I. Preliminary Pages:
* Title Page: Includes the title of the report, author(s) name(s) and affiliation(s), date, and any relevant institutional logos.
* Abstract: A concise summary of the entire report, typically 150-300 words, highlighting the research question, methods, key findings, and conclusions. This is often the most read section.
* Table of Contents: Lists all sections and subsections with page numbers.
* List of Tables (if applicable): Lists all tables included in the report with page numbers.
* List of Figures (if applicable): Lists all figures (graphs, charts, diagrams, photos) included in the report with page numbers.
* Acknowledgements (optional): Acknowledges individuals or organizations that contributed to the research.
II. Main Body:
* Introduction: Sets the context for the research. This typically includes:
* Background: Provides relevant background information and literature review, establishing the significance of the research problem.
* Research Problem/Question: Clearly states the research problem or question being addressed.
* Research Objectives/Hypotheses: Specifies the objectives or hypotheses the research aims to achieve or test.
* Significance of the Study: Explains why the research is important and what its potential implications are.
* Methodology: Describes the research design and methods used to collect and analyze data. This should be detailed enough for others to replicate the study. It typically includes:
* Research Design: (e.g., experimental, correlational, qualitative, quantitative)
* Participants/Subjects: Describes the characteristics of the participants or subjects involved in the study.
* Data Collection Procedures: Explains how the data was collected (e.g., surveys, interviews, experiments).
* Data Analysis Techniques: Describes the statistical or qualitative methods used to analyze the data.
* Results: Presents the findings of the research in a clear, concise, and objective manner. This section often includes:
* Tables and Figures: Visual representations of the data, properly labeled and captioned.
* Statistical Analyses: Presentation of statistical results, including significance levels. Avoid interpretation here; that's for the discussion.
* Discussion: Interprets the results in relation to the research question and objectives. This section typically includes:
* Interpretation of Findings: Explains the meaning of the results and their implications.
* Limitations of the Study: Acknowledges any limitations of the research design or methodology.
* Suggestions for Future Research: Suggests areas for future research based on the findings.
* Comparison with Existing Literature: Relates the findings to existing research and theoretical frameworks.
III. Concluding Pages:
* Conclusion: Briefly summarizes the main findings and conclusions of the research.
* References/Bibliography: A complete list of all sources cited in the report, following a consistent citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
* Appendices (if applicable): Includes supplementary materials such as questionnaires, interview transcripts, or detailed statistical tables.
The specific elements and level of detail within each section will depend on the nature and scope of the research. Always consult the guidelines provided by your institution or the journal to which you are submitting your report.