The document outlines the typical format and structure of a research report. It discusses the three main sections - the preliminary section, main section, and reference section. The preliminary section includes elements like the cover page, table of contents, and abstract. The main section usually contains chapters that introduce the topic, review literature, describe the methodology, and analyze the data. The reference section lists all sources cited. The document also provides guidelines on formatting aspects like margins, fonts, and styling tables and figures in a research report.

1. Research Report
@ Dr. K. Thiyagu 1Dr. K. Thiyagu, AssistantProfessor,Departmentof Education, CentralUniversity of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala

2. “Research report is a research document that
contains basic aspects of the research project”.
@ Dr. K. Thiyagu 2

3. Research Report Format
A. Preliminary Section
B. Main Section
C. Reference Section
[adapted from: John W. Best, Research in Education, 2nd ed.,
(Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1970)].
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4. A. Preliminary Section
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5. A. Preliminary Section
• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Certificate
• Declaration
• Acknowledgments (if any)
• Table of Contents / Index
• List of Tables (if any)
• List of Figures (if any)
• Abbreviations
• Abstract / Summary Report
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6. B. Main Section
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7. Chapter 1: Introduction /
Conceptual Framework
• Conceptual framework of the study
• Need and Significance of the Problem
• Purpose or score of the study
• Statement of the Problem
• Definition of Terms
• Objectives of the study
• Hypotheses of the study
• Assumptions
• Limitations / delimitations
• Chapterization
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8. Chapter 2:
Review of Related
Literature / Studies
• Studies related to foreign
• Studies related in India
• Critical Review
• Gap Identified
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9. Chapter 3:
Design of the Study /
Methodology
• Description of Research Design
• Population and sample
• Sampling Procedures
• Sources of Data
• Tools / instruments used
Pilot study
Item analysis
Reliability
validity
• Date gathering
• Statistical Treatment
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10. Chapter 4:
Analysis of Data /
Data Analysis
• Descriptive statistics
• Differential statistics
• Text with appropriate
• Tables and
• Figures
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11. Chapter 5:
Summary and Conclusions
• Restatement of the Problem
• Description of Procedures
• Major Findings (reject or fail to reject Ho)
• Interpretation
• Discussion
• Conclusions
• Recommendations for Further Investigation
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12. C. Reference Section
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13. C. Reference Section
• End Notes (if in that format of citation)
• Bibliography or Literature Cited or References
• Appendix / Appendices
A copy of questionnaire
Detail of sampling and rate of response
Photos of data collection
Master table / master matrix
Statement of expenses
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14. Pagination
Format
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15. Paper
A4 Sheet: 8.27’’ x 11.69’’
Letter: 8.5 x 11"
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16. Page Margins
Research Paper:
 1" on all sides (top, bottom, left, right)
Research Report:
 Top – 1”
 Bottom – 1”
 Left – 1.25 to 1.4”
 Right – 1.2 to 1.25”
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17. Font
Text:
 Times Roman
 Courier.
Tables and Figures:
 sans serif
 Arial.
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18. Font Size
12 Point Times New Roman
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19. @ Dr. K. Thiyagu 19

20. Alignment
Justified
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21. Paragraph Indentation
5–7 spaces
Ms word: Click page layout, indent
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22. Binding
Hard Board
Binding
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23. @ Dr. K. Thiyagu 23

24. Particulars Descriptions
Paper
 A4 Sheet: 8.27’’ x 11.69’’
 Letter: 8.5 x 11"
Page Margins
Research Paper:
 1" on all sides (top, bottom, left, right)
Research Report:
 Top – 1”
 Bottom – 1”
 Left – 1.25 to 1.4”
 Right – 1.2 to 1.25”
Margins: MS word Setting:
 Use 1-inch margins throughout (top, bottom, left, right)
 Click File, Page Setup, Margins. Fill the appropriate blanks with “1”.
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25. Particulars Descriptions
Font
Times Roman
Courier.
For figures, however, use a sans serif font such as
Arial.
Font Size 12 Point Times New Roman
Spacing Double-space entire document
Alignment of Text Justified
Paragraph
Indentation
5–7 spaces
Ms word: Click page layout, indent
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26. Particulars Descriptions
End of Sentence Leave one space after a period unless your teacher prefers two.
Binding Hard board binding
Section Headings
Top level headings should be centered on the page, using upper and lower
case.
Second level headings should be flush left, italicized, using upper and lower
case.
Highlighting
For highlighting or emphasis, use italics. Bold print can also be used for
clarity if necessary (for instance if you use a lot of linguistic examples that
require italics).
Additional
Information
Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) -
APA Style Guide
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27. FIGURES
TABLES GRAPHS
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28. TABLES, FIGURES AND GRAPHS
• Use tables, figures and graphs only to display main and
significant results.
• Present information only when it is of value to the reader.
• Number every table, figure and graph in the sequence in which
they will be referred to.
• Tables should be numbered and captioned above the table.
• Figures and graphs should be labelled below with their number
and descriptive title.
• Refer to every table, figure and graph included in the text by
using the present tense.
• Cite references if applicable.
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29. Tables
Unique
Table
Number
Bold
Heading
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30. Graphs
• Unique Graph Number
• Unique Caption
• Label Axes
• Label Units
• Label Scale
• Label Parameters
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31. Writing Style in Research Reporting /
Academic Writing
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32. WRITING STYLE
• A scientific paper is a formal
text written in an
impersonal, objective,
neutral and professional
way.
• The writing is concise with
specific wordings and
formulations. The
writing should be clear as
well and lead to a deeper
understanding of the subject.
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33. Avoid colloquial or informal language
• Eliminate all 'filler' and needless words.
• Biased language is not acceptable in academic writing.
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34. Avoid personal or familiar language
• Do not directly address the reader and do not ask rhetorical
questions.
• Remember that the use of personal pronouns (I, You, me,
him, her, us etc) does not fit into an objective, scientific
paper. @ Dr. K. Thiyagu 34

35. Avoid ambiguous, imprecise or vague words
Be
clear, concrete, specific,
precise and direct.
If possible,
choose specific wordings
which will lead to more
concise writing.
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36. Do not use 'wordy'
expressions either
To illustrate: X
• 'Since' or 'because' are easier to read than 'for the
reason that' or 'owing to the fact that'.
• 'Although' is easier to read than 'despite the fact that'
or 'regardless of the fact that'.
• 'If' is easier to read than 'in the event that'.
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37. Abbreviations and
Contractions
• Limit the use of abbreviations in
academic writing. Explain the
abbreviations you are using.
• Avoid contractions such as 'doesn't',
'haven't'. Always write full forms.
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38. Written Language
• Scientific Papers should be
written with correct
grammar, spelling and
punctuation.
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39. Reporting Numbers
• Write out numbers at the beginning of
a sentence.
• Spell out cardinal numbers from one to
nine and ordinal numbers from first to
ninth. (1-9)
• Numbers below 10 are usually written
as words. Also write out hundred,
thousand and million in words.
• Usually, a space is inserted between
the number and the unit. (5 CM)
• Percentages require numerals, except
when beginning a sentence.
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40. Punctuation
Do not forget
punctuation.
Do not use commas
instead of full
stops.
To separate items in
a list, use a colon.
Commas are used
between each item
Do not use
excessive
punctuation.
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41. Structure
• A scientific paper or text should have a logical structure and
organization.
• Typically, an academic text comprises of different chapters and
sections of about equal length flowing smoothly into each other.
• Sections consist of associated paragraphs that are carefully
formatted in a consistent page lay-out.
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42. • Paragraphs are more or less evenly distributed.
• Develop a paragraph in a systematic way, for
instance working from general to specific or from
theory to practice.
• Be consistent in tense use throughout paragraphs.
• Pay attention to transitions between and within
paragraphs
• Link sentences within paragraphs using signal
phrases, connecting phrases as well as reference
words. Paragraphs should be coherent and presented
as a whole.
Writing Paragraphs
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43. Transition Words
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44. • Avoid complex sentence structures making
your text difficult to follow.
• Use correct, simple and compound
sentences.
• Break up long sentences
• Creating multiple sentences in order to
improve readability.
• Focus on one idea per sentence and
emphasize the most important element.
• Avoid using first person pronouns
('I', 'we') as well as personal experience in
academic writing.
• Never begin a sentence with conjunctions
such as 'for', 'and', 'or', 'but'.@ Dr. K. Thiyagu 44

45. Tenses and Structures
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46. Bibliography
• The term bibliography is the term used for a list of sources
(e.g. books, articles, websites) used to write an assignment
(e.g. an essay). It usually includes all the sources consulted
even if they not directly cited (referred to) in the
assignment.
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47. References usually come at the end of a text
(essay or research report) and should
contain only those works cited within the text. So,
use the term 'References' to cover works cited.
A Bibliography is any list of references at the end of a text, whether cited
or not. It includes texts you made use of, not only texts you referred to in
your paper, but your own additional background reading, and any other
articles you think the reader might need as background reading.
Reference Vs Bibliography
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48. Footnotes
• Footnotes are placed
numerically at the foot of the
very same page where direct
references are made.
• Endnotes are placed
numerically at the end of the
essay on a separate page
entitled Endnotes or Notes.
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49. Thank You
@ Dr. K. Thiyagu 49