Types and Structures of Research Reports

Podcast Beta

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of a survey report?

To present results and analysis from data collected through a survey. (correct)

To categorize observations into themes.

To describe observations of people and events.

To provide written notes and visual documentation.

Which section is NOT part of the IMRAD structure?

Conclusion (correct)

Discussion

Methodology

Preliminaries

What is the first step in creating a field report?

Analyze the data using themes.

Decide on aspects that need to be observed. (correct)

Take note of observations systematically.

Present findings through visual aids.

What should be included in the preliminaries of a report?

Title page, abstract, and table of contents. Signup and view all the answers

Which method is used to present findings in a survey report?

Synthesizing the data and presenting them. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common element across all types of reports mentioned?

They require systematic analysis of data. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of survey reports, what does unbiased data collection aim to achieve?

Accurate results without influence from external factors. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done after collecting data in a survey report?

Analyze the survey results. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary aim of a laboratory report?

To document findings and communicate their significance. Signup and view all the answers

Which section of a survey report explains the choice of respondents?

Introduction section Signup and view all the answers

What should be clearly described in the methods section of a field report?

The research environment and subjects Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect to maintain throughout a report for clarity?

Use the same tense and point of view consistently Signup and view all the answers

In creating a lab report, which step comes after determining what is being observed?

Create and control the experiment Signup and view all the answers

What does a field report primarily discuss?

How certain principles are applied in a specific setting Signup and view all the answers

What should be included in the introduction of a field report?

Explanation of the phenomenon being studied Signup and view all the answers

What is a crucial element for consistency in report writing?

Uniformity in formatting and organization Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of using direct quotations in survey reports?

To provide evidence for interpretations. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the method of a postal survey?

Uses mailed questionnaires for data collection. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of an interviewer-administered questionnaire?

It allows interviewers to clarify questions. Signup and view all the answers

In report writing, what does cohesion primarily refer to?

The use of transitional words to connect ideas. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done in the methods section of a field report?

Specify all necessary techniques and procedures. Signup and view all the answers

Which survey method is typically used as a preliminary screening step in hiring?

Telephone interview. Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of having an interviewer present during a survey?

It may pressure respondents in their answers. Signup and view all the answers

How should terms be defined in the introduction of a field report?

Based on their relevance to the report's context. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of self-administered questionnaires that affects the truthfulness of responses?

Respondents answer independently without interviewer prompts. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of question requires grouping for analysis?

Non-Structured Question Signup and view all the answers

What should be avoided in a self-administered questionnaire to prevent confusion?

Excessive filtering of questions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes structured questions?

They provide a range of responses for the participant to choose from. Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential aspect of rating questions?

They ask respondents to explain their feelings quantitatively. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential disadvantage of non-structured questions?

The analysis of the answers can be complicated. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of filtering in survey questions?

To direct respondents to relevant questions based on previous answers. Signup and view all the answers

How should options be constructed for structured questions?

They should be as exhaustive as possible. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of partially structured questions in surveys?

To follow a logical sequence of inquiry. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a double-barreled question?

A question that addresses two different issues simultaneously. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic should a good questionnaire possess to increase response rates?

It should be interesting and succinct. Signup and view all the answers

Why should ambiguous questions be avoided in a survey?

They can lead to varied interpretations by different respondents. Signup and view all the answers

What is a quality that defines a valid questionnaire?

It should ask for precisely what it intends to learn. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommendation for the length of questionnaire items?

They should be less than 20 words. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by independent factors in the context of survey design?

Elements that operate on their own and are not interconnected. Signup and view all the answers

What is a recommended structure for organizing a questionnaire?

Divide it into sections based on content with smooth transitions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Kinds of Reports

Survey Report: Presents information gathered through a survey, encompassing results and analysis.
Field Report: Describes observations of people, places, and events. Aims to categorize observations into themes within a research study.
Laboratory Report / Technical Report: Documents findings and communicates their significance.
IMRAD Structure:
- Introduction: Introduces the phenomenon, identifies research problems or questions.
- Methodology: Explains the data gathering and procedure.
- Results: Presents synthesized data and findings.
- Discussion: Interprets and presents data, analyzes observations, suggests solutions.

Structures of Reports

Preliminaries: Contains the title page, abstract, and table of contents.
Main Body: Includes the introduction, literature review, methodology, discussion, and conclusion.
References: Lists the sources according to a specific referencing format.
Appendices: Contains transcriptions, field notes, questionnaires, and other relevant information.

Features and Structures of Surveys

Surveys gather information from a large number of people in a set amount of time.
Types of Surveys:
- Postal Survey: Questionnaires sent to respondents via mail.
- Telephone Interviews: Remote interviews conducted over the phone.
- Face-to-Face Interviews: Direct interaction between interviewer and respondent.
- Internet Surveys: Interviews conducted via online platforms.

Medium of Survey

Interviewer-Administered Questionnaire: More complex questions can be asked, but the presence of an interviewer may influence responses.
Self-Administered Questionnaire: Respondents answer independently, reducing potential bias; clear instructions and logical order are crucial.

Types of Questions

Structured Questions: Close-ended, offer respondents a set of options to choose from.
- Rating Questions: Gauge respondent feelings about a topic.
- Ranking Questions: Allow ranking of multiple items based on preference.
Non-Structured Questions: Open-ended, requiring grouping for analysis.
Partially Structured Questions: Offer a limited set of choices with an open option for additional responses.

Designing a Survey

Qualities of a Good Questionnaire:
- Valid: Precisely asks what it intends to learn.
- Reliable: Provides consistent answers when the same question is repeated.
- Interesting: Engages respondents for higher response rates.
- Succinct: Direct and concise questions.
- Independent Factor: Conditions or elements that affect the outcome.
Additional Considerations:
- Options: Options should be exhaustive for comprehensive responses.
- Filtering: Directs respondents to relevant questions, but should be used sparingly.
- Order of Questions: Logical sequence, starting with simple questions.
- Double-Barrelled Questions: Avoid asking two questions in one, as it complicates analysis.
- Ambiguous Questions: Be specific and avoid ambiguous terms (e.g., "seldom," "sometimes," "often").
- Format: Clear title, logical sectioning, and a smooth flow.

Guidelines for Report Writing

Cohesion: Use transitional words to connect ideas and paragraphs.
Citation: Cite sources in all sections of the report.
Content: Focus on the depth and reliability of the information.
Clarity: Maintain consistent tense and point of view throughout the report.
Consistency: Enforce uniformity in formatting, language, presentation of results, citations, and references.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers the various types of research reports, including survey, field, and laboratory reports. It also reviews the IMRAD structure and the essential components that make up a well-organized research report. Test your knowledge on report writing essentials and their structural elements.