The Process of

Report Writing
Burnard (2004) outlined 10 basic parts and sections of a
publishable qualitative research article:

1. Abstract

Being written the last, the abstract usually contains

200-250 words depending on the guidelines of the
research organization where you submit your paper for
publication.
The basic components of research abstract
include:
1. Topic introduction
2. Main objective of the study
3. Research design/ method
4. Sampling technique and instrumentation
5. Findings of the study
6. Conclusions, and
7. Recommendations.
2. Introduction
A well-written introduction…

• Sets the overview of the study

• Puts the study in context
• Defines the research problem or topic investigated
• States strong justification for conducting the study
• Demonstrates clear connection of the study to previous
researchers
3. Aims of the study

This part of the research report clearly states the

main objective and specific objectives of the
study. The researcher makes sure that those are
achievable. Oftentimes, time and money are
considered in research planning given the
capability of the researcher in conducting the
entire research.
4. Review of Literature
This sub-part of the paper may be optional given the current
trends in writing a publishable research paper. Modern research
scientists, to include the researching professionals, have
popularized the idea of making the literature review embedded
in almost all sub-parts of the paper. This is predominantly found
in the Introduction and Results and Discussion.
Oftentimes, research experts use recent reference materials
(usually five years back from the present time). This is to
warrant freshness of the research findings that you may consider
in your own research.
5. Sample

The research sample is the sub-set of the target

population. It is determined substantially to
establish convincing, if not, wide-ranging
generalization of the research findings.
6. Data Collection Methods

In general, a scientific research needs to be

carried out on exact data gathering method.
Dependent on the desired data to obtain,
such method should be handled with
maximum precision.
7. Data Analysis Methods

Qualitative researchers always choose the most

appropriate data analysis method. Failure to
properly operationalize certain method of data
analysis may impair the researcher to accurately
analyze and interpret the research findings.
8. Results and Discussion

The Discussion part consists of salient findings

analyzed and discussed using the researcher’s
analytical thinking skills. It contains his or her
interpretation of the results and personal
insights ensuring validity and reliability of the
research findings.
8. Results and Discussion

The findings of the study usually show the

outgrowth of the inquiry which usually appears
in textual form as in the case of the qualitative
research. Interpreting the findings is one of the
challenging tasks of a qualitative researcher
apart from identifying emerging themes and
patterns.
9. Conclusions

Generally, conclusions are usually considered the

researcher’s contribution to science. It is in this part of
the research report where the research questions are
answered while drawing generalization, if not, stating
inferences, implications, and interpretations of the
research findings. It is important to note that qualitative
research does not generalize, thus cannot really make
conclusions.
10. Recommendations

This part of the research report is sometimes

treated optional. Recommendations are usually
based on the findings and conclusions having all
of these weaved to the core.