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Concepts in Research 5
Concepts in Research 5
Once a researcher arrives at a stage that a result is obtained, the next step
is to present the research results and these results are can be reported is
three different ways. These are:
Written research reports
Oral Presentation
Poster presentation
Poster presentation is a combination of both written and oral presentation.
Let us now consider the structure of a typical report. Most reports will
have something like the following sections:
1. Title
2. Abstract
3. Contents (optional, especially for small writings)
4. Introduction
5. The main body of the report
6. Conclusion
7. Acknowledgments (optional, though you can find it in most of the
writings)
8. References
The first four sections should be designed to lead the reader gently into
the main body of your report. We should include a statement of what we
want to achieve, and a summary of our conclusions. These sections should
give the readers a sense of direction; readers do not want to go on a
journey with no idea of where they are going. A brief description of these
sections are given as follows.
1. Title:- This should be informative (not, for example ’On a theorem in
analysis’). It summarizes the main focus or idea of the research in a
simple way as much as possible. It should be clear, concise and
identify the major variables or theoretical issues to considered in the
study so that it is informative.
The abstract enables the reader to decide whether or not they want to
read further; once they have decided to continue reading, the introduction
is taken as an agreed starting point for the rest of the report.
The introduction tells the reader:
what the topic of the report is in general terms,
why the topic is important,
what to expect in the report.
The references are just as important as any other part of your paper.
References are the empirical support for claims in a paper that are not
directly observed in the research.
They are needed for researchers to remain empirical in their
descriptions of topics.
They link the paper to the community of scholars, permitting readers
to assess the worthiness claims in a paper.
Make the research process much more efficient because they make it
very easy to look up sources of facts and ideas.
Arrive early and make sure the room is set out in the way that you
want.
Make sure that all the equipment is available and that you know how
to work it.
Try to relax and breathe deeply. Acknowledge that this is your first
presentation and people will tend to help you along.
Produce aide memoirs, either on cards, paper, Over Head Projector
transparencies or presentation software such as Power Point.
Make it clear from the outset whether you are happy to be
interrupted or whether questions should be left for the end.
If you have invited questions, make sure you make every effort to
answer them.
Reporting Research Results September 24, 2020 17 / 20
THE ORAL PRESENTATION ... THE DOS OF AN ORAL
PRESENTATION
Look around the room while you are speaking if its a small group,
make eye-contact with as many people as possible.
Present interesting visual information such as graphs, charts and
tables in a format which can be viewed by everyone. This could be
OHP transparencies, slides, PowerPoint or handouts.
Alter the tone and pitch of your voice, length of sentence and facial/
hand gestures to maintain audience interest.
Show that you are interested in your subject.
Produce a paper or handout which people can take away with them.
Talk to people after your presentation and ask them how it went,
whether there are any improvements they might suggest for future
presentations.
Reporting Research Results September 24, 2020 18 / 20
The Oral Presentation: ... THE DON’TS OF AN ORAL
PRESENTATION
Rush in late, find that the overhead projector doesnt work and that
you have no pen for the white board.
Worry about showing your nerves.
By the way, almost everybody gets nervous when they first start
giving presentations and your audience should know this.
Read straight from a paper you have written.
Get cross if you are interrupted and have not mentioned that you
don’t want this to happen.
Invite questions and then do not answer them or patronize the
inquirer.