Chapter 13 - Final Study Guide

PREPARING THE RESEARCH

REPORT

Writing the Final Research Report

Chapter Twelve

Writing the Final Research Report

 The final research report involves writing a report

that is true to the data but also finds meaning in

those data

 The final research report sets forth clearly what has

been done to resolve the research problem

 The final research report if factual and logical

 The final research report is flawless in sentence and

paragraph structure, punctuation, and spelling

Getting Started

 Follow the guidelines set forth for writing the final

research report

 Follow the appropriate style guideline

 Use the appropriate resources to assist with writing

 Review completed research reports

Planning the Research Report

 Four objectives:

 The research report should provide a clear understanding

of the research problem and why it merited investigation

 The research report should describe exactly how data were

collected

 The research report should present the data precisely and

should substantiate all the interpretations and conclusions

 The research report should interpret the data and

demonstrate exactly how the data resolve the research

problem

Chapter One of the Research Report

 The first section of the research report (chapter) has but one purpose: to create a meeting of minds between the writer and readers of the report

 After the introductory comments (this may be several paragraphs) that provide the background and rationale for the study, the document should set forth clearly the problem that has been researched

 The research questions or hypotheses and any sub problems are presented in the first section

 Define terms, indicate any delimitations and assumptions

 Some information from the literature may be appropriate to include

Chapter One of the Research Report

 INTRODUCTION

 Introductory information

 Statement of the problem

 Purpose of the study

 Research questions and/or hypotheses

 Limitations of the study

 Definitions and terms

Chapter Two of the Research Report

 This chapter provides a thorough review of the

pertinent literature

 Begin the chapter with a brief introduction

 Organize the literature in a logical manner

 Be thorough

Chapter Three of the Research Report

 This is a description of the research methodology

that was used to collect data

 This section requires precise description

 The design of the study should be clear

 Any biases and assumptions are acknowledged in

this section

Chapter Four of the Research Report

 This chapter presents the data as they relate to the

problem and the sub problems

 The problem and sub problems may be restated so

the data is presented in a logical, understandable

manner

 Begin the chapter by explaining how the chapter is

organized

Chapter Five of the Research Report

 Chapter Five includes the interpretation of the data

 Do not go beyond what the data provides

 Do not draw conclusions about causation or influence when the design of the study does not warrant such

 Avoid the word prove

 Be as objective as possible in interpretation of the data

 The data must speak for themselves

 Include a conclusion, implications for practice, and recommendations for future research

 Include a final summary

Summary: Chapter Titles

 Chapter One is the Introduction

 Chapter Two is the Literature Review

 Chapter Three is the Research Methodology

 Chapter Four is the Analysis of Data

 Chapter Five is the Findings, Conclusions, and

Recommendations

Academic Integrity

 Appropriately credit words and ideas of others

 Maintain confidentiality and protect participants’ right to privacy

 Identify biases in sample selection

 Describe any participants you dropped from the research sample and explain why

 Describe the limitations of the measurement instruments

 Describe any procedures you may have used to fill in missing data points

 Provide a comprehensive report of the research findings (including those that do not support the hypotheses)

 Explicitly identify any potential confounding variables

Preliminary Pages in the Research

Report

 Title page

 Abstract

 Dedication page

 Acknowledgement page

 Copyright page

 Table of contents

Final Pages in the Research Report

 Reference List

 Appendices