Research Paper: Mechanics & Precautions in Research Report Writing

AMITY LAW SCHOOL

RESEARCH METHODS AND LEGAL

WRITING (ADVANCED)

Research Paper

On

Mechanics & Precautions in Research Report Writing

Submitted By –ShivamSharmaLLM (CBIL)

Submitted To – Dr. Meenu Gupta

 Research Paper: Mechanics & Precautions in Research Report Writing

Purpose

To have reasonable understanding of the mechanics and

precautions involved in writing a Research Report.

Methodology

The research method used for present research is Analytical

Research Method as most information can be sought from
the available literature like books, articles, journals, websites
etc.

Findings

Research Report is a major component in the field of

research study. Research cannot be concluded until it has
been presented in form of a report appropriate to the
research users. Written Report is the last step and requires a
skill set to be able to form a presentable and useful report.
 Research Paper: Mechanics & Precautions in Research Report Writing

Research Limitations

Topic covered is limited to the mechanics & precautions

involved in writing of research reports.

Practical Implication

The paper provides the essence but analytical understanding

of the steps involved.

Introduction

Rules in actual preparation of Research Report or Paper are

very definite and already set which cannot be deviated. Once
decided and adopted it should be rigidly followed and
adhered to. The criteria and format is to be decided as soon
as the materials for research paper have been assembled.

Mechanics in report writing

As far as mechanics of research report writing are concerned

following points deserve mention :
 Research Paper: Mechanics & Precautions in Research Report Writing

1. Size and Physical Design

• It should be written on a plain (unruled paper) of
size 8(1/2)” x 11” in size.
• To be written using ink black or blue-black.
• At least One half inch margin on left hand and half
inch margin on right hand of the paper.
• Top and bottom of the paper to have at least one
inch margin
• Paper and writing should be clean and legible
• However if typed it should be double-spaced on
one side of the page only except for the insertions
of the long quotations.
2. Procedure

Various steps in writing the report should be strictly

adhered. These steps are :

• Logical analysis of the subject matter

• Preparation of Final Outline
• Preparation of Rough Draft
• Rewriting and Polishing of the Rough Draft
• Preparation of Final Bibliography
 Research Paper: Mechanics & Precautions in Research Report Writing

• Writing of Final Draft

3. Layout
• Layout of the report should be thought of and
decided and accordingly adopted to the objective
and nature of the problems or issues reflected in the
report
• A comprehensive layout of a research report should
comprise of :
 Preliminary Pages
 Main Text
 Introduction
 Statements of Findings and
Recommendations
 Results
 Implication of Results
 Summary
 End Matter
• Types of Report are as follows :
o Technical Report
o Popular Report
4. Treatment of Quotations
 Research Paper: Mechanics & Precautions in Research Report Writing

• Quotations should be placed in quotation marks and

double spaced, forming an immediate part of the
text.
• But if a quotation is of a considerable length then it
should be single spaced and indented at least half
an inch to the right of the normal text margin.
5. The footnotes
• Serve two purposes namely , identification of
materials used and notice of materials not necessary
immediately but still of supplement value.
• Place in the bottom of the page on which reference
or quotations are placed
• Should be numbered consecutively, usually
beginning with 1 in each chapter separately.
• Always typed in single space
6. Documentation Style
• The first footnote reference to any given work
should be complete in its documentation, giving all
the essential facts about the edition used.
• Such documentary footnotes follow a general
sequence.
 Research Paper: Mechanics & Precautions in Research Report Writing

7. Punctuation and abbreviations in footnotes :

• The first item after the number in the footnote is the
author’s name, given in the nirmal signature order,
followed by comma.
• Followed by comma is the name of the writer and
then again a comma.
• After comma information containing edition,
publication and if happens its place of publication.
8. Use of Statics, Charts and Graphs
• A judicious use of statics in research reports is
often considered a virtue for it contributes a great
deal towards the clarification and simplification of
the material and research results.
• Statistics are usually presented in the form of
tables, charts, bars and line graphs and pictograms
too.
9. The final Draft
• Revising and rewriting of the rough draft of the
report should be done with great care before writing
the final draft.
 Research Paper: Mechanics & Precautions in Research Report Writing

• Having at least one colleague read the report just

before the final revision is extremely helpful.
10. Bibliography
• Should be prepared and appended in the research
report as discussed earlier
11. Preparation of Index
• At the end of the report, an index should be
invariably be given the value of which lies with the
fact that it acts as a good guide, to the reader.
• It should always be arranged alphabetically.

Conclusion

It is a hard line consideration that a research report that lacks

in the basic mechanics faces uninterested users as they are
unable to attract appropriate attention of the audience in the
way it is intended for. Precautionary measures if properly
adopted render the report absolute helpful to the users and
helps avoidance of unintended as well as clerical errors.
 Research Paper: Mechanics & Precautions in Research Report Writing

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Legal Research Methodology by S R Myneni

2. Research Methodology by C R Kothari
3. Hand Book for Research Project Writing, NLU Delhi
4. http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/marketing/research-
report-introduction-definition-and-report-format/48713
5. https://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/sites/default/file
s/docs/learningguide-writingaresearchreport.pdf
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Report