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Unit 21 Research Report: Various Components and Structure

1. Write the characteristics of a good abstract.

A good abstract should be accurate, concise, coherent, readable, specific and self contained. 

2. Explain the major differences between a research journal and a dissertation.

The major difference between a research journal and a dissertation is the length of the document and the content/information covered. The dissertation in its original form is not acceptable to journals but the condensed versions of dissertation may appear as journal articles. The author of a dissertation produces a "final" manuscript, but the author of a journal article produces a "copy" manuscript. The fmmat of the dissertation is as per the requirements/ style mentioned by an institution to which it is submitted. The format of a research article conforms to the guidelines and policies of the journal.

3. List the major parts of the 'beginning' of a research report. Describe briefly the importance of each part.

• Cover/title page: Provides clear information about the subject/theme, author, the year of the research study, and the organisation for which or where the study has been conducted.
• Acknowledgements: Expresses appreciation from the researcher for those who have assisted in conducting the study.
• Table of contents: Indicates the main themes/areas studied, the methodology followed, and the outcome of the study.
• List of tables: Provides a guide to the tables included in the report.
• List of figures: Provides a guide to the figures included in the report.
• List of abbreviations: Defines the abbreviations used in the report.

4. Comment briefly on the uses of: 

(a) Review of literature: Review of literature helps the researcher to specifically define the problem for investigation, decide about the usefulness of the study and formulate her or his hypothesis. 

(b) Conclusion in a research report: The conclusion of a research report sums up the findings, states what is new in the report concerned and indicates the direction for future studies as well as implications for implementation of recommendations, if any. 

5. Discuss the difference between a bibliography and a reference.

A bibliography contains all background materials used in the research report, while a reference section lists only the materials referred to in the report.

6. List the main chapters of a research report.

• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature
• Chapter 3: Design of the Study
• Chapter 4: Results and Discussion
• Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations

7. Collect 3-4 Ph.D or MA or MSc research reports based on survey, experimental, qualitative case study, historical and philosophical research studies. Examine how these reports have been developed. Write a critical note on your analysis.

A critical analysis would require a close examination of the structure and content of the selected research reports. Given the various types of reports requested, the following aspects might be examined in the analysis:

• Introduction:
  • How clearly is the research problem stated?
  • Is the background context well-established?
  • Are the objectives and research questions clear?
• Literature Review:
  • Is the literature review comprehensive and relevant?
  • Does it identify the research gap that the study addresses?
  • Is there a clear theoretical or conceptual framework?
• Methodology:
  • Is the research design appropriate for the research questions?
  • Is the sampling method suitable and justified?
  • Are the tools and techniques for data collection clearly described and appropriate?
  • Are issues of validity and reliability addressed?
  • Is data analysis clearly described and appropriate for the research design?
• Results:
  • Are the findings presented clearly and concisely?
  • Are tables, figures, and graphs used appropriately to present the results?
  • Are the results interpreted and related to the research questions?
• Discussion:
  • Are the findings discussed in the context of the existing literature?
  • Are there limitations to the study and recommendations for future research?
• Conclusion:
  • Is there a summary of the key findings of the study?
  • Are there any implications or recommendations based on the research findings?
• General:
  • Is the writing style clear and concise?
  • Is there a proper citation and referencing format?
  • Is the report well organised and presented?

A critical note should highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of each report based on these points, considering aspects such as relevance, rigor, validity and generalizability. The specific points that a researcher may want to comment on include:

• Clarity: How easy is the report to understand, given its structure, writing style, and flow?
• Rigor: How carefully was the study carried out, considering the methods and analysis?
• Contribution: Does the study fill a clear research gap and make a useful contribution to knowledge?

8. Should you write a report as you go along or wait until the end? 

There are two main approaches to data analysis: ongoing analysis and analysis at the end of data gathering.

• Ongoing analysis involves formally reflecting on the data, asking analytic questions, and writing analytic notes throughout the study. More experienced researchers often prefer this approach.
• Analysis at the end involves waiting until all or most of the data is collected before beginning the task of analysis. Beginners may try to do some analysis as the study unfolds as this makes the final analysis easier and less daunting.
• The best approach depends on the researcher's experience and the nature of the study. The sources suggest that you should modify data gathering based on what you are learning, not by chance, and to ask analytic questions as you go along. Also, writing all the time is advised, including noting hunches, thoughts, and impressions.
• Therefore, it can be inferred from the sources that it may be beneficial to start writing up the report as you go along, as this will help with the analysis and ensure you do not miss important points. It also makes it easier to manage the research project and keep all the data organised.

9. Should you begin a research report with a thorough review of the literature?

Yes, the sources strongly suggest that a thorough literature review is essential at the beginning of a research report.

• The review of literature is a continuous process in any research investigation.
• It helps in sharpening the focus of the study, developing hypotheses, and shaping the research design.
• It also helps to locate what research has already been done and identify research gaps.
• Furthermore, a literature review provides a theoretical framework for the study and ensures the research is connected to what has already been studied. It also allows you to appreciate the significance of your study.
• In the introduction of the report, it is beneficial to present the problem under investigation with specific reference to its placement in the broader area under study and describe the significance of the problem.
• Therefore, starting a report with a thorough review of the literature is crucial for establishing context, identifying research gaps, and justifying the need for the study.

10. Why is it important to write a report? 

Writing a research report is essential for several reasons:

• It communicates research findings and results to others across time and space.
• It is a record of the research process, reflecting what the researcher did.
• It is used to obtain scholarly findings about professional practices and to improve activities in the field.
• It is a source of information that can be used for replication of research in different contexts.
• It contributes to the body of knowledge in a given field.
• It is a vehicle for sharing research experiences, results, and recommendations for future use.
• Ultimately, the purpose of writing a research report is to share ideas and information with other people.

11. How much detail should you discuss methods of study and what format book is appropriate for writing a report?

The methodology section of a research report should provide a clear and precise account of the research process from beginning to end.

• It should describe the procedures employed, the sources of data, the data gathering instruments, and the sampling methods. It is essential to provide sufficient detail so that the study can be replicated.
• Also, in this section, the statistical techniques used in the analysis of data need to be described along with the rationale of their use.
• The level of detail should be sufficient to justify the choices made in the research design and to enable others to evaluate the study's rigor.

There are several style or style manuals available to guide the researcher on the rules and format to follow when writing a research report. The following manuals are mentioned as useful:

• Campbell, Ballou and Slade (1982).
• Turabian (1973).
• Modern Language Association (MLA) of America (Gibaldi and Achtext, 1988).
• American Psychological Association (1983).

• The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) is specifically mentioned as a useful guide for formatting reports.

These points should help you to effectively communicate your research.