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32 views

CH13 PPT

Uploaded by

Aliaa Habib
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Practical Research: Planning and Design

Twelfth Edition, Global Edition

Chapter 13
Planning and Preparing a
Final Research Report
Get Started on Your Report
• Identify requirements and guidelines
• Identify the style used in the discipline
• Search for and read general writing tips
• Surf the Internet for Writing Assistance
– Consider the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue
University (owl.english.perdue.edu)
• Look at others’ reports and identify both good and not-so-good
features
Essential Elements of a Research Report
1. Give readers a clear understanding of the research problem and why it
merits investigation
2. Describe the methods
3. Present the data precisely and completely to substantiate the
interpretations and conclusions
4. Interpret the data for readers, linking the data to the research problem
5. Alert readers to possible weaknesses of the study
6. Summarize the findings and connect them to contexts beyond the study
itself
Explanation of the Research Problem
• State the main purpose
– Create a meeting of the minds between the writer and the
readers of the report
• Include:
– Statement of the problem & sub-problems
– Setting
– Why it’s important
– Definition of key terms
– Review of related literature, when necessary
Description of Methods
• So complete that another researcher could replicate the study
exactly
• Include:
– General design
– Research setting
– Sample
– Assessment instruments
– Procedures
Description of Data and Analysis
• Rationale for statistical approaches
• Summary of data
– As they relate to each problem and subproblem
– Any unexpected findings of interest
• Supported with figures, tables, quotations, and examples
Interpretation of Data
• Inquire into the intrinsic meaning of the data
• Exploit the data fully
• Don’t go too far beyond the data or lose sight of actual findings
• Draw conclusions about causation or influence only when the
design of the study allows
• Avoid the word “prove”
• Report honestly what the data have revealed
Identification of Possible Weaknesses
• Be upfront about assumptions or biases that may have
influenced the study or your objectivity
• Describe precisely how far the research effort extended
(delimitations)
• Describe limitations that may cast doubt on the findings
Summary and Connections to Broad Context
• Section or chapter that brings closure to the study
• Summarizes the findings and interpretations
• Answers the “so what” question
– In what way does the study contribute to our collective
knowledge
Maintaining Academic Integrity (1 of 3)
• Convey only the truth
• Academic integrity includes:
– Appropriately crediting the words and ideas of other people
– Maintaining confidentiality and protecting participants’
right to privacy
– Explicitly identifying any biases in your sample selection
Maintaining Academic Integrity (2 of 3)
• Academic integrity includes:
– Describing participants who were dropped from the sample
and explaining why
– Describing limitations of measurement instruments
Maintaining Academic Integrity (3 of 3)
• Academic integrity includes:
– Describing procedures to fill in missing data points
– Providing a comprehensive report of the findings,
including those that do not support your hypotheses
– Explicitly identifying any potential confounding variables
Front Matter
• Title page (author, university affiliation, date)
• Signature page and/or copyright page if needed
• Abstract (short summary of the entire study)
• Acknowledgments of assistance
• Table of contents
Writing the Abstract
• What was this research project intended to accomplish?
• What research problem did it set out to address?
• What was the general design and methodology of the study?
• What were the results?
• What conclusions can reasonably be drawn from them?
End Matter (1 of 2)
• Footnotes: Appear at the bottom of relevant pages
• Endnotes: Appear at the end of the text
• Each serve three purposes:
1. Sources
2. Permissions information
3. Supplemental information
End Matter (2 of 2)
• Reference list
– Complete for all sources cited in the text.
▪ Author
▪ Date of publication
▪ Title of the work
▪ Publication information
• Appendixes
– Material appearing in an appendix enables readers to go
further in understanding the method and/or results if so
desired.
Writing the Report (1 of 2)
• The following guidelines can greatly enhance the effectiveness
with which you tell readers about your research project:
1. Choose an appropriate style

– Look to your discipline and/or institution


2. Use a logical, predictable structure
– Add headings and transitions
3. Be clear and precise
4. Use appropriate verb tenses
Writing the Report (2 of 2)
5. Be objective and impartial
6. Summarize regularly
7. Submit a neat, clean final copy that strictly adheres to
required formats
Developing a Writing Schedule
• The following suggestions may help you develop a writing
schedule that works:
1. Identify small, easily accomplishable goals
2. Write easier sections first
3. Set reasonable target dates
4. Reward yourself for reaching goals
5. Seek regular feedback
6. Plan for revisions
Presenting Your Research at a Professional
Conference
• Consider these suggestions:
1. Be concise and to the point
2. Prepare visuals in advance
3. Practice, but don’t memorize
4. Prepare supplemental handouts
5. Anticipate and be prepared to answer questions
6. Make connections and follow up after the conference
Additional Writing Advice
• Submit a report to a research journal
– Review the criteria and expectations first
• Share authorship when appropriate
– Coauthors should be those who made significant
intellectual contributions
• Seek and respond to reviewers’ critiques

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