Topic 9: Writing a Research Report

By Godfrey Uromcamu

MUBS BRS– Writing a Research Report by GU 1

 Topic Objective(s) and Learning
Outcomes
➢Objective:
❑The learner should be able to appreciate the importance, layout,
format and key elements of a research report as a tool for
communicating/disseminating the research findings.

➢Learning Outcomes:
– Formally communicate research findings in a concise and
effective manner
– Draw and write conclusions and recommendations from the
research activity
– Present a research report
MUBS BRS– Writing a Research Report by GU 2
 Introduction
• Once a research is complete i.e. data analysis and interpretation are done, a researcher
can now proceed to prepare a report – to expose one’s efforts for others to
consume/appreciate or critic
• It requires a researcher to devote time and energy (and inevitable frustration) that is
needed for writing.
• The report should be written in such a way that:
❖ it can reflect on all that a researcher has learned while conducting the research;
❖ it presents an authoritative account of the research;
❖ It clarifies a researcher’s thoughts
❖ an appropriate format, structure/layout and style is used
❖ The report meets the necessary assessment criteria

❖ NB: Report writing should not be seen as the last stage of a research but thought of as something that is
continuous throughout the research process. It should not be left until every other part of your research has been
completed – otherwise a research report may be haphazardly done when time pressure of submission deadlines
set in. 3
MUBS BRS– Writing a Research Report by GU
 Introduction
When putting together the research proposal, Some considerable
effort was put in to draft the first three or four chapters/sections of
the research report i.e.
i. Chapter 1: Introduction and Background;

ii. Chapter 2: Literature Review;

iii. Chapter 3: Research Methodology and

iv. Reference Page

A Cover Page – containing the Proposed Topic

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MUBS BRS– Writing a Research Report by GU
 Introduction
Writing the full report, involves:
1. Rewriting or Updating the chapters that had been drafted at the research
proposal stage and changing the writing tense from future to past tense.
E.g. Update of literature review chapter with most current/subsequently
published literature;
2. Including the following additional chapters/sections on:
– Summary of Findings: Data Presentation
– Discussion of Findings: Analysis and Interpretation
– Conclusions and Recommendations
– References (update)
– Appendices

3. Changing the writing tense from future to past tense 5

MUBS BRS– Writing a Research Report by GU
 Elements of a Research Report
Writing a research report must be done with great care, keeping in view the
following:
1. Report Layout: should have three key parts:
a) The Preliminary pages: - cover page Title, date, acknowledgements, dedication, abstract,
table of contents, list of abbreviations/acronyms, list of tables, list of figures i.e. if any are
given in the report. The most important of which is the abstract - a short summary of the
complete content of the research report. - it may be the only part that some will read. This
enables those who are not sure whether they wish to read the complete report to make an
informed decision

b) The main body or text of the report: Should have:

The introduction; Literature Review, Methodology, Research Findings and Discussions (with identifiable
sections),Interpretation/ conclusions and recommendations

c) The End Matter: includes References & bibliography; Annexes or Appendices

MUBS BRS– Writing a Research Report by GU
6
 About the Chapters
The Introductory chapter : should give the reader a clear idea about the central issue of
concern in your research and why you thought that this was worth studying. It should also include
a full statement of your research question(s) and research objectives.
Literature Review. The main purposes of literature review are to set the study within its wider
context and to show the reader how the study/research supplements the work that has already
been done on your topic. The literature review, therefore, may inform directly the research
questions and any specific hypotheses that your research is designed to test.
Methodology Chapter: a detailed chapter giving the reader sufficient information to make an
estimate of the reliability and validity of the research methods used i.e. the research
setting/issues; respondents/participants, materials, procedures, etc
The results chapter(s) i.e. Summary of Findings; Analysis & Interpretation: the most
straightforward to write. It is the researcher’s opportunity to report the facts that the research has discovered.
Included here are such tables and graphs that will illustrate the findings (these should not be put in the
appendices). It may also contain verbatim quotes from interviewees, or sections of narrative account that
illustrate periods of unstructured observation. This is a particularly powerful way in which a researcher can
convey the richness of his/her data. Two parts: i) ‘What I found out’ (FACTS) and ii) What judgements I have
formed as a result of what I found out? 7
MUBS BRS– Writing a Research Report by GU
The discussion chapter - answers the question- “so what meaning do these
findings have for me?; for my organisation?; for professional practice?; for the
development of theory? - the focus is on the interpretation of the results presented in
the previous chapter. The relation of the findings to the goals, questions and
hypotheses (in the introductory chapter) must be stated. In addition one should
include the implications of your research for the relevant theories detailed In the
literature review chapter

The conclusion chapter - should be a conclusion to the whole research project (and
not just the research findings). It should answers the questions such as:
Did the research project meet your research objectives? ✔ Did the research project answer your research questions?
✔ What are the main findings of the research? ✔ Are there any recommendations for future action based on the
conclusions you have drawn? ✔ Do you have any overall conclusions on the research process itself? ✔ Where should
further research be focused? (Typically this will consider two points: firstly, new areas of investigation implied by
developments in your project, and secondly parts of your work which were not completed due to time constraints and/or
problems en
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MUBS BRS– Writing a Research Report by GU
References & Bibliography - Use the APA format as
discussed in previous topics and this section should be
updated as you write the main body of the report
– Note the difference between references & bibliography
Appendices - should be kept to the minimum. If they are
so important that your reader’s understanding of the points
being made in the text makes their inclusion in the report
necessary, then they should be in the main body of the text.
If, on the other hand, the material is ‘interesting to know’
rather than ‘essential to know’ then it should be in the
appendices. MUBS 2022 – Writing a Research Report by GU
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 10
MUBS 2021 – Introduction to QM by GU
Bibliography includes all the sources that were cited
and those not cited in the literature review
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Reference is list of only the– Introduction
MUBS 2021 sources to QM that
by GU were cited
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MUBS 2021 – Introduction to QM by GU
 Elements of a Research Report
2. Writing Style, Language and Expressions:
– The report should be written in a concise and objective style
– Written in simple language and easy to understand by the stakeholders
– Avoid vague and unauthoritative expressions e.g. “it seems”, there may be, etc
– Person, tense and gender:
• You may choose to write impersonally, in the past tense and in the passive voice (e.g. ‘interviews
were conducted following the administration of questionnaires’). Or personally, in the past tense and in
the passive voice ( e.g. the researcher…. conducted the interviews after the administration of
questionnaires
• Be careful about the use of he/she unless you are very sure of the gender of the person being referred
to.
NB:
– The writing style is just as important as the content, structure and layout of a report.
– A good writing cannot substitute for flawed thinking (Phillips and Pugh 2005). Clear
writing exposes flawed thinking. 13
– However, poor writing can spoil the effect of good-quality thought
 Elements of a Research Report
3. Use of Tables, Charts/figures and Illustrations:
These should be used in the main body/text of the report if they present the information more
clearly. – Otherwise, they may be included in the appendices.
• Tables, charts and figures must have numbers and titles for identification and cross-referencing e.g.

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MUBS BRS– Writing a Research Report by GU
 How to choose between tables, figures, and text to
present data

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MUBS 2021 – Introduction to QM by GU
Source: https://www.editage.com/insights/tips-on-effective-use-of-tables-and-figures-in-research-papers
 Elements of a Research Report
4. Writing Conclusions and Recommendations
Refer to conclusion chapter in slide 8

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MUBS BRS– Writing a Research Report by GU
 Consider the following when writing
1. Create time for your writing - for sustained concentration – not when it is convenient:
A timetable is advisable e.g. 3-4 hours a day and fixed in a diary
2. Write when your mind is fresh: this is important for creativity: choose the time of the
day when you are fresh
3. Find a regular, comfortable and less distractive writing place
4. Ensure high level of self-discipline: Set writing realistic/achievable targets and goals
and endeavor to achieve them e.g. number of words, time period to complete a
chapter/report
5. Use a word processor e.g. Ms. Word
6. Check your spelling and grammar
7. Finish each writing session on a high point – do not leave a complex section half
completed. It is difficult to pick-up from a difficult section.
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8. Get friends to read your work
MUBS BRS– Writing a Research Report by GU
 END

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MUBS BRS– Writing a Research Report by GU