Writing a research report involves four main steps: 1. Preparing by identifying the purpose, aims, and research question. 2. Collecting and organizing information from primary sources like experiments and secondary sources like other research. 3. Planning the report structure with headings, sections, and logical organization before writing. 4. Writing the report by including key sections like the title page, abstract/executive summary, introduction, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, and references. The report should be logically organized and written to clearly communicate the research to the reader.

1. Writing a research report
Santosh A. Janrao

2. 1 Preparing
• Identify the purpose
• The aims of the research
• Research question.

3. 2. Collecting and organising information
There are two main sources of information depending on the
research task:
1. Reading — theory and other research
2. Research — experiments, data collection ‐ questionnaires,
surveys, observation, interviews.
• Organise and collate the information in a logical order. Make
sure you record the bibliographic information of your reading
as you go along.

4. 3. Planning
Before writing the report, prepare a detailed plan in outline form.
• Consider the following:
Logical organisation
• Information in a report must be organized logically. Communicate the
main ideas followed by supporting details and examples. Start with the
more important or significant information and move on to the least
important information.
Headings
• Use headings and suitable sub headings to clearly show the different
sections. In longer reports the sections should be numbered.

5. 4. Writing the report
Title page
Title of report
Student name/student number
Course/subject
Date due
Table of contents
Shows the sections of the report

6. Abstract or Executive summary
• Gives a summary of the whole report
• Outlines -purpose, research method, findings, main
conclusions and recommendations
• Mainly past tense
• Written last

7. Introduction
• Outlines context, background and purpose
• Defines terms and sets limits of the research
• The reader/audience can easily identify what, how, why…
• (Mainly uses past tense and can be written later although
presented first)

8. Methodology
• Explains how research was done and outlines how the data
was collected, Tools
Results/Findings
• Presents findings of the research
• Facts only - no interpretation
• Uses graphic form (eg. tables & graphs)

9. Discussion
• Presents an interpretation and evaluation of the results.
• Analyses results - draws together different aspects of the
findings, findings of other studies and refers to literature

10. Conclusion
• Brief statement of what was found
Recommendations / Suggestions
• Suggest suitable changes/solutions and also limitations of the
research.

11. Appendix
• Attachments of additional information (eg. surveys,
questionnaires, glossary etc)
References
• All references used

12. Thank You !!!!!!!