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Research Interpretation and

Report Writing

If a research is not “interpreted”,

then it is a waste

Finally if research was not “written up”

then did it really occur?

Why Thesis ?• Fulfills requirement of getting Degree

• Provides an opportunity to explore a topic indepth

• Encourages a rigorous, logical andsystematic approach to problem-solving

• Career development

RESEARCH REPORT• A research report is:• a written document or oral presentation based on

a written document that communicates thepurpose, scope, objective(s), hypothesis,methodology, findings, limitations and finally,recommendations of a research project to others.

• The last stage of a research process.;• It is more than a summary of findings; rather it

is a record of the research process.• The researcher has to convince the client [and

others who may read the report] that the researchfindings can be acted on for their own benefit.

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RESEARCH PROCESS

Define ResearchProblem

Review Concepts

And theories

Review PreviousResearchfindings

Formulatehypothesis

DesignResearch(Including

SampleDesign)

CollectData

AnalyzeData

Interpretand

report

FF

F

F F

FF

I

II

III IV V VI VII

F

FF

Feed BackFeed Forward

Review the literature

RESEARCH REPORT• Any research report contains:

– descriptions on methodology,– results obtained,– and recommendations made.

• The basic orientation of a research reportdepends on its audience. Before writing thereport– the researcher must know his or her audience;– he/she may have to make assumptions about the

composition, background and interests of thetarget readers.

REPORT PREPARATION AND PRESENTATION PROCESS

P r e - re p o r t W r itin g A c t iv i tie s

R e p o r t W r itin g

A c t iv i tie s

P o s tR e p o r tW r i tin g

P ro b le m D e f in it io n ,R e s e a rc h D e s ig na n d M e th o d o lo g y

D a taA n a ly s is

In te rp r e ta ti o n o fR e s e a rc hf in d i n g s

R e p o rtP r e p a r a ti o n

O r a lP r e s e n ta tti o n

R e a d in g o f t h eR e p o rt b y t h e

c lie n t

R E S E A R C HF O L L O W -U P

Interpretation and Report Writing

• Interpretation

– The task of drawing inferences from thecollected facts after an analytical orexperimental study.

– Search for broader meanings of researchfindings

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Aspects of Interpretation• The effort to establish continuity in research

through linking the results of a given study withthose of another

• Establishment of some explanatory concepts• Interpretation is the device through which the

factors that seem to explain what has beenobserved by researcher in the course of studycan be better understood and it also provides atheoretical conception which can serve as aguide for further researches.

Why Interpretation?• To understand the abstract principle that works

beneath his/her findings• For the establishment of explanatory concepts

that can serve as a guide for future researchstudies.

• To make understand the real significance of theresearch findings and why the findings are whatthey are

• Interpretation is involved in the transition fromexploratory to experimental research

Technique of Interpretation - Steps

• Researcher must give reasonable explanations of therelations which he/she has found and he/she mustinterpret the lines of relationship in terms of theunderlying process

• Extraneous information, if collected during the studymust be considered while interpreting the final results ofresearch study.

• Consultation with someone having insight into the study,for correct interpretation and for enhancing utility ofresearch results

• The task of interpretation should be accomplished onlyafter considering all relevant factors affecting theproblem to avoid generalization.

Precautions in interpretation• Researcher must satisfy himself that data is

appropriate, trustworthy, adequate, reflect goodhomogeneity and proper analysis done throughmethods

• Should be cautious about errors, false generalizationsshould not be made

• Precautions concerning reliability, validity, computationshould be taken

• Should disengage the factors that are initially hiddento the eye

• There should be constant interaction betweentheoretical conceptions and empirical observations

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Research process and Research report

Hypothesis Design Experiment Testing Reporting

Introduction Methods Results Conclusion

Title Abstract

References Appendix

Research process

Research report

Problem definition

Approach to problem

Research design

Field work /

Lab Expt

Data preparation & Analysis

Proven Tools

Report preparation

& Presentation

Significance of Report Writing• Research has no value unless they are

effectively communicated to others.• Research reports must enter the store of

knowledge.• Writing report is a part and parcel of research

project.• Writing report requires a set of skills different

from doing research• Should be taken up with care and must seek

the assistance and guidance of experts

Steps in Writing report• Logical analysis of Subject matter- subject

development logically and chronologically• Preparation of the final outline – frameworks on

which long written works are constructed.• Preparation of rough draft – writing procedure

and technical analysis• Rewriting and polishing the rough draft –

careful revision• Preparation of final bibliography – alphabetical

arrangement of all references• Writing the final draft – final draft in a concise

and objective style in simple language

Purpose of Report• It is important to make sure your report fits the

purpose and meets its aims.• Your audience• who is your report for? What are the readers’

need and characteristics?• Your aim• what end result do you want-to inform, persuade,

recommend, will it lead to decision, or policies• Your topic and focus• what is the main subject area and which particular

aspect/issue will you cover

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Style and composition of the report

• Clear , logical and concise• Open , straightforward and dignified• Simple style with short sentences• Writing in third person as far as possible• Figures, charts and tables should be

captioned carefully and concisely• Presented in an organized manner

properly captioned

Principles of Thesis writing• Consistency in objectives, results and

conclusions• Connectivity logically without abrupt and

ragged beginning or ending• Indentation into meaningful chapters and

sections• Continuity of the flow of thoughts and ideas

in each section• Highlighting the major aspects or points

which are significant

Principles of Thesis Writing - contd

• Openness regarding limitations and errors• Clarity in communication and not impressing

or confusing the reader• Asserting without support are highly

detrimental to scientific research• Ordering of objectives, results, variables etc

in the same way• Compatibility, confining the results to data

or techniques

Principles of Thesis Writing - contd

• Jargons should be appropriate to thediscipline

• Elaboration/Brevity wherever required• Self sufficiency of tables, graphs, figures

and illustrations without further reference• Enrichment by presenting by-products

and related results• Synthesis-analysis-synthesis approach

in cycles

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Types of reports

• Technical Report – whenever a full reportof the study is required whether for recordkeeping or public dissemination.

• Popular report – is used if the researchresults have policy implications.

Types of Technical Reports

• Dissertations/Thesis submitted for obtainingresearch degrees like M.Tech, MS, MBA,M.Phil, or Ph.D in a university

• Reports of research submitted to theorganization sponsoring the research

• Publications in the form of research papers inresearch journals

• Reports of research to a client organization ofcontract research or consultancy research

Technical Report – General outline

• Summary of results• Nature of study• Methods employed• Data• Analysis of data and presentation of findings• Conclusions• Bibliography• Technical appendices• Index

Popular report – General outline

• Findings and implications• Recommendation of actions• Objectives of study• Methods employed• Results• Technical appendices

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Layout of the technical research report

• Preliminary Pages• Main Text• End Matter

CONTENTS OF RESEARCH REPORT

I. Title pageII. AuthorisationsIII. Table of contentsIV. List of tablesV. List of graphsVI. List of appendicesVII. List of exhibitsVIII. Abstract

a. Major findingsb. Conclusionsc. Recommendations

IX. Introductiona. Background to the

problemb. Statement of the problem

X. Approach to the problem

XI. Research designa. Type of research designb. Information needsc. Data collection from secondary sourcesd. Data collection from primary sourcese. Scaling techniquesf. Instrument development and pretestingg. Sampling techniquesh. Field work

XII. Data analysisa. Methodologyb. Plan of data analysis

XIII. ResultsXIV. Limitations and caveatsXV. Conclusions and

recommendationsXVI. Appendix

a. Formats, specificationsb. Statistical outputc. Lists

XVII. References/BibliographyIndex

Preliminary pages

• Title• Acknowledgements• Authorisations• Preface / Forward• Table of contents• List of tables and figures

Thesis Title• It should be precise.• It should be argumentative.• It should be an indication of the structure of

the thesis.• It should not be an announcement.• It should reflect the key idea (s) of your

project.• Try and use only single sentence for the Title.• It should be specific.

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Main Text• Introduction – subject introduction, context,

rationale, summary of research, methodology.• Statement of findings – should be in a

summarized form• Results – Detailed presentation of findings of the

study with tables, charts and interpretations.• Implication of results – statement of inference

applicable in similar circumstances, conditions thatlegitimate generalizations and relevant questionsremaining un answered

• Summary – brief summary of major findings,conclusions of the research

Abstract or Summary—an example

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Introduction• Introduction to theses are longer while in case of papers

comparatively shorter• The introduction tells the reader:

– what the topic of the paper is in general terms, – why the topic is important– what to expect in the paper.

• Introductions should:– funnel from general ideas to the specific topic of the

paper– justify the research that will be presented later

• Introductions are sometimes folded into literature reviews

Introduction—an example

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Introduction—an example4. Introduction Today, the Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) are getting more focused due to various reasons such as they are the real engine for growth of the Indian economy, provide employment to a large chunk of population, it is breeding ground for entrepreneurs, its making considerable contribution to GDP and export earnings, etc. This is the time when the SMEs in India should brace up to face new challenges of the modern times. So, the SMEs have no choice but to improve both in quality and standards as well as costing and pricing to survive. Gone are the days when the basic competitive elements used to be material, capital and the capability for quality production. The fast-changing world economy has completely changed the manufacturing scenario today. To meet the challenge of stiff competition and imports from overseas, the Indian SMEs are left with no choice but to take to manufacturing practices that would induce cost effectiveness and improvement in quality standards. Lean manufacturing is like taking to a systematic approach for identifying and eliminating waste in operations through continuous improvement for doing everything more efficiently, reducing the cost of operating the system and fulfilling the customers desire for maximum value at the lowest price. The mantra is: lowest inputs for highest output and quality. In this era of liberalization and globalization one or two sigma performance is down right non competitive. Zero defects are philosophical benchmark or standards of excellence in quality proposed by Philip Crosby. In 1987 Motorola adopted and pioneered the six sigma concept as a modification to the zero defects programme.

Introduction - ExampleInvestigation into the opportunity for manufacturing competitiveness improvement of medium

and small enterprises through Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma

Results Results

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End Matter

• Appendices – technical data,questionnaires, instrument specifications,sample information, mathematicalderivations,

• Bibliography – sources consulted• Index – alphabetical listing of names,

places and topics along with pagenumbers

Styles of Reporting• Appropriate language• Layout of a presentation• Use of images/visuals• Editing• Information• Accuracy• Format• Language• Presentation• Evaluate and improve your report

Appropriate language

• Precise and Concise• Explain words/terms your reader may not

understand• Abbreviations should be written in full first

with the abbreviation in brackets, after which the abbreviation can be used

• Short sentences

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Layout of a report presentation

• Overall image: word processing • Headings: use headings• Numbering: numbering your sections and

makes things clearer

Use of images/visuals

• To make something clearer rather than to pretty things up

• When something is difficult to describe in words or visual in nature

• To show how something works

A Flow Chart A Process Model

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Process Model Editing

• Purpose• Have your clarified your purpose?• Have you identified your reader’s

needs/characteristics?

Prewriting Considerations

• Researcher should put himself in theposition of a reader

• Make draft as close as possible to thefinished product

• Develop a longer synopsis initially andthen edit to shorten it

• Footnotes should be given for importantreferences

Mechanics of writing a Research Report

• Size and Physical Design – Typewrittenon one side in standard (A4) sheet, doublespaced using specified font, Margins oneand a half inch on left with 1 inch on allother three sides.

• Procedure – various steps should beadhered

• Layout – Keeping in view of objective andnature of problem

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Mechanics of writing a research report

• Treatment of quotations - should be placedin quotation marks and double spaced.

• The footnotes – for cross references, placedat the bottom of the page, numberedconsecutively, typed in single space.

• Documentation style – should be completein its documentation giving all the essentialfacts of the edition used.

Mechanics of writing a report

• Punctuation and abbreviations –• Use of statistics charts and graphs –

usually presented in the form of tables,charts and graphs and pictograms shouldbe suitable and appropriate

• The final draft – clear sentences, noGrammatik errors, convey what is meant,various points to fit logically

The Use of Data In Reports

• Tables should support discussion points

“Third quarter performance peaked dramatically in the East relative to the West and North. Overall brand performance remained stagnant from region to region in the first, second, and fourth quarters.”

0102030405060708090

1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

EastWestNorth

Mechanics of writing a report

• Bibliography – Should be prepared and appended to report

• Preparation of Index - Should be prepared and appended to report

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Bibliography

Name of the Author, Title of the Book/Periodical,Name of the Publication, Year of Publication,Place of Publication, Page No.

Krishnaswamy,K.N., (2006) , ManagementResearch Methodology: Integration of Principles,Methods and Techniques, Pearson Education ,New Delhi, Pg 201

Book references

Book Chapter:Last Name, first name. Year. “Chapter Name.” Pages in the book in Book Name, edited by first name last name. City of Publisher: Publisher.

Bianciardi, Roberto. 1997. "Growing Up Italian in New York City." Pp.179-213 in Adult Narratives of Immigrant Childhoods, edited byAna Relles. Rose Hill, PA: Narrative Press.

Book:Last name, first name. Year. Book Name. City of Publisher: Publisher.

Stryker, Sheldon. 1980. Symbolic Interactionism: A Social Structural Version. Menlo Park, CA: Benjamin/Cummings.

ReferencesGeneral Social Survey:

Davis, James Allan and Smith, Tom W.: General Social Surveys, 1972-2008.[machine-readable data file]. Principal Investigator, James A. Davis; Directorand Co-Principal Investigator, Tom W. Smith; Co-Principal Investigator, PeterV. Marsden, NORC ed. Chicago: National Opinion Research Center,producer, 2005; Storrs, CT: The Roper Center for Public Opinion Research,University of Connecticut, distributor. 1 data file (53,043 logical records) and1 codebook (2,656 pp).

Website:Last Name (if available), first name. Year (if available). “Article or web pagetitle.” Journal or Report Name Volume (if available). Retrieved date(http://address).

Markowitz, Robin. 1991. “Canonizing the Popular.” Cultural Studies Central.RetrievedOctober 31, 2001 (http://culturalstudies.net/canon.htm).

Note: Do your best to replicate this style in the case of missing information. Ifthere is no author, use the title in that position. Always have a retrieved dateand website address.

References

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References References

Editing Considerations

• Information• Accuracy• Format• Language• Presentation

Information

• Have you included the main points?• Are points supported by evidence?• Is the information relevant to the purpose?

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Accuracy

• Are there any spelling mistakes• Is the grammar/punctuation correct?• Do figures add up?• Are the reference correct, in the text and

at the end?• Are the reference of information listed in

the reference sections?• Are abbreviations consistent?

Format

• Is there a balance between sections? Do the most important items take up the most space?

• Is the report easy to follow?• Is it easy to find information in the report?• Are headings and numbering clear?• Are the arguments followed through?• Is it logical/easy to follow?

Language

• Is it clear? Direct, easy to read?• Will the readers understand it?• Will its tone help you achieve the

purpose?• Can unnecessary words/phrases be

deleted?• Is there any repetitions?

Presentation

• Is the layout appealing?• Does it highlight important points?• Are images clear?

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Evaluate and improve your report

• Look at any assessment criteria to see how far it meets them

• Look at your aim to see if you have met them

• Use feedback

Precautions in Writing reports• Regarding length of reports it should be long

enough to cover the subject but short enoughto maintain interest

• Should not be dull, should sustain interest• Abstract terminology and technical jargon

should be avoided.• Charts graphs and statistical tables should be

used appropriately wherever required• Layout should be in accordance with the

problem

Precautions in writing reports

• Reports should be free from grammaticalmistakes and must be prepared strictly inaccordance with techniques.

• Should have a structure and flow a logicalanalysis

• Should show originality and should solve aproblem

• Report should state policy implications

Precautions in writing Reports• Appendices should be enlisted• Bibliography is a must and should be given• Index is also considered as an essential part of

report• Should be attractive in appearance, neat and

clean whether typed or printed• Calculated confidence level should mentioned with

limitations• Objectives of study, nature of problem, methods

employed and analysis techniques all be clearlystated in the beginning.

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Plagiarism – What is it?• All knowledge in your head has either been

copied from some place or originallydiscovered by you.

• Most knowledge was copied.• This is true in most settings. General

knowledge is copied. Most teachers’ lecturesare copied knowledge (including mine !!).

• Human culture would not exist without ourkeen ability to copy!

• Humans are natural copiers, but that is notwhat is meant by the term “plagiarism.”

Plagiarism – What is it?• Among other things, plagiarism refers to

taking others’ work and representing it as if itwere your own.

• In academics this is bad because withplagiarism:– One cannot assess students’ development

accurately– The person who makes his or her livelihood by

scholarly pursuit is being robbed of credit– It masks the lineage of ideas and facts.

Avoiding Plagiarism• Document every source for information that is not

“general knowledge”—this includes facts and ideas.• Cite every time a fact or idea is used unless it is clear

that one citation is referring to a group of facts orideas.

• If you quote material, put quotation marks around thequoted stuff and include a page number within thecitation.

• It is alright to paraphrase material, but you still have tocite from where the paraphrased material came.

• When in doubt, cite the source. Improper citing isgrounds for failure on the course paper.

Thesis Evaluation Parameters• Research objective/ problem definition / Scope of thesis• Research methodology / Description used• Research results//analysis• Achievement of aims / research objectives• Originality /Value addition• Quality of recommendations & conclusion• Relevance of the Literature used• Structure and technical presentation of the thesis

(Writing style , Grammar, Punctuation ,Spelling ,communicativeness andLayout requirements )

• Assessment of Process(Independency shown by the student , Pace of work and Response sheetfollow-ups)

• Viva Performance and Assessment of handwritten summary ofthesis work

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Significance and Relevance of Research in Engineering / Management

• Addition of new Knowledge• Aid to Informed decision making• Helps identify problem areas• Aid to planning• Tool for efficiency and effectiveness in all

areas of Technology• Optimal utilization of resources• Basis for Creativity and Innovation

Research Never Stops – The Wheel of Research

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“DO’s in Research”Define a POA (plan of action) from day one!Find a topic that you are really interested in Work with your fellow scholars Work closely with your supervisor to get full supportAbide by the instructions of your SupervisorUndertake a thorough and critical review of the literature Present papers at conferences and publish in high quality refereed journals so as to improve your writing skills and obtain early critical comments from external reviewers and peersTake over – in research ownership is importantWrite and keep on writing, it cements your thoughts Reward yourself when significant milestones are achievedBe confident (not arrogant)

• Prolong your research• Take long breaks ( it is difficult to start again)• Depend 100% on your supervisor• Be forced down a specific theme / methodology route

just to fit in with the available resources• Think the supervisor knows everything• Have poor time management• Lose focus or direction • Let any third party or your supervisor control your

research• Plagiarise• Underestimate the writing up period• Ignore the importance of meeting your supervisor on a

regular basis• Take criticism negatively, but as a challenge!

“DO NOT’s in Research”

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My theses covers an interesting topic, it has a clear rationale for doing the research and a well defined focus. It is supported by strong theoretical underpinnings through a critical and comprehensive literature review and a robust research methodology. The research aim, objectives, questions/hypotheses are well articulated and the research sample is representative. The data collection, analysis and validation phases are comprehensive and appropriate. My research is original and it makes a serious contribution to knowledge and it has already been published in top rated refereed journals and conferences. It is written in an exciting, flowing and convincing style and the conclusions clearly meet the research objectives. I am proud of my research, not just because of the product (thesis and title), but also because of the process (I am now a trained researcher). My research opens many doors for me, it gave me confidence and strengthened my analytical skills, it has also helped me for my career growth

You should be in a position to say the following about your research work