Writing a Research Report

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Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of including a section on the wider picture in a report?

To repeat previous research

To cover up lacking information

To show awareness of the bigger context (correct)

To include irrelevant information

What should be included in the references section of a report?

Only books and journals

Personal opinions and anecdotes

All literature referred to in the report (correct)

Only online sources

What is the purpose of the appendices in a report?

To repeat information from the main report

To include only visual aids

To provide additional information for the reader (correct)

To include irrelevant information

What is a common reason why reports fail?

There is no logical structure Signup and view all the answers

What is plagiarism according to the text?

Presenting someone else's ideas as one's own Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to find out the referencing system used by the organisation or university?

To ensure consistency throughout the report Signup and view all the answers

What should be avoided in a report?

Too many grammatical and spelling mistakes Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of including a questionnaire or interview schedule in a report?

To provide additional information for the reader Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of not having a logical structure in a report?

The report is disorganised Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to avoid repetition in a report?

To avoid boring the reader Signup and view all the answers

What is the main benefit of including the wider picture in a report?

To demonstrate awareness of the broader context Signup and view all the answers

What should be included in the references section of a report?

All the literature referred to in the report Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of including an appendix in a report?

To include additional information that supports the report Signup and view all the answers

Why are assumptions that cannot be justified by evidence a problem in a report?

Because they lack supporting evidence Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of including too many grammatical and spelling mistakes in a report?

The report will be less credible Signup and view all the answers

What is the main problem with sentences and/or paragraphs that are too long or too obscure?

They are difficult to understand Signup and view all the answers

Why is it a problem if it is obvious that ideas and sentences have been taken from other sources?

Because it is a sign of plagiarism Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of including a summary and conclusions in a report?

To summarize the main findings and highlight the implications Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to avoid too much irrelevant information in a report?

Because it distracts from the main arguments Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between presenting someone else's ideas or words as though they were your own, and properly citing sources?

The first is plagiarism, the second is not Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Writing a Research Report

A research report is a written document that communicates the purpose, scope, objectives, hypotheses, methodology, findings, limitations, and recommendations of a research project.
The report presents the results of the research and provides a persuasive argument to readers of what has been found.

Guidelines for Writing a Research Report

Be objective and use the present tense and active voice.
Treat data confidentially and revise and rewrite the report.
Use visual aids and make sure the report shows originality and attempts to solve some problems.
The report should provide ready availability of the findings and be free from grammatical mistakes.

Report Format

The report format consists of:
- Title Page: title of the report, name of the researcher, organization, and date of publication.
- Contents Page: lists the contents of the report with chapter or section headings and page numbers.
- List of Illustrations: titles and page numbers of graphs, tables, illustrations, charts, etc.
- Acknowledgements: acknowledges the help of research participants, tutors, employers, and/or funding body.
- Abstract/Summary: summary of the research, its purpose, methods, main findings, and conclusion.
- Introduction: background of research, related work, research problems, aims and objectives, and summary of research results and report structure.
- Methodology and Methods: description of and justification for the chosen methodology and research methods.
- Findings/Analysis: main findings, including tables, graphs, pie charts, and associated statistics (quantitative research) or descriptive findings (qualitative research).
- Conclusion: summary of findings and drawing conclusions.
- Recommendations: clear recommendations developed from the research.
- Further Research: suggestions for further research, including areas that need more exploration.
- References: list of literature referred to in the report.
- Appendices: additional information, such as questionnaires, interview schedules, or codes of ethics.

Common Reasons Why Reports Fail

No logical structure.
Ideas are not well thought out.
Work is disorganized.
Assumptions are made without justification by evidence.
Grammatical and spelling mistakes.
Sentences and/or paragraphs are too long or too obscure.
Ideas and sentences are taken from other sources without proper citation.
Too much repetition.
Too much irrelevant information.
Summary and conclusions are weak.

Avoiding Plagiarism

Plagiarism is presenting someone else's ideas or words as though they were your own.

Writing a Research Report

A research report is a written document that communicates the purpose, scope, objectives, hypotheses, methodology, findings, limitations, and recommendations of a research project.
The report presents the results of the research and provides a persuasive argument to readers of what has been found.

Guidelines for Writing a Research Report

Be objective and use the present tense and active voice.
Treat data confidentially and revise and rewrite the report.
Use visual aids and make sure the report shows originality and attempts to solve some problems.
The report should provide ready availability of the findings and be free from grammatical mistakes.

Report Format

The report format consists of:
- Title Page: title of the report, name of the researcher, organization, and date of publication.
- Contents Page: lists the contents of the report with chapter or section headings and page numbers.
- List of Illustrations: titles and page numbers of graphs, tables, illustrations, charts, etc.
- Acknowledgements: acknowledges the help of research participants, tutors, employers, and/or funding body.
- Abstract/Summary: summary of the research, its purpose, methods, main findings, and conclusion.
- Introduction: background of research, related work, research problems, aims and objectives, and summary of research results and report structure.
- Methodology and Methods: description of and justification for the chosen methodology and research methods.
- Findings/Analysis: main findings, including tables, graphs, pie charts, and associated statistics (quantitative research) or descriptive findings (qualitative research).
- Conclusion: summary of findings and drawing conclusions.
- Recommendations: clear recommendations developed from the research.
- Further Research: suggestions for further research, including areas that need more exploration.
- References: list of literature referred to in the report.
- Appendices: additional information, such as questionnaires, interview schedules, or codes of ethics.

Common Reasons Why Reports Fail

No logical structure.
Ideas are not well thought out.
Work is disorganized.
Assumptions are made without justification by evidence.
Grammatical and spelling mistakes.
Sentences and/or paragraphs are too long or too obscure.
Ideas and sentences are taken from other sources without proper citation.
Too much repetition.
Too much irrelevant information.
Summary and conclusions are weak.

Avoiding Plagiarism

Plagiarism is presenting someone else's ideas or words as though they were your own.

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Description

Learn about the importance of writing a research report, including its purpose, scope, objectives, and more. Understand how to present your research findings effectively.