UNIT IV- REPORT

PREPARATION
BY: MS. TRIPTA RANI
 MEANING OF INTERPRETATION

• Interpretation refers to the task of drawing inferences from the collected facts after an analytical
and/or experimental study.
• In fact, it is a search for broader meaning of research findings.
• The task of interpretation has two major aspects viz.,
• (i) the effort to establish continuity in research through linking the results of a given study with those of
another, and
• (ii) the establishment of some explanatory concepts.

• “In one sense, interpretation is concerned with relationships within the collected data, partially
overlapping analysis.
• Interpretation also extends beyond the data of the study to include the results of other research,
theory and hypotheses.”
• Thus, interpretation is the device through which the factors that seem to explain what has been
observed by researcher in the course of the study can be better understood and it also provides a
theoretical conception which can serve as a guide for further researches.
 WHY INTERPRETATION?
• usefulness and utility of research findings lie in proper interpretation.
• researcher can link up his findings with those of other studies, having the same abstract
principle, and thereby can predict about the concrete world of events.
• establishment of explanatory concepts that can serve as a guide for future research
studies;
• it opens new avenues of intellectual adventure and stimulates the quest for more
knowledge.
• Researcher can better appreciate only through interpretation why his findings are what
they are and can make others to understand the real significance of his research findings.
• The interpretation of the findings of exploratory research study often results into
hypotheses for experimental research and as such interpretation is involved in the
transition from exploratory to experimental research.
 TECHNIQUE OF INTERPRETATION

• Reasonable explanations of the relations for generalization of findings

• Extraneous information must be considered
• Consult or take advice from expert
• Considering all relevant factors affecting the problem to avoid false generalization
before finalizing the task of interpretation.
 REPORT WRITING

• “even the greatest and most brilliant work needs to be presented in a way
which is received and comprehended well by readers and the audience”
• Report writing and presentation is the last, but most critical, aspect of any business
research.
• The report forms the only means of communicating the strength of the research and
showcasing the potential of its findings.
• Example: SEBI investor survey 2015 report https://www.sebi.gov.in/reports/investor-
survey/apr-2017/sebi-investor-survey-2015_34539.html
 SIGNIFICANCE OF REPORT WRITING
• Research task remains incomplete till the report has been presented and/or written.
• Research is not well served unless the findings are made known to others.
• Some of the reasons because of which reports are considered such an important element of
research are listed as follows:
• Research reports are the only tangible outcome of any research.
• It serve as a reference document for others to use the findings of the research.
• Research reports are the guiding document on the basis of which management decisions are
taken.
• The report also acts as the historical record of the research undertaken.
 DIFFERENT STEPS IN WRITING REPORT

writing the final

draft
preparation of
the final
rewriting and bibliography
polishing
preparation of
the rough draft
preparation of
the final
Logical outline
analysis of the
subject-matter
 DIFFERENT STEPS IN WRITING REPORT

1) Logical analysis of the subject matter: it is primary concerned with the development
of a subject
• A) logically- made on the basis of mental connections and associations between one thing and
another by means of analysis
• B) chronologically- based on a connection or sequence in time or occurrence.
2) Preparation of the final outline: “outlines are the framework upon which long written works are
constructed. They are an aid to the logical organization of the material and a reminder of the points to
be stressed in the report.
3) Preparation of the rough draft: Such a step is of utmost importance for the researcher now sits to
write down what he has done in the context of his research study. He will write down the procedure
adopted by him in collecting the material for his study along with various limitations faced by him, the
technique of analysis adopted by him, the broad findings and generalizations and the various
suggestions he wants to offer regarding the problem concerned.
 DIFFERENT STEPS IN WRITING REPORT
4) Rewriting and polishing of the rough draft: The careful revision makes the difference
between a mediocre and a good piece of writing. While rewriting and polishing, one should
check the report for weaknesses in logical development or presentation. In addition the
researcher should give due attention to the fact that in his rough draft he has been
consistent or not. He should check the mechanics of writing—grammar, spelling and usage.
5) Preparation of the final bibliography:
• The bibliography, which is generally appended to the research report, is a list of books in some way
pertinent to the research which has been done.
• It should contain all those works which the researcher has consulted.
• The bibliography should be arranged alphabetically and may be divided into two parts; the first
part may contain the names of books and pamphlets, and the second part may contain the names of
magazine and newspaper articles.
• Generally, this pattern of bibliography is considered convenient and satisfactory from the point of
view of reader, though it is not the only way of presenting bibliography.
 DIFFERENT STEPS IN WRITING REPORT
6) Writing the final draft: The final draft should be written in a concise and objective style
and in simple language, avoiding vague expressions such as “it seems”, “there may be”,
and the like ones.
• While writing the final draft, the researcher must avoid abstract terminology and technical
jargon.
• Illustrations and examples based on common experiences must be incorporated in the final
draft as they happen to be most effective in communicating the research findings to others.
• A research report should not be dull, but must enthuse people and maintain interest and must
show originality.

It must be remembered that every report should be an attempt to solve some

intellectual problem and must contribute to the solution of a problem and must add to
the knowledge of both the researcher and the reader.
 LAYOUT OF THE RESEARCH REPORT
(A) Preliminary Pages
• In its preliminary pages the report should carry a title and date, followed by acknowledgements in the form
of ‘Preface’ or ‘Foreword’.
• Then there should be a table of contents followed by list of tables and illustrations so that the decision-maker
or anybody interested in reading the report can easily locate the required information in the report.

(B) Main Text- The main text of the report should have the following sections:
(i) Introduction;
(ii) Statement of findings and recommendations;
(iii) The results;
(iv) The implications drawn from the results; and
(v) The summary.
https://assets.kpmg/content/dam/kpmg/in/pdf/2019/08/india-media-entertainment-report-2019.pdf
 (B) MAIN TEXT- 1) INTRODUCTION
• The purpose of introduction is to introduce the research project to the readers.
• It should contain a clear statement of the objectives of research i.e., enough background should be
given to make clear to the reader why the problem was considered worth investigating.
• The hypotheses of study, if any, and the definitions of the major concepts employed in the study
should be explicitly stated in the introduction of the report.
• The methodology adopted in conducting the study must be fully explained. It should clearly state
the research methods adopted to carry out the research.
• Sampling design which may include selection of sample form the population, sampling methods and
sample size should be given.
• The statistical analysis adopted must also be clearly stated.
• In addition to all this, the scope of the study should be stated and the boundary lines be demarcated.
• The various limitations, under which the research project was completed, must also be narrated.
 (B) MAIN TEXT- (2) & (3)
2) Statement of findings and recommendations
• After introduction, the research report must contain a statement of findings and recommendations in non-technical
language so that it can be easily understood by all concerned. If the findings happen to be extensive, at this point
they should be put in the summarized form.
3) Results
• A detailed presentation of the findings of the study, with supporting data in the form of tables and
charts together with a validation of results, is the next step in writing the main text of the report.
• This generally comprises the main body of the report, extending over several chapters.
• The result section of the report should contain statistical summaries and reductions of the data rather
than the raw data.
• All the results should be presented in logical sequence and splitted into readily identifiable
sections.
• “Nevertheless, it is still necessary that he states clearly the problem with which he was concerned,
the procedure by which he worked on the problem, the conclusions at which he arrived, and the
bases for his conclusions.”
 (B) MAIN TEXT- (4) & (5)
(iv) Implications of the results:
• The implications that flow from the results of the study should be stated, for the general reader is interested in the
implications for understanding the human behaviour.
• Such implications may have three aspects as stated below:
(a) A statement of the inferences drawn from the present study which may be expected to apply in similar circumstances.
(b) The conditions of the present study which may limit the extent of legitimate generalizations of the inferences drawn from
the study.
(c) The relevant questions that still remain unanswered or new questions raised by the study along with suggestions for the
kind of research that would provide answers for them.
• It is considered a good practice to finish the report with a short conclusion which summarises the main points of the study.
• A forecast of the probable future of the subject and an indication of the kind of research which needs to be done in that particular
field is useful and desirable.

(v) Summary:
• It has become customary to conclude the research report with a very brief summary, resting in brief the research
problem, the methodology, the major findings and the major conclusions drawn from the research results.
 (C) END MATTER

• At the end of the report, appendices should be enlisted in respect of all technical
data such as questionnaires, sample information, mathematical derivations and the
like ones.
• Bibliography of sources consulted should also be given. Index (an alphabetical
listing of names, places and topics along with the numbers of the pages in a book or
report on which they are mentioned or discussed) should invariably be given at the
end of the report.
• The value of index lies in the fact that it works as a guide to the reader for the
contents in the report.
 TYPES OF REPORTS
• News items in the daily papers: They represent firsthand on-the scene accounts of the events described or compilations
of interviews with persons who were on the scene. In such reports the first paragraph usually contains the important
information in detail and the succeeding paragraphs contain material which is progressively less and less important.

• Book-reviews which analyze the content of the book and report on the author’s intentions, his success or failure in
achieving his aims, his language, his style, scholarship, bias or his point of view. Such reviews also happen to be a kind
of short report.

• The reports prepared by governmental bureaus, special commissions, and similar other organisations are generally very
comprehensive reports on the issues involved. Such reports are usually considered as important research products.

• Ph.D. theses and dissertations are also a form of report-writing, usually completed by students in academic institutions.

• The above narration throws light on the fact that the results of a research investigation can be presented in a number of
ways viz., a technical report, a popular report, an article, a monograph or at times even in the form of oral presentation.

• Which method(s) of presentation to be used in a particular study depends on the circumstances under which the study
arose and the nature of the results.
 A. TECHNICAL REPORT

• The main emphasis is on

• (i) the methods employed,
• (it) assumptions made in the course of the study,
• (iii) the detailed presentation of the findings including their limitations and supporting data.
• A general outline of a technical report can be as follows:
• 1. Summary of results: A brief review of the main findings just in two or three pages.
• 2. Nature of the study: Description of the general objectives of study, formulation of the
problem in operational terms, the working hypothesis, the type of analysis and data required, etc.
• 3. Methods employed: Specific methods used in the study and their limitations. For instance, in
sampling studies we should give details of sample design viz., sample size, sample selection, etc.
 A. TECHNICAL REPORT
• 4. Data: Discussion of data collected, their sources, characteristics and limitations. If secondary data
are used, their suitability to the problem at hand be fully assessed. In case of a survey, the manner in
which data were collected should be fully described.
• 5. Analysis of data and presentation of findings: The analysis of data and presentation of the
findings of the study with supporting data in the form of tables and charts be fully narrated. This, in
fact, happens to be the main body of the report usually extending over several chapters.
• 6. Conclusions: A detailed summary of the findings and the policy implications drawn from the
results be explained.
• 7. Bibliography: Bibliography of various sources consulted be prepared and attached.
• 8. Technical appendices: Appendices be given for all technical matters relating to questionnaire,
mathematical derivations, elaboration on particular technique of analysis and the like ones.
• 9. Index: Index must be prepared and be given invariably in the report at the end.
• The order presented above only gives a general idea of the nature of a technical report; the order of
presentation may not necessarily be the same in all the technical reports.
 (B) POPULAR REPORT

• It is one which gives emphasis on simplicity and attractiveness.

• The simplification should be sought through clear writing, minimization of
technical, particularly mathematical, details and liberal use of charts and
diagrams.
• Attractive layout along with large print, many subheadings, even an occasional
cartoon now and then is another characteristic feature of the popular report.
• Besides, in such a report emphasis is given on practical aspects and policy
implications.
 A GENERAL OUTLINE OF A POPULAR
REPORT
1. The findings and their implications: Emphasis in the report is given on the findings of most
practical interest and on the implications of these findings.
2. Recommendations for action: Recommendations for action on the basis of the findings of the study
is made in this section of the report.
3. Objective of the study: A general review of how the problem arise is presented along with the
specific objectives of the project under study.
4. Methods employed: A brief and non-technical description of the methods and techniques used,
including a short review of the data on which the study is based, is given in this part of the report.
5. Results: This section constitutes the main body of the report wherein the results of the study are
presented in clear and non-technical terms with liberal use of all sorts of illustrations such as charts,
diagrams and the like ones.
6. Technical appendices: More detailed information on methods used, forms, etc. is presented in the
form of appendices. But the appendices are often not detailed if the report is entirely meant for
general public.
MECHANICS OF WRITING A RESEARCH
REPORT
1. Size and physical design
2. Procedure
3. Layout
4. Treatment of quotations
5. The footnotes:
6. Documentation style
7. Punctuation and abbreviations in footnotes
8. Use of statistics, charts and graphs
9. The final draft
10. Bibliography
11. Preparation of the index
 CITATIONS

• A “citation” is the way you tell your readers that certain material in your work came from
another source. It also gives your readers the information necessary to find the location
details of that source on the reference or Works Cited page.
• A citation must include a set of parentheses. Without a set of parenthesis, one does not
have a proper in-text citation and can risk being charged with plagiarism.
• Why should you cite sources?
• To give credit to the source authors
• To help your audience/reader find out more about your research/arguments/ideas/topic
• To strengthen your work be providing outside support to your ideas
• To keep you from failing a paper, a course or being sued in the real world
 BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES

• BIBLIOGRAPHY- a list of books for further study or of works consulted by an author

• REFERENCE- the use of a source of information in order to ascertain something.
• REFERENCING-When you are writing a piece of work and use someone else's
words or ideas you must reference them.
• This means that you need to include detailed information on all sources consulted, both
within your text (in-text citations) and at the end of your work (reference list or
bibliography).
• Another way to understand referencing is to think of an analogy - when you buy designer
clothes there is usually a label attached to say who made them; this brand identity is like
an author of a book
 JEL CLASSIFICATION

• JEL Classification System / EconLit Subject Descriptors

• The JEL classification system was developed for use in the Journal of Economic Literature (JEL), and
is a standard method of classifying scholarly literature in the field of economics.
• It is used in many of the AEA's published research materials. You will also find it is helpful when
adding classification codes to your own work.
• The system is used to classify articles, dissertations, books, book reviews, and working papers in
EconLit, and in many other applications.
• The JEL is published quarterly by the American Economic Association (AEA) and contains survey
articles and information on recently published books and dissertations.
• The AEA maintains EconLit, a searchable data base of citations for articles, books, reviews,
dissertations, and working papers classified by JEL codes for the years from 1969.
• A recent addition to EconLit is indexing of economics-journal articles from 1886 to 1968 parallel to
the print series Index of Economic Articles.
• For descriptions and examples, you can refer the JEL Codes Guide.
• https://www.aeaweb.org/econlit/jelCodes.php?view=jel
JEL CATEGORIES
 JEL SUBCATEGORIES

• Each JEL primary category has secondary and tertiary subcategories, for example, under
JEL: D – Microeconomics:
• JEL: D1 – Household Behavior and Family Economics
• JEL: D11 – Consumer Economics: Theory

• JEL code (sub)categories, including periodic updates, are referenced at Journal of

Economic Literature (JEL) Classification System.
• Links to definitions of (sub)categories are at JEL Classification Codes Guide with
corresponding examples of article titles linked to publication information, such as
abstracts.
• https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/JELJOUR_Results.cfm?form_name=Jel&code=D02&lim=fals
e&orderBy=ab_approval_date&orderDir=desc&strSelectedOption=6
• https://www.aeaweb.org/econlit/jelCodes.php?view=jel#A
COMPUTER
AND ITS
ROLE IN
RESEARCH
 HOW TO CITE A SOURCE IN MS WORD
1. Click on References tab and then
click on manage sources
2. Select ‘New’ option for entering
New source, if you want to edit
existing source then select ‘Edit’
option.
 HOW TO CITE A SOURCE IN MS WORD
3. Enter the details (available)
of source to the respective
columns and then press OK.
 HOW TO CITE A SOURCE IN MS WORD
4.Type the content in MS word window and put
your curser at the place where you want to cite
the source.
5. Go to reference tab and click on insert
citation under head “citations and bibliography”
6. Select or browse the source which you want
to cite (eg. C R kothari).
7. Your citation is inserted in the document.
HOW TO INSERT BIBLIOGRAPHY IN MS WORD
1. Click on References tab and then
click on Bibliography under head
“Citations and bibliography”
2. Select the preferred style of given
bibliography or click in “INSERT
BIBLIOGRAPHY”.
 PROCESS OF CREATING MACRO IN MS
WORD
1. Click on view tab and then click on Macros
option.
2. Select record macro option if you want to
create new macro.
If u want to run existing macro than select
view macros option.
 PROCESS OF CREATING MACRO IN MS
WORD
3. Give the name of macro which u want to
create (macro 1)
4. Select assigned macro option by clicking
on button or keyboard.
PROCESS OF CREATING MACRO IN MS WORD

• 5. Assign a button or a shortcut key to run the

macro(example F4 or any other key)
• 6. Now you can record the content of the
macro typing in MS word window
7. Once the entire content are typed by you
then click on stop recording.
8. Finally you can run the macro with the help
of button or a shortcut key assigned by you.