1. Chapter Fifteen Developing Empirical Research Reports

2. Structure of Empirical Research Reports Abstract (Summary) Arguably the most important section Should be able to replace the report for readers who will not read the report Must clearly state purpose and results of report

3. Structure of Empirical Research Reports Introduction Statement and importance of the problem May be combined with the literature review and the purpose statement Gives the subject, scope, significance, and objectives of the research

4. Structure of Empirical Research Reports Literature Review What is known about the topic Summary of relevant research with parenthetical citations May be combined with the introduction and the purpose statement Should support the objectives of the research, why the research is needed, what gap this research will fill in solving the problem

5. Structure of Empirical Research Reports Purpose States the purpose of the current empirical research report May be combined with the introduction and the literature review

6. Structure of Empirical Research Reports Materials and Methods Should allow researchers to duplicate research Helps build credibility May include the following: Design of the investigation Materials used Procedure—how you conducted the research Methods used for observation, analysis, and interpretation

7. Structure of Empirical Research Reports Results Should coordinate clearly and precisely with the methods section Outcomes should be tied to the procedure (Discussion) Analysis of results May be incorporated in results section or may be separate section

8. Structure of Empirical Research Reports Conclusion Summarizes what the research yielded May be incorporated in the discussion Needs to focus on accuracy, any limitations of findings, and any questions that need further investigation Allows writer to assess experiment and suggest further research

9. Structure of Empirical Research Reports Acknowledgements and References Acknowledgements note help of individuals who worked on the research Acknowledgements may occur in footnotes or in a section at the end of the report Any resources mentioned in the report should have full citations in the reference section

10. Planning for Empirical Research Reports CharacteristicApplied to Empirical Report Audience Experience & Education Audience Attitudes Audience Concerns Elements of Format Elements of Design Style of Writing Method(s) of Documentation Ways to Establish & Ensure Credibility Other

11. Trouble Shooting for Empirical Research Reports Report SectionCritical Issues Abstract Introduction & Literature Review Materials & Methods Results Conclusions Acknowledgements & References