COMPENDIUM

OF
RESEARCH METHODS

TOPIC 14
THE RESEARCH REPORT
(SEKARAN, 2000, PP. 340 - 357)

Integral parts of the report:

 The Title page of the report: In addition to the title of the project, the title
page will indicate the name of the sponsor of the study, the name of the
researcher and their affiliations and the date of the final report.
 Table of contents: with page references usually lists the important headings
and subheadings in the report. A separate list of tables and figures should
also appear in the table of contents.
 Authorization letter: from the sponsor approving the study and detailing its
scope, will be attached at the beginning of the report. This would have
been given by the sponsor in response to the research proposal submitted
by the researcher soon after the initial interviews and the identification of
the problem. The authorization makes clear to the reader the goals of the
study.
 Executive summary or synopsis: is a brief account of the research study that
provides an overview and highlight the statement of the problem, the
sampling design, the data collection methods used, results of data analysis,
the findings, and the recommendations, with suggestions for
implementation. Must be brief, less than three pages.
 The introductory section: starts with a statement of the problem, the
research objectives, together with the background information of why and
how the study was initiated, will be stated.
 The body of the report: The literature survey, the theoretical framework
and the hypotheses are furnished. The design details such as sampling and
data collection methods, as well as the nature and type of study, the time
horizon, the field setting, and the unit of analysis, will be described.
 The final part of the report will contain the conclusions drawn from the
findings. In most cases, a list of recommendations for implementation will
 follow. Frequently, a cost-benefit analysis will also be provided. Any
limitations to the study, flaws in sampling due to circumstances beyond
one’s control, will find a place herein. A brief summation paragraph will
also be provided at the end.
 Acknowledgement: The help received from others is acknowledge.
 References: A list of references cited in the literature review and at other
places in the report will be given.
 Appendix: Comes last, is the appropriate place for the organization chart,
newspaper clippings, or other materials that substantiated the text of the
report, detailed verbatim narration of interviews with members, and
anything else that would help the reader follow the text. The appendix
should also contain a copy of the questionnaire administered to the
respondents

Table of Contents

Letter of Authorization

Introduction
 Problem Studies
 Background Information
 Research Goals

Preliminary Details
 Unstructured and Structured Interviews
 Literature Survey
 Theoretical Framework
 Hypotheses Formulated

Research Design
 Type and Nature of the Study
 Sampling Design
 Data Collection Methods
 Data Analytic Techniques Used

Results of Data Analysis

 Hypothesis Substantiated/Unsubstantiated
Conclusions
Recommendations
Limitations of Study
Acknowledgements
References
Tables
Graphs
Appendices