What is a Research Report?

A research report is a well-crafted document that outlines the processes, data,

and findings of a systematic investigation. It is an important document that
serves as a first-hand account of the research process, and it is typically
considered an objective and accurate source of information.

In many ways, a research report can be considered as a summary of the research

process that clearly highlights findings, recommendations, and other important
details. Reading a well-written research report should provide you with all the
information you need about the core areas of the research process.

Features of a Research Report

So how do you recognize a research report when you see one? Here are some of
the basic features that define a research report.

 It is a detailed presentation of research processes and findings, and it

usually includes tables and graphs.
 It is written in a formal language.
 A research report is usually written in the third person.
 It is informative and based on first-hand verifiable information.
 It is formally structured with headings, sections, and bullet points.
 It always includes recommendations for future actions.

Nature of Research

 Qualitative Research Report

This is the type of report written for qualitative research. It outlines the
methods, processes, and findings of a qualitative method of systematic
investigation. In educational research, a qualitative research report provides an
opportunity for one to apply his or her knowledge and develop skills in planning
and executing qualitative research projects.

A qualitative research report is usually descriptive in nature. Hence, in addition

to presenting details of the research process, you must also create a descriptive
narrative of the information.

 Quantitative Research Report

A quantitative research report is a type of research report that is written for

quantitative research. Quantitative research is a type of systematic investigation
that pays attention to numerical or statistical values in a bid to find answers to
research questions.

In this type of research report, the researcher presents quantitative data to

support the research process and findings. Unlike a qualitative research report
that is mainly descriptive, a quantitative research report works with numbers;
that is, it is numerical in nature.

Structure and Example of a Research Report

 Title

This is the title of your systematic investigation. Your title should be concise
and point to the aims, objectives, and findings of a research report.

 Table of Contents

This is like a compass that makes it easier for readers to navigate the research
report.

 Abstract

An abstract is an overview that highlights all important aspects of the research

including the research method, data collection process, and research findings.
Think of an abstract as a summary of your research report that presents
pertinent information in a concise manner.

An abstract is always brief; typically 100-150 words and goes straight to the
point. The focus of your research abstract should be the 5Ws and 1H format –
What, Where, Why, When, Who and How.

 Introduction

Here, the researcher highlights the aims and objectives of the systematic
investigation as well as the problem which the systematic investigation sets out
to solve. When writing the report introduction, it is also essential to indicate
whether the purposes of the research were achieved or would require more
work.

In the introduction section, the researcher specifies the research problem and
also outlines the significance of the systematic investigation. Also, the
researcher is expected to outline any jargons and terminologies that are
contained in the research.
  Literature Review

A literature review is a written survey of existing knowledge in the field of

study. In other words, it is the section where you provide an overview and
analysis of different research works that are relevant to your systematic
investigation.

It highlights existing research knowledge and areas needing further

investigation, which your research has sought to fill. At this stage, you can also
hint at your research hypothesis and its possible implications for the existing
body of knowledge in your field of study.

 An Account of Investigation

This is a detailed account of the research process, including the methodology,

sample, and research subjects. Here, you are expected to provide in-depth
information on the research process including the data collection and analysis
procedures.

In a quantitative research report, you’d need to provide information surveys,

questionnaires and other quantitative data collection methods used in your
research. In a qualitative research report, you are expected to describe the
qualitative data collection methods used in your research including interviews
and focus groups.

 Findings

In this section, you are expected to present the results of the systematic
investigation.

 Discussion

This section further explains the findings of the research, earlier outlined. Here,
you are expected to present a justification for each outcome and show whether
the results are in line with your hypotheses or if other research studies have
come up with similar results.

 Conclusions

This is a summary of all the information in the report. It also outlines the
significance of the entire study.

 References and Appendices

This section contains a list of all the primary and secondary research sources.
What is an appendix in a research paper?
In the main body of your research paper, it’s important to provide clear and
concise information that supports your argument and conclusions. However,
after doing all that research, you’ll often find that you have a lot of other
interesting information that you want to share with your reader.

While including it all in the body would make your paper too long and
unwieldy, this is exactly what an appendix is for.

As a rule of thumb, any detailed information that is not immediately needed to

make your point can go in an appendix. This helps to keep your main text
focused but still allows you to include the information you want to include
somewhere in your paper.

What to include in an appendix

An appendix can be used for different types of information, such as:

 Supplementary results: Research findings are often presented in

different ways, but they don’t all need to go in your paper. The results
most relevant to your research question should always appear in the main
text, while less significant results (such as detailed descriptions of your
sample or supplemental analyses that do not help answer your main
question), can be put in an appendix.
 Statistical analyses: If you conducted statistical tests using software like
Stata or R, you may also want to include the outputs of your analysis in
an appendix.
 Further information on surveys or interviews: Written materials
or transcripts related to things such as surveys and interviews can also be
placed in an appendix.

How to format an appendix

You can opt to have one long appendix, but separating components (like
interview transcripts, supplementary results, or surveys) into different
appendices makes the information simpler to navigate.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

 Always start each appendix on a new page.

 Assign it both a number (or letter) and a clear title, such as “Appendix A.
Interview transcripts.” This makes it easier for your reader to find the
appendix, as well as for you to refer back to it in your main text.
  Number and title the individual elements within each appendix (e.g.,
“Transcripts”) to make it clear what you are referring to. Restart the
numbering in each appendix at 1.

Other components to consider

There are a few other supplementary components related to appendices that you
may want to consider. These include:

 List of abbreviations: If you use a lot of abbreviations or field-specific

symbols in your dissertation, it can be helpful to create a list of
abbreviations.
 Glossary: If you utilize many specialized or technical terms, it can also
be helpful to create a glossary.
 Tables, figures and other graphics: You may find you have too many
tables, figures, and other graphics (such as charts and illustrations) to
include in the main body of your dissertation. If this is the case, consider
adding a figure and table list.

Presenting tables and graphs in a research report effectively enhances

readability and understanding for your audience. Here are some appropriate
ways to present tables and graphs:

Tables:

1. Title and Numbering: Each table should have a clear and concise title
that explains its content. Number tables sequentially (e.g., Table 1, Table
2) for easy reference in the text.
2. Headings and Footnotes: Use column and row headings to label the data
clearly. Include footnotes to explain abbreviations, define symbols, or
provide additional context.
3. Consistency: Maintain consistent formatting throughout the table,
including units of measurement, decimal places, and alignment of
numbers.
4. Simplicity: Avoid overly complex tables. Use subheadings or split large
tables into smaller ones if needed for clarity.
5. Emphasis: Use formatting (like bold or italics) sparingly to emphasize
important data points or headings.

Graphs:

1. Choosing the Right Type: Select a graph type (e.g., bar, line, pie) that
best represents your data and supports your message.
 2. Title and Axis Labels: Provide a descriptive title that summarizes the
graph's content. Label the x-axis and y-axis clearly, including units of
measurement.
3. Data Points and Legends: Clearly distinguish data points, series, or
groups using different colors, markers, or patterns. Include a legend if
there are multiple datasets.
4. Scales and Gridlines: Ensure scales on axes are appropriate and easily
readable. Use gridlines sparingly to assist in reading data points.
5. Annotations: Use text boxes, arrows, or labels to annotate specific data
points or trends if necessary, but avoid cluttering the graph.

General Tips:

 Clarity: Aim for clarity and simplicity in both tables and graphs. Your
audience should be able to understand the information quickly without
confusion.
 Integration with Text: Reference each table and graph in the main text
before they appear. Explain key findings or trends observed in the data
presented.
 Consistent Style: Maintain a consistent style throughout your report in
terms of font size, colors, and formatting to enhance visual appeal and
professionalism.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that tables and graphs in your
research report are not only informative but also visually appealing and easy to
interpret for your readers.