Research Reports 04-05-2021

Research reports:

• present at least a review of the literature, the methods used, the findings and a discussion. They have some common elements but may vary in overall organisational structure.

• typically present a review of the literature, the findings, a discussion and recommendations

• always present recommendations as well as an outline of the methods used and the findings.

• always state the research question or hypothesis and are written in first person to show that the author takes responsibility for the findings

In the methods section of the report, the researcher needs to:

• a discuss the results of the research.

• discuss the theoretical background for the research.

• recount in detail the daily research activities conducted during the research process.

• set out in detail how data was gathered and analysed.

What is presented in the findings section of a research report?

• A discussion of the results

• The quantitative or qualitative data that was collected

• The theoretical foundations for the research study

• The methods that were used to collect the data

What is presented in the discussion section of a research report?

• The numerical data that was collected

• The reasons for undertaking the study

• A comment on the results presented in the findings section

• Your plans for future research

The conclusion of a research report:

• can introduce new information.

• must be based only on material presented in the report.

• is the same as the abstract except that it is presented at the end of the report.

• should focus only on the findings of the research.