CHAPTER 7.

REPORTING AND SHARING OF RESEARCH OUTPUTS

Drawing Conclusions
In technical or academic writing, a well-crafted conclusion can provide the final word on the value of our analysis, research
or paper. You should complete your conclusion with conviction.
Conclusions show readers the value of your completely developed argument or thesis. It is not a summary of your work,
but a listing of major outcomes derived from the study. Therefore, do not state what has been done in your work, instead bring out
the outcome of the results and discussions in terms of statements. Your conclusion is the answer to the main problem of the study.
Many times, the abstract and conclusions are preferred for a quick assessment of the usefulness of the paper by the
readers. Hence, these sections must be written with utmost importance. A well-written conclusion provides you with important
opportunities to demonstrate to the reader your understanding of the research problem.
1. Present the last word on the issues or gaps raised in your paper. Just as the introduction gives a first impression to your
reader, the conclusion offers a chance to leave a lasting impression. You can do this by highlighting key points in your
analysis or results or by noting important or unexpected implications applied to practice.
2. Summarize your thoughts and convey the larger significance of your study. The conclusion is an opportunity to concisely
answer the “So what?” question by placing the study within the context of past research about the topic you have
investigated.
3. Identify how a gap in the literature has been addressed. The conclusion can be where you describe how a previously
identified gap in the literature (described in your literature review section) has been filled by your research.
4. Demonstrate the importance of your ideas. The conclusion offers you the opportunity to elaborate on the impact and
significance of your findings.
5. Introduce possible new or expanded ways of thinking about the research problem. This does not refer to introducing new
information (which should be avoided), but to offer new insights and creative approaches for framing or contextualizing the
research problem based on the results of your study.

In writing the conclusion of your paper, the following general rules are suggested:
a. State your conclusions clearly in simple language. State how your findings differ or support those of others and why.
b. Do not simply reiterate your results or the discussion of your results. Provide a synthesis of arguments presented in
the paper to show how these converge to address the research problem and the over all objectives of your study.
c. Indicate opportunities for future research if you haven’t already done so in the discussion section of your paper.
Highlighting the need for further research provides the reader with evidence that you have an in-depth awareness of
the research problem.
The purpose of your paper’s conclusion is to restate the main argument. It reminds the reader of the strengths of your main
argument(s) and reiterates the most important evidence supporting those arguments. Consider the following points to help ensure
your conclusion is appropriate:
1. If the argument or purpose of your paper is complex, you may need to summarize the argument for your reader.
2. If, prior to your conclusion, you have not yet explained the significance of your findings or if you are proceeding inductively,
use the end of your paper to describe your main points and explain their significance.
3. Move from a detailed to a general level of consideration that returns the topic to the context provided by the introduction or
within a new context that emerges from the data.
The conclusion also provides a place for you to convincingly and briefly state restate your research problem, given that the
reader has now been presented with all the information about the topic. With the discipline you are writing in, the concluding
paragraph may include your reflections on the evidence presented, or on the essay’s central research problem.
Formulating the Recommendations of the Study
In preparing this part of your paper, remember that in making your recommendations, you must show how your results
support them. A recommendation for a preferred alternative should include:
a. Specific statements on what should be done the steps required to implement the policy, and the resources needed.
b. Discussion of the benefits to the organization and what problems would be corrected or avoided.
c. Discussion of the feasibility of the proposed policy, and
d. General statements about the nature and timing of an evaluation plan that would be used to determine the effectiveness of
the proposed policy.
For further research, this is now the opportunity to present and discuss the actions that future researchers should take as a
result of your study. A well-thought set of recommendations makes it more likely that the organization will take your
recommendations seriously. Ideally, you should be able to make a formal recommendation regarding the alternative that is best
supported by the study. Present and discuss the kinds of additional research suggested by your study. If the preferred alternative is
implemented, identify additional researchers that might be needed.
Finalizing the Research Draft/Report
 A research paper presents the results of your investigations on a selected topic. Based on your own thoughts and facts
and ideas you have gathered from a variety of sources, a research paper is a creation that is uniquely yours. You experience of
gathering, interpreting, and documenting information, developing and organizing ideas and conclusions, and communicating them
clearly will prove to be an important and satisfying part of your learning.
Putting the finishing touches on your research paper is one of the most essential parts of writing a successful paper. It is
those final steps you take that really make the difference between an ordinary paper and an excellent one. Below are some tips in
finalizing your best paper.
Tips in finalizing your best paper
1. Proofreading – Even though it is tempting to do your own proofreading, you will see your own mistakes and not notice
them. It is always better to have someone who is an expert to do the proofreading for you. That you could be a
professional proofreader, a teacher, your research adviser, a writer, or someone with a vast experience in editing or
proofreading.
2. 2. Formatting – In finalizing your written research report, formatting is essential. You have to check your output by making
sure that all formatting requirements are being met. This includes margins, line spacing, page numbering, and the like.
3. Style – style is important in writing your research output. It includes a complete references and proper citation with a
required format like the APA, abstract and appendices, an making sure that you have not written in the first person. A good
writing style is imposed in the revision process, and it gives the overall clarity, conciseness, and coherence of the paper.
To make the paper more appealing to the reader and increase its appearance, organize each section in paragraphs. Vary
the paragraph length to slightly break the monotony and break up those that are too long. Simple sentence structure
promotes clarity and readability. Compound sentences are fine, as long as they are straightforward and not too long, and
can be useful to provide variety and define relationship between ideas. Style also includes the use of the correct size and
style of font in your paper.
4. Time – in writing your final paper or research design, you need ample time for revisions. Based on the observations,
students make the mistakes by writing it to the last minute, which means they are really short of time to do adequate
revisions. When you make your time schedule for writing your paper, allow a day or two or more for revisions. It is hard to
foresee problems you will encounter that need to be fixed.
5. Length – length of paper should meet the guidelines in writing your final research output that the researchers/students
should consider. If the directions given have specified 2500 or 4000 words, make sure you do not sell yourself short with a
paper that has only 2000 words. There is still a lot to write in those extra 500 words. At the same time, do not be so
verbose that your paper is pushing 5000 words.
Revising and Editing Research Draft and Preparing the Final Research Paper
Editing is the process of improving words and phrases to perfect your research paper. Like revision, it requires you to
rewrite, but editing means making small or subtle changes to improve the language and usage, rather than making a substantial
changes in the content. It involves finding ways to improve your research paper by stating things more clearly and descriptively, by
deleting irrelevant material, by calling on your vocabulary and by changing word choices to avoid repetition. I also means catching
and correcting run-on and incomplete sentences, as well as other errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Tips in revising your Research Paper
a. Avoid any informational gaps.
b. Read your paper aloud or have someone else read it. (Is it interesting, coherent, organized?)
c. Acknowledge sources used
d. Check for logical progression of arguments, consistency of tone and expression, and the development of ideas.
Tips in editing your paper
a. Check your grammar, spelling, punctuation, and typographical errors.
b. Rewrite unclear statements
c. Avoid using irrelevant words and sentences.
d. Beware of using sexist language.
e. Use appropriate words.
Tips in Proofreading your research paper
a. Reread your paper a number of times to look for errors, check for content, check for flow, etc. or ask someone else to read
your paper to check for form and content.
b. Make sure all documentations are correct and present where needed.
c. Make sure you have avoided plagiarism.
d. Make sure you have followed the requirements and guidelines for format.
Tips in preparing the final research paper or draft
a. Develop a title page according to your required style format.
b. Keep your paper neat and complete.
c. Make sure your pages are in order.
 d. Meet all the requirements in writing your final paper.
e. Save all you final draft on your computer of jump drive for future references.
f. Keep all of your notes and bibliography.
g. Put aside a copy of your final paper.
h. Submit your paper on time.
i. Congratulate yourself for a job well done!
Key components of a final research paper or article
Title – writing a research paper title may seem a simple task, but it requires some serious thought. Readers come across research
paper titles in searches through the databases and reference sections of research papers. They deduce what a paper is about and
its relevance to them based on the tile. Title may include information regarding the focus of the research, population or target
audience being studied, and study design. Considering this, it is clear that the title of your paper is the most important determinant
of how many people will read it.
Abstract - An abstract provides the reader with a brief description of the overall research, how it was done, statistical techniques
employed, key results, and relevant implications or recommendations with keywords used in the study.
Introduction – The introduction is the first paragraph of a written research paper, or the first thing people see or read in a research
work. This section contains information about why you are doing the research paper on the topic, how the study affects the intended
reader in some poignant and tangible way in his/her field of expertise and elaborates on the content mentioned in the abstract and
provides a better idea of what to anticipate in the manuscript. The introduction provides a concise presentation of previously
published literature, thus, offering a purpose/objective or rationale of the study. It also explains the potential benefits of your study
and how your research adds to the scientific evidence. It concludes with a statement of the feasibility of your proposed research in
terms of access to subjects, as well as overall timeframe allotted to complete the study.
Review of Related Literature – The purpose of the literature review is to describe past important research and it relates it
specifically to the research problem. It should be a synthesis of the previous literature and the new idea being researched. The
review should examine the major theories related to the topic to date and their contributors. It should include all relevant findings
from credible sources, such as academic books and peer-reviewed journal articles.
It is very important to note that your review should not be simply a description of what others have published in the form of a set of
summaries, but should take the form of a critical discussion, showing insights and an awareness of differing arguments, theories
and approaches. It should be a synthesis and analysis of the relevant published work, linked at all times to your own purpose and
rationale.
Research Methodology – this component of your paper provides significant information on the type of research methods and
designs used to conduct the study. This section should also contain the description of sampling design and technique in selecting
the participants of the study. It also includes the data collection method, procedures and instruments employed in the study.
Measurement of variables is also stated in this part of the paper.
Quantitative data contain information that are quantifiable and are analyzed using statistical tests to determine if the results
happened by chance. Two types of statistical analyses are used: descriptive and inferential. Descriptive statistics is used to
describe the basic features of the study data and provides simple summaries about the sample and measures. With inferential
statistics, researchers reach conclusions that extend beyond the immediate data alone. Thus, thy use inferential statistics to make
inferences from the data to more general conditions.
Results and Discussions – this section presents the reader with the researcher’s data and results of statistical analyses described in
the method section. Thus, this section must align closely with the methods section and the research problems or objectives of the
study.
The discussion part explains the meaning, interpretation, analysis and implication of the result or findings of the study. The
summary of the main results and findings are presented using tabular, textual, or graphical presentation for easy understanding of
the readers. Important limitations (such as the use of a non-random sample, the absence of a control group, and short duration of
the intervention) should be discussed. Researchers should discuss how each limitation can impact on the applicability and use of
study results. This section also presents recommendations on ways the study could help other related situations. Theories and
other research studies are cited to support or contradict the results and findings of the study.
Conclusion – the last paragraph in your paper, intended to help the reader understand why your research should matter to them
after they have finished reading the paper. A conclusion is not merely a summary of the main topics covered or a re-statement of
your research problem but a synthesis of key points, and if applicable, where you recommend new areas for future researches.
Complete your conclusion with conviction!
Reference/Bibliography – The research paper is not complete without the list of references. This section should be an alphabetized
list of all the academic sources of information utilized in the paper. The formal of the references will match the format and style used
in the paper. Common formats include APA, MLA, Harvard and so forth.
Guidelines for Best Quantitative Research Paper
1. Research and theoretical framing – the research paper presents a well-articulated research inquiry/objective(s) and /or
well-formulated research questions. It has appropriate and adequate literature review beyond mere enumeration of
 references but with good synthesis and critical analysis that lead to the establishment of a sound theoretical framework.
The required concepts and jargon are introduced sensibly and clearly.
2. Research Context, methodology, and analysis – there is a clear and precise description of the empirical context like the
background information of the empirical study and sampling of the respondents or subjects. Matching of research inquiry
or theoretical framing and the methodology employed are clearly and appropriately established with a quality of analysis in
its entirety.
3. Discussion and conclusion – an in-depth interpretation and analysis from the research findings and prior literature are
presented. There is a provision of novel insights and expositions that widen, refined, or challenged the theoretical
constructs. Continuing and significant research agenda or improved adaptable and scalable professional practices are
promoted. Limitations are well-articulated in the research study.
4. Presentation – there is an evidence of readability, coherence, effective organization and presentation of concepts, facts,
expositions, figures, tables, and graphs or illustrations. The use of clear, concise and comprehensible language is also
apparent in the writing of the research study.
Preparing for the Oral Presentation of the Research Report
1. Timing – Find out how long your presentation should be. As you decide the content to present, keep in mind that a ten-
minute presentation is very different from a 60-minute lecture. If you only have ten minutes, you’ll need to focus on the
most vital points. Time yourself in giving your talk, and make cuts if you need to. It is fine to end a bit early rather than
overtime because overtime shows your lack of preparation on your part.
2. Audience – know the sort of audience who will listen to your presentation. Experts have different understanding of your
presentation compared to the general audience. You may be able to use certain technical terms without defining them, but
always beware of jargon and acronyms. With a general audience, you need to ask yourself what they should know about
our study. Terms should be defined if unfamiliar to them, and make an effort to explain the significance of your research for
them to understand.
3. Content – usually you think you need to explain every single thing you know or be perceived as knowing too little.
Presenting your research study is a great opportunity to think about the big picture rather than focusing on details. This
can be hard if you are immersed in the details of your research study. Instead, identify the most interesting or compelling
things you have learned in your study and the important points you want to convey to the audience or participants that you
want them to remember.
4. Organization – in your presentation, have a beginning, middle and end of your talk. You need to introduce yourself and
present the rationale, research problems or objectives of the study, theoretical framework (if needed), research
methodology, results/findings, with your analysis and implications of the study and conclusion.
5. PowerPoint – you should consider PowerPoint as useful instrument in presenting your research study. You can use it to
integrate images into your presentation, to emphasize important points and to guide your audience in following your
argument. You should not use it for anything else. This means that you should follow some guidelines or tips to have a
successful oral presentation.
6. Tone – it is best to approach your oral presentation as a formal occasion. Treat your audience and your topic with respect.
Even if you know everyone in the room, introduce yourself. Never address your audience as “you guys”. Dress neatly with
a business attire. Most of all, share your enthusiasm for your subject.
7. Practice - practice speaking slowly and clearly. If you want to emphasize an important point, repeat it. You do not have to
read your research study presentation. In fact, you should avoid doing so. But you should speak in a well modulated voice
and have an eye contact with the audience. Time yourself and make cuts if you need to then practice again.
Tips in Making your PowerPoint for Oral Presentation
a. Less is better - keep in mind throughout all aspects of creating a PowerPoint you are presenting. Many designs and
animations are available when creating a PowerPoint. However, just because they exist, does not mean they should be
used. Overwhelmingly, the research shows that the audience is easily distracted by flashing and flying lines of texts, bright
colors and unnecessary sounds.
b. Use a consistent and simple slide format – use a design template to ensure that all slides are consistent in terms of font,
color, theme, background and style. Changes in the basic slide design within the same presentation are distracting.
c. Make sure the font is easy to read and consistent throughout - simple font with a minimum size of 30 points is common
recommendation for PowerPoint presentations.
d. Emphasize keywords through the use of bold face, italicized or underlined words.
e. Minimize text – it is recommended that each slide contain between 3 – 7 bullet points with 3 – 7 words per point. Do not
use complete sentences. If the slide contains too much text, the audience will spend time reading and not listening.
Presenters may also be tempted to simple read the PowerPoint slide, greatly reducing the effectiveness of the
presentation. The PowerPoint is meant to be a guide, with the presenter filling in the majority of the content and the details.
f. Present one bullet point at a time to keep the audience focused.
g. Use consistent slide transition – flashy transitions do not add educational value and again, can be distracting.
h. Use relevant images, tables, graphs, charts and videos in a simple format to reinforce the concept – keep text to a
minimum or use no text on these slides. The presenter should provide the information and explanation of these slides.