What is a Research Report?

A research report is a well-crafted document that outlines the processes, data, and findings of a systematic investigation. It is an important document
that serves as a first-hand account of the research process, and it is typically considered an objective and accurate source of information.
In many ways, a research report can be considered as a summary of the research process that clearly highlights findings, recommendations, and other
important details. Reading a well-written research report should provide you with all the information you need about the core areas of the research
process.
Features of a Research Report
So how do you recognize a research report when you see one? Here are some of the basic features that define a research report.
It is a detailed presentation of research processes and findings, and it usually includes tables and graphs.
It is written in a formal language.
A research report is usually written in the third person.
It is informative and based on first-hand verifiable information.
It is formally structured with headings, sections, and bullet points.
It always includes recommendations for future actions.
Types of Research Report
The research report is classified based on two things; nature of research and target audience.
Nature of Research
Qualitative Research Report
This is the type of report written for qualitative research. It outlines the methods, processes, and findings of a qualitative method of systematic
investigation. In educational research, a qualitative research report provides an opportunity for one to apply his or her knowledge and develop skills
in planning and executing qualitative research projects.
A qualitative research report is usually descriptive in nature. Hence, in addition to presenting details of the research process, you must also create a
descriptive narrative of the information.
Quantitative Research Report
A quantitative research report is a type of research report that is written for quantitative research. Quantitative research is a type of systematic
investigation that pays attention to numerical or statistical values in a bid to find answers to research questions.
In this type of research report, the researcher presents quantitative data to support the research process and findings. Unlike a qualitative research
report that is mainly descriptive, a quantitative research report works with numbers; that is, it is numerical in nature.

Target Audience
Also, a research report can be said to be technical or popular based on the target audience. If you’re dealing with a general audience, you would need
to present a popular research report, and if you’re dealing with a specialized audience, you would submit a technical report.
Technical Research Report
A technical research report is a detailed document that you present after carrying out industry-based research. This report is highly specialized
because it provides information for a technical audience; that is, individuals with above-average knowledge in the field of study.
In a technical research report, the researcher is expected to provide specific information about the research process, including statistical analyses and
sampling methods. Also, the use of language is highly specialized and filled with jargon.
Examples of technical research reports include legal and medical research reports.
Popular Research Report
A popular research report is one for a general audience; that is, for individuals who do not necessarily have any knowledge in the field of study. A
popular research report aims to make information accessible to everyone.
Itmain document
is written in very simplein comparison
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easy to understand the findings and recommendations. Examples of popular research reports are
the information contained in newspapers and magazines.
Importance of a Research Report
Knowledge Transfer: As already stated above, one of the reasons for carrying out research is to contribute to the existing body of knowledge, and this
is made possible with a research report. A research report serves as a means to effectively communicate the findings of a systematic investigation to
all and sundry.
Identification of Knowledge Gaps: With a research report, you’d be able to identify knowledge gaps for further inquiry. A research report shows what
has been done while hinting at other areas needing systematic investigation.
In market research, a research report would help you understand the market needs and peculiarities at a glance.
A research report allows you to present information in a precise and concise manner.
It is time-efficient and practical because, in a research report, you do not have to spend time detailing the findings of your research work in person.
You can easily send out the report via email and have stakeholders look at it.
Guide to Writing a Research Report
A lot of detail goes into writing a research report, and getting familiar with the different requirements would help you create the ideal research report.
A research report is usually broken down into multiple sections, which allows for a concise presentation of information.
Structure and Example of a Research Report
Title
This is the title of your systematic investigation. Your title should be concise and point to the aims, objectives, and findings of a research report.
Table of Contents
This is like a compass that makes it easier for readers to navigate the research report.
Abstract
An abstract is an overview that highlights all important aspects of the research including the research method, data collection process, and research
findings. Think of an abstract as a summary of your research report that presents pertinent information in a concise manner.
An abstract is always brief; typically 100-150 words and goes straight to the point. The focus of your research abstract should be the 5Ws and 1H
format – What, Where, Why, When, Who and How.
Introduction
Here, the researcher highlights the aims and objectives of the systematic investigation as well as the problem which the systematic investigation sets
out to solve. When writing the report introduction, it is also essential to indicate whether the purposes of the research were achieved or would require
more work.
In the introduction section, the researcher specifies the research problem and also outlines the significance of the systematic investigation. Also, the
researcher is expected to outline any jargons and terminologies that are contained in the research.
Literature Review
A literature review is a written survey of existing knowledge in the field of study. In other words, it is the section where you provide an overview and
analysis of different research works that are relevant to your systematic investigation.
It highlights existing research knowledge and areas needing further investigation, which your research has sought to fill. At this stage, you can also
hint at your research hypothesis and its possible implications for the existing body of knowledge in your field of study.
An Account of Investigation
This is a detailed account of the research process, including the methodology, sample, and research subjects. Here, you are expected to provide in-
depth information on the research process including the data collection and analysis procedures.
In a quantitative research report, you’d need to provide information surveys, questionnaires and other quantitative data collection methods used in
your research. In a qualitative research report, you are expected to describe the qualitative data collection methods used in your research including
interviews and focus groups.
Findings
In this section, you are expected to present the results of the systematic investigation.
Discussion
This section further explains the findings of the research, earlier outlined. Here, you are expected to present a justification for each outcome and
show whether the results are in line with your hypotheses or if other research studies have come up with similar results.
Conclusions
This is a summary of all the information in the report. It also outlines the significance of the entire study.
References and Appendices
This section contains a list of all the primary and secondary research sources.

How to Gather Research Data for Your Report

Understand the Problem
Every research aims at solving a specific problem or set of problems, and this should be at the back of your mind when writing your research report.
Understanding the problem would help you to filter the information you have and include only important data in your report.
Know what your report seeks to achieve
This is somewhat similar to the point above because, in some way, the aim of your research report is intertwined with the objectives of your
systematic investigation. Identifying the primary purpose of writing a research report would help you to identify and present the required information
accordingly.
Identify your audience
Knowing your target audience plays a crucial role in data collection for a research report. If your research report is specifically for an organization,
you would want to present industry-specific information or show how the research findings are relevant to the work that the company does.
Create Surveys/Questionnaires
A survey is a research method that is used to gather data from a specific group of people through a set of questions. It can be either quantitative or
qualitative.
A survey is usually made up of structured questions, and it can be administered online or offline. However, an online survey is a more effective
method of research data collection because it helps you save time and gather data with ease.
Always remember that a research report is just as important as the actual systematic investigation because it plays a vital role in communicating
research findings to everyone else. This is why you must take care to create a concise document summarizing the process of conducting any
research.

How to write a report/ steps

Knowing how to write a successful report can make you a valuable asset in your current workplace or an appealing candidate for new employers.
Here are some steps to follow when writing a report:
1. Decide on terms of reference
Many formal reports include a section that details the document's "terms of reference". These terms include:
What the report is about
Why it is necessary
When it was written
What its purpose is
Setting these terms helps both the writer and their readers to understand why the report is important and what it hopes to accomplish. The terms of
reference are usually explained in the first paragraph so that the reader can determine their relevance without having to read the entire document.
Setting concrete terms early on will help you create the report's outline and keep your discussions on track throughout the writing process.
2. Conduct your research
Most reports will require you to collect a store of data that directly relates to your topic. You may already have access to this information if, for
example, you are a doctor who has copies of a patient's medical charts. However, if you are tasked with analyzing an issue or investigating an event,
you will likely need to spend some time requesting, finding and organizing data.
Interpreting data and formatting it in a way that your readers will understand is an important part of writing a report. You may need to create charts,
graphs or timelines that make your raw information easier to comprehend. You will also need to carefully cite your sources and keep track of where
and how you found your data to present it professionally.
3. Write an outline
The next step is to construct your report's outline. This typically looks like a bulleted or numbered list of all the different sections in the document.
Your report's outline might look similar to this:
Title page
Table of contents
Introduction
Terms of reference
Summary of procedure
Findings
Analysis
Conclusion
References or bibliography
The order of these sections—and whether you decide to include them all—depends on the specific type of report, how long it is and how formal it
needs to be. The most important thing to do when writing your outline is to include all the necessary sections and eliminate anything that does not
directly contribute to the report's purpose.
4. Write the first draft
Writing the first draft is one of the most important stages of constructing a successful report. The purpose of the first draft is not to write a perfect
document, but rather to get all the main elements of your information out of your head and onto the page. You will have time to add to and edit this
first attempt, so your primary goal is just to organize your data and analysis into a rough draft that will eventually become a final product.
While writing your first draft, you will likely find gaps in your data or holes in your analysis. Make note of these, but do not try to address every
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5. Analyze data and record findings
The focus of every report is the "findings" section or the part where you present your interpretation of the data. For an accountant, the findings could
involve an explanation as to why a company's stock drooped during the previous quarter. For an environmental scientist, it could include a summary
of an experiment on biodegradable plastics and how the results could affect waste management methods.
The findings section of your report should always provide valuable information related to the topic or issue you are addressing, even if the results are
less than ideal. If you conclude that the data was insufficient or the research method was flawed, you will need to explain this professionally and
accurately.
6. Recommend a course of action
The final section of your report's body is your recommendation. After examining the data and analyzing any outcomes, you are qualified to present
an idea as to what actions should be taken in response to your findings. For example, after reviewing the number of overtime hours that their team
has been working, a project manager may recommend that an additional employee be added to the team. A surgeon might recommend that the
hospital introduce new sterilization methods into the operating room after noting an increase in preventable infections in the previous six months.
If you have presented your data well and shown your expertise, your reader is likely to trust your judgment.
7. Edit and distribute
The final stage of writing a report is editing it thoroughly and distributing it to your audience. You will need to edit for grammar mistakes, spelling
errors and typing mistakes. You will also need to double-check your data, make sure your citations are correct and read over the entire document to
make sure it presents a cohesive narrative. If the report is going to be read by a wide audience, you may decide to ask someone else to proofread it or
give you their opinion on the readability of the content.
Distributing the report can take different forms depending on your particular occupation. You might email it to your supervisor, present it verbally
during a staff meeting or publish it in a professional journal. Regardless of how or where it is read, your goal is always to create a concise,
informative and effective document that will contribute to increased productivity in your workplace.

Why Literature Reviews?

Doing a careful and thorough literature review is essential when you write about research at any level. It is basic homework that is assumed to have
been done vigilantly, and a given fact in all research papers. By providing one, usually offered in your introduction before you reach your thesis
statement, you are telling your reader that you have not neglected the basics of research.
It not only surveys what research has been done in the past on your topic, but it also appraises, encapsulates, compares, contrasts, and correlates
various scholarly books, research articles, and other relevant sources that are directly related to your current research. Given the fundamental nature
of providing one, your research paper will be not considered seriously if it is lacking one at the beginning of the paper.
1. It Creates a Rapport with Your Audience
A literature review helps you create a sense of rapport with your audience or readers so they can trust that you have done your homework. As a
result, they can give you credit for your due diligence: you have done your fact-finding and fact-checking mission, one of the initial steps of any
research writing.
As a student, you may not be an expert in a given field; however, by listing a thorough review in your research paper, you are telling the audience, in
essence, that you know what you are talking about. As a result, the more books, articles, and other sources you can list in the literature review, the
more trustworthy your scholarship and expertise will be. Depending on the nature of your research paper, each entry can be long or short. For
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gist of the sources as you synthesize the source in the review: its thesis, research methods, findings, issues, and further discussions mentioned in the
source.

2. It Helps You Avoid Incidental Plagiarism

Imagine this scenario. You have written a research paper, an original paper in your area of specialization, without a literature review. When you are
about to publish the paper, you soon learn that someone has already published a paper on a topic very similar to yours. Of course, you have not
plagiarized anything from that publication; however, if and when you publish your work, people will be suspicious of your authenticity. They will
ask further about the significance of repeating similar research. In short, you could have utilized the time, money, and other resources you have
wasted on your research on something else. Had you prepared a literature review at the onset of your research, you could have easily avoided such
mishaps. During the compilation of your review, you could have noticed how someone else has done similar research on your topic. By knowing this
fact, you can tailor or tweak your own research in such a way that it is not a mere rehashing of someone else’s original or old idea.
3. It Sharpens Your Research Focus
As you assemble outside sources, you will condense, evaluate, synthesize, and paraphrase the gist of outside sources in your own words. Through
this process of winnowing, you will be able to place the relevance of your research in the larger context of what others researchers have already done
on your topic in the past (See Reference 1).
The literature review will help you compare and contrast what you are doing in the historical context of the research as well as how your research is
different or original from what others have done, helping you rationalize why you need to do this particular research (See Reference 2).
Perhaps you are using a new or different research method that has not been available before, allowing you to collect the data more accurately or
conduct an experiment that is more precise and exact thanks to many innovations of modern technology. Thus, it is essential in helping you shape
and guides your research in the direction you may not have thought of by offering insights and different perspectives on the research topic.
Many Different Types
Depending on your area of specialization, a literature review can take various forms: argumentative review, integrative review, historical review,
methodological review, systematic review, and theoretical review (See Reference 1).
An argumentative review is written to present an opposing view to a given position. This will be valuable to persuade others to join you in supporting
your thesis.
An integrative review is composed of examinations and critical analysis on a given topic to introduce a need for new research. For example, you can
use it on the spreading of a pandemic plague, arguing how the old methods of gathering and analyzing the data were inadequate and how modern
technology, such as DNA analysis, will help make the same research more accurate.
Similarly, a historical review will assess all the historical records of scholarship chronologically while a methodological review examines the
research methods alone—a collection of data, their critical analysis, interpretation, and research results.

Report writing is one of the most diverse and complex of all writing tasks. Writing a report, whether for academic use or business purpose, is a
powerful tool of providing factual information, recorded data, investigations, researches, analysis etc. to a person or organization who wants to use
that information. A report is defined as an orderly and systematic presentation of factual information that supports in problem-solving and decision
making process.
A good report serves as an investigating and decision making tool as it clearly presents the analysis and statistical information of the factors relevant
to a particular matter. This kind of research paper is also used for planning and critical evaluation as it contains useful analytical information about
key resources and other important aspects to an issue.
There are different types of reports, each with different structure and format; however in this post, we will only focus on Academic report writing.
University students are often required to write research reports for assessment purposes, particularly in the fields of Psychology, Marketing, Sciences
and Engineering. The ultimate goal of writing a research report to provide a clear understand of your research topic, analysis and outcome of the
study to the audience or examiner.
Below listed are five essentials of a perfect research report.
1. Factual Accuracy
A report writer should be extra careful in quoting facts and statistical data. Since the information given in the report is research-based whose findings
and analysis are used for making crucial decisions, a writer must gather info from scholarly and legitimate sources and must proofread the info at
least twice in order to avoid presenting incorrect data.
2. Precision and Objectivity
A student before drafting a report, any academic topic should keep in mind that such a research paper should be objective in nature, i.e. free from the
writer’s personal opinions. A professional essay writer is also definite about the actual purpose of the report and does not drift away from it
throughout the paper. A writer can turn a report into a valuable research paper when it is written with precision because it brings credibility and trust
in the findings or information provided in the report.
3. Relevance
Another characteristic of a good quality report is relevance. A report writer must always include those empirical evidences, statistics and facts which
are relevant to the actual subject or objective of the report. Citing info from irrelevant sources can make the paper weak and its findings unreliable.
The key here is to only look for the relevant pieces of information from scholarly sources i.e. journals, published reports, books etc. and to give their
proper reference. For an impressive research report, accurate date and relevant facts are inevitable.
4. Clarity
For an academic report, a student must prepare a rough outline of the things that will be included in the document. Using pointers will help in
addressing all the main points in the report. Also the language of the report should be simple and clear. Try to avoid long sentences and complicated
terms but at the same time, the language should be formal and academic.
5. Perfect Format
Your report should follow a standard format which includes abstract, introduction, research or analysis, results/findings, conclusion and references.

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Research Report: Introduction, Definition and Report Format
“Research report is a research document that contains basic aspects of the research project”.
Introduction:
Mostly, research work is presented in a written form. The practical utility of research study depends heavily on the way it is presented to those who
are expected to act on the basis of research findings. Research report is a written document containing key aspects of research project.

Research report is a medium to communicate research work with relevant people. It is also a good source of preservation of research work for the
future reference. Many times, research findings are not followed because of improper presentation. Preparation of research report is not an easy task.
It is an art. It requires a good deal of knowledge, imagination, experience, and expertise. It demands a considerable time and money.

Definitions:
1. In simple words:
Research report is the systematic, articulate, and orderly presentation of research work in a written form.

2. We can also define the term as:

Research report is a research document that contains basic aspects of the research project.

3. In the same way, we can say:

Research report involves relevant information on the research work carried out. It may be in form of hand-written, typed, or computerized.

Report Format/Layout:
There is no one best format for all reports. Format depends on several relevant variables. One must employ a suitable format to create desirable
impression with clarity. Report must be attractive. It should be written systematically and bound carefully. A report must use the format (often called
structure) that best fit the needs and wants of its readers. Normally, following format is suggested as a basic outline, which has sufficient flexibly to
meet the most situations.

Research report is divided into three parts as:

I. First Part (Formality Part):
(i) Cover page

(ii) Title page

(iii) Certificate or statement

(iv) Index (brief contents)

(v) Table of contents (detailed index)

(vi) Acknowledgement

(vii) List of tables and figures used

(viii) Preface/forwarding/introduction

(ix) Summary report

II. Main Report (Central Part of Report):

(i) Statement of objectives

(ii) Methodology and research design

(iii) Types of data and its sources

(iv) Sampling decisions

(v) Data collection methods

(vi) Data collection tools

(vii) Fieldwork

(viii) Analysis and interpretation (including tables, charts, figures, etc.)

(ix) Findings

(x) Limitations

(xi) Conclusions and recommendations

(xii) Any other relevant detail

III. Appendix (Additional Details):

(i) Copies of forms used

(ii) Tables not included in findings

(iii) A copy of questionnaire

(iv) Detail of sampling and rate of response

(v) Statement of expenses

(vi) Bibliography – list of books, magazines, journals, and other reports

(vii) Any other relevant information

Key Considerations/Factors:
While preparing research report, following issues must be considered:
(i) Objectives

(ii) Type of problem/subject

(iii) Nature and type of research

(iv) Audience or users of research work

(v) Size of report

(vi) Form of writing – handwritten, typed, or computerized.

(vii) Time and cost

(viii) Language

(ix) Contents of report

(x) Order of contents

(xi) Number of copies

(xii) Format – type and size of paper; lengths width, and depth of report; and pattern of writing including paragraph, indent, numbering, font size and
type, colouring, etc.

(xiii) Binding (for soft, and, particularly, for hard copy) – type, quality of material, colour, etc., related issues.
 What is a citation and citation style?
A citation is a way of giving credit to individuals for their creative and intellectual works that you utilized to support your research. It can also be
used to locate particular sources and combat plagiarism. Typically, a citation can include the author's name, date, location of the publishing company,
journal title, or DOI (Digital Object Identifier).
A citation style dictates the information necessary for a citation and how the information is ordered, as well as punctuation and other formatting.
How to do I choose a citation style?
There are many different ways of citing resources from your research. The citation style sometimes depends on the academic discipline involved. For
example:
• APA (American Psychological Association) is used by Education, Psychology, and Sciences
• MLA (Modern Language Association) style is used by the Humanities
• Chicago/Turabian style is generally used by Business, History, and the Fine Arts.

Difference Between Annexure and Appendix

An appendix can be understood as that section added at the end of of the book or report which
contains subsidiary matter relating to the main idea of document or book. It contains data which
is not very essential to explain your findings, but it supports the analysis, assists the user to
understand the research work and provides background material.
Difference Between Annexure and Appendix

An appendix can be understood as that section added at the end of of the book or report which
contains subsidiary matter relating to the main idea of document or book. It contains data which
is not very essential to explain your findings, but it supports the analysis, assists the user to
understand the research work and provides background material.
On the other hand, an annexure implies a set of legal documents or proofs which are attached to
the main document, so as to confirm the details provided in the main body.
The basic difference between annexure and appendix is that while an annexure is an addition to
the document, the appendix is an extension made at the end of the research work. Further, an
appendix is much more concerned with the

Comparison Chart

BASIS FOR COMPARISON ANNEXURE APPENDIX

Meaning An annexure is a set of legal An appendix refers to an
documents, which are added extension to the research
at the end of the report or paper, that contains
book, to validate the information which is too
information provided in the detailed to put in the main
main text. document or report.
Standalone document Yes No
Comprise of It contains relevant papers or It contains essential
proofs that validate the main background details.
body of the report, or
document.
Includes News articles, report Graphics, tables, cha
s, rts,
affidavit, etc. statistics, figures, etc.
Mainly used in Business Research
Prepared by Not prepared by the author of Prepared by the author of the
the main document main document

Definition of Annexure
Annexure implies a legal document, attached to the main document, at the end to validate the text
written in the main document. It is used to provide you with information about what items are
required, along with their relevant format.
Basically, an annexure can be used in a number of ways, depending upon the purpose and field in
which it is used. It is a document which is attached to the main document, application, appeal,
report etc. It provides pertinent information, related to the subject, but maybe beyond the context
of the main document.
So, we can say that an annexure is something that is concerned with the main document,
however, it is not the part of the main body of the document. It is a standalone document, which
can be submitted even without the main document.

Definition of Appendix

An appendix is a set of supplementary material created by the author, which is not a part of the main
body, of the document and so it is placed at the end of the agreement or book. It contains such
information that cannot be placed in the main document, however, its references are contained in the
main document.
An appendix is used to expand the knowledge of the main text by furthering the information provided
in the main documents. Hence, the information which is not very much relevant to your finding,
however it backs the analysis, validates generalizations and strengthens the point, is covered in the
appendix.
There are instances when a piece of supporting information is included in the main text of the book or
report, but the full-fledged data set is given in the appendix. It includes illustrations, case studies,
interview transcripts, letters, maps, tables, figures, charts, graphs, questionnaires, graphics,
mathematical derivations, etc.
In other words, we can say that one can place any kind of data in an appendix, subject to it is relevant
and directly related to the research topic, and proper references are provided in the main document.
Further, there are certain points which must be considered while attaching an appendix to the book or
report:
It must be labelled with a number or letter.
It should be listed in the contents page, under the head Appendix or Appendices, as the case may be.
It must be referred with their respective number or letter, wherever required in the main text.

Key Differences Between Annexure and Appendix

The differences between annexure and appendix can be drawn clearly on the following grounds:
An appendix refers to the material attached to the end of the book or agreement, which contains
information that is relevant but it is not the central idea of the main document. On the other hand,
annexure refers to that separate section or part of a legal document, report or book, etc., which
provides additional information about the main document, however, it does not form part of the
main body.
An annexure is a standalone document which is placed at the end of the research paper, which
means that it is capable of being submitted alone, without the main document. However, the
appendix is not a standalone document, i.e. it is of no use without the main document.
An annexure contains stipulated documents and proofs which are required to be attached with the
main document, so as to validate the text. Conversely, an appendix contains all the essential
background details, concerning the topic under research.
While annexure are mainly used in the field of business and law, appendices are used in the field
of research.
An annexure is not prepared by the author of the document. On the contrary, an appendix is
prepared by the author himself.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, appendix refers to the attachment to the document, which supplements it by
providing additional reference information. As against, annexure re
fers to the additional

Conclusion :-
The basic difference between annexure and appendix is that while an annexure is an addition to
the document, the appendix is an extension made at the end of research work.