Research Report Writing – PST06210 Operational Research
NTA Level 6 • Semester 2 • PST06210 Research Report Writing Operational Research • Source Session/Topic 24 Full source-text version: all educational wording from the extracted learning source is retained; only presenter/tutor metadata and web-layout noise are removed, while formatting is improved for readability. Session 24: Research Report Writing Total Session Time: 120 minutes Prerequisites None Learning Tasks By the end of this session students are expected to be able to: • List the main components of a research report • Make an outline of research report • Write drafts of report in stages • Check the final draft of report for completeness • Draft recommendations for action based on research findings Resources Needed Flip charts, marker pens, and masking tape Black/white board and chalk/whiteboard markers Computer and LCD Projector SESSION OVERVIEW Activity/ Step Time Content Method 1 05 minutes Presentation Introduction, Learning Tasks Presentation The Main Components of a Research Report 2 15 minutes Brainstorming 40 minutes Presentation An Outline of Research Report. 3 Group discussion 4 30 minutes Presentation Drafts of Report in Stages. 5 10 minutes Presentation Checking the Final Draft for Completeness 10 minutes Recommendations for Action Based on Research 6 Presentation Findings 7 05 minutes Presentation Key Points 8 05 minutes Presentation Evaluation ___________________________________________________________________________ PST 06210 Operational Research NTA Level 6 Semester 2 Facilitator Guide 244 SESSION CONTENTS STEP1: Presentation of Session Title and Learning Tasks (5 minutes) READ or ASK students to read the learning tasks and clarify ASK students if they have any questions before continuing STEP 2: The Main Components of a Research Report (15 minutes) Activity: Brainstorming (10 minutes) Ask students to brainstorm on the following question: What are the main components of a research report? ALLOW few students to respond? WRITE their responses on the flip chart/ board CLARIFY and SUMMARISE by using the content below • The research report outline should contain the following components in the following order: o Title and Cover Page o Summary of Study Design, Findings and Recommendations o Acknowledgements o Table of Contents o List of tables, figures (optional) o List of abbreviations (optional) o Introduction (statement of the problem in its local context, including relevant literature) o Objectives o Methodology o Research Findings o Discussion o Conclusions and Recommendations o References o Annexes (data collection tools; tables) ___________________________________________________________________________ PST 06210 Operational Research NTA Level 6 Semester 2 Facilitator Guide 245 • Note: When assigning page numbers to the report, components bullet number 1-6 use small Roman Numerals (For example: i, ii, iii, iv, v…). • Introduction (Component number 7), is Page 1 of the actual report. • The findings, discussion of findings, conclusions and recommendations will form the most substantial part of the report, which has to be written from scratch. • It is strongly advised that start with the findings, discussion and conclusions. • Write each component in stages as follows: o Create an outline o Write Introduction o Write the Objectives o Write the Methodology o Write your Findings o Discuss your Findings o Write conclusions and recommendations o References o Annex o Summary o Acknowledgement o Table of contents o Title and Cover page STEP 3: An Outline of Research Report (40 minutes) Activity: Small Group Discussion (20 minutes) DIVIDE students into small manageable groups ASK students to discuss on the following question • What is an outline of a research report? ALLOW students to discuss for 10 minutes ALLOW few groups to present and the rest to add points not mentioned CLARIFY and SUMMARIZE by using the following contents • An outline of a research report: o Cover page The cover page should contain the • Title • The names of the authors with their titles and positions, ___________________________________________________________________________ PST 06210 Operational Research NTA Level 6 Semester 2 Facilitator Guide 246 • The institution that is publishing the report, (e.g., Research Unit, Ministry of Health) and • The month and year of publication. • The title in line with the broad objectives o Abstract/Summary The summary should be written only after the first or even the second draft of the report has been completed. It should contain: • A very brief description of the problem (WHY this study was needed) • The main objectives (WHAT has been studied) • The place of study (WHERE) • The type of study and methods used (HOW) • Major findings and conclusions, followed by • The major (or all) recommendations • The summary will be the first part of the study that will be read. o Acknowledgements It is good practice to thank those who supported you technically or financially in the design and implementation of your study. Also, your employer who has allowed you to invest time in the study and the respondents may be acknowledged. Acknowledgements are usually placed right after the title page or at the end of the report, before the references o Table of contents It provides the reader a quick overview of the major sections of your report, with page references List of tables, figures List of abbreviations (optional) The table of contents and lists of tables, figures, abbreviations should be prepared last o Chapter 1: Introduction Contains Background information Statement of the problem Literature review collected during the implementation of the study o Chapter 2: Objectives The general and specific objectives should be included as stated in the proposal. You can adjust them slightly for style and sequence. If you have not been able to meet some of the objectives state them in the methodology section and in the discussion of the findings. o Chapter 3: Methodology Should be described in detail and include a description of: The study type The study population(s), sampling method(s) and the size of the sample(s) Major study variables ___________________________________________________________________________ PST 06210 Operational Research NTA Level 6 Semester 2 Facilitator Guide 247 Data-collection techniques and