1.3.2. Format for writing a research report

B. Main Body

  1. Introduction

a. Statement of the Problem

b. Significance of the Problem (and historical background)

c. Purpose

d. Statement of Hypothesis

e. Assumptions

f. Limitations

g. Definition of Terms

h. Ethical Considerations

i. Budget (proposal only)

j. Proposed Timeline (proposal only)

A. Preliminary Section

  1. Title Page
  1. Acknowledgments (if any)
  1. Table of Contents
  1. List of Tables (if any)
  1. List of Figures (if any)
  1. Abstract
  1. Design of the Study

a. Description of Research Design and Procedures Used

b. Sources of Data

c. Sampling Procedures

d. Methods and Instruments of Data Gathering

e. Statistical Treatment

  1. Analysis of Data

a. text with appropriate

b. tables and

c. figures

  1. Summary and Conclusions

a. Restatement of the Problem

b. Description of Procedures

c. Major Findings

d. Conclusions

e. Recommendations for Further Investigation

C. Reference Section

  1. End Notes (if in that format of citation)
  1. Bibliography or Literature Cited
  1. Appendix

Be specific. Tell what, when, where, etc. In one main title and a subtitle, give a clear idea of what the paper investigated.

Include only if special help was received from an individual or group.

Summarizes the report including the hypotheses, procedures, and major findings.

This is a general introduction to the topic

Comment on why this question merits investigation.

What is the goal to be gained from a better understanding of this question?

In one statement (not a question) declare the question which is investigated and the expected results.

Explain everything that is assumed in order for the investigation to be undertaken.

Explain the limitations that may invalidate the study or make it less than accurate.

Define or clarify any term or concept that is used in the study in a non-traditional manner or in only one of many interpretations.

Discusses the ethical issues related to the study and explains the processes and status of the review by the Institutional Review Board.

Outlines and discusses the budget for the study. This is usually only in the proposal.

Outlines the expected schedule for beginning and ending each part of the research project and may illustrate with a Gantt Chart. This is usually only in the proposal.

  1. Review of Related Literature (and analysis of previous research)

Gives the reader the necessary background to understand the study by citing the investigations and findings of previous researchers and documents the researcher's knowledge and preparation to investigate the problem.

Completely explain step-by-step what was done.

Give complete information about who, what, when, where, and how the data were collected.

Explain how the data were limited to the amount which was gathered. If all of the available data were not utilized, how was a representative sample achieved?

Explain the procedures for obtaining the data collected. Include the forms or manner by which it was recorded.

Explain the complete mathematical procedures used in analyzing the data and determining the significance of the results.

This is a short reiteration of the problem.

This is a brief reiteration of important elements of the design of the study.

The final results from the analysis are presented, the hypothesis stated, and the decision about the rejection or the failure to reject the hypothesis is given.

Comments about the implication of the findings are presented.

From the knowledge and experienced gained in undertaking this particular study, how might the study have been improved or what other possible hypotheses might be investigated?

These are like footnotes but are located at the back rather than the bottom of each page. These would include all of the references for all works cited in the Review of Related Literature or any other sections of the report as well as the references for quotations, either direct or indirect, taken from other sources, or any footnote comments that might have been included. These are listed in numeric order as presented in the text.

These are the bibliographic reference for each of the works cited in the End Notes.

Any tables, figures, forms, or other materials that are not totally central to the analysis but that need to be included are placed in the Appendix.