RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Unit 5: Research report – meaning –

significance – different steps in writing report – layout of report – types of report - mechanics of writing a research report – precautions for writing research report.

SIGNIFICANCE

The findings are made known to others.

Writing of report is the last step in a research study and requires a set of skills some what different from those called for in respect of the earlier stages of research.

The task should be accomplished by the researcher with utmost care; he or she may seek the assistance and guidance of experts for the purpose.

…CONTD

…contd

The general opinion in favour of treating the presentation of research results or the writing of report as part and parcel of the research project.

Research report is considered a major component of the research study for the research task remains incomplete till that has been presented and or written.

STEPS

1. Logical analysis of a subject matter

2. Preparation of the final outline3. Preparation of the rough draft4. Rewriting and polishing of the

rough draft5. Preparation of the final

bibliography 6. Writing the final draft

1.Logical analysis of a subject matter

- it is primarily concerned with the development of a subject.- there are two ways in which to develop a subject.

a. logicallyb. chronologically

a. logically:- Made on the basis of mental conditions.- Association between the one thing and

another means of analysis.- Consist in developing the material from

the simple possible to the most complex structures.

b. chronologically:- Based on the connection or sequence in

time or occurrence.- The directions for doing are making

something usually follow the chronological order.

2. Preparation of the final outline

‘’ Outlines are the framework upon which long written works are constructed. They are an aid to the logical organisation of the material and a reminder of the points to be stressed in the report. ‘’

3.Preparation of rough draft

- To write what he or she has done in the context of his research study

- He or she will write down the procedure adopted by him in collecting the material for his study along with various limitations faced by him or her,

- The technique of analysis adopted by him or her,

- The broad findings and generalizations and the various suggestions he wants to offer regarding the problem concerned

4.Rewriting and polishing of the rough draft

- It requires more time than the writing of the rough draft

- While doing this, one should check the report for weakness in presentation.

- In addition the researcher should give due attention to the fact that in his draft he has been consistent or not.

- He or she should check the mechanics of writing

- grammar, spelling, and usage

5. Preparation of the final bibliography

- Which is generally appended to the research report, is a list of books inn some way pertinent to the research which has been done.

- It should contain all those works which the researcher has consulted.

- Arranged in alphabetical order.

6. Writing the final draft

- Should be written in a concise and objective style and in simple language,

- Avoiding vague expressions.- Avoid abstract terminology and technical

jargon.- Research report should not be dull.- Must be remembered that every report

should be an attempt to solve some intellectual problem.

LAYOUT OF THE RESEARCH REPORT

1. Preliminary pages2. Main text

a. Introductionb. Statement of findings and recommendationsc. Resultsd. Implications of the resultse. Summary

3. End matter

1. Preliminary pages

The report should carry a ‘title and date’, followed by ‘acknowledgements’ in the form of ‘preface’ or ‘forward’. Then there should be a ‘table of contents’ followed by ‘list of tables and illustrations’

2. Main text

a. Introduction:- Contain a clear statement of the objectives of research- A brief summary of other relevant research may also be stated so that the present study can be seen in that context.- The hypothesis study, if any, and the definitions of the major concepts employed in the study should be explicitly stated in the introduction of the report.

b. Statement of findings and recommendations

The research report must contain a statement of findings and recommendations in non-technical language so that it can be easily understood by all concerned. If the findings happen to be extensive, at this point they should be put in the summarized form.

c. Results

A detailed presentation of the findings of the study, with supporting data in the form of tables and charts together with a validation of results, is the next step in writing the main text of the report.

All the results should be presented in logical sequence and spitted into readily identifiable sections.

d. Implications of the results

The general reader is interested in the implications for understanding the human behaviour. Such implications may have 3 aspects.

1. A statement of the inferences drawn from the present study which may be expected to apply in similar circumstances.

2. The conditions of the present study which may limit the extend of legitimate generalisations.

3. The relevant questions that still remain unanswered or new questions raised by the study.

e. Summary

It has become a customary to conclude the research report with a very brief summary, resting in brief the research problem, the methodology, the major findings and the major conclusions drawn from the research results.

3. End matter

At the end of the report, appendices should be enlisted in respect of all technical data such as

questionnairessample informationmathematical derivations

bibliography

TYPES OF REPORT

1. Technical reporta. Summary of resultsb. Nature of the studyc. Methods employedd. Datae. Analysis of data and presentation of findingsf. Conclusionsg. Bibliographyh. Technical appendicesi. Index

…contd

1. Popular reporta. The findings and their implicationsb. Recommendations for actionc. Objective of the studyd. Methods employede. Resultsf. Technical appendices

MECHANICS OF WRITING A RESEARCH REPORT

1. Size and physical design2. Procedure3. Layout4. Treatment of quotations5. The footnotes6. Documentations style

i. Regarding the single-volume referenceii. Regarding multivolume referenceiii. Regarding works arranged alphabetically

….contd

iv. Regarding periodicals referencev. Regarding anthological and collections

referencevi. Regarding second-hand quotations referencevii. Case of multiple authorship

7. Punctuation and abbreviations in footnotes

8. Use of statistics, charts and graphs9. The final draft10. Bibliography11. Preparation of the index

i. Regarding the single volume reference

1. Author’s name in normal order2. Title of work, underlined to indicate

italics3. Place and date of publication4. Pagination

Example:John gassner, Masters of drama, New York: Dover publications, Inc. 1954, p. 315.

ii. Regarding multivolume reference

1. Author’s name in normal order2. Title of work, underlined to indicate

italics3. Place and date of publication4. Number of volume5. Pagination

Example: John gassner, Masters of drama, New York: Dover publications, Inc. 1954, 14th edition, p. 315.

iv. Regarding periodical reference

1. name of the author in normal order2. Title of article, in quotation marks3. Name of periodical, underlined to

indicate italics4. Volume number5. Date of issue6. pagination

PRECAUTIONS FOR WRITING RESEARCH REPORTS

1. Long enough to cover the subject but short enough to maintain interest.

2. It should not dull.3. Abstract terminology and technical jargon should be

avoided in a research report.4. Avoid vague expressions.5. The report must provide a ready availability of the

findings. 6. The layout should be well with the research problem.7. Free from grammatical mistakes.8. Show originality9. Must be attractive10.State the policy implications relating to the problem

under consideration.

Blindness heart may give a painful life. Be strong.. Be careful..

THANK YOU

with care…

nagoor