Page 161 - DLIS401_METHODOLOGY_OF_RESEARCH_AND_STATISTICAL_TECHNIQUES

Methodology of Research and Statistical Techniques

Notes List of abbreviations (optional)

1. INTRODUCTION (statement of the problem in its local context, including relevant literature)
2. OBJECTIVES
3. METHODOLOGY
4. RESEARCH FINDINGS

5. DISCUSSION
6. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
REFERENCES
ANNEXES (data collection tools; tables)

12.1.1 Report Structure
• Cover page

The cover page should contain the title, the names of the authors with their titles and positions,
the institution that is publishing the report, and the month and year of publication. The title
could consist of a challenging statement or question, followed by an informative subtitle
covering the content of the study and indicating the area where the study was implemented.
• Summary
The summary should be written only after the first or even the second draft of the report has
been completed. It should contain:
— a very brief description of the problem (WHY this study was needed)— the main objectives
(WHAT has been studied)
— the place of study (WHERE)
— the type of study and methods used (HOW)
— major findings and conclusions, followed by
— the major (or all) recommendations.
The summary will be the first (and for busy health decision makers most likely the only) part
of your study that will be read. Therefore, its writing demands thorough reflection and is time
consuming. Several drafts may have to be made, each discussed by the research team as a
whole.
As you will have collaborated with various groups during the drafting and implementation
of your research proposal, you may consider writing different summaries for each of these
groups.
• Acknowledgements
It is good practice to thank those who supported you technically or financially in the design
and implementation of your study. Also your employer who has allowed you to invest time
in the study and the respondents may be acknowledged. Acknowledgements are usually placed
right after the title page or at the end of the report, before the references.
• Table of contents
A table of contents is essential. It provides the reader a quick overview of the major sections
of your report, with page references, so that (s)he can go through the report in a different
order or skip certain sections.

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