The document outlines the structure and essential features of a research report, emphasizing clarity, systematic presentation, and adherence to academic standards. It details the comprehensive format for a thesis or dissertation and a research paper, including sections such as introduction, literature review, methodology, results, and recommendations. The report should also declare conflicts of interest, acknowledge contributions, list references, and may include appendices for additional materials.

1. Writing A Research Report
Dr. SD Mahanta
Department of Education
Directorate of Open and Distance Learning
Dibrugarh University

2. Research Report:
 Systematic written presentation of the research work/
study.
 A research report is a methodological written document
that includes the processes, statistics, and findings of a
systematic study.
 It serves as a primary account of the research process,
and it is typically considered an objective and accurate
source of information.

3. Features of a Good Research Report:
 A good research report should be written lucidly, precisely in simple language and should
provide detailed presentation of the whole of research processes.
 It should present the data in tables and figures with suitable objective explanations.
 The end part should include the, the major findings, limitations and recommendations, if any.
 The language and style should be academic, formal, less flaunting and simple.
 The report is normally based on the first hand information collected by the researcher.
However, the reports written on the basis of secondary data are also presented in a systematic
and lucid manners.
 A research report should normally be written in the third person and avoid use of pronouns
like, ‘I’, ‘Me’, ‘My’ etc.
 The report should facilitate the reader with systematic presentation like proper headings, title,
sub-tiles, tables, graphs, parts and even bullet points where required.
 The reports normally forward recommendations too as the solutions to the problems and
policymaking by the concerned authorities, corporate organizations, institutions and
governments.

4. Format of a research report ( Thesis or
Dissertation)
Beginning of the Report Cover and Front pages
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Review of related Literature
Chapter 3: Methodology
Chapter 4 Results and Discussions
Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations
End Part Acknowledgment
Conflict of Interests
Reference/ Bibliography
Appendix

5. Detailed Format of a research report: Thesis or
Dissertation:
Beginning of the Report  title page,
 abstract,
 list of keywords,
 table of contents,
 list of figures and tables,
 acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Introduction
 statement of the problem,
 significance of the problem,
 definition of the keywords
 objectives and research questions of the work,
 hypotheses,
 scope of the study
 limitation of the study
Chapter 2: Review of related Literature
 Background of the study
 Discussion on already conducted related works
 Establishes the research gap

6. Detailed Format of a research report: Thesis or
Dissertation:
Chapter 3: Methodology
 Research method and design
 Population and sample
 Data gathering tools and techniques
 Process for data analysis
Chapter 4 Results and Discussions
 shows what happened according to the objectives and research questions
 interprets the results qualitatively or quantitatively or using both ( mixed method )
Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations
 Drawing conclusions on the basis of the knowledge gained during the study
 Summarize conclusions
 Providing suggestions and recommendations
 Suggesting scope for future research

7. Detailed Format of a research report: Thesis or Dissertation:
End part : • Conflict of Interests:
The researcher needs to declare that the outcomes of the research do not lead to any
personal advantage.
• Acknowledgment:
If any special help was received from an individual or group for the study.
Financial assistance received from any funding agency
• Reference/ Bibliography:
 List of cited works.
 It is the acknowledgement of other people's work.
 Although different referencing styles are used in research, APA (American
Psychological Association) is used in Education, Psychology, and Sciences
• Appendix:
 Any tables, figures, forms, data gathering tools like questionnaires and interview
schedules or other materials that are not included in the main body of the report,
are put as Appendix.

8. Format of a Research Report ( Paper)
Beginning: • Title of the Paper
• Abstract
• Keywords
Main body : Introduction
Review of related Literature / Significance of the Study
Objectives of the Study
Delimitation of the study
Methodology
Results and Discussions
Conclusions and Recommendations
End part : Acknowledgment
Conflict of Interests
Reference/ Bibliography
Appendix

9. Detailed Format of a research report: Paper)
Beginning: • Title of the Paper:
The title of the paper should be very specific, not too
long not too short.
It should include the key terms of the works.
• Abstract
Very precise Summary of the study including the
objectives or hypotheses, procedures, and major findings.
• Keywords:
They are the key concepts of the study.

10. Detailed Format of a research report: Paper
Main Body • Introduction
 Introduction of the concept of the research
 Technical Definition of the key terms or concept that is used in the study.
• Review of related Literature / Significance of the Study
 Background of the study
Discussion on already conducted related works
Establishes the research gap
• Objectives of the Study
objectives and research questions of the work,
Hypotheses.
• Delimitation of the study:
 The weaknesses, flaws or shortcomings of the study.
Small or sample size, restricted or convenient population and sample,
unavailability of resources, inconsistent methodology are few examples of
this aspect.

11. Detailed Format of a research report: Paper
Main Body • Methodology
Research method and design
Population and sample
Data gathering tools and techniques
Process for data analysis
• Results and Discussions
shows what happened according to the objectives and research
questions
interprets the results qualitatively or quantitatively or using both (
mixed method )
• Conclusions and Recommendations:
 Drawing conclusions on the basis of the knowledge gained during
the study
 Summarize conclusions
 Providing suggestions and recommendations
 Suggesting scope for future research

12. Detailed Format of a research report: Paper
End part : • Conflict of Interests:
The researcher needs to declare that the outcomes of the research do not lead to
any personal advantage.
• Acknowledgment:
If any special help was received from an individual or group for the study.
Financial assistance received from any funding agency
• Reference/ Bibliography:
 List of cited works.
 It is the acknowledgement of other people's work.
 Although different referencing styles are used in research, APA (American
Psychological Association) is used in Education, Psychology, and Sciences
• Appendix:
 Any tables, figures, forms, data gathering tools like questionnaires and interview
schedules or other materials that are not included in the main body of the report,
are put as Appendix.