Them Right Harvard is the most frequently used referencing style at the University,and is the one recommend.
24. Referencing tools
Keeping track of all your references and making sure you consistently follow your referencing style might seem a
little daunting, but there are lots of tools that can help you manage and format your citations and references correctly.
•Look out for cite options on Library Search, Google Scholar and subject databases.
•Generate citations and bibliographies using reference building tools such as Cite This for Me or ZoteroBib.
•Explore reference management software such as EndNote, Mendeley or Zotero
•Whatever tool you use, it’s always a good idea to get to know the conventions of the referencing style, so that you
can spot mistakes or missing information.
