1. UNIT – 5
RESEARCH REPORT

2. A research report is: Report
"A report is a statement of collected and considered facts, so drawn-up as to give clear and Concise-information to persons who are not ready in possession of the full facts of the subject matter of the report" .
A research report is:
A written document or oral presentation based on a written document that communicates the purpose, scope, objective(s), hypotheses, methodology, findings, limitations and finally, recommendations of a research project to others.

3. Writing the Research Report
The purpose of the written report is to present the results of your research, but more importantly to provide a persuasive argument to readers of what you have found.

4. Characteristics of Research Report
Accuracy
Simplicity
Conciseness or Brevity (shortness) & appearance
Comprehensibility & readability
Reliability & economy
Timelines
Logical content
Completeness

5. Report should show originality
It must provide ready availability of the findings.
The layout must be appropriate and accordance with the objective.
Report should be free from grammatical mistakes.
Report must present the logical analysis of the subject matter.
Index must be prepared and appended at the end.
Report must be attractive in appearance, neat & clear whether typed or printed.

6. Appendices should be enlisted in respect of all the technical data in the report.
Bibliography of sources consulted is must for good report.

7. Guidelines for writing Research report
Be objective
Minimize the use of technical language
Use present tense and active voice
Treat the data confidentially
Revise and rewrite
Use visual aids

8. REPORT PREPARATION AND PRESENTATION PROCESS

9. TYPES OF RESEARCH REPORT
Technical Report
Popular Report
Interim report
Summary Report
Algorithmic Resarch Report

10. 1. Technical Report:
A technical report (also: scientific report) is a document that describes the process, progress, or results of technical or scientific research or the state of a technical or scientific research problem. 
It might also include recommendations and conclusions of the research. 
Technical report is suitable for a target audience of researchers, research managers or other people familiar with and interested in the technicalities such as research design, sampling methods, statistical details etc.,
Summary of results
Nature of the study
Research methodology
Details of data
Analysis of data & preparation of findings
Conclusions
Bibliography
Technical appendices
Index

11. 2. Popular Report
It gives emphasis on simplicity and attractiveness. The simplification should be sought through clear writing, minimization of technical, particularly mathematical, details and liberal use of charts and diagrams.
Attractive layout along with large print, many subheadings, even an occasional cartoon now and then is another characteristics feature of the popular report.

12. General outline of popular report:
Findings and their implications
Recommendations for their follow-up
Objective of the study- a general view of how the problem arises is presented along with the specific objectives of the project under study.
Methods employed- a brief and non-technical description of the methods and techniques used, including a short review of the data on which the study is based is given in this part of the report.
Results- it constitutes the main body of the report where in the results are presented in clear and non-technical terms with Liberal use of all sorts of illustration such as charts, diagrams.
Technical appendices.

13. 3. Interim report
In projects, an interim report is often compiled to analyze how the project is proceeding, before its final completion.
This short report may contain either the first results of the analysis of some aspects completely analyzed.
It facilitates the sponsoring agency to take action without waiting for the full report.
It helps to keep alive the agency's interest in the study and prevent misunderstandings about the delay.
This repot also enables the researcher to find the appropriate style of reporting.
 Interim analysis is important in medical trials, to ensure that the patients are not exposed to unnecessary danger during the trial.

14. 4. Summary report
 Summary report usually contains a brief statement of the problem or proposal covered in the major document(s), background information, concise analysis and main conclusions.
It is intended as an aid to decision-making by managers and has been described as possibly the most important part of a business plan. 
They must be short and to the point.

15. 4. Summary report
It just contains a brief reference to the objective of the study, its major findings and their implications.
It size is so limited as to be suitable for publication in daily newspaper.

16. 5. Algorithmic research report
An algorithm is a well defined sequence of steps to solve a problem in industry, business and government.
There are problems, viz., production scheduling, JIT, supply chain management, line balancing, layout design, portfolio management, etc., which exists in reality.
The solution for the above problems can be obtained through algorithms.

17. Report Structure Abstract Introduction Participants Design
Apparatus/Materials
Procedure
Method
Results
Discussion & Conclusion
References

18. Report Structure or Layout of the report
Preliminary Pages
Main Text
End Matter

19. Preliminary Pages Include
These must be title of the research topic and data. There must be preface of foreword to the research work. It should be followed by table of contents. The list of tables, maps should be given.
Introductory pages
Vita
Acknowledgements
Abstract
Table of contents
List of tables
List of charts/figures

20. Acknowledgements
While carrying out the research, the researcher would have received help from different persons and organizations. So, all those helps should be acknowledged under this heading. In an academic research, a sample list of people who are to be acknowledged is as follows:
Research supervisor
Organizational head
Colleagues of the department who rendered their valuable suggestions and criticism during the research period.
The executives in different organizations who provided data and literature for the research.

21. Abstract
Abstract gives the overview of the research report outlining the title of the research, objective(s), shortcomings of exiting literatures, need for further research, proposed measures of performance and research methods, results of comparison and highlights of inference and a brief mention about a case study.
Table of contents
Table of contents is the catalogue of the research report which summarizes every aspect of the report.

22. List of tables
In research reports, the data and results are presented in the form of tables for quick grasp. Each and every
Table of contents
The table of contents is an outline of the order of the chapters, sections and sub sections with their respective pages.

23. (B) Main text
It provides the complete outline of research report along with all details. The title page is reported in the main text. Details of text are given continuously as divided in different chapters.
Introduction
Statement of the problem
Literature review
Objectives of the study
Limitations of the study
Research methodology
Data Analysis
Conclusions
Bibliography
Appendices

24. Introduction
The chapter on introduction should begin with the background of the research topic and state of the art scenario in brief.
The origin and development of the research concept along with the most significant contributions in the past must be summarized in this chapter.

25. The Written Literature Review
A literature review is a summary of the major studies that have been published on a research topic.
Literature review is usually included as part of the introduction in research papers.
This focuses on the past literature in the field of research and its classification under different angles.

26. The Written Literature Review
The literature review should accomplish three goals:
It should identify the major findings on a topic up to the present;
It should point out the principal deficiencies of these studies or provide a sense of what is lacking in the literature; and
It should conclude by leading into your research question, by explaining how your research proposes to contribute to the literature or address some short-coming of a previous study.

27. Statement of the problem
This is crux of his research. It highlights main theme of his study. It must be in nontechnical language. It should be in simple manner so ordinary reader may follow it. The social research must be made available to common man. The research in agricultural problems must be easy for farmers to read it.

28. Objectives of the study
The specific objectives of the research need to be set forth clearly. The reader must know exactly what the report is.
Based on the direction of the literature review, the researcher should clearly spell out the objectives of the research and related hypothesis.

29. Limitations of the study
The report should also point out the main limitations of the research reported therein.
This can be helpful to the reader who can form his own opinion as to how far the results are liable.

30. Research methodology
Research methodology aims to finalize the activities of research design and data collection procedure.
Research Design: Research design denotes the description of the research technique. It defines exploratory, conclusive and experimental design.
Data Collection methods: The methodology reveals the methods of data collection. There may be primary sources and secondary sources of data collection.
Sampling: In describing the sampling procedure, it is first necessary to indicate the nature of the universe studied. The exact sampling units, such as stores, consumers or business executives, must be defined and the geographical limit be specified.
Fieldwork: The researcher should explain the quality and nature of the field force.

31. Data Analysis
This chapter deals with the application of statistical tools for the analysis of data and making inferences.
The data analysis can be classified into
Preliminary analysis: In preliminary analysis, the data are presented in the form of charts and graphs to have insight into the research problem. This helps the researcher come out with some inferences.
Hypothesis Testing: The different hypotheses which have been formulated earlier are tested at this stage. This section will reveal certain underlying facts of the research problem which will help the researcher formulate strategies for the operations of any business system.
It have a major subsections on results and discussions and this section deals with mathematical models and regression models.

32. Findings and Recommendations
Findings are the result of the study. This section makes up the bulk of the report. It is not just an assortment of statistical tables and charts but an organized narrative of the results.
The researcher can give recommendations according to the findings made.

33. Conclusion
Conclusion should be drawn with direct reference to the objectives of the study.
The chapter on conclusions summarizes research findings, contribution of the study, limitations of the study, and scope for the further research.

34. Bibliography
The Bibliography contains the detailed information on books, journals, and materials, showing the title of the books, reports used in the preparation of the reports, names of authors, publishers, the year of publications and if possible the page numbers.

35. Annexure
This is the last section of the report. An annexure gives supplementary information which supports the body of the report but which cannot be given within it.

36. Successful Report Writing
Start writing early – important details about the study may be forgotten if the write-up is left to the last minute.
Remember – a naive reader should be able to follow your report and replicate your findings.
Read – reading journal articles and past dissertations will help you with structuring your report and understanding the required style.
Reflect – reflect upon the comments you receive on your practical reports and essays – these are provided to help you!

37. Report Writing: General Style
Reports should be double-spaced.
Each major section (Abstract, Introduction, Method, Results and Discussion) should start on a new page with the title of the section in bold.
All pages should be numbered.
The last section is the Appendices and includes raw data, Ethics Approval Form and other relevant information.

38. Most research reports include the following elements:
I. Title page II. Letter of transmittal III. Table of contents IV. List of tables V. List of graphs VI. List of appendices VII. List of exhibits VIII. Executive summary a. Major findings b. Conclusions c. Recommendations IX. Introduction a. Background to the problem b. Statement of the problem X. Approach to the problem
XI. Research design
a. Type of research design b. Information needs c. Data collection from secondary sources d. Data collection from primary sources e. Scaling techniques f. Questionnaire development and pretesting g. Sampling techniques h. Field work
XII. Data analysis a. Methodology b. Plan of data analysis
XIII. Results
XIV. Limitations and caveats
XV. Conclusions and recommendations
XVI. Appendix a. Questionnaires and forms b. Statistical output c. Lists

39. “Ethics” Means
Ethics – the discipline concerned with what is morally good and bad, right and wrong
Ethics is a way of understanding and examining what is “right” and what is “wrong”.

40. Principles of ethical research
Non – Malfeasance
Beneficence
Autonomy
Justice
Fidelity
Respect for participants right and dignity

41. Ethics is a code of professional conduct like the Hippocratic Oath ("First of all, do no harm")
Ethics are more principles or values generally governing the conduct of an individual or group.

42. Definition of Ethics in Research
Ethics is a branch of philosophy concerned with the study of what is good and bad.
* Ethical behaviour is based on written and unwritten codes  of principles and values held in society. 42

43. Ethics in Research – Why?
To protect rights and welfare of research participants
and
to protect the wider society or community within which the research is being conducted

44. Principles of Research Ethics
Respect for Persons
Beneficence/Non-Maleficence
Justice/Non-Exploitation

45. Principles of Research Ethics
Respect of persons
Beneficence/Non-Maleficence
Justice/Non-Exploitation

46. Respect for Persons Autonomy Protection for vulnerable persons
Says that each individual:
Is unique and free;
Has the right and capacity to decide;
Has value and dignity; and
Has the right to informed consent.
Protection for vulnerable persons
Special protections must be in place for those whose decision–making capacity is impaired or diminished, whether due to physical or social factors.

47. Beneficence/Non-Maleficence
Protection of the study participants is the most important responsibility of the researcher
Researchers must:
Protect the physical, mental and social well-being of each research participant;
Minimizes physical and social risks;
Maximize the possible benefits; and
Retain the community perspective.

48. Beneficence The duty to benefit others
The duty to maximize net benefits
Produce benefits for subjects themselves, other individuals
Produce benefits for society as a whole and for the advancement of knowledge (usually the primary benefit)

49. Beneficence/Non- Maleficence (not doing harmful)
ON BALANCE:
The research should generate more good than harm; and
Risks of research should be reasonable in light of the expected benefits to the individual and to society.

50. Non – malfeasance Duty to avoid, prevent or minimize harm
No unnecessary risk of harm
Participation must be essential to achieving scientifically and societally important aims that cannot be realized without the participation of human subjects
Minimizing harm requires smallest number of human subjects that will ensure valid data

51. Justice/Non-Exploitation
The principle that calls for fairness in the conduct of research is the principle of justice/non-exploitation
Research must:
Ensure a fair distribution of risks and benefits
Research should not be done in a community that is not likely to benefit from the result
Conduct equitable recruitment of research participants; and
Provide special protection for vulnerable groups.

52. Ethical Issues in Research
In market research there are four stakeholders, and the ethical issues relating to these stakeholders are as follows.
Public
Respondent
Client
Researcher

53. Ethical Issues in Research
Public:
For public, ethical concerns revolve primarily around the methods of gathering and reporting research results. Therefore, it is the joint responsibility of public and researcher to avoid the following.
Incomplete reporting
Whenever a client or researcher does not reveal the complete results, incomplete results occurs.
Misleading Environment
This involves the distortion(misrepresentation) of information. The information presented to the public is false. It leaves the public with an erroneous impression.

54. Ethical Issues in Research
Respondent:
These are one of the stakeholders because without their involvement the research is not possible. The following will show the respondent – researcher relationship
Conducting a survey to sell products
Invasion of the privacy of the respondents.

55. Ethical Issues in Research
Client:
The complexity that is surrounding the research client relationship deserves special attention.
Abuse of position
Unnecessary research

56. Ethical Issues in Research
Researcher:
The researcher has the right to be treated ethically. Ethical treatment by clients involves several issues
Misrepresentation of findings
Additional request

57. Seven Areas of Scientific Dishonesty
Plagiarism
Fabrication and falsification
Nonpublication of data
Faulty data-gathering procedures
Poor data storage and retention
Misleading authorship
Sneaky publication practices 57

58. Plagiarism
Plagiarism—using the ideas, writings, and drawings of others as your own 58

59. Fabrication and Falsification
Fabrication and falsification—making up or altering data
Prominent Cases in Kinesiology-related Research
Eric Poehlman – exercise physiologist at University of Vermont and University of Montreal 59

60. Researcher Faces Prison for Fraud in NIH Grant Applications and Papers Science 25 March 2005: Vol no. 5717, p. 1851
A researcher formerly at the University of Vermont College of Medicine has admitted in court documents to falsifying data in 15 federal grant applications and numerous published articles.
Eric Poehlman, an expert on menopause, aging, and metabolism, faces up to 5 years in jail and a $250,000 fine and has been barred for life from receiving any U.S. research funding.
The number and scope of falsifications discovered, along with the stature of the investigator, are quite remarkable. "This is probably one of the biggest misconduct cases ever,"
Poehlman, 49, first came under suspicion in 2000 when Walter DeNino, then a 24-year-old research assistant, found inconsistencies in spreadsheets used in a longitudinal study on aging.
In an effort to portray worsening health in the subjects, DeNino tells Science, "Dr. Poehlman would just switch the data points."

61. Nonpublication of Data
Sometimes called “cooking data”
Data not included in results because they don’t support the desired outcome
Some data are “bad” data
Bad data should be recognized while it is being collected or analyzed
Outlier – unrepresentative score; a score that lies outside of the normal scores
How should outliers be handled? 61

62. Faulty Data Gathering
Collecting data from participants who are not complying with requirements of the study
Using faulty equipment
Treating participants inappropriately
Recording data incorrectly 62

63. Data Gathering Most important and most aggravating.
Always drop non-compliers.
Fix broken equipment.
Treat subjects with respect and dignity.
Record data accurately.
Store data in a safe and private place for 3 years.

64. Poor Data Storage and Retention
Data should be stored in its original collected form for at least 3 years after publication
Data should be available for examination
Confidentiality of participants should be maintained 64

65. Misleading Authorship
Misleading authorship—who should be an author?
Technicians do not necessarily become joint authors.
Authorship should involve only those who contribute directly.
Discuss authorship before the project! 65

66. MSSE Information for Authors
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise®
Authorship Requirements To be an author, each individual shall have contributed to the manuscript in at least two (2) of the following areas:
Significant manuscript writer
Significant manuscript reviewer/reviser
Concept and design
Data acquisition
Data analysis and interpretation
Statistical expertise
Manuscripts with more than six (6) authors require justification for exceeding that number
More info can be found here:

67. Sneaky Publication Practices
Publication of the thesis or dissertation
Should be regarded as the student’s work
Committee chair and members may be listed as secondary authors
Dual publication – a manuscript should only be published in a single journal
What about studies which include a huge amount of data? 67

68. Sanctions Freeze your job. Reduce your job. Lose your job.
Loss of institution money and privileges.
Faculty are responsible for students.