INTRODUCTION
Research report consider as a major of the research, study for research remain incomplete till the report has been presented. Report helps other to make understand significance of research. Purpose of research is not well justified unless the findings are made known to other. It is the last step in the research.
STEPS IN WRITING REPORT
(1) Logical analysis of the subject matter: It is the first step which is primarily concerned with the development of a subject. The logical development is made on the basis of mental connections and associations between the one thing and another by means of analysis. Logical treatment often consists in developing the material from the simple possible to the most complex structure.
(2) Preparation of the final outline: It is the next step in writing the research report. "Outlines are the framework upon which long written works are constructed. They are an aid to the logical organization of the material and a reminder of the points to be stressed in the report.
(3) Preparation of the rough draft. In this step researcher has to write down what he has done in the context of his research study. He will write down the procedure adopted by him in collecting the material for his study along with various limitations faced by him, the technique of analysis adopted by him, the broad findings and generalizations and the various suggestions he wants to offer regarding the problem concerned.
(4) Rewriting and polishing of the rough draft: The careful revision makes the difference between a mediocre and a good piece of writing. While rewriting and polishing, one should check the report for weaknesses in logical development or presentation. In addition, the researcher should give due attention to the fact that in his rough draft he has been consistent or not. He should check the mechanics of writing-grammar, spelling and usage.
(5) Preparation of the final bibliography: Next in order comes the task of the preparation of the final bibliography. The bibliography, which is generally appended to the research report, is a list of books in some way pertinent to the research which has been done. It should contain all those works which the researcher has consulted.
(6) Writing the final draft: The final draft should be written in a concise and objective style and in simple language, avoiding vague expressions such as "it seems", "there may be", and the like ones. While writing the final draft, the researcher must avoid abstract terminology and technical jargon. Illustrations and examples based on common experiences must be incorporated in the final draft as they happen to be most effective in communicating the research findings to others.
Types of report
(1) Formal Reports
Formal Reports are comprehensive and meticulously structured documents characterized by a standardized format. They usually include a title page, table of contents, executive summary, methodology, findings, discussion, recommendations, and conclusion.
Writing Research Proposal is a common type of Formal Report. Formal Reports are common in academic and corporate environments, as well as in government and research institutions
(2) Informal Reports
Informal Reports are less structured and often used for internal communication within an organisation. They are generally shorter and more straightforward than Formal Reports, emphasizing brevity and efficiency. Memos, email updates, and short Progress Reports are common examples of informal Reports.
They serve to share information quickly, often within a department or among team members. Informal Reports are valuable for everyday communication, problem-solving, and decision-making within an organization.
(3) Popular Report
The popular report is one which 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. Besides, in such a report emphasis is given on practical aspects and policy implications
(4) Technical Report
A technical report is used whenever a full written report of the study is required whether for record keeping or for public disseminetion
In the technical report the main emphasis is on (1) the methods employed, (ii) assumptions made in the course of the study, (iii) the detailed presentation of the findings including their limitations and supporting data.
FORMATING IN DRAFTING REPORT
There are very definite and set of rules which should be followed in the actual
presentation of the research report or paper. The criteria of format should be decided as soon as the material for research paper have been assembled
The following points deserve mention so far as the mechanics of writing a report are concerned:
(1) Size and physical design: The manuscript should be written on unruled paper 8"x11" in size. If it is to be written by hand, then black or blue-black ink should be used. A margin of at least one and one-half inches should be allowed at the left hand and of at least half an inch at the right hand of the paper. There should also be one-inch margins, top and bottom. The paper should be neat and legible.
(2) Layout: Keeping in view the objective and nature of the problem, the layout of the report should be thought of and decided and accordingly adopted .
(3) Treatment of quotations: Quotations should be placed in quotation marks and double spaced, forming an immediate part of the text. But if a quotation is of a considerable length (more than four or five type written lines) then it should be single-spaced and indented at least half an inch to the right of the normal text margin.
(4) The footnotes: Regarding footnotes one should keep in view the followings:
(a) Footnotes are placed at the bottom of the page on which the reference or quotation which they identify or supplement ends.
(b) Footnotes should be numbered consecutively, usually beginning with 1 in each chapter separately. The number should be put slightly above the line, say at the end of a quotation.
(c) first footnote reference to any given work should be complete in its documentation, giving all the essential facts about the edition used. Such documentary footnotes follow a general sequence.
(5). Use of statistics, charts and graphs: Statistics are usually presented in the form of tables, charts, bars and line-graphs and pictograms. Such presentation should be self-explanatory and complete in itself. It should be suitable and appropriate looking to the problem at hand, Finally, statistical presentation should be neat and attractive.
(6). The final draft: Revising and rewriting the rough draft of the report should be done with great care before writing the final draft. The final draft should be crystal clear, connecting all the relationship as it requires. It should be free from all the ambiguity.
(7). Bibliography: Bibliography should be prepared and appended to the research report .
(8). Preparation of the index: At the end of the report, an index should invariably be given, the value of which lies in the fact that it acts as a good guide to the reader. Index may be prepared both as subject index and as author index. The former gives the names of the subject-topics or concepts along with the number of pages on which they have appeared or discussed in the report, whereas the latter gives the similar information regarding the names of authors. The index should always be arranged alphabetically.
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