writing research reportsclass

Writing Research Report

By : Mrs . Najmunnisa Siddiqui

Introduction

04/12/23 Free template from www.brainybetty.com 2

Learning Objectives

To understand: 1. Meaning of Research2. Types of Business Research by Method

and Purpose3. Steps of Research 4. Meaning of Report5. Purpose of Reports 6. Types of Report7. Steps in Writing a Report


Definition: Research

• Re·Search: NOUN: a detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding.

Cambridge Dictionaries Online,© Cambridge University Press 2003.

• Example of researchTo get more detailed information about our competitors we have to do some research on the Internet as well as in libraries.


Research is an ORGANIZED and SYSTEMATIC way of FINDING ANSWERS

to QUESTIONS.

• SYSTEMATIC because there is a definite set of procedures and steps which you will follow. There are certain things in the research process which are always done in order to get the most accurate results.

• ORGANIZED in that there is a structure or method in going about doing research. It is a planned procedure, not a spontaneous one. It is focused and limited to a specific scope.


Contd….

• FINDING ANSWERS is the end of all research. Whether it is the answer to a hypothesis or even a simple question, research is successful when we find answers. Sometimes the answer is no, but it is still an answer.

• QUESTIONS are central to research. If there is no question, then the answer is of no use. Research is focused on relevant, useful, and important questions. Without a question, research has no focus, drive, or purpose.


Scientific method

• a method of investigation involving observation and theory to test scientific hypotheses wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

• Scientific method refers to bodies of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method

• A method of discovering knowledge about the natural world based in making falsifiable predictions (hypotheses), testing them empirically, and developing peer-reviewed theories that best explain the known dataen.wiktionary.org/wiki/scientific_method


Classification of Research By Purpose

Research by Purpose

Basic

Applied

Action

R & D

Evaluation


Basic Research

• In its purest form, basic research is conducted solely for the purpose of theory development and refinement.

• Example: Theories of Motivation

• Theories of Leadership


Applied research

• Applied research, as the name implies, is conducted solely for the purpose of applying, or testing theory and evaluating its usefulness in solving problems

• Example Applied researchers may investigate ways to:

• improve agricultural crop production • treat or cure a specific disease • improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices,

or modes of transportation


Evaluation research

• The purpose is to facilitate decision making regarding the relative worth of 2 or more actions


4. Research and development

• Major purpose is not to formulate or test theory but to develop effective products .


5. Action research

• Purpose is to solve business and management problems through the application of the scientific method


Classification of Research By Method

Research By Method

Historical Research

Correlational Research

Descriptive Research

Causal Comparative

Experimental


Historical Research

• It involves studying, understanding, and explaining past events.

• 2.Purpose is to arrive at conclusions concerning causes, effects, or trends of past occurrences that may help to explain present events and anticipate future. Should be to predict or explain—not to rehash.


Correlational Research

• 1. Attempts to determine whether and, to what degree, a relationship exists between two or more quantifiable variables.

• 2. Purpose may be to establish a relationship (or lack of) or to use relationships in making predictions.


Descriptive Research

• Descriptive research is used to obtain information concerning the current status of the phenomena to describe "what exists" with respect to variables or conditions in a situation.

• Surveys (questionnaires, Delphi method, interviews, normative)

• Case Studies• Job Analyses• Documentary Analysis• Developmental Studies• Correlational Studies


Causal-comparative

• Here you test the cause and effect relationship of two variables. One is dependant and the other one is independent

• You cannot manipulate the variable


Experimental Research

• This is an experiment where the researcher manipulates one variable, and control/randomizes the rest of the variables. It has a control group, the subjects have been randomly assigned between the groups, and the researcher only tests one effect at a time. It is also important to know what variable(s) you want to test and measure.

http://www.experiment-resources.com/independent-variable.html

http://www.experiment-resources.com/randomized-controlled-trials.html

http://www.experiment-resources.com/scientific-control-group.html

http://www.experiment-resources.com/social-science-subjects.html


Steps of Research

• (1) defining the problem,

• (2) reviewing the related literature,

• (3) formulating the hypothesis,

• (4) selecting the research design and then collecting and analyzing data, and

• (5) developing the conclusion


Business Research

Business research refers to any type of researching done when starting or running any kind of business.

For example, starting any type of business requires research into the target customer and the competition to create a business plan.

Conducting business market research in existing businesses is helpful in keeping in touch with consumer demand.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-business-plan.htm

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-market-research.htm


Contd….

Small business research begins with researching an idea and a name and continues with research based on customer demand and other businesses, offering similar products or services.

All business research is done to learn information that could make the company more successful.


Definition: Report

• In writing, a report is a document characterized by information or other content reflective of inquiry or investigation, which is tailored to the ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reports

• report - a written document describing the findings of some individual or group; "this accords with the recent study by Hill and Dale"

http://www.google.com.pk/url?q=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reports&ei=UwNLS8qbCIXTlAf_q5SKDQ&sa=X&oi=define&ct=&cd=1&ved=0CBMQpAMoAA&usg=AFQjCNGrGkzdjvjS1pdsnEJZxM3J1Gw_mg


Definition: Business Research Report

• A business report is an orderly and objective communication of factual information that serves some business purpose.

Its an orderly communication , a report is given some care in preparation .

• The objective quality of a report is unbiased approach to the facts presented .It seeks truth regardless of its consequences.

• Factual Information means events, records or data.


Rationale for writing Business Report

• The purpose of a Business report is to communicate information to assist in the business decision making process.

• Business reports are a type of assignment in which you analyze a situation (either a real situation or a case study) and apply business theories to produce a range of suggestions for improvement.

• Some reports might propose solutions for

business problems or might present relevant information to assist in the problem solving process


Examples

• To determine ways to improve employee morale.

• (statement) To design a new procedure for the company’s annual inventory.

• (statement) • Should new computers be purchased to

replaced the older models? (question)• Should the office arrangement be open or

modular? (question)


Types of Business Reports :

• Routine Reports : Monthly Report, Performance Report, Review Report,

Sales Report, Press Report • Research Reports: Survey Reports & Special Reports • Enquiry Reports & Investigation Reports• Confidential Reports • Information Reports & Analytical Reports• Technical Reports & Feasibility Report• Directors’ Report • Annual Reports • Committee Reports


Steps of Writing Research Report

• Step 1. Choose Your Topic• Step 2. Determine the Scope of the Report• Step 3. Locate Information. Consider Your

audience. (Identify population and sample)• Step 4. Determine your research design• Step 5. Develop data collection tools• Step. 6 Gather Your Information • Step 7. Analyze Your Information • Step 8. Determine the Solution• Step 9. Organize Your Report

Step 10. Presentation


References

• Online research journal

• http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/505722/description#description

writing research reportsclass

Technology

research research

experimental research

classification of research

research process

research design

report iqra university

variable iqra university

actions iqra university