unit-5 REPORT WRITING SIGNIFCANCE OF REPORT WRITING > Its a major component of research which gives completion to the research stu, > The brilianthypotheses, well designed and conducted research study , most striking generalizations ,highly important findings, gets their values only when effectively communicated to others > Research results must invariably enter the general store of knowledge in that domainof area NATURE OF THESIS WRITING + lvolves presenting ideas in aogieal sequence ina imple agua + devoid fowery languages + Following the structure prescribed a! ‘TIME OF WRITING ‘TYPES OF REPORT 4 Decision oriented report Research oriented report . Survey-based research report Algorithmic research report Popular report ¢ = Ifresearch resultsav policy implications Algorithm- In mathematics and computeTscience its a step-by-step procedure for calculations, data processing \ DIFFERENT sTEPSIN WaITiNGRPORT Logic analysis of i wbject mater Preparation tha outing Preberaionpt tS reaph soak Rewriting®d polishing Preparagna he inal daft 2 Weting te bblography * e e e 2 LOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE SUBJECT MATTER ‘Bits step, primarily concerned with the development of subject matter * Two ways ta develop a subject ~ logically chronologically + Logical ~ development is made on the basis of mental connections and associations between things by analysis = developing the material from the simple possible to the most ‘complex structures "Chronological "development is based on a connection oF sequence in time resmethun5 /HITS/DRKVS/2014(GUIDELINES FORREVIEWING DRAFT Should be free from ambiguity Should convey the intended message ‘The style and presentation should sut the profile ofthe targeted readers Should fully reveal the scope of research in logical sequence without ‘omitting any item ‘Should be erisp and clear Should be organized in hierarchical form with chapters, main sections, subsections within it ‘+ There should be continulty between chapters and also between sitions aswell as sub-sections + ‘The abstract at the beginning should reveal the essence(Ghthe entire report (overview of report) ‘+ The chapter on conclusion summary and suggestion is\againi an enlarged version ofthe abstract with more detailed elaboration (qn the inference: and suggestions ho) Reading of abstract and conclusion should give ¢f@ab picture of the report content + Avoid using lengthy sentences unless warfinted + Every table and figure should be numbered and must be referred in the main text ‘Should have appropriate length research report ~ 300 ~ 400 pages’ technical repo-t - 50-75 pages, > WHAT A THESIS SHOULD CONTAIN + State clearly the problem focus ofthe thesis + Explainclearly. the area of tuly, >) the research procedure followed, the sources ofdata, the hypotheses the ampling design and -t06ls usedfor analysis celery te findings and rests ofthe ty Specify the policy options and implications o the results PRE-REQUISITESOF WRITING REPORT Requires effort and concentration +A large voume of information hat to be presented in a sequence and + Avoid duplication of facts anywhere unless otherwise necessary + Avoid contradictory statements ‘Summarize the findings of each analysis + Use past tense while refering the research procedure roemethy S/HITS/DRKVS/2014MECHANICS OF THESIS WRITING Preparation of draft Space for correetion Paper size and quality, physical design Layout /chapterisation Size of thesis Presentation Binding Footnotes Documentation style Punctuations and abbreviations ‘Treatment of quotations Bibliography Headings and sub-headings Use of tables and figures Quality of diagrams Use of statistic, charts and graphs Preparation of index Pagination DECSION-ORIENTED REPORT \ PREPARATORY STEPS: 1k Hentteaton ofthe problem Establishment of abject it Generation of decision ataynieo iv, Evaluation of decisionalterhatives Selection ofthe best decision alternative Development of actdiplan ‘vi. Provision for correction plan after imalementation of the decision we ‘y STRUCTURE OKA RESEARCH ORIENTED THESIS REPORT A research théaishas a specific structure Ishuldgnpre the sracuresapeedy he nersty Might hav variations between university GeneratSérmat includes reliminary section lody of thesis| End section PRELIMINARY SECTION INCLUDES . 1) Cover page/Title page with dats 2) Certiticates from the guide 3) Declaration by the scholar 4) Vita 5) Acknowledgement resmethunS /HITS/DRKVS/20148) (preface or foreword) 7) Abstract 8) Table ofcontents 9) List of tables 10)List of figures/ lustratiens AN)List ofappendixes ‘THE FOREWORD A foreword is most often written by someone other than the author: an expert inthe ela wnterot a sinfar book etc Forewords help the publisher ate eva tf mareting An opening statementby an emnent and wel-pblished ath gies them aed ceabty In pchng te book to bootstre Foreword pte tutor by putting astamp of approval on their wore, 5 THR PREPAC Ina preface an author explains bie why they wrote the Bookor how they ame t write They seo often vse the prefte to exabish ther cred, Indicating thei experience nthe tpi or ther professional Viably to address ch a tole Somatimes they acnowedge thse who ngpred them or helped them though hsare fen pts separate kaowppmens secon. ‘THE INTRODUCTION Y ira preface abou the book asa book, the intron is about the content of the book Sometimes cls a spl as tha I rodces what is covered nthe book, Other times nteduces by sete theloerall themes ofthe beak, or by tsabishng defnitons and methodology tat wil be used throughost the book Scholarly writers sometimes use the¥qtpduction to tall her profession how the book shoud be viewed srademicl COVER PAGE < Gives. Fete oraereeich Alepartmei/ Fly to which this report submitted Degree or wich itis submitted Name tie researcher Nameoine seperisor University organizational emblem 20 Name of university organization and its address J Month and year of submission rosmethunS /HITS/DRKVS/2014‘Developmen of Now Eleni Hewat for Dominio “hetoniy Line Balancing Problom Faculty of Management, Pondchery Univerty 'n paral tater ho rogurements or be evar lth dopoe Decor or Philosophy y '. Narayanan, BE, MS. esearch Sponsor A. Pannaoonvam, ME, PhO. Prleeor [ivrsty Seat ‘Schoo of Managoment Ponce Unversty Poncery 605 034 (a) November 2000 vita Gives a beef bio- date researcher should conainthefallowing Name ofthe esercher Place and aate oir Degrees ae holding respective years of pass, nsitations of study Det eperincn chron eae Usrefpubliaons bythe researherwhicharecsied aos: “Publeation by thresearcer from the current research Publication. by the researcher in other areas ided in the ending section Acknowledgement+ Acknowledges all the help from different persons and organizations the researcher would have received during the process of esearch Academie researc sale ists as follows Research supervisor Organizationalhead Colleagues of the department who rendered their valuable suggestions and criticism during the research period ‘The executives in diferent organization who provided data and literature for research ‘The type setting office and personnel ABSTRACT ives the overview of the research report + Outlines... + thetitle ofthe research, objective(s), shortcomings af existing literatures, reed for further research o\ Problem or issues identified \ Proposed research methods Results of comparison Highlights of irference brief mention about case study ‘TABLE OF CONTENTS a2 Isthe catalogue we summaries eyez Spec ofthe report (roe Lean asanpleableo od >\ “Listof tables \y rte and MQ resend nthe fo of bles or quick rsp Each andeyery table must be numbered + Numbering should be internal to each chapter v. Eg, tables will be mumbéjeghas Table 4.1 to 4.20 in the chapter 4, if ‘thas twenty tables. Listoffigures Results are presented in the form of figures for better understanding and ‘comparison Each and every igure should be numbered Numbering to be internal to every chapter Egthenine figures in chapter five are numbered as ig 5.1 10 5.9 BODY OF THE THESIS INCLUDES... resmethunS /HITS/DRKVS/2014“This text is divided into chapsers with main section, subsections, footnotes and ‘conclusion and summary for each chapter 4) INTRODUCTION 2) REVIEW OF LITERATURE 3) OBJECTIVES AND HYPOTHESES 44) RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 5) DATA ANALYSIS. 6) FINDINGS AND INTERPRETATION/ STATEMENT OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, /_ RESULTS AND IMPLICATIONS FROM RESULTS 7) SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ‘This pattern is only indicative diferent schclars follow different pattern according to the Subject ofresearch Introduction + Purpose -to Introduce the research project to readers ~ + “Ristenouh background shouldbe given to make eat iy the problem ‘was considered worth investigating + Origin and development of research, alg with most signifcant contributions of the past must be summanisedin this chapter + Abit summary of other relevant research inay also be stated so thatthe present study can be sen in that context + Spell out the justification ofthe stidy. Why isthe study necessary + Spell out the focus of he problem ofthe study + Give a clear statement of the objectives of research Can indicate overall or broad abjective of the study followed by the speciic objective \ "Number of objectives shosldbe limited to four or ive Avoid using subjective ters while laying down the objectives Use terms keto exainine’, "to analyse’, to evaluat’, to identify atthe end of tiis’chapter the plan of research in the the form of flow chart should be presentéd >> Further this Ghapler should give a lead to literature search ‘| Hypodieses should be given following the objective Scope ofthe study tobe stated ‘Limitations to be mestioned Definitions of the major concepts employed in the study should be ‘explicitly stated + Methodology adopted should be explained + Chapter outline should be given- number of chapters in the reportstheir titles, and a very briefcontent of them. [REVIEW OF LITERATURE * Crucial partfany research * Avolds researcher reinventing past contributions and results sesmethunS /HITS/DRKVS/2014In this chapter, the review of all the previous studies, articles published, ‘books published willbe presented ‘The purpose of presenting the previous studies is ‘To prepare the relevant background ‘To state the findings of the previous study on the topic being researched ‘Will help narrow down the research topic Provide base for selecting a topic which will have mor pay-off Gives direction for research ‘While reviewing the previous study, the following should be focussed on. Objectives ofthe study Concepts used Methodology adopted Conclusions arrived at * These conclusions may corroborate or contradict the coftlsions of this current research + Should be presented in a chronological way-to present the evolution over period of time 2 * Avoid duplication * Avoid irrelevant literature + Should not reproduce the article or text uiless otherwise necessary for the context \ ‘Such reproductions are presented ofly thko end-notes or foot-notes REVIEW OF LITERATURE ‘+ Every article Féyléwed and cited should be backed by the + While iSti@auh the source corvectformatand sequence to ‘ae fllowed ‘+ Fox Fevlewing an article from a periodical: Name of the author, title of the article, name of the journal, volume ‘Humber, issue number, page number of the article, GNF from book: name of the author, ttle ofthe book, name of the publicher, place of publication, year of publication, edition, page number. onjcrves xo HYPOTHESIS: Based on the direction ofthe literature review, researcher should spell ut clearly the research objectives and related hypotheses + Hypotheses are assumptions based on literature survey + Researcher should list a meaningful number of hypotheses which wil ke tested under ‘data analysis'chapter METHODOLOGY "This is the most crucial part ofa thesis and is of meximum importance nS /MITS/DRKVS/2014‘A satisfactory and rigorous methodology is highly needed to make an ‘evaluator get a good Impression about the research + So the contents ofthe methodology chapter should be carefully planned ‘+ Following points tobe taken into account. Jostfication ofthe study should be stated Problem focus must be spelt out Objectives of the study should be clearly stated (though these three are mentioned in introduction chapter, repeating them there would make the remaining aspects of the methodology clear) Metodloy cape shoulconsis of era study iro he darton othe tty Hehe tdybanlang the acts ora periodot iitsusing one caret ‘ lecionoftheperodshoud besopporedwith ——_\ jaieton ea of ety \ Support hisarea wastaken por "ores data Toindate ete fom he dataarecolected primary data "How thewascotced__\ 1 Wavitsconsorsandes + What was the, hod of coletng. data ntervew/ obseraton quran schedule + Secondary + oars mntined or auhenety 1 Sec oreserch pros Seeckre + Sample design OS ‘This refers to the metodo sampling adopted for data collection Shou explain ge sale characteris were exiblished How the samplésife was determined Design ofsarigeHame ow was-do data collected “This will daeide onthe reliability and usefulness ofthe study Deferining the sample and sampling process should be carefully decided 6 Tools of analysis Iaportant part of methodology Explains the tool adopted for analysing the data ‘Tool for analysis should be selected considering the objectives Features ofthe tool and how itis applied should be explained + "Limitation ofthe study Limitations ofthe data used, analysis applied validity of conclusions should be stated DATA ANALYSIS Classified into - preliminary analysis, hypotheses testing resmethunS/HITS/DRKVS/2014‘This chapter deals with application of tools for the analysis of data esuuTs ‘A detailed presentation ofthe findings ofthe study with supporting data Inthe form tables and charts together with a validation of results to be given + Should be presented in logical sequence and splitted into readily identifiable sections * Get guidance from hypotheses and research question + The problem concerned, procedure employed, and conclusions arrived bases for conclusion shouldbe clearly stated S ‘This comprises the main body of he report, can extend over, several chapters. \ * Should contain the statistical summaries and reduction bf the data rather than the raw data. ‘Each result should be discussed and interpreted —_¢ IMPLICATIONS OF THE RESEARCH ‘Research results stated clearly and precisely + Three aspects ‘Astatementof the inferences rave iom he present study which maybe expected to apply, in similar ‘reumstances ‘ “the conton of the present ty Which may tit the extent oftegtinategenerallzatongbt_\ ‘he iene drawn rom he) \ “The relevant question 4a remain sinanswored or new questions igi the study along with sugestions (grt Kad of esearch that would provide anSets for trem SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION * last dhabter inthe body ofthe thesis ‘© Sunimarise and recaprulates the main points ofthe study Sista brief ofthe objectives and methodology should be stated Then the results of the analysis along with their conclusions to be presented inthe sameorder discussed inthe chapter for discussion + Policy options and suggestions ifany to be given next * Suggestions should indicate how I would solve the problem (dentfied inthe course of analysis + Should be clearly related to hypotheses stated in introductory section + Aforecastof the probable future of the subject need to be mentioned + An indication of the kind of research which needs to be done in that particular field is desirable to be mentioned. 10 reamethunS /HITS/DRKVS/2014ENDING SECTION APPENDIX questionnaires, schedule, ~ sample information, + mathematical derivations REFERENCE / bibliography INDEX. 1» alphabetic listing of names, placee and topice along with numbers of pages in the report book REFERENCE VS, BIBLIOGRAPHY Reference 3 Nin contains only those sources you actually reffered in your research. \vV o\. tor each resorceon thelist there wil be some tation nthe report" Bibliography + sometimes is taken to be a lis: of al those sources you looked at, S = the sources athe been din ceo wel ace but dno get actully et a BIBLIOGRAPHY ‘Tels ar aphabetiest catalogue? Wiferentiteratres which are used in the research * Can beclasstied into. © Journals © Books “ © Magazines Newspaper > Researchstudles Be Precautions for writing research reports Determine te length ofthe repor should be long enought cover the subject, “hutshor enough to malntain intrest + Avoid abstract terminology and echnical argon + Should convey the matter simply + Should be wetieninan objective syle n simple language, avoiding terms et seems. there maybe and the ike + Charts, graphs and statistical tables may be used fr various results inthe tain report in adéiton othe summary of mportan ndings + shouldbe fre from grammatea mistakes n sresmethunS /HITS/DRKVS/2014+ Must be prepared strictly in accordance with the techniques of composition ‘of report writing such a5 - the use of quotations, feotnotes, documentation, proper punctuation, use of abbreviations in footnotes and the like + The layout ofthe report + should be thought out and = must be accordance with and appropriate to the objective of the research problem Report must present the logical analysis of the subject matter. t must reflect a structure wherein the different pieces of analysis relating to the research problem ft well + Should show originality * Should attempt to solve some intellectual problem and must ad todo of knowledge * Taslnraducion hod ety sa obecivct stat nai ig ble, methods employed, analysis techniques, >\ Should be given for “TYPING INSTRUCTIONS a afer thoroughly checking the draft of the research repo final typing tw” Temsto be concentrated are: . paper \O margins indention spacing between lines Spacingwithinasentexce, SS it resmethunS/HITS/DRKVS/2014Index - Meaning Index refers to an alphabetical list of name of author or subject matter provided at the end of research reports. The main purpose of such index is to enable the reader to locate the author of subject matter easily. Index plays a very vital role in supporting and aiding the readers. Sometimes Aefinition ofa particular technical term may be requited, Instead of trying ‘to determine the topi in which its usd, its easier to find out the locations in the text where the term is used. While in a dictionary or encyclopaedia the terms are all arranged in alphabetical order, in a research note or @ textbook the technical terms are used at different places, Sometimes a technical term is used more than once, as it may have relevance in several ‘contexts, But its main use may be in a particular context. In such a content, the term is fully explained and defined and by going through ths, any one should be able to understand the usefulness and application of the term. ‘There are some authors who offer author's index and subject index separately. Such a practice is very useful tothe readers ofthe book. 3 resmethunS /HITS/DRKVS/2014Preparation of index ‘To prepare an index, the following steps are to be taken : 44 Prepare alist of author's name / technical term used, page-wise. 4 Remove any duplication of author's name / the technical term, ¢ Indicate the page numbers in which the author's name / the term hhas occurred. 4 Arrange the author's name and technical terms in alphabetical order. ‘¢ Maintain separate index of authors and technical terms, if required. If a report of the book is very voluminous, then the index is prepared chapier-wise. This gives a better clarity, but duplication of author's name / technical terms cannot be avoided. Such an index is usually found in textbooks or reference material on Law, where case laws are arranged cchapler-wise, Difference between index & Bibliography Regarding the question whether every research report or a book should contain index. This is certainly optional. But provision of index, subject- wise / author-wise would certainly be found useful. Index is different from Bibliography. Index will contain only the page number in which a term or the author's name has occurred. It cannot give any source for the technical term or the author. But bibliography provides all the details about the author, journal / book, volume number, issue number, publication details, page numbers, ete. Index guides one to tne specific term or author referred in the book. It is a source of internal search, But bibliography enables one to locate the source of original in the journal / book and read the original Index is optional in a research report but bibliography is a compulsory section to be included in every research report. rt esimethunS /HITS/DRRVS/2014