The document provides an overview of research reports, detailing their functions, characteristics, precautions for writing, and types. It emphasizes the importance of clarity, systematic presentation, and audience consideration in report writing. Additionally, it outlines steps in preparing a research report and offers structural formats for both quantitative and qualitative research reporting.

1. B Y : K U M A R S A U R A V P R A S A D
RESEARCH REPORT

2. Research Reports
 "Research reports are detailed and accurate
accounts of the conduct of disciplined studies
accomplished to solve problems or to reveal new
knowledge." (Busha and Harter, 1988).

3. Functions of the Research Report
 It serves as a mean for presenting the problem studied,
methods and techniques used for collecting and
analyzing data, the findings, conclusions and
recommendations in an organized manner.
 It provides factual base for formulating policies and
strategies relating to the subject matter studied.
 It serves as a basic reference material for future use in
developing research proposals in the same or related
area.
 It is used to evaluate researchers ability and competence
to do research.
 It is used for judging the quality of the completed
research work/project

4. Characteristics of an ideal research report
An ideal report should have the following characteristics:
 Report should be presented in a systematic and
attractive manner.
 Titles, photographs and graphs should be used
wherever necessary.
 Report should be clear, to the point and easily
understandable. Proverbs and exaggerations should be
avoided.
 The analysis of facts should have logical and scientific
base so that no one should have the doubt that the
report is based on assumption ideas.

5. Cont….
 All the sources of information should be descried so
that any person can verify the facts on the basis of
described sources.
 Difficulties and problems faced during research work
should necessarily be described to avoid any
artificiality. Such guidelines are very helpful and
advantageous for further and future researchers.
 An ideal report also indicates the points useful for
research in future
 Suggestions provided should be unbiased, creative
and useful.

6. Precautions for writing research reports
 While determining the length, one should keep in view
the fact that it should be long enough to cover the subject
but short enough to maintain interest. In fact , report
should not be means to learning more and more about
less and less.
 A research report should always sustain readers interest.
 Abstract terminology and technical jargon should be
avoided in a research report. The report should be able to
convey the matter as simply as possible. This, in the
other words, means that report should be written in an
objective style in simple language, avoiding expressions
such as it seems, there may be and the like.

7.  Appendices should be enlisted in respect of all the
technical data in the report.
 Bibliography of sources consulted is a must for a good
report and must necessarily be given.
 Index is also considered as an essential part of a good
report and as such must be prepared and appended at
the end.
 Report must be attractive in appearance, neat and
clean.
 Calculated confidence limits must be mentioned and
the various constraints experienced in conducting the
research study may also be stated in the report.

8. Types of Research Report
 There are a variety of research reports. The audience to
whom a research report is addressed has to be kept in view
in the preparation of a research report.
The research report may be divided into following types:
 Technical report
 Popular reports
 Interim reports
 Summary report

9.  Technical report:
The technical report is essentially technical in nature
and written in technical language. It also contains
technical appendix for methodological details, copies
of measuring instruments, scale etc.
 Popular report:
The popular report is for audience like
executives/administrators and other non technical
users. Complicated statistical techniques and table
can be used otherwise using graphical and pictorial
representations will be used.

10.  Interim report:
When there is a long time lag between data collection and the
presentation of the results. Interim report will be a suitable
kind of a report to present data as and when the phase of the
project work gets completed. The interim report contains a
narration of what has been done so far and what was the
outcome. It presents a summary of the findings of that part if
analysis which has been completed.
 Summary report:
A summary report is generally prepared for the consumption
of the lay audience. It is written in non-technical, simple
language with a liberal use of pictorial charts. It just contains
brief reference to the objectives of the study and major
findings and their implications.

11. Steps in writing research report
After the data analysis is over, report writing cannot
be started abruptly. It requires careful pre-
planning. The planning process involves the
following consolidations and steps:
 The target audience ( Public/ Children/ Scientists
etc.)
 The communication characteristics of the audience
( Level of Knowledge).
 The intended purpose of the report ( Award of
Degree/Project/Diploma etc.)

12.  The type and scope of report (M.Phil/ Ph.D/Scope
and Limitations)
 The style of reporting ( simple/ Clear)
 The format of the report ( always varies according
to the type of report)
 Outline of the contents ( what to cover and what
not)
 Style of writing
 Proper footnotes and bibliography

13. Structure of research report
Quantitative Format
Title page
Abstract
Introduction
Review of the Literature
Methodology
Timeline, Budget, and
Preliminary Chapter
Outline
References
Appendices
Qualitative Format
Title page
Abstract
Introduction
Procedure
Preliminary Findings
Anticipated Outcomes
Timeline, Budget, and
Preliminary Chapter
Outline
References
Appendices

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