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11.1 The Purpose of Research Writing
Learning objectives.
- Identify reasons to research writing projects.
- Outline the steps of the research writing process.
Why was the Great Wall of China built? What have scientists learned about the possibility of life on Mars? What roles did women play in the American Revolution? How does the human brain create, store, and retrieve memories? Who invented the game of football, and how has it changed over the years?
You may know the answers to these questions off the top of your head. If you are like most people, however, you find answers to tough questions like these by searching the Internet, visiting the library, or asking others for information. To put it simply, you perform research.
Whether you are a scientist, an artist, a paralegal, or a parent, you probably perform research in your everyday life. When your boss, your instructor, or a family member asks you a question that you do not know the answer to, you locate relevant information, analyze your findings, and share your results. Locating, analyzing, and sharing information are key steps in the research process, and in this chapter, you will learn more about each step. By developing your research writing skills, you will prepare yourself to answer any question no matter how challenging.
Reasons for Research
When you perform research, you are essentially trying to solve a mystery—you want to know how something works or why something happened. In other words, you want to answer a question that you (and other people) have about the world. This is one of the most basic reasons for performing research.
But the research process does not end when you have solved your mystery. Imagine what would happen if a detective collected enough evidence to solve a criminal case, but she never shared her solution with the authorities. Presenting what you have learned from research can be just as important as performing the research. Research results can be presented in a variety of ways, but one of the most popular—and effective—presentation forms is the research paper . A research paper presents an original thesis, or purpose statement, about a topic and develops that thesis with information gathered from a variety of sources.
If you are curious about the possibility of life on Mars, for example, you might choose to research the topic. What will you do, though, when your research is complete? You will need a way to put your thoughts together in a logical, coherent manner. You may want to use the facts you have learned to create a narrative or to support an argument. And you may want to show the results of your research to your friends, your teachers, or even the editors of magazines and journals. Writing a research paper is an ideal way to organize thoughts, craft narratives or make arguments based on research, and share your newfound knowledge with the world.
Write a paragraph about a time when you used research in your everyday life. Did you look for the cheapest way to travel from Houston to Denver? Did you search for a way to remove gum from the bottom of your shoe? In your paragraph, explain what you wanted to research, how you performed the research, and what you learned as a result.
Research Writing and the Academic Paper
No matter what field of study you are interested in, you will most likely be asked to write a research paper during your academic career. For example, a student in an art history course might write a research paper about an artist’s work. Similarly, a student in a psychology course might write a research paper about current findings in childhood development.
Having to write a research paper may feel intimidating at first. After all, researching and writing a long paper requires a lot of time, effort, and organization. However, writing a research paper can also be a great opportunity to explore a topic that is particularly interesting to you. The research process allows you to gain expertise on a topic of your choice, and the writing process helps you remember what you have learned and understand it on a deeper level.
Research Writing at Work
Knowing how to write a good research paper is a valuable skill that will serve you well throughout your career. Whether you are developing a new product, studying the best way to perform a procedure, or learning about challenges and opportunities in your field of employment, you will use research techniques to guide your exploration. You may even need to create a written report of your findings. And because effective communication is essential to any company, employers seek to hire people who can write clearly and professionally.
Writing at Work
Take a few minutes to think about each of the following careers. How might each of these professionals use researching and research writing skills on the job?
- Medical laboratory technician
- Small business owner
- Information technology professional
- Freelance magazine writer
A medical laboratory technician or information technology professional might do research to learn about the latest technological developments in either of these fields. A small business owner might conduct research to learn about the latest trends in his or her industry. A freelance magazine writer may need to research a given topic to write an informed, up-to-date article.
Think about the job of your dreams. How might you use research writing skills to perform that job? Create a list of ways in which strong researching, organizing, writing, and critical thinking skills could help you succeed at your dream job. How might these skills help you obtain that job?
Steps of the Research Writing Process
How does a research paper grow from a folder of brainstormed notes to a polished final draft? No two projects are identical, but most projects follow a series of six basic steps.
These are the steps in the research writing process:
- Choose a topic.
- Plan and schedule time to research and write.
- Conduct research.
- Organize research and ideas.
- Draft your paper.
- Revise and edit your paper.
Each of these steps will be discussed in more detail later in this chapter. For now, though, we will take a brief look at what each step involves.
Step 1: Choosing a Topic
As you may recall from Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” , to narrow the focus of your topic, you may try freewriting exercises, such as brainstorming. You may also need to ask a specific research question —a broad, open-ended question that will guide your research—as well as propose a possible answer, or a working thesis . You may use your research question and your working thesis to create a research proposal . In a research proposal, you present your main research question, any related subquestions you plan to explore, and your working thesis.
Step 2: Planning and Scheduling
Before you start researching your topic, take time to plan your researching and writing schedule. Research projects can take days, weeks, or even months to complete. Creating a schedule is a good way to ensure that you do not end up being overwhelmed by all the work you have to do as the deadline approaches.
During this step of the process, it is also a good idea to plan the resources and organizational tools you will use to keep yourself on track throughout the project. Flowcharts, calendars, and checklists can all help you stick to your schedule. See Chapter 11 “Writing from Research: What Will I Learn?” , Section 11.2 “Steps in Developing a Research Proposal” for an example of a research schedule.
Step 3: Conducting Research
When going about your research, you will likely use a variety of sources—anything from books and periodicals to video presentations and in-person interviews.
Your sources will include both primary sources and secondary sources . Primary sources provide firsthand information or raw data. For example, surveys, in-person interviews, and historical documents are primary sources. Secondary sources, such as biographies, literary reviews, or magazine articles, include some analysis or interpretation of the information presented. As you conduct research, you will take detailed, careful notes about your discoveries. You will also evaluate the reliability of each source you find.
Step 4: Organizing Research and the Writer’s Ideas
When your research is complete, you will organize your findings and decide which sources to cite in your paper. You will also have an opportunity to evaluate the evidence you have collected and determine whether it supports your thesis, or the focus of your paper. You may decide to adjust your thesis or conduct additional research to ensure that your thesis is well supported.
Remember, your working thesis is not set in stone. You can and should change your working thesis throughout the research writing process if the evidence you find does not support your original thesis. Never try to force evidence to fit your argument. For example, your working thesis is “Mars cannot support life-forms.” Yet, a week into researching your topic, you find an article in the New York Times detailing new findings of bacteria under the Martian surface. Instead of trying to argue that bacteria are not life forms, you might instead alter your thesis to “Mars cannot support complex life-forms.”
Step 5: Drafting Your Paper
Now you are ready to combine your research findings with your critical analysis of the results in a rough draft. You will incorporate source materials into your paper and discuss each source thoughtfully in relation to your thesis or purpose statement.
When you cite your reference sources, it is important to pay close attention to standard conventions for citing sources in order to avoid plagiarism , or the practice of using someone else’s words without acknowledging the source. Later in this chapter, you will learn how to incorporate sources in your paper and avoid some of the most common pitfalls of attributing information.
Step 6: Revising and Editing Your Paper
In the final step of the research writing process, you will revise and polish your paper. You might reorganize your paper’s structure or revise for unity and cohesion, ensuring that each element in your paper flows into the next logically and naturally. You will also make sure that your paper uses an appropriate and consistent tone.
Once you feel confident in the strength of your writing, you will edit your paper for proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and formatting. When you complete this final step, you will have transformed a simple idea or question into a thoroughly researched and well-written paper you can be proud of!
Review the steps of the research writing process. Then answer the questions on your own sheet of paper.
- In which steps of the research writing process are you allowed to change your thesis?
- In step 2, which types of information should you include in your project schedule?
- What might happen if you eliminated step 4 from the research writing process?
Key Takeaways
- People undertake research projects throughout their academic and professional careers in order to answer specific questions, share their findings with others, increase their understanding of challenging topics, and strengthen their researching, writing, and analytical skills.
- The research writing process generally comprises six steps: choosing a topic, scheduling and planning time for research and writing, conducting research, organizing research and ideas, drafting a paper, and revising and editing the paper.
Writing for Success by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
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Why is report writing so important?
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Description
An explanation of why reports are a critical format for presenting research results. Includes a brief outline stating the identifyable traits of a good report.
(This resource can be freely repurposed and reused)
Date Modified
This information/resource was last updated in June 2021.
This post was originally added to LearnHigher on: January 15, 2012
About this resource
Often report writing at university is presented as deceptively simple – all you need to do is ensure you follow the required report structure, and write clearly and concisely. But we know this isn’t as straightforward as it seems; although reports have to be easy to read, this doesn’t necessarily make them easy to write.
Reports are formally structured but you’ve probably discovered that what is needed for a report in one discipline is likely to be different from a report in another discipline. Also expectations can be different from one report to the next, even within the same subject.
Writing concisely and clearly takes time. You have to work out exactly what your audience wants to know in order to make sure you are writing relevant information.
So, the truth is there is no set formula for writing a report – every report is different. Each one depends on what the purpose is, who you are writing for and the kind of research that you are reporting.
So if every report is different, how can you tell what makes a good report? The key is to understand the purpose of report writing rather than just what goes in each section.
The keys to writing good reports are:
Understanding the types of writing a report involves Being able to identify the audience and purpose of your report Knowing how reports are read by your audience Knowing the purpose of each section in a report (not just where the information goes) Understanding how good organisation of your report helps the reader find the information they want Being able to communicate well both in writing and using graphical data
Home » Research Report – Writing Guide and Examples
Research Report – Writing Guide and Examples
Table of Contents
Research Report
Research Report is a type of academic writing that presents the findings of a study . It is usually written by scholars in order to communicate their findings to the larger academic community. In order to write a good research report, one must first understand what constitutes good research . Good research is systematic, objective, and replicable. It is also important that the research question be clear and concise
Parts of Research Report
The Research Report has the following parts or Format:
Abstract or Summary
Introduction, review of literature, conclusions and discussion.
An abstract is a brief summary of a research report. Its purpose is to provide an overview of the main points of the report and to introduce the reader to the problem being investigated. The abstract should be written in clear, concise language and should not exceed 300 words. It should be divided into sections that correspond to the sections of the report: Introduction, Methods , Results, and Discussion. Each section should be one or two sentences long. The abstract should begin with a statement of the problem or purpose of the study, followed by a description of the methods used, the results obtained, and the conclusions reached.
When you are writing a research report, it is important to include an introduction. This will give your reader an overview of what you will be discussing in your paper. Your introduction should be between two and three paragraphs long. In your first paragraph, you should introduce the topic of your paper and explain why it is important. In the second paragraph, you should provide an overview of your research findings. Finally, in the third paragraph, you should briefly summarize your conclusions.
A literature review is a comprehensive summary of previous research on a topic. The purpose of a literature review is to provide a critical evaluation of the existing research, to identify gaps in knowledge, and to suggest future directions for research. A literature review should include a description of the research problem, an overview of the relevant literature, a critical evaluation of the existing research, and a discussion of the implications for future research.
The methodology is the process used to gather and analyze data for a research project. There are many different types of methodology, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. The most important thing to remember when choosing a methodology is that it should be fit for the specific research question you are trying to answer.
The paragraphs should start with:
- The results of the research are in and they are very interesting.
- The study found that [insert finding here].
- This is a significant finding because [insert explanation here].
In any research report, the Conclusions and Discussion sections are where the researcher gets to present their interpretation of the data. This is where they get to explain what the data means and how it can be used. It is important to remember that the Conclusions and Discussion sections are not always separate. Sometimes they are combined into one section. In this case, it is up to the researcher to decide which approach to take.
When writing the Conclusions and Discussion sections, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- First, make sure that you do not simply restate the results of your study.
- Second, try to relate your findings back to the research question or hypothesis that you started with. This will help to show how your study has contributed to our understanding of the topic.
- Finally, make sure to discuss any limitations of your study and suggest future directions for research.
When it comes to research reports, references are key. Without references, your report is likely to be dismissed as invalid. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that you include references in your report. There are a few things to keep in mind when including references in your report.
- You need to make sure that your sources are reliable.
- You need to make sure that you cite your sources correctly.
- You need to make sure that your references are up-to-date.
If you follow these guidelines, then you should have no problem including references in your research report. Remember, references are essential in order to prove the validity of your research.
Importance of Research Report
The research report is one of the most important documents in the field of academia. It allows scholars to communicate their findings to the larger academic community and contribute to the advancement of knowledge. A well-written research report can have a significant impact on the career of a researcher, as it is often used by funding agencies and tenure committees to evaluate applicants. They are often used by journals when making editorial decisions. Therefore, it is crucial that scholars take the time to write clear and concise reports that accurately reflect their research.
About the author
Muhammad Hassan
I am Muhammad Hassan, a Researcher, Academic Writer, Web Developer, and Android App Developer. I have worked in various industries and have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience. In my spare time, I enjoy writing blog posts and articles on a variety of Academic topics. I also like to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the IT industry to share my knowledge with others through my writing.
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Report Writing And Its Significance In Your Career
You reach the office at around 9.00 AM, switch on your system, and start working. It’s a usual workday for…
You reach the office at around 9.00 AM, switch on your system, and start working. It’s a usual workday for you until your manager comes to your desk and asks you to create a sales report. That’s the first time you’ve got such a task, and find yourself struggling with basic questions such as, “What’s a report?” and “How do I write one?”
What Is Report Writing?
Elements of report writing, importance of report writing.
You must have heard the term ‘report writing’ before.
According to the commonly known definition of report writing, a report is a formal document that elaborates on a topic using facts, charts, and graphs to support its arguments and findings.
Any report—whether it’s about a business event or one that describes the processes of various departments in a company—is meant for a particular type of audience.
But why do you think your manager wants you to create a report?
One simple answer is: an elaborate report prepared with evaluated facts helps solve complex problems. When managers come across certain business situations, they ask for comprehensive and well-thought-out reports that can help them design business plans.
Once you have an idea about what a report is, the next step is to understand how you can write one.
There are different types of reports, and each has a specific structure, usually known as ‘elements of the report’.
While we tell you what the elements of report writing are, if you want detailed guidance, you can go for Harappa Education’s Writing Proficiently course that talks about the popular PREP (Point of starting, Reason, Evidence, and Point of ending) model of report writing.
Every report starts with a title page and a table of contents, after which come the main sections–the executive summary, introduction, discussion, and conclusion.
Executive Summary:
Do you remember summary writing for English class during school days? You were asked to read a story or passage and write a summary, including the important takeaways.
That’s exactly what you are expected to do in a report’s executive summary section. This section presents a brief overview of the report’s contents. You should present the key points of the report in this section.
But why is it important to write an executive summary at the start of the report?
Firstly, the summary will help readers better understand the purpose, key points, and evidence you are going to present in the report. Secondly, readers who are in a hurry can read the summary for a preview of the report.
Here are some specifics that will help you write a clear and concise summary:
Include the purpose of your report and emphasize conclusions or recommendations.
Include only the essential or most significant information to support your theories and conclusions.
Follow the same sequence of information that you have used in the report.
Keep the summary length to 10-15% of the complete report.
Try not to introduce any new information or point in summary that you haven’t covered in the report.
The summary should communicate the message clearly and independently.
Introduction:
The introduction section should:
Briefly describe the background and context of the research you have done.
Describe the change, problem, or issue related to the topic.
Define the relevant objectives and purpose of the report
Give hints about the overall answer to the problem covered in the report.
Comment on the limitations and any assumptions you have made to get to the conclusion.
Discussion:
This section serves two purposes:
It justifies the recommendations.
It explains the conclusions.
While you are writing the discussion section, make sure you do the following:
Present your analysis logically.
If needed, divide the information under appropriate headings to improving readability and ease of understanding.
Explain your points and back up your claims with strong and evaluated evidence.
Connect your theory with real-life scenarios
Conclusion:
The last key element of report writing is the conclusion section. Present the conclusion as follows:
- The primary conclusion should come first.
Identify and interpret the major problems related to the case your report is based on.
Relate to the objectives that you have mentioned in the introduction.
Keep the conclusion brief and specific.
Before you start writing a report, it’s important to understand the significance of the report. It’s also crucial to research independently instead of relying on data and trends available on the internet, besides structuring the report properly. Here’s why:
Decision-Making Tool
Organizations require a considerable amount of data and information on specific topics, scenarios, and situations. Managers and decision-makers often use business reports and research papers as information sources to make important business decisions and reach solutions.
Another reason that adds to the significance of report writing is that it is a collection of evaluated information.
Different types of activities by different departments define an organization. Think of the departments your organization has–development, sales, distribution, marketing, HR, and more. Each department follows defined processes and protocols that require many small and large activities on a daily basis.
It is impossible for the management to keep an eye on the different activities in each department.
That’s where the reports can help. With every department writing and maintaining periodic reports, keeping a tab of ongoing activities becomes easier for the management.
Professional Improvements
During the annual appraisal cycle, your manager will ask you to write reports to explain your position, level of work, and performance.
If you have ever wondered how your manager decided to promote your colleague and not you, the answer may lie in his well-presented report.
Quick Source For Problem-Solving
There’s no denying that managers require accurate information on various topics to make quick decisions. Often due to urgency, managers only rely on business reports as an authentic source of information. Almost every employee would have witnessed a situation that needed the manager’s attention urgently. Reports come in handy during such situations.
Report writing is a significant exercise in many ways for your professional life. If you are not well-versed with it already, you must start working on your report writing skills now. For more help or guidance to learn this new skill, sign up for Harappa’s Writing Proficiently course.
Make the most of your time at home and master this new skill. Work on many assignments, improve your skills, and become a pro at report writing.
Explore our Harappa Diaries section to learn more about topics related to the Communicate habit such as the Importance of Writing Skills and the Cycle of Communication .
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Writing a research paper is an ideal way to organize thoughts, craft narratives or make arguments based on research, and share your newfound knowledge with the world. Exercise 1 Write a paragraph about a time when you used research in your everyday life.
The keys to writing good reports are: Understanding the types of writing a report involves Being able to identify the audience and purpose of your report Knowing how reports are read by your audience Knowing the purpose of each section in a report (not just where the information goes)
Importance Of Report Writing Before you start writing a report, it’s important to understand the significance of the report. It’s also crucial to research independently instead of relying on data and trends available on the internet, besides structuring the report properly.
Here is the basic structure for reports: Title. Abstract. Table of Contents. Introduction. Methodology. Results. Discussion. Conclusion. Bibliography. Appendices Write Clearly.