The document provides guidance on preparing research reports. It discusses the types of research reports, including technical reports, popular reports, interim reports, and summary reports. It outlines the structure of a research report, including the title page, abstract, introduction, theoretical review, data analysis, findings and conclusion, and bibliography. Finally, it discusses qualities of a good report, such as simplicity, clarity, brevity, and accuracy, and precautions for preparing research reports, like ensuring the report is long enough to be comprehensive but short enough to maintain interest.
2. SYLLABUS
Research Report - types of reports – content of report –
Style of Reporting – Steps in Drafting Reports –
Qualities of a good report – Documentation – Citation -
Footnotes – References – Bibliography – APA and MLA
Format in writing references and bibliography.
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3. Preparation of report is the last step in a research study.
The purpose of research is not well served unless the finding
are made known to others in the form of a report.
Research Report is a written document or oral presentation
based on a written document that communicates the
purpose, scope, objective(s), hypotheses, methodology,
findings, limitations and finally, recommendations of a
research project to others.
4. GOAL OF RESEARCH REPORT
The central goal of report writing: A report is written to be read,
by some one else
The researcher need to have in mind the intended audience
Meant for reading by himself, his supervisor and by his
evaluators (In the narrowest possibilities)
Readable by his peers and juniors (In the broader possibility)
Is of publishable quality (In the best case possibility)
5. TYPES OF RESEARCH REPORTS
Technical Report:
It’s technical in nature
Uses technical language
suitable for a target audience of researchers, research
managers or other people familiar with and interested in the
technicalities such as research design, sampling methods,
statistical details etc.,
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6. TYPES OF RESEARCH REPORTS
Popular Report
Non-technical in nature
suitable for a more general audience, interested mainly in the
research findings
The writing style is designed to facilitate easy and rapid
reading and understanding of the research findings and
recommendations.
Uses as many pictures and graphs
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7. TYPES OF RESEARCH REPORTS
Interim Report
Used in sponsored research
When there is a long time lag between data collection and
presentation of the result
It’s narration of what has been done so far and the out
come up to that point.
Presents a summary of the findings
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8. TYPES OF RESEARCH REPORTS
Summary Report
Used in case of studies of general nature
It’s generally prepared for the general public
Non technical in nature
Uses as many pictures and graphs
It’s too short of 2-3 pages.
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9. TYPES OF RESEARCH REPORTS
Research Abstract
Short summary of a technical report
Prepared by doctoral students on the eve of submitting thesis
Contains, problem, scope, objectives, methodology, brief summary of
the results etc.
Research Article
Designed for publication in a professional journal
It is covering one or two aspects of the study in depth
Contains, introduction, concept, objectives, methodology, results and
discussion, conclusion and reference
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10. STEPS IN DRAFTING REPORTS
The Target Audience (Academic community, sponsors, general
public)
The level of knowledge and understanding of the audience
Intended purpose of the report
Type of report(either technical or popular)
Scope of the report (purpose)
Style of reporting
Format of the report
Outline of the report (scheme of presentation)
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11. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH REPORT
Title and Title Page
Avoid redundant phrases such as “ A Study of….
Double barreled titles can be effective, stating a broad topic
plus a more precise title.
Financial Inclusion and Inclusive Growth: An Empirical Study
The title page should include the title, name of the candidate, his
number, institutional affiliation, month and year.
cont…
12. SELF HELP GROUPS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS IN KERALA
Project report submitted to University of Kerala in partial fulfillment of the requirement for
the award of Master of Arts in Economics
By
NANDITA.V
(Reg. No.12345)
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
UNIVERSITY OF KERALA
TRIVANDRUM-695581
MARCH 2017
13. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH
REPORT
Abstract
A brief summary of the project
The abstract should be short, generally within about one
page(in two paragraphs)
It generally contains-
Main motivation, difference from previous works, methodology,
major findings etc.
cont…
14. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH REPORT
Introduction
Importance of the topic under study
Review of empirical studies relating to the topic undertaken to state the research
gap
Statement of the problem
Significance of the study (Importance and contribution in the domain knowledge)
Scope of the study (Area covered)
Objectives
Methodology (Sample, data source, tools of analysis)
Variables used
Period of the study
Limitations
Chapterisation cont…
15. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH
REPORT
Theoretical Review
Aims to give a theoretical understanding of the topic under study
Secondary data is the base for theoretical review
Presented in a logical order by giving numbers to sections, sub
sections and sub-subsections
To ensure logical and objective reporting use secondary data from
published sources.
Use descriptive statistics for analysis
cont…
16. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH
REPORT
Data Analysis(Results and Discussion for a research paper)
Start the result section with a descriptive summary of demographic
data, if they are useful.
Proceed the analysis based on objectives
Follow the order for analyzing each independent variable:
Secondary literature> Table> Table explanation> descriptive statistics>
inferential statistics > interpretation based on hypothesis or theory.
Do not include tables taken directly from SPSS.
Do not draw conclusions in the results section. Reserve data
interpretation for the discussion
Figures are preferable to tables, and tables are preferable to straight text.
However, many times a figure is inappropriate, or the data come across
more clearly if described in narrative form.
cont…
17. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH REPORT
Summary of findings, conclusion and suggestions (Conclusion for a
research paper)
Readers usually read the title, abstract, introduction and
summary/conclusion. In that sense conclusion is important
Describe briefly the introductory part viz. problem, objectives, and
methodology
Give separate headings for findings, conclusion and suggestions
State conclusion crisply the main take away points from your work briefly
in the order of objectives (without the technical details)
Suggestions based on the findings only
The end of every report might be seen as the beginning of a new project.
Scope for further research
cont…
18. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH REPORT
Bibliography (References for a research paper)
Follow APA style for bibliography or references
Books: Author> year> Title>Place of Publication>Name of the
publisher
Kothari, C.R., & Gaurav Garg. (2014).Research methodology-Methods
and Techniques. New Delhi: New Age International(P) Limited
Publishers.
Journal Article: Author> year> Title of the article>Name of the Journal>
Vol.> No> Page.
Roediger, R.(2004). What should they be called? American
Psychological Society Observer, 17,5,46-48.
19. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH REPORT
•Title page
•Abstract (on a separate single page)
• List of Tables(one to a page)
•List of Figures (one to a page)
•The Body (no page breaks between sections in the body)
Chapter 1: Introduction
Importance of the topic of study
Review of literature
Research problem (
Scope and significance of the study
Objectives
Hypotheses
Methodology (Sample, Data Source and Tools of Analysis)
Limitations
Chapterisation
Chapter 2: Theoretical Review (10-15 pages)
Chapter 3: Data Analysis
Chapter 4: Summary of findings conclusion and suggestions
Scope for further research(
•Bibliography
•Appendices
20. QUALITIES OF A GOOD REPORT
Simplicity(simple language, Jargons and technical words should
be avoided
Clarity (The language shall be lucid and straight)
Brevity (A report shall not be unnecessarily long)
Positivity (it is better to say what should be done and not what
should not be done)
Punctuation
Approach (When a report is written based on personal enquiry or
observations, the approach shall be personal and the sentences
shall be in the first person and in direct speech; otherwise third
person, indirect) 26 April 2020Dr.R.Vasanthagopal University of Kerala
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21. QUALITIES OF A GOOD REPORT
Readability
Accuracy
Logical Sequence
Proper Form
Presentation (A report needs an attractive presentation. It depends on
the quality of typing or printing as well as quality of paper used)
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22. PRECAUTIONS FOR PREPARING
RESEARCH REPORTS
It should be long enough to cover the subject but short enough to maintain
interest
The report should be able to convey the matter as simple as possible.
It should ensure precision i.e. you know what you mean
It should be free from spelling/grammatical mistakes and prepared in
accordance with the technique of composition of report writing such as
quotations, footnotes, punctuation etc.
It ensures typographical rules
Give illustrations (figures and diagrams), if found necessary
State scope for further research either as a separate section at the end or
included in the conclusion.