Format of research report

1. FORMAT OF RESEARCH REPORT
By
R.Ramadoss
M.Phil Research Scholar,
PG & Research Department of Commerce
Jamal Mohamed College,Trichy-20

2. Research Reports
 "Research reports are detailed and accurate
accounts of the conduct of disciplined studies
accomplished to solve problems or to reveal new
knowledge." (Busha and Harter, 1988).
 Research reports must be complete, well
organized and carefully drafted if their contents
are to contribute to fields in which the research
efforts are made. This is an essential means of
communication to the peers in the field to judge
the value of the research work done.

3. Types of Research Report
 There are a variety of research reports. The
audience to whom a research report is
addressed has to be kept in view in the
preparation of a research report.
The research report may be divided into following
types:
 Technical report
 Popular reports
 Interim reports
 Summary report

4.  Technical report:
The technical report is essentially technical in nature
and written in technical language. It also contains
technical appendix for methodological details,
copies of measuring instruments, scale etc.
 Popular report:
The popular report is for audience like
executives/administrators and other non technical
users. Complicated statistical techniques and table
can be used otherwise using graphical and pictorial
representations will be used.

5. Interim report:
When there is a long time lag between data collection and the
presentation of the results. Interim report will be a suitable kind of a
report to present data as and when the phase of the project work gets
completed. The interim report contains a narration of what has been
done so far and what was the outcome. It presents a summary of the
findings of that part if analysis which has been completed.
Summary report:
A summary report is generally prepared for the consumption of the
lay audience. It is written in non-technical, simple language with a
liberal use of pictorial charts. It just contains brief reference to the
objectives of the study and major findings and their implications.

6. Steps in writing research
report
After the data analysis is over, report writing
cannot be started abruptly. It requires careful
pre-planning. The planning process involves
the following consolidations and steps:
 The target audience ( Public/ Children/
Scientists etc.)
 The communication characteristics of the
audience ( Level of Knowledge).
 The intended purpose of the report ( Award of
Degree/Project/Diploma etc.)

7.  The type and scope of report (M.Phil/
Ph.D/Scope and Limitations)
 The style of reporting ( simple/ Clear)
 The format of the report ( always varies
according to the type of report)
 Outline of the contents ( what to cover and what
not)
 Style of writing
 Proper footnotes and bibliography

8. Format of research report
 A research report has a number of clearly
defined sections. While the headings of the
sections and the order may vary from one
situation to another, the following is
suggested as a broad sequence of contents of
research report.
(i) Preliminary items:
 Title Page
 Researcher’s declaration
 The certificate of the research supervisor.

9.  Acknowledgements
 Table of contents
 List of tables
 List of graphs and charts
 Abstract of Synopsis
 Dedication page
( ii) Body of the report:
1. Introduction
Theoretical background of the topic.
Statement of the problem
Review of literature

10. The objectives of the study
Hypotheses to be tested.
Definitions of the concepts
Models, if any.
Chapterization
2. The design of the study:
Methodology
Overall typology
Methods of data collection
Source of data
Sample plane
Data collection techniques
Data processing and analysis plan
An overview of the report
Limitations of the study.

11. 3. Results
Findings
Discussion
4. Summary
Conclusions and Recommendations
(iii)Terminal items:
 Bibliography
 Appendix
 Copies of data collection instruments
 Technical details on sampling plan
 Complex tables
 Glossary of new terms used in the report.

12. ThankYou