PRECAUTIONS FOR WRITING RESEARCH REPORT

Research report is a channel of communicating the research findings to the readers of the report. A
good research report is one which doe this task efficiently and effectively. Research report must be prepared by keeping the following precautions in view:

1. Length of the report: While determining the length of the report (since  research reports vary greatly in length), one should keep in view the fact that it should be long enough to cover the subject but short enough to maintain interest. In fact, report writing should not be a means to learning more and more about less and less.
2. Interesting: A research report should not, if this can be availed, be dull, it should be such as to sustain reader's interest.
3. Use of abstract terminology and Jargon: Abstract terminology and technical Jargon should be avoided in research report. The report should be able to convey the matter as simply as possible. This in other words, means that report should be written in and objective style in simple language, avoiding, expression such as, "it seems", "There may be" and the like.
4. Presentation of the findings: Readers are often interested in acquiring a quick knowledge of the main findings and as such the report must provide a ready availability of the findings. for this purpose, charts, graphs and the statistical tables may be used for the various results in the main report in addition to the summary of important findings.
5. Presentation of the report: The layout of the report should be well though out and must be appropriate and in accordance with objective of the research problems.
6. Writing of the Report: The reports should be free from grammatical mistakes and must be prepared strictly in accordance with the techniques of composition footnotes, documentation, proper punctuation and use of abbreviations in footnotes.
7. Logical presentation of the report: The report must present the logical analysis of the subject matter. it must reflect a structure wherein the different pieces of analysis relating to the research problem fit well.
8. Originality in writing report: A research report should show originality and should necessarily be an attempt to solve some intellectual problem. it must contribute to the solution of a problem and must add to the store of knowledge.
9. Plan for future research and implications: Towards the end, the report must also state the policy implications relating to the problem under consideration. It is usually considered desirable if the report makes a forecast of the probable future of the subject concerned and indicates the kinds of research still needs to be done in that particular field.
10. Appendices: Appendices should be enlisted in respect of all the technical data in the report.
11. Bibliography: Bibliography of sources consulted is a must for a good report and must necessarily be given.
12. Index: Index is also considered an essential part of a good report and as such must be prepared and appended at the end.
13. Appearance: Report must be attractive in appearance, neat and clean, whether types or printed.
14. Stating confidence limits: Calculated confidence limits must be mentioned and the various constraints experienced in conducting the research study may also be stated in the report.
15. Introduction: Objective of the study, the nature of the problem, the methods employed and the analysis techniques adopted must all be clearly stated in the beginning of the report in the form of introduction.

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