research writing up and reporting on findings frm 2011

8/3/2019 Research Writing Up and Reporting on Findings Frm 2011

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FACULTY RESEARCH MODULE

Prof robin joubert.2011

WRITING UP AND REPORTING ON

FINDINGS


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Introduction

1. Purpose of report is to present findings in a clear and coherentmanner to others, to convince your target

2. For the purposes of these lectures the focus will be on writing up areport for an under graduate /honours type of dissertation

3. Characteristics of a good report:

. Well-researched

. Coherent

. Logical

. Balanced

. Objective

. Impartial

. Concise, uncomplicated and clear language


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Points to consider

Discourse and presentation differs between quantitative and qualitativepresentations

Usually targeted at an intended audience

Each discipline has its own discourse or terminology which may need to

be operationally defined in the report but the bulk should be reportedusing common research language e.g. data gathering instruments ortools not ways of getting information for my research

Whatever you do DONT plagiarise!!!!


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Basic principles to consider in writingyour report

Be consistent in the use of terms dont use dozen different terms (synonyms)for a single concept

Dont use hyperbole i.e complex and difficult descriptions to try and impress

Your information should be presented in a coherent and clearly worked out plan

that leads the reader through a process of clearly developed descriptions,supporting arguments and discussions that show a clear and unambiguousconnection.

Most reports follow a 5 chapter format i.e.:

1. Chapter 1: Introduction & Rationale/problem statement

2. Chapter 2: Literature review

3. Chapter 3: Methodology

4. Chapter 4: Analysis and results

5. Chapter 5: Discussion/ recommendations & Conclusion


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Preparation:

1. Plan report carefully and thoroughly before starting. If you areworking in groups you can assign various sections to each memberand then come together to agree on the final presentation.

2. Your need to have consensus on :

. The purpose of the report

. The precise message you wish to convey in it

. The appropriate structure and format you will use /font styles etc.

. Correct vocabulary, terminology, style and tone.


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Layout and technical presentation.(suggested)


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Structure/language and format

Suggested structure will be discussed in next slide ( not cast instone)

The following are suggestions and do not have to be rigidlyadhered to:

Format all pages using a justify format with double spacingand can centre chapter headings

Use at least a 12 size font for main text and smaller font for

tables etc e.g. 9 or 10Use a larger font for chapters e.g. 14 or 16 and e.g. can use

either a larger font( 14 ) or bold for headings and subheadings

Use bold for main headings


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Quantitative studies usually support their findings anddiscussion with tables, figures and charts to illustrate theirvarious points of discussion

Qualitative studies usually support their findings with

narrative in the form of statements made by theirparticipants which typically illustrate a point

e.g. in teenage pregnancy study we finish school early,teachers go home by 2pm then theres nothing to do so we

spend time with our boyfriends e.g.to support a themearound inadequate use of teaching time to provideconstructive learning experiences


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Specific considerations:

Title page

Acknowledgements

List of contents should also include separate list of

tables, illustrations, diagrams etcAbstract

Introduction ( beginning)

Main body ( middle)Conclusion and recommendations


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Title page

An investigation into the possible factors leading to teenagepregnancy amongst girls living in disadvantaged communities

Researchers Name and title:

Name of discipline e.g. Audiology

School/Faculty/University

Date and year of completion

Name of Supervisor(s)


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Acknowledgements

Try to keep it brief

Dont go overboard with flowery language

Can personalise e.g. thank you to my beloved

parents etc but not overboard my beloved, mostprecious, adorable mother etc

Be careful not to leave important role players out

e.g. your supervisor!!


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Contents page

The purpose is to inform the reader how you have organised yourinformation and provides the reviewer/examiner with a good summary ofthe overall content of the report

List: sections ( where appropriate), chapters and the key sub headings

under each chapter Format carefully

Make sure you have all the most important headings recorded and thatthey tally exactly with what is in the report

Make sure contents page recorded here tallies with the page in yourwrite up

Ultimately it should enable reader to find his/her way in the report


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Abstract/executive summary

This is a very condensed outline describing thestructure and content of the report it should not bemore than 250 words long


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Introduction

Chapter 1: Clear outline of the importance of the research andproblem statement as well as any hypotheses or nil hypothesis; shouldinclude the aims and objectives of the research. e.g. why is it importantto know about the factors leading to teenage pregnancy indisadvantaged communities?(discuss)

Chapter 2: Literature review should select the most relevant andappropriate to your particular study, dont use references that have veryperipheral significance to the study, develop the discussion around thecore components within the rationale e.g. what research has been doneto date around teenage pregnancy in general and specifically in

disadvantaged communities. Other linked references e.g. aroundpoverty and crowding, adolescence/puberty etc could also be relevantdepending on where the site for study takes place.

Acknowledge every source consulted


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Middle

Chapter Methodology: set this out very clearly and sequentiallyexactly as you implemented it. If there are phases of sampling and datagathering stipulate each and the exact processes followed under eachphase

Clearly stipulate site and situation of data gathering

Clearly stipulate sampling method, inclusion and exclusion criteria

Clearly explain how you analysed your data and what the results were


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End

Chapter 4/5 Results and discussion:

Probably the most important section because it pullstogether the conclusions drawn from the results and

supported (or not) by your literature reviewIt is imperative that you are thorough, coherent and

brutally honest and objective in the write up of thissection


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Tables/charts and figures/pictures etc

These are excellent ways of supporting the discussion and argument

They make the report far more interesting to read

They provide clarity

They should be appropriate to the point you want to illustrate thus e.g. bar diagram best to show e.g. percentages of teenage pregnancies

across 8 schools in the site under investigation

Pie chart more appropriate way of showing percentages of the variousage categories of girls under study in the 8 schools

Pictures should be clear and if necessary should not be able to identifyparticipants in the picture


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Referencing your report

Stick to one particular referencing method e.g. Harvard, APA,Vancouver system and use it correctly and consistently throughout

Keep very careful list of all details of ALL references used

Check thoroughly that all references in text are included in reference list

at end


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References:

Fox,W & Bayat,M.S.(2007) A guide to managing research. Juta,Cape Town.

Jansen, J. The Language of research , in Maree,K (Editor)(2008) First Steps inResearch. Van Schaik, Pretoria.

Bless,C,Higson-Smith,C & Kagee,A.(2007) Fundamentals of Social ResearchMethods: An African Perspective. Juta, Cape Town.

Creswell, J.W.(2003)Research design: qualitative, quantitative and mixedmethods approaches (2nd Edition).Sage Publications,Thousand Oaks.


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Questions?

research writing up and reporting on findings frm 2011

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