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2.3. Style of Research Reports - Coggle Diagram
2.3. Style of Research Reports
Report Format
The body of the final report will conform to the following general format in sequence.
Executive Summary
An executive summary will be part of the final report and will summarize activities, process, outcomes, results, and policy recommendations. This is no longer than five pages.
A) TITLE
The title page will list the title, report authors,host institution, date of submission and the acknowledgment statement.
B) TABLE OF CONTENTS
List all major topic headings and subheadings used in the report with associated page numbers. When appropriate, supply a list of tables or figures after the table of contents page.
C) INTRODUCTION
Provide project background by introducing the study itself so that the reader has some context for what they read.
D) GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide a brief review of the project’s goals and objectives
E) METHODOLOGY
Provide details about all components of the work plan.
F) RESULTS
Present results in relation to the project’s goals and objectives.
G) CONCLUSIONS
Provide conclusions drawn from the analysis of the results of the project. Do not reference new material in this section; all conclusions must flow from the project findings.
H) CITATIONS & REFERENCES
For citations, use an author-date citation format, such as (Author, 19XX). At the end of the report, provide complete information for the author-date citation given in the text.
I) APENDICES
Include only necessary supporting documentation. Place copies of articles generated about the project by local media here, as well.
Surveys
For presentations of surveys prepared for the research project, provide the following:
• What was the purpose of the survey?
• Was the survey done by mail, phone, in-person or on-line? Why was this method selected as the appropriate approach for collecting data?
• How were survey participants selected?
• How were names, phone numbers, addresses and/or email addresses found?
• How many surveys were attempted? How many were completed? How did this rate compare with what was expected?
• What was the response rate? What methods were used to increase the response rate?
• What were the margins of error/confidence intervals for the survey results?
Interviews
For discussions of key informant or other interviews, provide the following information:
• What was the purpose of the interviews?
• Were the interviews done by phone or in-person?
• Who conducted the interviews?
• How were the interview subjects selected?
• How many interviews were attempted? How many were completed?
Focus groups
To describe the focus group sessions, include the following information:
• Where was the focus group discussion held?
• How were participants selected?
• How many focus group participants were anticipated? How many actually participated?
• Who conducted the focus group?
• How were discussions recorded?
Data & Technical Information presentation
For ease of editing and transfer to publication software, final reports must be submitted in the following format.
• Microsoft Word
• Double-spaced
• Black and white print (including charts, graphs, maps, etc.)
• Left justification only
• 8 x 11 standard format
• Begin page numbering after the table of contents (or list of figures)
• If notes are necessary in the body of the report, use footnotes and not endnotes.
• The report must be written in third person.
All charts, tables and maps in the report must:
• Include a title and chart, table, figure or map number
• Include accurate labeling of columns, rows, axes, etc.
• Be referenced in the report text
• Identify the source and timeframe of data therein
• Identify whether financial figures are adjusted for inflation
• Identify whether differences in statistical data are statistically significant
• Be understandable to a lay audience
• Be consistent in format