MODULE 5

REPROT WRITING
Syllabus:
Classification and tabulation, Research presentation, Types of report -
Research proposal, research report. Format of a report- Layout,
Precautions. Citation and referencing.

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 1

Introduction
• Research reports are recorded data prepared by researchers or
statisticians after analyzing the 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.

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 2

Definition
• Research Report is a Condensed form or a brief description of the
research work carried out by a researcher. It involves several steps to
present the report in the form of thesis or dissertation.
• In other words, a Research report is the formal statement of the
research process and its results. It narrates the problems studied,
methods used for studying and the finding and conclusion of the study

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 3

Purpose of Report Writing
• Transmission of Knowledge
• Present in Conference.
• Publish in journal or articles.
• Get grant or financial aid.
• Communicate to interested persons the methodology and the results of
the study.
• Have implications or recommendations in clinical practice, education
and administration

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 4

Characteristics/ Qualities of a good
Research Report
• Narrative: It should communicate with the reader
• Completeness: A report is considered complete if it provides all the
relevant information and answers the problem adequately.
• Concise/ Non Persuasive: While writing a report the researcher should
resist the temptation of trying to impress the reader with all that he has
found through his research.
• Accurate: It is possible that despite the input being accurate, the output
i.e. the report may develop inaccuracies. These inaccuracies generally
result due to carelessness in handling data, grammatical errors, concept
phrasing etc. hence a good report should be free from such inaccuracies.

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 5

• Logical: A good report should be properly structured and there should
be a logic and flow in whatever that is written.
• Simple readable form of communication
• Professional Appearance: Quality of paper print and cover should be
good. Standardization should be maintained throughout the report.
Wherever required key information should be supported with tables,
graphs, pictures etc.

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 6

3 important element in the report
writing:

The writer The receiver

The Message
(Sender of of the
Itself
the message) message

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 7

Layout/ Content of a Report

Contents of Report

Prefatory
Information/ Main Body/ Text End Section
Preliminary Details

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 8

Prefatory Information:
• Title Page
• Letter of Authorization
• Certificate of the research supervisor guides
• Researcher’s Declaration
• Preface or acknowledgement
• Table of contents
• List of graphs or charts
• Abstract or synopsis or executive summary

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 9

Main Body/ Text
• Introduction
• Theoretical background of the topic
• Statement of the problem
• Review of the literature
• Review relevant literature and previous research on the topic.
• Identify gaps in existing knowledge.
• Explain how your study contributes to the field.
• Research objective
• Scope of the Study
• Hypothesis to be tested
• Operations Definition of concepts
• Model it any
Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 10
• Design of the study
• Research Methodology
• Sources of data
• Sampling plan
• Data collection
• Field work
• Limitations of the study
• Data processing and analyzing
• Table
• Graph
• Results Section
• Findings and Discussion represented in either graphical or non graphical way
• Ethical Section:
• Summary
• Conclusion
• Recommendations
Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 11
End section:
• Bibliography
• Appendices
• Copies of the Data collection instruments
• Tables
• Exhibits
• Technical details on sampling plan
• References
Include a list of all the sources cited in your report in a standardized citation
style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
• Glossary of the new terms used in the report in an alphabetical order
• Index: Alphabetical arrangement of name, subject or a company giving the page or
pages on which item is mentioned.
Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 12
Report Writing Format:
• Title Page
• Cover page
• Certificates/ Authorization Letters
• Table of Content – Index page
• Executive Summary – Highlights of the main report
• Introduction - Origin, essentials of the main subject
• Body – Main report
• Conclusion – inference, measures taken, and projections.
• Reference – sources of information
• Appendix
Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 13
Types of Report:

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 14

Survey Reports
• Survey reports include data collected through surveys and focus on
presenting insights and opinions on specific issues or questions.
• Characteristics:
• Contains information on survey methodology, including sample size
and data collection methods.
• Presents statistical summaries like percentages and charts.
• Example: An online questionnaire surveyed college students’ eating
habits. After research, the survey report provided data on popular food
choices, fast-food consumption frequency, and factors impacting
students’ dietary decisions. It includes visual charts and aims to guide
cafeteria menu planning and promote student wellness.
Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 15
Popular Reports
• Popular reports are designed for a general audience and aim to inform,
educate, or entertain on a wide range of topics.
• Characteristics:
• Includes clear and jargon-free language
• Uses storytelling, visuals, and anecdotes to engage readers
• Prioritizes readability over deep analysis.
• Example: A user-friendly science report on recent black hole discoveries
is an example of a popular report. It explained how the black holes form,
what they are like, and why they matter in the universe. This report is for
people interested in astronomy without deep scientific expertise.
Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 16
Technical or Scientific Reports
• Technical and scientific reports communicate research findings to
experts and professionals in a particular field.
• Characteristics:
• These reports include technical jargon, detailed methodologies, and
in-depth analysis.
• They often have a standardized format for peer review.
• Example: An example of a technical research report would be a report
explaining the results of a laboratory experiment that investigated the
heat conductivity of various materials.

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 17

Case Study Reports
• Case study reports focus on an in-depth examination of a single entity,
often to explore complex, real-life situations.
• Characteristics:
• Includes detailed descriptions of the case, data collection methods,
and analysis.
• Common in business and psychology fields.
• Example: A report that includes an examination of the success factors
and challenges faced by a tech startup during its initial growth phase is
an example of a business case study report.

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 18

Market Research Reports
• Market research reports provide insights into consumer behavior,
market trends, and industry analysis.
• Characteristics:
• Includes market surveys, competitor analysis, and consumer
demographics.
• Helps businesses in making strategic decisions.
• Example: An example of a market research report would be a report
on the global organic food market, including consumer preferences,
market segmentation, and growth projections for the next five years

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 19

Analytical Research Reports
• Analytical research reports involve a deep analysis of data to uncover
patterns, trends, or relationships.
• Characteristics:
• Uses statistical tools and software to analyze data comprehensively
• Common in fields like economics and social sciences.
• Example: A financial report analyzing the performance of a portfolio
of stocks over a five-year period, including risk assessment and trend
analysis, is a detailed analytical report example.

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 20

Review or Literature Survey Reports
• Literature review reports provide an overview of existing research on
a specific topic, highlighting gaps and trends.
• Characteristics:
• Synthesizes findings from various sources and provides a historical
context
• Often offers recommendations for future research.
• Example: A report summarizing existing research on climate change,
highlighting key findings, and identifying gaps in current knowledge
is an example of a literature review report.

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 21

Experimental Research Reports
• Experimental research reports involve controlled experiments to test
hypotheses and determine if the results support or reject the hypothesis.
• Characteristics:
• Uses random sampling and control groups to minimize bias.
• Includes detailed descriptions of the experiment, hypothesis,
methods, and statistical analyses.
• Example: A psychology research report investigating the effects of
sleep deprivation on cognitive performance, with one group deprived of
sleep and another allowed normal sleep, is a clear example of an
experimental research report.
Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 22
Descriptive Research Reports
• Descriptive research reports aim to provide a comprehensive picture of
a phenomenon, group, or situation. They seek to answer the “what”
and “how” questions.
• Characteristics:
• Typically, it relies on observations, surveys, and content analysis.
• Focuses on describing and summarizing data.
• Example: A report describing the distribution of endangered species
in a specific national park based on field observations is an example of
a descriptive research report.

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 23

Exploratory Research Reports
• Exploratory research reports are conducted when there is little prior
knowledge about a subject. They aim to identify key variables and
research questions.
• Characteristics:
• Involves open-ended interviews, focus groups, and literature reviews.
• Findings are preliminary, serving as a basis for further research.
• Example:
• An example of an exploratory research report would be a report that a
newly established company creates to investigate the potential factors
influencing employee turnover.
Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 24
Explanatory Research Reports
• Explanatory research reports seek to understand the relationships
between variables and explain why certain phenomena occur.
• Characteristics:
• Uses experimental designs, surveys, and statistical analyses.
• Provides in-depth insights into the research problem.
• Example: A report explores the relationship between smoking habits
and lung cancer incidence in a population using a longitudinal study
and statistical analyses. This is an example of an explanatory research
report.

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 25

Policy or White Papers
• Policy or white papers aim to inform policymakers, stakeholders, and
the public about specific issues and recommend actions.
• Characteristics:
• Presents research findings in a concise and accessible manner
• Often consists of policy recommendations.
• Example: An example of a policy research report is a policy paper on
renewable energy adoption, outlining the environmental and economic
benefits. It may also include recommendations on incentives for clean
energy initiatives.

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 26

Importance of Research Report
• Research reports are a primary means of sharing new knowledge and insights
with the academic and scientific community. They contribute to the growth of
human understanding in various fields.
• They provide a detailed and structured account of the research process, including
methods, data, analysis, and conclusions. This documentation is crucial for
transparency, replication, and future reference.
• These reports hold researchers accountable for their work. They provide a
transparent record of the study, allowing others to assess the validity and
reliability of the research.
• These often influence policy decisions, business strategies, and practical
applications. For instance, medical research informs healthcare practices, while
market research guides business decisions.
Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 27
Limitations of Research report
• Research reports can be influenced by the researcher’s biases,
preferences, or the funder’s interests. It’s essential to assess the
methodology critically.
• Findings in research reports may not always be directly applicable to
other contexts or populations.
• Certain research reports are not available to everyone due to several
barriers, making it hard for people to access important information.
• The process of conducting research, writing a report, and getting it
published can be time-consuming.

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 28

Citation and referencing
• Referencing and citation is the process of acknowledging the sources
you have used when writing your work. Correct referencing and
citation also allows the reader of your work to easily identify those
sources used in your work and to follow up on them if necessary.
• In-text citations are the short citations you include in the written text
that help a reader understand which sources you are quoting or
referring to in your writing e.g. (McEwan, 2022) or (1).
• References are the full details of the source you have cited in your
writing.

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 29

Citation and Citation Style:
• A citation is a way of giving credit to individuals for their creative and
intellectual works that you utilized to support your research. It can
also be used to locate particular sources and combat plagiarism.
Typically, a citation can include the author's name, date, location of the
publishing company, journal title, or DOI (Digital Object Identifier).
• A citation style dictates the information necessary for a citation and
how the information is ordered, as well as punctuation and other
formatting.

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 30

Different Citation Style:

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 31

APA Citation Example:

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 32

Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 33
Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 34
Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 35
Reporting writing Prepared by, Prof. Deepika V, Associate Professor 36