lawson
Chapter 15 - Writing the research report
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Topics covered in the chapter
The process of writing up your research proposal.
The structure of a typical research report.
The areas where you should be assessing the quality of your written report.
Some of the issues related to oral and poster presentations of your research.
Some alternative means by which you can disseminate the findings of your research.
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Six pieces of advice in writing
Begin writing up the report as soon as you can.
Write down ideas as soon as you get them, rather than leaving them to the writing-up stage.
Be aware of the nature of the report - Familiarize yourself with any layout/technical requirements.
Rewrite your report a number of times - and allow for this when planning your timetable.
Have a schedule of when sections are to be completed, and ensure you monitor your progress.
Have a strategy for backing up your work.
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Structuring the research proposal
A common structure may be:
Title page – properly formatted in APA 7th edition.
Abstract.
Introduction paragraph – the introduction heading is not required.
Statement of the Problem.
Review of the Literature.
Methodology – includes the following subheadings: Terms and Assumptions, Population and Sample, Research Design, Data, Data Collection, Instruments, Reliability and Validity of the Instruments, Reliability and Validity of the Methodology, and Data Analysis.
Anticipated Findings.
Personal and Professional Implications.
References.
Appendices, if applicable.
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Title page
Refer to your APA 7th edition resources to properly format your title page.
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Your abstract
A summary of the research. It should include:
The aim of the research.
The background to the research, and the focus of past literature.
What is distinctive about your study, how it adds to or extends existing knowledge.
A brief outline of the methodology you adopted.
Your key findings/conclusions.
How this has added to knowledge or understanding.
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Introduction (no heading required)
This should describe the subject under investigation, the purpose of the research and why you are doing the research.
The overall aim of the research must be clear.
The justification for the research may be academic, practical, or personal (or a combination).
It may be helpful to outline the structure of the report.
Include your coaching/leadership style and how it relates to your research question or hypothesis statement.
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Statement of the Problem
Should come directly from Assignment #1 and include your research question/hypothesis statement. Additional information can be included in this chapter regarding the topic you plan to research for your study.
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Review of the Literature
A critical appraisal of existing work, and you should be explicit as to how your study is related to, or has emerged from gaps in the literature (more common with quantitative studies), or the context and rationale for the study (more common for qualitative studies).
Include a minimum of five sources, along with a conclusion paragraph.
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Methodology
Include the following subheadings and information within a paragraph for each:
Terms and Assumptions
Population and Sample
Research Design (review chapter seven within the textbook)
Data (specific numbers, statistics, measurements, etc.)
Data Collection
Instruments
Reliability and Validity of the Instruments
Reliability and Validity of the Methodology (quantitative, qualitative, mixed)
Data Analysis
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Information to include in the Methodology chapter
Have you explained the rationale behind your chosen means of collecting information?
Are your research methods the most appropriate given your research question or hypothesis statement?
Are you making assumptions? – have you expressed yourself clearly and given adequate details? Would someone else replicate your study on the basis of the information you’ve given?
Any limitations? Anything you might have done differently?
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Anticipated Findings
Include information that you anticipate to find within this chapter, though you have not conducted the study.
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Personal and Professional Implications
Discuss the implications of your results in light of your research objectives.
Can be combined with results for a qualitative study.
Common error = discussing your own findings without any reference to existing knowledge.
Your research and implications should BUILD on existing knowledge, so refer back to the Review of the Literature chapter.
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Conclusion
Should accurately reflect the content of the main body of the work.
Should clearly link to the aim and objectives of the research.
Should not bring in new material.
Provide a separate References page for all sources provided in the research proposal.
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Defending your research in a viva voce examination
Common questions include:
How did you come to research this topic?
How has the research contributed to knowledge?
What were the important research decisions you made?
On what basis did you make these decisions?
How did you choose which theory to focus upon?
How did you come to decide upon a particular methodology?
What are the most interesting findings from the research? And the most unexpected?
What would you have done differently?
What have you learned personally from writing the research proposal?
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Presenting your research, if required
Have a clear structure. This should consist of 3 elements: (1) The introduction (2) The main body and (3) The conclusion.
Have as few slides as possible.
Don’t include too much detail on your slides.
Use a large and easily readable font.
Try to avoid complex models or diagrams.
Use a background that is clear with sufficient contrast between the background and the text.
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A suggested structure for a presentation, if required
You may wish to adopt the following structure, assuming a 20-minute presentation:
Slide 1 – Introduction, main aims and objectives.
Slide 2/3 – A brief outline of your theoretical approach.
Slide 4 – The key features about your methodology.
Slide 5/6 – Your important/significant results.
Slide 7/8 – Key points for discussion.
Slide 9 – The conclusion.
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Presenting a research poster, if required
Clearly identify your main message.
Identify the essential elements, for example background, methodology, key findings and so on.
Keep the poster simple.
Keep your results as clear as possible.
Present data in graphical format where possible.
Avoid the temptation to use too many colors.
Ensure contrast between text and background.
Use bullet points/tables to aid clarity.
Use space to make the poster more attractive.
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Summary
The report is the culmination of a lot of time and energy, do it justice!
It will almost certainly take longer than you think.
You will have to rewrite a number of times.
There is no single structure for your report. Follow the format provided by your instructor for the course.
Follow the proper writing style.
Consider other ways of presenting your research, and consider how to present your research in a way that is both informative and interesting.
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