WRITING THE RESEARCH REPORT

Considerations in Writing the Research Report

The style of presenting research reports varies. However, the principles of clear organization and presentation must
be observed. The report should observe the following: readability, comprehensibility, and tone.
According to Cooper and Emory (1995), a quality presentation of research findings can have an inordinate effect on
a reader’s or listener’s perceptions of the quality of the study. Recognition of this fact should prompt a researcher to make a
special effort to communicate skillfully and clearly. They further emphasized that the writer of the research report should be
guided by four questions:
1. What is the purpose of this report?
2. Who will read it?
3. What are the circumstances and limitations under which it is written?
4. How will the report be used?
Major Parts/Sections of the Research Report

The following are the major parts or sections of the research report together with the important guidelines that the
writer needs to follow.
A. THE PRELIMINARIES
The preliminaries or the prefatory items consist of the Title Page, Curriculum Vitae or Bibliographical sketch
of the researcher, Acknowledgement, Abstract, Table of Contents, List of Tables, and List of Figures. The List of
Appendices can be incorporated in the Table of Contents. Usually, the preliminary pages are numbered using lower
case Roman numerals.

B. THE TITLE OF THE STUDY

The title of the study must be specific and concise. In creating the title of the study, the following needs to
be considered:
1. It signifies a very timely and significant contribution to the needs of an agency, in particular and to the
society, in general.
2. It adequately conveys what the study is all about.
3. It indicates the major variables covered.
4. It expresses the key ideas or concepts expected to be contained in the research outcome.
5. It gives an indication of the research method used
Usually, written in an inverted pyramid form, it is suggested that the title must only contain at most fifteen
words. Phrases, which appear superfluous, such as “A Study on”, “A Research Study”, “A Comparative Analysis”
as well as articles “A”, “An”, and “The” could be avoided.
C. ABSTRACT
The abstract which is considered the “summary of summaries” allows the readers to survey the contents of
the research report. Thus, it should give a thorough and brief summary including the purposed, methodology used,
findings, and recommendations. Although one meaning of the “abstract” is to summarize, another is to “take away.”
Because an abstract is a condensed summary, it does “take away” from the total picture of information about a
research study and gives only limited information about the study itself.

D. INTRODUCTION, OR RATIONALE, OR BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

This part introduces the study – its background, research status, rationale, and purpose. It systematically
leads to the statement of the problems. It should also provide a very good presentation of the prevailing problematic
situation that promoted the investigation. It should indicate why the study has to be conducted, what the problem is
all about, and what will be covered in the study. It should be noted that this part should not only present the research
problem; rather, it should present a convincing fashion the justifications of the choice of the problem or topic to be
investigated. In some cases, conflicting evidences, questionable principles or practices on the subject are critically
presented and explained. Moreover, it should include a statement on its relevance to felt needs and should bear
possible implications and significant contributions to concerned individuals and to the body of knowledge, in general.

E. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The theoretical framework includes the theories and principles that provide the bases for the present study.
Sometimes, legal bases such as Republic Acts, Presidential Decrees, Memorandum Orders, and Laws are
 incorporated on the theoretical framework. Theories to be included in this section should be only those that are related
to the study. They should be only those that are related to the study. They should be duly supported by citing well-
known theorists, psychologists, social scientists and experts. In the case of the researcher’s own theories, they should
be supported by universally-held theories of well-known authority sources. In the presentation, the theory is stated
first and the followed by the proponent of the theory. The researcher should not forget to relate the theory to the
present study.

F. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
The conceptual framework should spell out the concepts (and their relationships) on which the study is
anchored. It should guide the researcher to formulate the schema (also called research paradigm, conceptual model,
or conceptual-analytic model) showing relationship among variables in the study. The indicators or criteria by which
the pertinent variables in the sub-problems are to be measured are given. Likewise, each of the involved indicators is
discussed to show how each was derived from the theory and how each is to be used in the study. The relationships
among variables (dependent and independent variables) should be supported by the results of related studies or by
theories and readings.

G. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This part provides the statement of the general and specific problems of the study. The general problems
consists of four essential parts, namely: an introductory phrase, general plan of procedure, the object of the plan,
and the setting of the study. It embodies a very significant contribution to the researcher’s field in particular and
needs of the society, in general.
The specific or sub-problems should be stated precisely, clearly, briefly and unambiguously. They should
be researchable. They should cover the very essential aspects of variables that serve to expand of delimit the general
problem statement. They should be defined in terms of the data that can be obtained. They represent relevant and
timely issues that are worth investigating to support the general problem statement. The problems should be original
enough to assure that its expected answers do not merely repeat and duplicate answers already discovered by others.

H. HYPOTHESES
The hypotheses are conjectural statements of relationships or differences between two or more variables.
They must relate to the main problem and specific problems. They should be brief, clear and testable and should
provide suggested answers to the problems. They should state the definite terms, the relationships between variables.
They should be clearly and explicitly stated in statistical or null forms. However, the research form of the hypotheses
may be included. Also the level of significance may be stated.

I. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This part of the report should be specific, stated clearly and well-discussed. It includes the statement on
relevance, the felt needs, and the potential contribution of the study to knowledge. It should state why the problems
to be investigated are important. Likewise, it should state who the beneficiaries are and how they are going to be
benefited.
J. SCOPE, DELIMITATION, AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
This part indicated a reasonable area of the study, it defines the geographic boundaries clearly. It presents
the subjects of respondents of the study, the place, the time period or school year covered, and the major variables
included in the study. For the part on limitations, the constraints and weakness of the study which are beyond the
control of the researcher are presented and discussed. It should be noted that mentioning the limitations does not
detract the impact of study.

K. DEFINITION OF TERMS
This part presents the conceptual and/or operational definition of terms used in the study. Terms should be
clearly and adequately defined. They should be defined according to its function or its measurement. Definitions
should be concise and unambiguous. They must delineate the dependent and independent variables. Researchers
adopt the alphabetical listing of terms.

L. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This part consists of two subparts, namely, the review of related literature, and the review of related studies.
The review guides the researcher in the formulation of the problem and the methodology of the study. It further
enables the researcher to gather salient and relevant information necessary to enrich and support the development of
the theoretical and conceptual framework for the study. Thus, the review should be very adequate and relevant to the
problem under investigation.
 The discussion should include critical comparisons, contrasts and analogies covering theories, concepts,
facts and ideas cited by authorities on the subject. These literature and studies should have significant bearing to the
present study.
1. thematic organization, where the review is organized based on themes, e.g., “Studies on Academic
Achievement”, “Studies on Job Satisfaction”
2. chronological organization, where the review is organized based on periods or episodes or time-order
progression of the research topic
3. site organization, where the review is organized according to foreign or local setting.
Moreover, the review must show evidence that the proponent fully understands the content and intent of the
material being reviewed. Also, it must show evidence that the researcher has exerted sufficient effort to discover and
review all pertinent literature taken from foreign and local sources. The review of both foreign and local materials
needs to give a balanced presentation of the investigation being conducted in various settings.
M. RESEARCH DESIGN
The research design must contain adequate description on the appropriateness of the chosen research design
for the solution of the problem. Furthermore, it should be described with sufficient clarity as to permit other
researchers to replicate the study.

N. RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT
The research environment, also called research locale or research setting, presents the detailed description
of the place (region, province, city, division, district, school, barangay) where the study is conducted. A capsule
presentation of the population, structure, topography, physical, or socio-economic-political conditions of the place of
study should be kept in mind. A locator map is oftentimes included in this section.

O. SOURCES OF DATA ( THE RESPONDENTS OR SUBJECTS OF THE STUDY)

This par describes the respondents or subjects of the study. A brief description of the population is given
together with the figures indicating number of respondents of subjects per category.

P. SAMPLING PROCEDURE
This part describes how the subjects or respondents rare selected from a target population. It should describe
the step-by-step procedure on how the sample size is determined and how the actual samples are taken.

Q. DATA-GATHERING PROCEDURE
This part clearly narrates where, when, and how the data were obtained by the researcher. If there is a need
for permission to concerned authorities, the researcher should duly mention. Administration of the data-gathering
instruments and retrieval of the same should be described. Also, how the irregularities in the administrations or
experimentation were handled should be included.

R. RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS
This part describes the research instruments, or data-gathering instruments used in the study. It includes how
the validity and reliability of the instruments are established. It should provide proofs of the validity and reliability
of the instruments it should present the description, adoption, construction, necessary modifications, administration,
and scoring procedure of the instruments.

S. STATISTICAL TREATMENT
This part presents the different statistical tools or techniques used in the study. These tools should be
appropriate for answering the research questions. They should be appropriate for the type of data gathered. Unfamiliar
formulas should be provided and statistical software (when used) should be mentioned.

T. RESULTS AND FINDINGS (PRESENTATIONS, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA)

Considered as the longest part, this part presents and discusses the results and findings of the study. It should
be presented in a systematic (based on the order of the problem), straightforward, and unbiased way. It should be
geared to the research questions and hypotheses. Tables and figures should be discussed clearly and substantially.
Only objective data embodied in tables are made the bases of discussion. In the discussion, present first the findings
and then analyze the same pointing out the typical results (e.g., “the average” or the “the majority”). The analyses of
the data should be objective and logical. A careful distinction between facts and opinion should be made and facts,
not opinion, should prevail.
 In analyzing and interpreting data, those that are consistent of inconsistent with the theory presented in the
theoretical framework should be pointed out. In reporting statistical tests of significance, information concerning the
values of the tests, the degrees of freedom, the probability level and the direction of the effect should be include.
Moreover, the researcher should relate the findings of the study in the light of the previous findings. It should
be pointed out whether they conform of contradict to previous findings should be adequately interpreted. If previous
findings are not available or not known to the researcher, the present findings may be supported by theories and
readings. Beware of using opinionated, conclusive and sweeping statements without citing well-known theorist and
experts.
In studies with a research output (e.g. training design or model, action plan, guidelines), it should be noted
that such is based on the findings of the study.

U. SUMMARY
This part presents the thorough summary of the study-problems, methodology, and findings. Summary of
findings should be enumerated in a systematic manner and presented adequately.
V. CONCLUSIONS
This part draws conclusions or generalizations of the study. It should dovetail with the findings of the study.
Conclusions should be logical, i.e., they flow from the findings. Broad generalizations net adequately supported by
data should be avoided. It should mention the importance of the findings in terms of theoretical and practical
applications. It should add to the knowledge in a particular field.
W. RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations must be stated explicitly. They should stem from the findings. They should be addresses
to the persons, offices, agencies, or authorities in the position to implement such recommendations. Avenues for
further research should be suggested.
X. BIBLIOGRAPHY
The bibliography lists the different references used in the study such as books, encyclopedias, dictionaries,
journals, magazines, periodicals, theses and dissertations (published or unpublished), legal bases (Republic Act,
Presidential Decree, Memorandum Order, Laws), and websites. It should follow and APA format.
EXAMPLE:

Amoroso, V. B., Lagunday, N. E., Coritico, F. P., & Colong, R. D. (2018). Nepenthes
alfredoi (Carophyllales, Nepenthaceae), A New Species of Picther Plant from Mindanao,
Philippines. Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324890160
Bauer, U., Di Giusto, B., Skepper, J., Grafe, U., & Federle, W. (2012). With a Flick of
the Lid: A Novel Trapping Mechanism in Nepenthes gracilis Pitcher Plants. PLoS ONE 7(6):
e38951. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038951
Gorb, E. & Gorb, S. (2011). The Effect of Surface Anisotropy in the Slippery Zone of
Nepenthes alata Pitchers on Beetle Attachment. Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2, 302–310.
doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.35
Wang, L. & Zhou, Q. (2010). Numerical Characterization of Surface Structures of
Slippery Zone in Nepenthes alata Pitchers and its Mechanism of Reducing Locust’s Attachment.
Advances in Natural Science. 3 (2) pp. 152-160. ISSN 1715-7870

Y. APPENDICES
This part includes pertinent papers and materials related to the study. It includes the authorization letter
(permission to conduct research), letter of transmittal (letter to the respondents), the research instruments (forms,
questionnaires, interview guides) or other supporting documents.
Z. DOCUMENTATIONS
This part should involve pictures related to the study
with caption at the button of the picture. It may include the
process, how the study being conducted, instruments or materials
and etc. There are may be “Selfies” but it should be related to the
study. Unrelated photos should not be included.
EXAMPLE: