Research Question Report Plan

 

Abstract / Terms of Reference

Also, Known as Introduction or Background. (approx. 100 words)

• Write this after the rest of the report.
• An abstract should be a ‘shop window’ as to the contents of the whole report but should stay within a paragraph or two.

• A summary of each section to give the reader a ‘taster’ of what they will be reading.
• Identify the audience:
• Who is the projected reader?
• What do they want from your report?
• What type of information needs to be included? Before starting think about what needs to be found out and where to find it.
• The writing style will be tailored to catch their attention to keep them reading on.
• The purpose of the report needs to outlined with a reference back to the brief and/or question.
• What methods were used.
• Possible limitations you can foresee.
• The main findings of research.
• Any recommendations?
• What is the report about?
• What is the question you are trying to answer?
• Describe your starting point and the background to the subject i.e. what research has already been done?
• Relevant themes and issues.
• How are you going to go about responding to the brief?
• Include a brief outline of your methodology.
• State the limits of your research and reasons for them.

Contents Page (Not included in the word count)

Usually completed last

Page 1 – Title page

Page 2 – Abstract

Page 3 – Contents page

Page 4 – Literature review

Page 6 – Methodology

Page 7 – Results/Data/Findings

Page 8 – Conclusion

Page 9 – Recommendations

Page 10 – References/Bibliography

Page 11 – Appendices

Literature review(approx. 100 words).

This a paragraph or two about the publications you have researched, that has already been done on the topic.

• Introduce it by explaining how you went about your findings your materials:
• Are there any clear trends?
• Show their relevance.
• Only include the studies directly relevant to your investigation.
• Include the background reading you did and main information sources.
• Identify how it fits with your investigation.
• Write in a discursive essay style, with an introduction and main section grouped together in themes with a conclusion.
• Critically summarize these themes and show the relevance.
• Conclude with how its informed the report.
• Ensure there is a critical analysis of the papers.
• Give reasons if there is belief or not.
• Always back any opinions with evidence.

Methodology (approx. 150 words)

Some reports require experiments or research to be carried out.

• Does existing research information need to be gathered and analyzed?
• Do background reading on previous reports.
• Gather quantitative/qualitative data if needed.
• Consider the best way to go about this:
• Questionnaires, (Primary research).
• Surveys, (Primary research).
• interviews, (Primary research).
• Focus groups, (Primary research).
• How has the analysis of data been carried out? (Secondary research).
• An explanation of how the research was carried out.
• Needs to be written in a way that if needed the reader could carry out the research and experiments themselves:
• Step by step guide.
• But write it thorough and concisely.
• Make it informative and factual
• Include techniques and equipment, if used.
• Was there any participants in experiments, or the collecting of data:
• Who?
• How many people?
• Selection process, if one.
• How was the data collected?
• Include the background reading you did and main information sources
• Identify how it fits with your investigation.

Results / Data / Findings (approx. 700 words)

This needs to be an analysis of all the facts, opinions and research outcomes, logically written into sections, to include:

• Subheadings,
• Key themes,
• Links and
• Commonalities.
• Differences should be identified
• Begin to form an analytical argument and/or,
• Counter-argument.
• Present the findings simply, use graphical or visual format, consider:
• Text,
• Graphs,
• Tables and
• Diagrams.
• Label them clearly.
• Give each figure a title and describe in words alongside.
• What do the findings show?
• Compare and test your thoughts and findings against the research.
• Explain why.
• Check them against the brief.
• Do they answer it?
• Include a discussion that brings everything together and,
• Responds to the brief.
• Show how they relate to previous research.
• Where there any problems?
• Did you solve them? How?
• Table to help:

Finding

What do you think about this?

What makes you think that?

What conclusions can you draw from this?

Final paragraph for Discussion section:

Conclusion (approx. 250 words).

A summary of the key points from the findings, include analytical arguments and/or counter-arguments linking back to the findings.

• Don’t make any new arguments or bring any new evidence to the table.
• Needs to be a summary.
• Start to link towards recommendations.
• End the analytical arguments/counter discussion.
• Link all the separate sections together within this last piece.
• Check back to the brief and make sure you have responded accordingly.

Recommendations (approx. 200 words)

• This need to link back to your conclusion.
• Include:
• Recommendations for future actions,
• Improvements for further research.

References and Bibliography (Neither included in the word count).

• Both need to be written in list format.
• For referencing, list all quotes and works used directly in the report.
• For Bibliography, list all works read and researched not directly used in report.

For this report plan:

References:

• Cohen, J. (2013) Assignment survival kit. Available at: https://www.kent.ac.uk/ai/ask/ (Accessed: 6 February 2017). (Cohen, 2013) ““Write to express, not to impress”” (Cohen, 2013) * See Appendix B.

Bibliography:

• Cohen, J. (2013) Assignment survival kit. Available at: https://www.kent.ac.uk/ai/ask/ (Accessed: 6 February 2017).
• Thornes, S., design, J.C. and Leeds (2007) Planning your assignments. Available at: https://library.leeds.ac.uk/skills-planning (Accessed: 6 February 2017).
• (No Date) Available at: https://www.epearl.co.uk/study-material/1184/16283 (Accessed: 6 February 2017).

Appendices (Not included in the word count)

Appendix A: *Page 2 (Things to thing about before setting off)

• Think about the brief carefully and if unsure contact your tutor for support.
• Deadline.
• Word limit
• Required format.
• Referencing style.
• Mark scheme/ criteria.
• Submission criteria.
• Plan using a timeline/timetable. * See Appendix B.
• Report structure:
• What sections do I need?
• What goes into these sections?
• Be clear on the different styles of academic writing. *See Appendix C.
• Check back to brief.

Appendix B: (Another document: Appendix B)

Appendix C: (Another document: Appendix C)