Research Writing Like any writing, –Know audience –Know Story/Message/Subject –Follow Formats for Outlet Research Style –Objective, Factual –Impersonal –Dense, concise, logical

Sections Abstract – Executive Summary Introd/Problem statement Objectives Lit Review/Background Methods Results Discussion, Implications References

Problem Statement Introduce topic and key concepts Show your knowledge of subject Justify importance of problem Fit study into larger context, delimit it Work from broad to narrow Lead up to objectives

Objectives Concise 1,2,3 listing State as questions to answer, hypotheses to test In evaluation study, clarify evaluation criteria

Lit Review Research Report –Link study to past research –Provide further background on subject and methods Evaluation Study –Further background on program being evaluated –Link with other studies, plans, …

Methods Study population Sampling Procedures Defn of concepts/variables Measurement Reliability / validity Data gathering/Field procedures Analysis plan

Results Objectives provide structure here Concise, precise, factual Save discussion, interpretation for next section Use Tables and Figures effectively

Discussion Add your interpretations of results here Discuss limitations and generalizability Implications of results, recommendations, if appropriate Suggestions for further research

Three Audiences/styles Researchers – research journal style –Technical, methods, statistical tests Managers – business style –Results and implications Public – newspaper style –Interesting, no jargon, highlights

Reporting Formats Written Report Oral Presentation To an individual or small group

Research vs Business Reports Written/Research –Problem –Objectives –Methods –Results –Discussion Oral/Business –Objectives –Key Results & Recommendations –Justify from study –Brief methods –Discussion