Meaning,Purpose and

Different types of research

reports
Contents
● Introduction
● Definition & Meaning
● Criteria for good report
● Purpose of report
● Types of report
● Conclusion
Meaning
● Research report is a mannerly written document regarding the findings of any
kind of research.
● It is the final product or output of any systematic investigation which is
prepared to submit to the authentic body or funding agency.
● The general purpose of research report is to convey the sufficient details of
research works.
● It not only convinces the readers but let them known about the findings of
already carried out research or project work or the purpose of the work have
been done.
Defenition
● Research reports are recorded data prepared by researchers or statisticians
after analyzing information gathered by conducting organized research,
typically in the form of surveys or qualitative methods.

● A research report is a reliable source to recount details about a conducted

research and is most often considered to be a true testimony of all the work
done to garner specificities of research.
Criteria of a good research
report
According to Baker (1999) there are three criteria to keep in mind when we are
selecting a research topic. The research topic should be feasible to study, of
genuine interest to researcher, and potentiality of enhancing understanding of
society. Besides these some additional criteria are listed by different research
scholars as follows:

• It should express a relation between two or more variables. 

• Field of research must be the area of researcher's interest and knowledge. 
• It should be stated clearly and unambiguously. 
• Research topic must be practicable and manageable. 
• Variables included in the research topic should be defined and imply
possibilities of empirical testing. 
• Topic should have cover the scope attainable within time, cost and
knowledge. 
• The topic should have easily attainable data source. 
• The topic should match the career goal of researcher. 
• The topic should be from the area of interest. 
• The topic should contribute to the organization, society or business
world. 
• The topic should not be over ambitious beyond the feasibility
Purpose of Research Report
• Research report is an in dispensable task of every research work in which
findings of a research make known to others. Needs or purposes of
research report can be outlined as follow:
• To provide the information regarding the findings of research work i.e.
methods, data analysis, conclusion and so on in the systematic, scientific
and accepted way. 
• To elicit crucial facts for solution derived and decision making. 
• To prove the worth and legitimacy of assigned research job. 
 
• To provide the judgement tools for the judgement of quality and
talent of researcher within and outside the academia. 
• To communicate the research findings professionally. 
• To pertain the credibility of the research. 
• To develop appreciation of standards, consolidate arguments and
identify the knowledge gaps.
• Transmission of knowledge
• Examining the Validity of the Generalizations
• Inspiration for further research
Types of Report
1. Formal and informal report
2. Written and oral report
3. Internal and external report
4. Long and short report
5. Descriptive and analytical report
6. Technical and popular report
 Formal and informal
report
▣ A formal report is usually written in a
prescribed format and there are clear
procedures on how to write the report ,the
procedure to file the report and who to
present it to
▣ Informal reports on the other hand
,presented in person to person
communication
 Written and oral report

▣ The written report is prepared on the written

format
 Internal and External
Reports

⦿Internal reports travel within the

organization. External reports, such
as annual reports of companies, are
prepared for distribution outside the
organization.
⦿ External organizational report which is intended
for use of outside people or for outside
circulation. It never contains any sensitive or
critical organizational information unless
required for achievement of a particular
purpose. These include financial reports such
as balance sheet, cash flow statement etc.
⦿ Internal Report is a kind of
organizational report which is circulated on the
inside only. Its circulation is very limited as it
 Long Reports
 
⦿A long report is never possible to be
complete in a page or two
⦿Subject of the long report are not
routine type.
⦿A long report is always written in a
manuscript formal.
⦿A long report being formal needs a
 Short report
⦿A short report is very short in size
⦿Many short reports are written in
memorandum and letter formats.
⦿Personal writing styles are used in
writing a short report.
⦿Short reports being informal do not
require extended planning and
contain varieties of formats.
 DESCRIPTIVE AND ANALYTICAL REPORT
The Descriptive report Used to obtain
information concerning the current status of a
phenomena. The purpose of these methods is to
describe “what exists with respect to situational
variables.
Analytical research means carrying out analysis
on a phenomenon. Mostly invoving secondary data.
Eg: ante research before contemplated change
 TECHNICAL AND POPULAR RESEARCH

The technical report is essentially

technical in nature and written in technical language. It also
contains technical appendix for methodological details,
copies of measuring instruments,scale etc.
The popular report is for audience like
executives/administrators and other non technical users.
complicated statistical techniques and tables can be used
otherwise using graphical and pictorial representations will
be used. Eg: report presented by RBI on the nature of Indian
economy