Running head: RESEARCH REPORT

Business Research 5910

Individual Work Week Twelve
Research Report
Loraine J Jackson
Everest University

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Research Report

The research report I chose to review is a research report on office ergonomics/injuries.

As an employee that works in an office for 40 hours per week, sometimes more, I feel there are
many individuals who suffer from injuries in the workplace and do not even realize they are
injured. In 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that industries with the highest
MSD rates include health care, transportation and warehousing, retail and wholesale trade and
construction (Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace, 2011). These numbers
indicate the need to research this issue further. The components of a research report include:
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Background
a. Literature review
b. Hypotheses
4. Research methods
5. Results
6. Discussion
a. Implications
b. Limitations
c. Future research
7. Conclusions
8. References
9. Appendices
(Zikmund, Babin, Carr, & Griffin, 2013, p. 619).

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Did the authors include each of the components?

The author did begin with an abstract stating the issue at hand and what is to be
discussed. There was an introduction to the report which explains why the research was done and
what it intended to determine. The introduction included basic authorization and submittal data
as stated in the text (Zikmund, Babin, Carr, & Griffin, 2013, p. 618). There was also relevant
background which indicated that there may be additional data needed at a later date. The report
did include research methods as well as a thorough discussion. The conclusion and references
were also included in the report. There were no charts or graphs used in this report; however,
there were limitations listed in the report. Overall all the components were included in the report.
In what ways was the research report you identified presented differently?
I did notice that the summary I read skirted around the issues and even seemed like the
injuries were not caused by work habits and environment. Another aspect I noticed was the fact
that there were many different injuries and ailments that are present in the workplace and they
also stated that there would be further research. An excerpt from the article states: There is little
scientific evidence on the exact causes of these disorders and the values of many commonly
prescribed interventions. Research is starting but is still very limited (Lorenzi, 1997). They do
admit that this is a huge problem that requires further research, but the way they presented the
information was almost in a condescending manner; that the problem was not a real issue, or that
sitting at a desk for nearly 8 hours a day does not cause upper body musculoskeletal discomfort
and injuries.

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How might this impact the way the report is interpreted?

The manner the information was presented may give readers the feeling that they felt the
problem warranted further research. Additionally it is a problem that impacts many individuals
and the productivity of an organization. The way this data was presented informed readers that
there should be methods to helps lessen muscle fatigue, increases productivity and reduces the
number and severity these ailments. There was much research completed, but still there is
additional research needed in order to confirm these reports of injuries. Overall, the report
indicated to me that there is indeed the need to implement an ergonomic process that can prove
to be effective in reducing the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders in many industries as
including office workers.

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References

Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace. (2011). Retrieved October 3, 2015,

from US Department of Labor/Osha: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/
Lorenzi, N. (1997). Research report explores office ergonomics/injuries. Professional Safety,
42(3), 10. Retrieved October 3, 2015 from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/200423462?accountid=158297
Zikmund, W. G., Babin, B. J., Carr, J. C., & Griffin, M. (2013). Business research methods (9th
ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage Learning. Retrieved October 3, 2015, from
https://everest.vitalsource.com/#/books/9991133473633/pages/192658792