1. Shashi Nambisan Leni Oman Steve Pepin Martin Pietrucha
Issues Related to the Preparation and Delivery of Research Reports to State DOT Research Organizations
Shashi Nambisan
Leni Oman
Steve Pepin
Martin Pietrucha

2. Primary Issue Quality of research reports does not meet expectations
Not limited to specific PIs or institutions, but broadly distributed

3. Examples Errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar
Failure to establish basic formatting or adhere to specific formatting DOT requirements
Failure to meet deadlines
Failure to provide a comprehensive, well-organized final report, as opposed to merely assembling task-related technical memoranda or other interim deliverables
Failure to properly attribute trademarked products or other protected intellectual property, or to acquire and document permission to use or adapt previously published material
Failure to base research results and recommendations based on data and analysis, rather than subjective judgment
Failure to clearly communicate the research methodology, analysis, or results, giving the appearance of inconsistency and subjectivity

4. Possible Causes
Limited experience in report preparation; plus, limited guidance
Not familiar with copyright law in the United States and the limitations on use of protected material
PIs may believe that it is not necessary to spend time on the style and format of a “draft” report as the sponsoring organization may require substantial changes in the manuscript.
DOT-sponsored research not considered “peer (i.e., academic peer) reviewed”
PI attitudes concerning contractual requirements for projects
Assumption the contract can be easily extended
Deadline refers to the date by which the research, rather than the report, must be completed
Due dates for interim milestones are not enforced
Not recognizing the difference between Grants and Contracts

5. Study Objectives
Understand the state of the practice
Form realistic expectations
Develop solutions to the problems identified

6. Next Steps Survey state DOT research organizations to:
Document concerns
Identify existing practices
Collect guidelines / requirements for research reports 
Survey universities, consulting firms, and other organizations to:
Document concerns from the researchers’ perspectives
Collect guidelines / requirements for research reports  
Develop recommendations for appropriate roles and expectations