KINDS OF REPORTS

KINDS OF REPORTS

& The Structure of Reports

Survey Report

A survey report is a research method used for collecting data from a group of respondents to gain information and insights about a topic. It is a standard way to collect data for research. It aims to collect data in the most unbiased way possible in order to obtain accurate results. 

Survey Report

A survey should reflect or align with the study’s objectives before the questions are created and validated by an expert on the subject. The main steps in creating a survey report are as follows: 1. Decide on the content of the survey. 2. Confirm the target audience. 3. Send out the survey through a channel. 4. Analyze the survey results.

Survey Report

A survey should reflect or align with the study’s objectives before the questions are created and validated by an expert on the subject. The main steps in creating a survey report are as follows: 1. Decide on the content of the survey. 2. Confirm the target audience. 3. Send out the survey through a channel. 4. Analyze the survey results.

Survey Report

The content should also be reflective of the research questions. Without proper alignment, there is no way for the researcher to obtain the needed information to answer the research questions.

Choosing the right set of respondents will determine if the research questions are applicable for the given survey. In order for the survey results to be reliable, there is a need to ensure that the survey reaches the correct sample population, especially if the study focuses on a particular group of people.

Why is a survey a good instrument for collecting data?

Once the survey questions and the respondents are finalized, the researcher can distribute the survey using different channels. Common channels are usually pen and paper, online through forms or documents accessed in websites or electronic mail, or phone interviews. The use of a channel for distributing surveys depends on the researchers’ and respondents’ availability and convenience, as well as the survey’s goals and the nature of the survey questions.

Analysis of the final results requires some statistical treatment and counting, as these results are presented in numerical form. A statistician may be consulted for data analysis if the research is quantitative in nature and needs complex statistical analysis.

Structure of a Survey Report

As discussed in the previous lesson, a survey report asks respondents about their preferences, perceptions, or behaviors using a questionnaire. This means the Introduction should include the following:

1. Explanation of the nature of respondents and why they were chosen for the report

2. Introduction of what is being studied and the significance of the use of a survey in this situation

3. Description of relevant terms in the report

Field Report

The field report aims to describe the observations of people, places, and/or events. It also aims to analyze the observation of data and categorize them into themes in relation to the research study

Field Report

Like the survey report, it is imperative to know the research study and its research questions before taking down observations.

The following are the steps in creating a laboratory field report:

1. Decide on the aspects that need to be observed.

2. Take note of the observations in a systematic way.

3. Analyze the data using themes.

4. Use a theoretical framework in order to fit all observations into a research study

Field Report

The process for creating field reports may seem short; however, this is a continuous process. The researcher must be specific in noting all the details of any of the aspects that are being observed. There is also the possibility that the themes for analysis may constantly change in terms of their descriptions and the specific classification of data. Some of the observed data may be added or deleted from a category after constant observation.

Field Report

The process for creating field reports may seem short; however, this is a continuous process. The researcher must be specific in noting all the details of any of the aspects that are being observed. There is also the possibility that the themes for analysis may constantly change in terms of their descriptions and the specific classification of data. Some of the observed data may be added or deleted from a category after constant observation.

How would photographs be a good way to document observations for field reports?

A researcher can make use of the following to take field notes:

● Written/typed notes

●Photos

● Video and audio recordings

● Illustrations and drawings 

Structure of a Field Report

Aside from the guidelines in the IMRaD format, consider the following tips when writing a field report:

Structure of a Field Report

● In the Introduction, highlight the explanation of the phenomenon being studied and the purpose of the report. A field report talks about how certain principles are applied in a setting, so it is important to give readers a clear background of the report.

● In the Methods section, describe the research environment and subjects clearly since the nature of the report requires field observation.

● Since the results of a field report may be lengthy, ensure that the presentation of the results is still comprehensive, coherent, logical, and complete.

● Provide direct quotations or statements from interviewed respondents to explain or justify interpretations of significant results. 

Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

A researcher can make use of the following to take field notes:

● Written/typed notes

●Photos

● Video and audio recordings

● Illustrations and drawings 

Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

The laboratory/scientific technical report has two major aims: to document findings and communicate their significance by sharing the results. It entails interpreting the research phenomenon and experiments in a way that readers can comprehend. A scientific technical report is structured in a way where there is an end goal or objective that the researcher aims to fulfill. Once it is fulfilled, a write-up must be created.

Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

The steps in fulfilling a scientific technical report are the following:

1. Determine what is being observed.

2. Create and control the experiment.

3. Conduct the experiment in the laboratory.

4. Observe results.

5. Report the findings.

What is the importance of controlling the environment for a laboratory report?

Researchers work in a laboratory in order to fulfill the aims of their study. These objectives are usually small phenomena which could be manipulated by the researcher in a controlled environment. Researchers run several trials of the experiment in order to produce and validate reliable results. Once done with the experiments, researchers have to make a write-up in the IMRaD format to discuss the experiment and its specific findings.

Structure of a Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

● In the Introduction, define relevant terms that will be used in the study. A technical report pertains to experimental studies and may cause confusion if terms are not properly introduced or defined.

● Specify in the Methods section all necessary techniques and procedures that will be included in the report. The data gathering procedure should be comprehensive.

● The contents of the Results and Discussion should be considerate of the target readers of the report. This means that the recommendations should be specific, relatable, or applicable to a particular group of people.