Report Writing

Report Writing----Involves a Process which Produces a Written Document Raises Questions: How To Write? No Fixed Answer: General Suggestions

Theory VS Practice Theory VS Practice---General Debate Both Are Inter-Related How to Write? Learn By Writing---Cannot Avoid How To Write? Some Suggestions, Tips, Right Steps Helpful---Efficiency in Academic Research

Research Proposal Writing Begins with Research Proposal Critical---Brings Clarity in Ideas, Issues, Scope and Organization of Study Writing Report: About Central Ideas, Issues, Areas of Concern Discussion of RP: Sort out Practical Issues

Objective Examples: The objective of this study is to explain the fall of ethno-national movements in Pakistan The purpose of this paper is to study the role of the state in economic development in South Asia in the post-cold war period Other Terms: Problem Definition, Problem Statement

Significance Why to Study This Issue: Make A Claim Theoretical Significance Practical Significance

Literature Review Claim and Proof Question Proof Of Your Claim---Gap in the Literature

Overview of Argument Argument (Hypothesis) Theoretical Argument Empirical Argument

Methodology How will you prove your hypothesis? How will you test your hypothesis?

Organization Parts of the study, Content? The way they are organized Linkage Between Parts

Definitional Issues Part of Research Report Theme: Broad Idea, Broad Area under Discussion, Subject Matter of Conversation Theme of A Conference: Stability in South Asia Rise of Terrorist Movements in South Asia Political Stability and Foreign Investment in Pakistan Theme of Book: Clash of Civilization

Definitional Issues Central Thesis? Example: Stability (or other public goods such as peace, open seas, international trade, etc.) is provided by hegemons because they benefit most from it. Thesis: Idea, Hypothesis, Argument, Main Point Argument: Not only hypothesis, idea but also elaboration of mechanisms through which this occurs

Thesis Example: The globalization is so powerful that it is changing local culture in developing countries The attack on video shops in Pakistan is an expression of the resistance of the local culture against the global culture. Ideas, Hypotheses, Concepts, Phenomena

Thesis Statement 1. A Short Statement of the Thesis---One or Two Sentences 2. A Statement Which Presents Brief Argument to Reader A Theoretical Premise to be Proven A (Theoretical) Position ( or Claim you Make) on the Subject A Statement which Identifies the Purpose and Previews Main Ideas and Argument of the Study A Guide (Roadmap) for Reader

Report Writing General Guidelines Why Report Writing? Sharing Results, Building Knowledge Thinking As Early As Possible Preserve Notes, Data

Report Writing General Guidelines Original Research Question? Central Issue? Unit of Analysis---Ecological Fallacy Be Clear about Findings and Conclusions Data Evaluation, Interpretation, Conclusions

Report Writing General Guidelines Many Parts of Report---Organization Thoughts Important Pre-Writing Stage: Arrange Notes, Outline (Main Ideas, Contents of Parts) Composing (First Draft---Free Writing, Complete Report Rewriting---Improvements, Discussion, Coherence, Errors, Citations, etc.

Report Writing General Guidelines Parts of Report---Organization Introduction: Objective (Problem Identification, Reason for Research, Research Questions, Brief Argument, Description of Procedures) Discussion of Data, Material----Different Areas, Linkages, Relationships, Conclusions (Chapters, Sections, Headings, Subheadings)

Report Writing General Guidelines Restate Relationships, Meanings Found in Data Relate Findings to Original Research Question Draw Conclusions: Specific, General (Restate Empirical Findings, General Issues, Broad Context) Policy Implications, Future Research Areas

Report Writing General Guidelines Clarity and New Ideas---Process of Writing Limit Conclusions----Supported By Evidence Writer’s Block---Mind Goes Blank (Solution: Break) No Perfection

Report Writing General Guidelines Clarity, Accuracy, Reflection of Logical Thinking, Step-By-Step Discussion, Coherence, Organization Reflects Good Understanding of Substantive (theory and data) and Methodological Areas Use of Technical Terms

Report Writing General Guidelines Avoid Repetition Avoid Wordiness, Flowery Language Avoid Moralizing Style, Advocacy Research Avoid Plagiarism—a Form of Cheating Golden Principle: Apprenticeship--- Role of Supervisor