CHAPTER 14

RESEARCH REPORT

Research Methodology:
Tools, Methods and Techniques

Sundram, V.P.K., Chandran, V.G.R., Atikah, S.B., Rohani, M., Nazura, M.S., Akmal, A.O., & Krishnasamy, T.
 Learning Objectives
After completing this chapter, you should be able to:
Know the guidelines to effective report writing
Know the contents of a research report
Tailor the report format to meet the needs of different types of research (basic and applied),
different research goals that need reports of varying lengths, and different audiences
Write a good executive summary or synopsis, introductory section, methods section, data
analysis section and interpretation of the results
Give recommendations and suggestions for implementation, as necessary
Write the summary and acknowledgements
Provide the appropriate materials for references
Include appropriate materials in the appendix
Critique research reports and published studies
Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 2
Table of Content
14.1 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH REPORT
14.2 GUIDELINES TO EFFECTIVE REPORT WRITING
14.3 THE WRITING PROCESS
14.4 STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH REPORT FORMAT
14.5 CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH REPORT

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 3

 CHAPTER 14

14.1 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH

REPORT

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 4

 The entire research process or writing the research
report must be understood that after designing a nice
project, all the effort spent in the entire process is
worthless if it is not properly reported.

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 5

 CHAPTER 14

14.2 GUIDELINES TO EFFECTIVE

REPORT WRITING

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 6

 The two key factors guiding the preparation of
written reports are: -
The nature of the audience
The first factor to consider in preparing a written report is to
consider the background and interests of the audience.

The original objectives of the report

The second key factor guiding the preparation of the report
is the need to present the collected data in a manner that
enables the researchs original objective(s) to be
accomplished. Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 7
 CHAPTER 14

14.3 THE WRITING PROCESS

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 8

 Prior to writing, the researcher as mentioned above
must deal with two key questions: -
Who will read the research report?
What is the purpose of the report?
The following are some of the important factors to be
considered by researchers faced with the task of
writing the research report:

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 9

 Write as if explaining
Do not assume prior the points to a panel Try to SELL the
knowledge of readers sitting information
opposite

Avoid reducing the

Use common sentences by leaving
Keep sentences
terminology wherever out important words
short and simple
possible like a, the and
that

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 10

 Use the active
Keep to basic Have one final
tense rather than
punctuation writer
passive

Develop an
Follow acceptable
outline prior to Plan on rewriting
report format
writing

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 11

 CHAPTER 14

14.4 STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH

REPORT FORMAT

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 12

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 13
 Acknowledgemen
Abstract t
Authors Table of
declaration contents

Title page List of tables

Cover page
List of
Preparatory figures

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 14

 Chapter 3
Methodology
Chapter 2 Chapter 4
Literature Analysis of
Review data

Chapter 5
Chapter 1 Discussion
Introduction Body and
Conclusion

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 15

 Appendix Index
(if any) (if any)

Reference Fly leaves

Supplementar
y

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 16

 CHAPTER 14

14.5 CRITERIA OF A GOOD

RESEARCH REPORT

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 17

 A report is
complete
when it
provides all
the information
readers need
in language
Completenes
they Clarity
The steps in the s
understand.
research
The report must
process are vital
to be used, for a be clear, where
Conciseness words,
report cannot be
accurate when The report must sentences, and
the basic input be complete as paragraphs can
is inaccurate. well as concise, all make a
Accuracy
1. where the writer difference.
must be
selective in what
he includes.
Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 18