CHAPTER FIVE

Report Writing

A report is a communication of information,

from a person who has collected and studied the
facts.

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 Cont….
Most basic composition of a report are
I. Preliminary pages
II. Abstract
III. Introduction
IV. Statement of the Problem
V. Purpose of the study
VI. Literature review
VII. Approach /Methods and procedures
VIII. Findings and Discussions
IX. Conclusion
X. Recommendation
XI. References
XII. Appendixes
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 Outlines of a research report
The following are suggested outline of chapters and sections of your report

Preliminary Pages

Title Page

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table Of Contents

List Of Tables

List Of Figures

List Of Acronyms

Declarations

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 Cont…
CHAPTER I – Introduction

 Introductory paragraphs

 Statement of the problem

 Research questions and/or hypotheses

 Purpose and Significance of the study

Scope and limitations

Definition of terms

CHAPTER II – Background

 Literature review

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 Cont…
CHAPTER III – Methodology
Restate purpose and research questions

Population and sampling

Data collection methods and process

Instrumentation (include copy in appendix)

Validity and reliability (Results from pilot test)

Analysis procedures

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 Cont…
CHAPTER IV – Results and Discussion
 Findings
 Discussion of Results

CHAPTER V – Conclusions and Recommendations

 Summary (of what you did and found)
 Conclusion (What you conclude from your findings)

 Recommendations (based on your findings)

REFERENCES

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APPENDIX
 Cont…
References
References cited in the research proposal should
be included in the reference list.
Follow a specific and consistent guideline
regarding use of references in text and in the
reference list.
For instance . APA, Turabian, Chicago, IEEE etc.

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 Cont…
References - Five rules

1. Any work not your own should be clearly marked.

2. Any quotations within quotation marks.
3. Every reference in the text should be listed.
4. Every item in the list must have a reference in the text.
5. Every table , figure or photograph must have a
reference in the text.
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 Cont…
Appendixes (Optional)
The need for complete documentation generally dictates the inclusion of

appropriate appendixes in proposals.

The following materials are appropriate for an appendix.  

 Questionnaires

 Interview protocols.

 Sample of informed consent forms.

 Cover letters sent to appropriate stakeholders.

 Official letters of permission to conduct research.

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 Writing Tips
Reading will help you write.
• Train yourself to read like a writer

• examine structure,
• writing style,
• overall organization,
• such as use of subheads.
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 Cont…
Begin writing only when you can summarize what you want do in one
sentence.

Write your abstract first.

Abstract is a few short paragraphs that identifies:-

• the key questions

• importance of your research question.

• The approaches you have employed

• Findings

The Title and Abstract should reflect the focus of your work.
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 Cont…
Edit for Clarity 
Define abbreviations.

Use transitions from paragraph to paragraph and section to section.

Don’t bury your point underneath long introductory clauses.

Vary sentence length.

Rewrite ambiguous sentences.

Correct grammar

Correct spelling and punctuation

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 Cont…
Edit for Appearance 

 Consistent font
 Consistent line spacing
 Break up text with bullets
 Use drawings and figures when possible
Use subheads  
 
 
 
 
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 Cont…
Strive for Perfection 
No one can sit down and write the perfect paper
in one draft.
A paper goes through several revisions, each one
improving on the previous version.
You will never prepare a proposal or a report
that’s free of any errors or ambiguities. Try
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anyway.
 Cont…
Be ready for comments
Write your first draft
Have a Colleague/experts, Read your writing
You don’t want to hear how wonderful a writer you are,
you want substantive feedback.
Don’t take criticism personally
Edit your report
Produce final report
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 Cont…
The Nuremberg Code consisted of ten basic ethical principles
that the accused violated.

The ten guidelines were as follows:

Research participants must voluntarily consent to research

participation

Research aims should contribute to the good of society

Research must be based on sound theory and prior animal

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 Cont…
Research must avoid unnecessary physical and mental
suffering

No research projects can go forward where serious injury

and/or death are potential outcomes

The degree of risk taken with research participants cannot

exceed anticipated benefits of results

Proper environment and protection for participants is

necessary
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 Cont…
Experiments can be conducted only by scientifically
qualified persons

 Human subjects must be allowed to discontinue

their participation at any time

Scientists must be prepared to terminate the

experiment if there is cause to believe that
continuation will be harmful or result in injury or
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death
 Presentation Skills

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 Presenting your paper
Most presentations are based on a written
paper

Main benefit of presenting the work orally as

well as in written form is that you get
immediate feedback on your work from other
people in your chosen field.
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 Presentation Skills
Give yourself plenty of time to prepare before your
presentation.

Practise your presentation to make sure it runs to

time.

Have notes handy in case you dry up. Make sure the
notes are legible and that you are totally familiar
with the order in which you want to say things.
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 Presentation Skills
Always start by introducing yourself and the topic
you are going to talk about.

Tell your audience exactly how the talk will be

structured.

Sum-up what you have said on a concluding slide.

Try not to cover too much ground.

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 Presentation Skills
Try not to read from a script

Maintain eye contact with your audience

Make sure your audience can hear you -

don’t talk too quickly, take a pause now
and then
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 Presentation Skills
Don’t put too much on each slide.

Use a large font.

Ensure slides are relevant.

Make sure any animation or sound does not cause an

unwanted distraction.

Ensure slides are free of Spelling/Grammatical

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errors.
 Presentation Skills
Leave time for questions, they are a good way of
getting feedback.

Consider your answer and make sure you

understand the question - if not ask for clarification.

If you don’t know the answer, be honest and say so.

Do not forget to thank your audience

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