CHAPTER FOURTEEN WRITING THE RESEARCH REPORT

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
WRITING THE RESEARCH REPORT
WRITING THE RESEARCH REPORT
1. Begin writing up the report as soon as you can. Do not
leave it until you have finished your data collection before
you start writing up. Many sections, can be drafted during
or even before data collection.
2. Write down ideas as soon as you get them, rather than
leaving them to the writing-up stage. Keep a research
diary where you can safely note any ideas. Not all of your
ideas will be useful, but it is certain that some of them will
be! Do not imagine that you will be able to remember
these ideas at a later date.
3. Be aware of the nature of the report and the intended
audience. If it is for a student research project, then ensure
you have read and understood the criteria laid down by
your institution in terms of content, presentation, length and
so on.
4. If you are writing for a journal, ensure that your research
fits within the scope of that journal’s objectives as well as
its editorial requirements. If you are producing a report or
piece of consultancy, ensure that you are clear about the
requirements of your audience.
5. You will not be able to write the final report out first
time. You will need to rewrite it a number of times before
it reaches completion. You should allow for this when
planning your research timetable, and not become
discouraged when the first draft is not perfect.
6. Make sure before you begin writing up that you make
backups of your work at every available opportunity.
Whatever you do, do not assume that whatever you save
on a hard drive will be safe!
7. You should keep your backups in a separate location.
As a further safety measure, print out what you have
written so far at regular intervals.
THE STAGES OF WRITING A REPORT
1. First clarify the nature of the planned report, and its
intended audience. If any examples of past reports are
available, read as many as you can – both good and bad!
2. Identify any predetermined requirements, for example
maximum word length, formatting, such as double spacing or
required referencing style, and so on. Ideally you should
familiarise yourself with past projects, etc. so that you have
an idea of the final product before you start.
3. Throughout the duration of the research you should be
collecting together the information necessary to complete
the report, such as your review of literature, analysis of the
primary data, list of references and so on.
4. Prepare an outline plan of the report. At the bare
minimum, this should be a list of chapter headings. Ideally
you should be able to have more detail – include likely
subheadings as well. The more detailed your initial outline,
the easier you will find the process of writing up the first
draft of the report.
5. Write a first draft of the report. You should not anticipate
the first draft being your final submission!
6. Evaluate the content of the first draft, either through
reading it yourself or, preferably, getting somebody else to
read it with a critical eye.
7. Rewrite and re-evaluate the report as appropriate. You
may need to do this more than once!
8. Final editing and proof reading. Once you have got this
far, the temptation is to skip over the final proof reading and
simply submit the project. Do carefully read over to check
spelling and grammar.
9. Submission of the report!
TYPICAL RESEARCH REPORT STRUCTURE
1.
2.
3.
4.
Title Page
Abstract
Acknowledgements (optional)
Contents
–
–
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
List of Tables
List of Figures
Introduction
Literature Review
Methodology
Results
Discussion
Conclusions + Recommendations
Reference List
Appendices
ABSTRACT
• What your research aim was.
• Key background theory.
• What data were collected from whom, and how.
• How it was analysed.
• Key findings.
INTRODUCTION
• WHAT you have done – aims/objectives.
• WHY you have done it – justification.
• HOW you have presented the report – structure/
signposting.
LITERATURE REVIEW
• What do we know.
• What we do not know (research gap).
• How your study fits the research gap.
• What you may expect to find (hypotheses).
• Relate the literature to your study.
Be critical if appropriate.
METHODOLOGY
• Information needs.
• Research design.
• Research strategy.
• Methods.
• Sample.
• Procedure.
• Analysis.
Is it repeatable to the reader?
METHODOLOGY
Have you explained the rationale behind your chosen
means of collecting information?
Are your research methods the most appropriate given
your chosen hypothesis or research question, and your
subsidiary questions or objectives?
Are you making assumptions? You know what you did in
terms of research methods – have you expressed yourself
clearly and given adequate details? Would someone else
be able to replicate your study on the basis of the
information you have given?
Any limitations? Anything you might have done differently?
RESULTS
There is no one correct way to present your results. Some
ways could be:
• Address each of your hypotheses, research questions.
• By independent and dependent variable.
• By research method.
• By participant (qualitative interviews).
RESULTS
• Tables essential for quantitative data.
• Graphs only if they add to understanding.
• Use quotes sparingly for qualitative data.
• Only report relevant results.
PRESENTING TABLES
Table 5.2.1: Summary of t-test for paired sample results comparing
Gluten Free Diet Totals with Recommended Nutrient Intake Literature
Values
Nutrient
Value of t
Significance Level for twotailed test
Significant
p≤0.05
Protein
6.456
0.000
Yes
Calcium
4.415
0.000
Yes
Iron
1.902
0.073
No
Riboflavin
4.858
0.000
Yes
Folate
1.281
0.216
No
These results show a significant difference for Protein, Calcium and
Riboflavin. Gluten Free Diet participants consumed significantly more protein
and calcium than is recommended by the Committee on Medical Aspects of
Food Policy (1991, cited Department of Health, 1991).
WRITING THE DISCUSSION
• Discuss the implications of your results in light of your
research objectives.
• Can be combined with results for a qualitative study.
• Common error = Discussing your own findings without
any reference to existing knowledge.
• Your research should build on existing knowledge so
refer back to the literature review.
• Do your findings find support in the literature?
• Were your findings predicted by the literature?
• How does your research add to the literature?
• If your findings differed from expectations, then are there
any possible explanations why?
• Does the particular theory or model you have used still
hold true in light of your research?
• If the theory or model seems flawed, then how can it be
refined in light of your research?
CONCLUSION
• What the key findings were.
• Should relate to aims/objectives in introduction.
• May include recommendations for future research.
REFERENCES
Must be consistent with text.
APPENDICES
Must relate to the research, but not be directly related.
KEY WEAKNESSES
• Abstract – lacks specific detail.
• Introduction – no justification, aim and objectives unclear.
• Literature review – not related to the research question, no
critical awareness, limited sources, limited relevance,
inappropriate theory.
• Methodology – lacking specific detail, justification, limited
awareness of reliability, validity, generalisability.
• Results – focus on graphs, limited analysis, lacking
relevance.
• Discussion – not revisiting the literature, simply repeating
results, lack of awareness of the implications of the
findings.
• Conclusions – unrelated to results/discussion.
GENERAL PRESENTATION WEAKNESSES
• Word limits not adhered to.
• Inappropriate formatting.
• Inappropriate use of visual material.
• Incorrect spelling and grammar.
• Lack of signposting/linking.
ASSESSING YOUR RESEARCH REPORT
SETTING THE SCENE
Does your abstract give a clear idea of what is in the
report? Has it clearly described your objectives, the
methodology adopted, and the main conclusions that
have emerged?
Is your table of contents well structured and does it give a
picture of what is included? Have you included a list of
tables and a list of figures if appropriate?
In your introduction have you introduced your research
adequately?
FOCUS AND JUSTIFICATION
Have you a clear focus? Is your research report tightly
defined and contained or does it sometimes lack direct
relevance, or stray off the point?
Have you got a clearly constructed and suitable research
question or hypothesis which leads to a set of clear and
related subsidiary questions or objectives?
YOUR USE OF THE LITERATURE
• Is your issue or focus underpinned by theory? Is it clear
which theory or model you have adopted?
• How up to date are your references? Have you included
the most up to date work in your area?
• Have you managed to identify and get hold of the work of
key writers in your particular area? Have you ensured that
you have paid due attention to ‘classic’ sources?
• Have you used a variety of sources or are you over-reliant
upon certain authors? Have you included or acknowledged
competing theories or viewpoints, or simply selected
literature that supports your hypothesis?
• Is it clear to the reader how your research relates to what
has been done before, or builds upon existing knowledge?
• In your literature review do you merely identify and
describe, with no real critical edge? Have you been
analytical enough?
• How well have you researched the literature on your topic
and on your specific focus?
• Have you explored all possible sources?
YOUR METHODOLOGY
• Do you clearly identify and explain your choice of research
design?
• Are your research methods the most appropriate given your
chosen hypothesis or research question, and your subsidiary
questions or objectives?
• Have you made it clear who the subjects are? And to what
population these subjects belong? Is it clear how they were
selected?
• Have you explained the rationale behind your chosen means
of collecting information? If it is an existing instrument, whose
is it? Why did you choose it? Is it clear to the reader why your
methods were the most appropriate ones for your research
question?
• Are you making assumptions? You know what you did in
terms of research methods, but would the reader? Have you
expressed yourself clearly and given adequate details? Would
someone else be able to replicate your study on the basis of
the information you have given?
• Have you clearly identified the strengths of your
methodology? Are there any limitations to your methodology?
Is there anything you might have done differently?
RESULTS, DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
• Are your findings clearly presented? Have you included
tables for your descriptive and inferential analysis of
quantitative data?
• If you have included graphs, charts and so on, are these
appropriate? Is the content of each chart clear? Is it clear
how each chart relates to your research objectives?
• How have you analysed your findings? If you have
undertaken quantitative analysis, which statistical tests
have you used? Are you sure these are the correct tests?
Have you interpreted the results correctly?
• For qualitative analysis, have you demonstrated that you
have analysed your data in a systematic manner?
• In your discussion, do you adequately revisit the literature
and relate your findings to the literature, or do you simply
discuss what you found?
• Are your arguments coherent, logical and sound? Are they
consistent with the evidence that you have collected?
• Have your conclusions clearly emerged from the evidence
collected and discussed? Have you acknowledged
unexpected evidence, or evidence that contradicts your
chosen theory or model?
• Do you return to your research question or hypothesis?
• Do you evaluate the research? Have you identified the
strengths and the limitations of the project?
GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE REPORT
• Is your content well planned and logically structured?
• Is the work well presented?
• Have you made appropriate use of supportive materials to
enhance presentation, i.e. graphs, tables, illustrations?
• Have you conducted a thorough read through, to eliminate
careless spelling and typographical errors, poor grammar
and poor sentence construction?
• Do you link your various chapters and make use of
signposting to help the reader? Do you set out your
intentions clearly in your introduction?
• Have you set out your references and/or bibliography
with the required detail and in the recommended format?
• Have you acknowledged all sources used, and made it
clear when it is your views that are being expressed, or
the views of others?
• Have you made appropriate use of appendices? Are
there any unnecessary appendices?
• Have you ensured that your report is as stimulating and
as interesting as possible? Have you conveyed your
enthusiasm to the reader throughout the project?