1. RESEARCH REPORT PREPARATION
Chapter - 4
RESEARCH REPORT PREPARATION
Dr. BALAMURUGAN MUTHURAMAN

2. QUESTIONNAIRE
A set of predetermined questions for all respondents that serves as a primary research instrument in survey research.
Used to collect factual information
Consist of a form containing a series of questions

3. CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD QUESTIONNAIRE
Should be concerned with specific and relevant topic
Should be short
Directions and wording should be simple and clear
Questions should be objective
Uncomfortable questions, presuming questions and
Theoretical questions should be avoided
Should be presented in a good order
Should be attractive, neatly printed and clearly arranged

4. FUNCTIONS OF QUESTIONNAIRE
DESCRIPTION:
The questionnaire provides description about age, gender, marital status, occupation, income, political affiliation religious affiliation, etc.
MEASUREMENT:
Measurement of individual and / or group variables like attitude, opinion, character and habits of persons.

5. TYPES OF QUESTIONNAIRE
Based upon the type of respond required,
Fixed- response questionnaire.
Open- end questionnaire.
Based upon the method of administering,
Mail questionnaire
Face-to-face administered questionnaire

6. Reliability Reliability refers to the consistency of measurement.
Reliable test should yield similar(consistent) results each time it is taken
Common method: test- retest reliability
FACTORS AFFECTING RELIABILITY:
Number of items
Variability
Condition in which the questionnaire is administered

7. CONSTRUCTING A QUESTIONNAIRE
Deciding type, writing a draft, pretesting, concluding with specific procedures.
STEPS:
Decide what information should be sought
Decide what type of questionnaire should be used
Write a first draft of the questionnaire
Reconsider and revise the questionnaire
Pretest the questionnaire
Edit the questionnaire and specify the procedures for its use.

8. WORDINGS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE
Simplicity in language
Avoid vagueness
Avoid unclear words
Avoid embarrassing questions
Avoid double negatives
Avoid most important questions
Presuming questions
Hypothetical questions

9. Begin with simple and general questions
ORDER OF THE QUESTIONS
Begin with simple and general questions
No sensitive and embarrassing questions at beginning
Move from general to specific in logical manner
Sensitive questions at the end
Demographic data should be obtained at the end of self administering questions
Kahn & Cannel (1975)
Definition: Start with broad questions and gradually narrow down to the specific questions related to the topic.

10. INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH REPORT
This is the last step in research process. And requires a set of skills some what different from those called for in respect of the earlier stages of research. The researcher should follow the main principal of writing a report and these principal are:-
There should be objectivity, clarity in the presentation of ideas.
Report should be written in a brief and objective style in simple language avoiding unclear expressions.

11. RESEARCH REPORT
Charts and illustrations in the main report should be used only if they present the information more clearly .
Calculated confidence limits must be mentioned and the various limitations experienced in conducting research operation may as well be stated.

12. SIGNIFICANCE OF WRITING RESEARCH REPORT
Research report is considered a major component of the research study for the research task remains incomplete till the report has been presented.
As a matter of fact even the most brilliant hypothesis highly well designed and conducted research study and the most outstanding generalizations and findings are of little value unless they are effectively communicated to others.
It means that the purpose of research is not well served unless the findings are made known to others.

13. LAYOUT OF REPORT The Preliminary Pages The Main Text The End Matter

14. THE PRELIMINARY PAGES
In its preliminary pages, the report should carry title and date followed by acknowledgement and foreword then. There should be a table of contents followed by a list of tables and list of graphs and charts if any given in the report .

15. THE MAIN TEXT
The main text of the report should have following parts:-
INTRODUCTION:- It should contain a clear statement of the objective of the research and an explanation of the methodology adopted in accomplishing the research.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS :- A statement of findings and recommendation in non technical language should be there after introduction.

16. THE MAIN TEXT
MAIN REPORT:- The main body of the report should be presented in logical sequence and sections.
CONCLUSION:- At the end of the main text, result of the research should be put clearly and precisely.

17. THE END MATTER
At the end of the report, appendices should be enlisted in respect of all technical data . References , i.e list of books , journals, reports etc, consulted, should also be given in the end. Index should also be given specially in a published research report. It means that the researcher should again put down the results of his research clearly and exactly. In fact, it is the final summing up.

18. LAST STEP IN WRITING RESEARCH REPORT
This constitutes the last step. The final draft should be written in a brief and objective style and in simple language, avoiding unclear expressions such as “it seems”, “there may be” etc. A research report should not be dull but must motivate people and maintain interest and must show originality.
It must be remembered that every report should be an attempt to solve some intellectual problem and must contribute to the solution of a problem and must add to the knowledge of both the researcher and the reader.

19. REFERENCES
All those works which the researcher has consulted the first part may contain the names of the books and pamphlets and the second part may contain the names of magazines and newspapers articles generally this part of references is considered convenient and satisfactory from the point of view of reader .