CHAPTER 14

RESEARCH REPORT

Research Methodology:
Tools, Methods and Techniques

Sundram, V.P.K., Chandran, V.G.R., Atikah, S.B., Rohani, M., Nazura, M.S., Akmal, A.O., & Krishnasamy, T.
 Learning
Learning Objectives
Objectives
After
Aftercompleting
completingthis
thischapter,
chapter,you
youshould
shouldbe
beable
ableto:
to:
 Know
Knowthe
theguidelines
guidelinestotoeffective
effectivereport
reportwriting
writing
 Know
Knowthe
thecontents
contentsof
ofaaresearch
researchreport
report
 Tailor
Tailorthe
thereport
reportformat
formattotomeet
meetthe
theneeds
needsofofdifferent
differenttypes
typesof
ofresearch
research(basic
(basicand
andapplied),
applied),
different
differentresearch
researchgoals
goalsthat
thatneed
needreports
reportsof
ofvarying
varyinglengths,
lengths,and
anddifferent
differentaudiences
audiences
 Write
Write aa good
good executive
executive summary
summary oror synopsis,
synopsis, introductory
introductory section,
section, methods
methods section,
section, data
data
analysis
analysissection
sectionand
andinterpretation
interpretationofofthe
theresults
results
 Give
Giverecommendations
recommendationsand
andsuggestions
suggestionsfor
forimplementation,
implementation,as
asnecessary
necessary
 Write
Writethe
thesummary
summaryand
andacknowledgements
acknowledgements
 Provide
Providethe
theappropriate
appropriatematerials
materialsforforreferences
references
 Include
Includeappropriate
appropriatematerials
materialsininthe
theappendix
appendix
 Critique
Critiqueresearch
researchreports
reportsand
andpublished
publishedstudies
studies
Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 2
Table of Content
14.1 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH REPORT
14.2 GUIDELINES TO EFFECTIVE REPORT WRITING
14.3 THE WRITING PROCESS
14.4 STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH REPORT FORMAT
14.5 CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH REPORT

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 3

 CHAPTER 14

14.1 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH

REPORT

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 4

 The entire research process or writing the research
report must be understood that after designing a
nice project, all the effort spent in the entire process
is worthless if it is not properly reported.

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 5

 CHAPTER 14

14.2 GUIDELINES TO EFFECTIVE

REPORT WRITING

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 6

 The two key factors guiding the preparation of
written reports are: -
 The nature of the audience
• The first factor to consider in preparing a written report is to
consider the background and interests of the audience.
 The original objectives of the report
• The second key factor guiding the preparation of the report is
the need to present the collected data in a manner that
enables the research’s original objective(s) to be
accomplished. Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 7
 CHAPTER 14

14.3 THE WRITING PROCESS

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 8

 Prior to writing, the researcher as mentioned above
must deal with two key questions: -
 Who will read the research report?
 What is the purpose of the report?
 The following are some of the important factors to
be considered by researchers faced with the task of
writing the research report:

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 9

 Write as if
explaining the points
Do not assume prior Try to “SELL” the
to a panel of
knowledge information
readers sitting
opposite

Avoid reducing the

Use common sentences by
Keep sentences
terminology leaving out
short and simple
wherever possible important words like
“a”, “the” and “that”

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 10

 Use the active
Keep to basic Have one final
tense rather than
punctuation writer
passive

Develop an
Follow acceptable
outline prior to Plan on rewriting
report format
writing

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 11

 CHAPTER 14

14.4 STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH

REPORT FORMAT

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 12

  Preparatory
Part

Layout of
Research  Body
Report

 Supplementary
Part
Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 13
 Acknowledgemen
Abstract t
Author’s Table of
declaration contents

List of
Title page tables

Cover page
 List of
Preparatory figures

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 14

  Body
Chapter 5 –
Discussion and
Conclusion

Chapter 4 – Chapter 1 –
Analysis of data Introduction

Chapter 2 –
Chapter 3 –
Literature
Methodology
Review

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 15

 
Supplementary

Fly leaves

Index
(if any)
Reference

Appendix
(if any)
Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 16
 CHAPTER 14

14.5 CRITERIA OF A GOOD

RESEARCH REPORT

Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 17

 A report is
complete when
it provides all
the
information
readers need
in language
they
The steps in the understand.
research
The report must
process are vital
to be used, for a be clear, where
report cannot words,
be accurate The report must sentences, and
when the basic be complete as paragraphs can
input is well as concise, all make a
inaccurate. where the writer difference.
must be
selective in what
he includes.
Research Methodology: Tools, Methods and Techniques 18