Research Method

Chapter 10
Research Report Writing

By: Dr. Abdul Sattar Al-Azzawi

 Chp10 : LEARNING OUTCOMES

After studying this chapter, you should be able to:

• Prepare and present a report that matches with the type of audience for which it is intended

• Describe the characteristics of a well-written report

• Know the content of research report

• Comprehend the integral part of a report

• Prepare and present an oral report

10.0 Introduction

A research report presentation consists of the written

report and oral presentation.

• No Form of organization. • Organized into classes.

• Preferred when collecting da • Preferred when analyzing data.
• Less accurate when determining measures. • Highly accurate when determining measures.
• Lists are used in this data type. • Frequency tables are used in this data type.
• No form of summarization. • Summarized in frequency distribution.
10.1 The Written Report

The written report communicates the results and findings of the

research effort that has been carried out by the researcher to those
that instructed it to be done as well as other interested parties.
10.1.1 Purpose

• Research report serves varying or different purposes

• The purpose of a research dictates its structure

• The report should have a narrow focus

• The purpose of the report determines how the report should be written
10.1.2 Audience

One rule of thumb to match the written report with the audience is the more general the
audience, the more general the content should be and the looser the format.
 10.1.3 Characteristics of a Well-written Report

Basic features of a well-written research report

• Clarity: The report is clearly written without any ambiguity.

• Concise: The report is short or compressed in order to be brief, but at

the same time clearly written or stated using as few words as possible to
give the necessary information.
 10.1.3 Characteristics of a Well-written Report (cont.)

Coherent: Paragraphs are organized meaningfully with a smooth and logical transition
from one topic to the next
Typo free: Grammatical and spelling errors should be avoided
Apt choice of words: Appropriate use of words throughout the report and should be free
of technical jargon if at all possible
Neat and organized: Easily readable, use of proper headings and sub-headings so that
the report is properly organised in a logical manner facilitating the transition of paragraphs;
sentences are properly spaced for a neat appearance
 10.1.4 Contents of a Research Report

• First and foremost is obviously the title. A research report must have a title
that sufficiently reflects the content of the study.
• Following this is the abstract (for a full thesis), executive summary (for applied
research) or synopsis (for basic research).
• Next is the table of content. It is common to have words of dedication and/or
acknowledgement written before the table of content in a full thesis, but not
necessarily so in a business report.
 10.2 Integral Part of the Report

• The title page

• The executive summary/synopsis
• Acknowledgements
• Table of contents
• Lists of tables, figures, etc.
10.2 Integral Part of the Report (cont.)

• Introduction
• Literature review
• Methodology
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• References/Bibliography
• Appendices
10.3 Oral Presentation

Most organizations require the researcher to present the research findings

(besides the written report) to a panel of selected individuals who are
experts in the area related to the research.
10.3 Oral Presentation (cont.)

An oral presentation is more of an opportunity rather than a threat as it will

enable the researcher to portray their strengths and defend or justify their
weaknesses.
Pointers in Delivering a Good Oral Presentation

• Note the time limit

• Plan your presentation properly
• The content of your presentation
• Use your creative skills
• Before the presentation
• During the presentation
• After the presentation
Questions ?

End of Chapter 10