Research

Project Report

By:-RAUSHAN PATEL

A research report is: a written document oral presentation based on a written document that communicates the purpose, scope, objective(s), hypotheses, methodology, findings, limitations and finally, recommendations of a research project to others.

The researcher has to convince the client [and others who may read the report] that the research findings are valid and reliable which can be acted on for their own benefit.

The last stage of a marketing research process.; It is more than a summary of findings; rather it is a record of the research process.

Title Page
Name of report (all caps) Name, title, organization of receiver Authors name, title, organization Date submitted

Table of Contents
Show beginning page number where each report heading appears Connect page numbers with leaders (spaced dots)

Executive Summary

One of most important parts of report Synopsis (overview) of report Concentrate on what management needs to know Summarizes
Purpose Scope Methodology Findings Conclusions Recommendations

Executive Summary
Organized same as report Style and tone same as report Avoid unexplained jargon/abbreviations Do not refer to figures/tables presented later Should not contain exhibits or footnotes Include headings/make skimmable Use transitional words Length should be generally 1/10 of whole report

Introduction
Explain problem motivating report Describe its background and significance Clarify scope and limitations of report Describe data sources, methods, key terms Close by previewing reports organization

Body
Discuss, analyze, interpret research findings Arrange findings in logical segments following outline Use clear, descriptive headings/skimmable

Conclusions
Explain findings in relation to original problem

Recommendations
Make recommendations on suggested action to be taken

Appendix
All items must be referred to in the text and listed on the table of contents Items of interest to some, but not all, readers
For example, data questionnaires or computer printouts

References
List all references in section called Works Cited or References Include all text, online, and live sources Follow style manual for citing sources

Single- or double-spaced About 2500 words (not counting appendix) Tables of Contents will help you organize and write reportwrite early! Headings of same level must be consistent
First, second, third levels

Same-level headings must be written consistently! (For example)

Level 1: CENTERED UPPER-CASE Level 2: Centered Upper-case and Lower-case Level 3: Centered, Underlined, Upper-case and Lower-case Level 4: Flush left, Underlined, Upper-case and Lower-case Level 5: Indented, underlined, lower-case paragraph heading ending with a period.

1.
2. 3.

Introduce Label/Number/Informative Title Discuss

Six steps
Problem definition Approach development Research design formulation Field work Data preparation and analysis Report preparation

Tangible product of the research effort. Leaves documentary evidence Management decisions are guided by the report and the presentation. If the first five steps in the project are carefully conducted but inadequate attention is paid to the sixth step, the value of the project will greatly diminish Involvement of many users of the research findings will be limited to the written report. They will evaluate the quality of the project based on the quality of the report Managements decision to undertake research in future will be influenced by the perceived usefulness of the report

Any research report contains:

descriptions on methodology, results obtained, and recommendations made.

The basic orientation of a research report depends on its audience. Before writing the report

the researcher must know his or her audience; he/she may have to make assumptions about the composition, background and interests of the target readers.

Two types of reports: Technical Report: suitable for a target audience of

researchers, research managers or other people familiar with and interested in the technicalities such as research design, sampling methods, statistical details etc.,

Popular Report: suitable for:

a more general audience, interested mainly in the research findings as it is non-technical in nature.

The writing style is designed to facilitate easy and rapid reading and understanding of the research findings and recommendations.

Problem Definition, Research Design and Methodology

Data Analysis

Pre-report Writing Activities

Interpretation of Research findings

Report Preparation

Report Writing Activities

Oral Presentattion

RESEARCH FOLLOW-UP

Reading of the Report by the client

Post Report Writing

The interpretation of the results of data analysis in light of:

The research report is a means of communication that can be understood, believed, trusted by everyone who are likely to be affected by the research, and acted upon by the decision maker.

the marketing research problem investigated, and the research design and methodology followed.

the researcher should discuss: the major findings, conclusions, and recommendations with the key decision makers.
necessary to ensure that the report meets the client's needs and is ultimately accepted.

The entire marketing research project:

should be summarized in a single written report or in several reports addressed to different readers. should present the findings in such a way that they can be used directly as input into decision making.

No universally accepted standard format or style for research writing. Different researchers may prepare their reports differently.
The personality, background, expertise, and responsibility of the researcher and those of the decision maker for whom the report is written interact to give each report a unique character. Report formats are likely to vary with the nature of the project itself. However, the research report closely resembles the steps of the marketing research process.

Generally, an oral presentation supplements the written report. The client should be given adequate time to read the report.
If necessary, the researcher should assist the client in understanding the report, implementing the findings, undertaking further research, and evaluating the research process in retrospect.

Should be carefully prepared keeping the audience in mind. A good presentation does not mean a lengthy presentation. Carefully selected visual aids such as graphs, tables, charts, maps etc. help presentation.
However, Too many visual aids, particularly statistical tables,

could often be boring and may not serve any purpose.

During oral presentation, people may seek clarification.

The speaker must be patient and should not show signs of

anger or frustration. He or she should be natural, establish eye contact with the audience, and interact with them. Body language and descriptive gestures are also quite useful.

Importance of the topic Your research question What you did to answer the question Your findings Your interpretation of the findings

ENJOY ALL FRIEND

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