2. Outline
First, we will discuss the general format of
the research report.
Secondly, we will study the style and
format of writing the research report
logically and objectively.
Finally we will discuss the procedure
which is followed in typing different
sections of the report.
3. Meaning of research report:
The research report is called either a
thesis or dissertation.
The oxford dictionary defines thesis as a
proposition to be maintained or proved
especially by candidate for degree.
A knowledge of the rules and principles
involved in writing a research report will
help the researcher to write better thesis .
4. The research report format mainly
consists of three main sections:
– The preliminary section
– The body of the report
– The reference section
5. The Preliminary Section
1. Title Page
2. Preface, including acknowledgement
3. Table of contents
4. List of tables (if any)
5. List of figures, maps and illustrations (if
any)
6. Body of the Report
(a.) Introduction
• Statement of the problem
• Analysis of previous research
• Relation of present problem to theoretical
position of the previous research
• Significance of the problem
• Limitations of the study
• Assumptions under hypothesis
• Statement of hypothesis
• Definition of important terms
7. (b.) Design of the study
1. Procedures employed
2. Sources of data
3. Data gathering instruments
4. Sampling and methods of data gathering
9. (d.) Summary and conclusions
• Brief restatement of problem and
procedures
• Principal findings and conclusions with
their practical implications
• Suggestions for further research
11. Preliminary section
Title page: several pages of preliminary
material are presented prior to the body of
research report which consists of-
– Title of the study
– Name of the institution to which the report is
being submitted
– Name of the candidate
– Date of submission
12. Preface: The preface usually include a brief
statement and scope of the report.
A preface should include thanks for
those who gave researcher the guidance
for study but if the researcher has little to
say than he should used “Acknowledgment”
instead of “Preface”.
13. Table of contents: The table of contents
includes the major divisions of the report;
The introduction, the chapter with their
sub-sections, the bibliography and the
appendix.
The preface or acknowledgement, list of
figures and list of tables are also entered
in the table of contents.
14. Body of the Report
Introduction : The introduction of the report should be simple,
complete and concise.
In introduction the researcher defines, analyses and states the
nature of the problem.
He also review the related studies so as to lay the foundation for
research.
The review of the result of the previous researcher bring out the area
of agreement and disagreement and shows how present studies
arose from the previous investigation.
It includes significance of the problem and need for conducting the
investigation.
After reviewing the background of the problem, its scope and
delimitations, the researcher present the hypothesis and the
assumptions on which the hypothesis are based.
He then defines the terms used in the study that have the special
meaning and significance for the investigation.
15. Design of the study : This section explain the design
of the study in detail.
It includes detailed description about the type of data
needed for study and tools and devices need for their
collection.
A researcher may present definition of the population,
the size of the samples, the method of sampling, when
and where what type of data were collected.
The design and methods of conducting the experiments
giving full details about the assumptions.
The type of data analyses made, the statistical methods
employed and how data will be organized and presented
for analysis and interpretation.
16. Analysis and interpretation of data: This section is
the heart of the report.
The data analysis and interpretation may be either
presented in separate chapters or may be in one chapter.
The tables and figures should be listed in such a way that
they are self explanatory.
Tables which are lengthy should be placed in appendix.
The text should not repeat all the information given in the
tables. (only important facts).
The formulae and statistical procedure used should be
clearly specified and explained in detail.
Statistical analysis may be presented in the form of
ratios, proportions, percentages, variances, SD etc.
Any weakness in the research design, tools, techniques
that have come to the light during conduct of study
should be discussed frankly along with the manner they
have affected the findings of the study.
17. Summary and conclusions: This section
includes a brief re-statement of the
problem, a description of the procedures
used and discussion of findings and
conclusions of the study.
The summary and conclusion section is
the most widely used part of the report as
it reviews all the information that has been
presented in its previous sections.
18. Reference section: The reference section
includes bibliography and appendix.
– The bibliography is the record of those
sources and materials that have been used
for the study. If the number is large the
researcher may divide the bibliography into
various sections, one for book, one for
periodical and journals etc.
– An appendix follows the bibliography. All the
relevant supporting material that are important
but not essential to understanding of report
are presented in appendix.
19. General rules for typing research report
1. Material should typed on one side of the paper.
2. The right margin should 1 inch, the aft margin
1.5 inches, the top margin 1.25 inches and the
bottom margin 1.5 inches.
3. All textual material should be double spaced,
triple spaced between paragraphs and single
space in quotations
4. Dividing the words at the end of the line should
be avoided as far as possible.
20. A researcher should master the following
abbreviations
bk,bks book, books
Chap,chaps chapter, chapters
P.,pp page, pages
Col,cols column, columns
E.g for example
et al and others
Ibid same reference
Vol,vols volume, volumes
