Page 166 - DLIS401_METHODOLOGY_OF_RESEARCH_AND_STATISTICAL_TECHNIQUES

Unit 12: Research Report Writing

Revising and Finalising the Text Notes

When a first draft of the findings, discussion and conclusions has been completed, all working
group members and facilitators should read it critically and make comments.

The following questions should be kept in mind when reading the draft:
• Have all important findings been included?
• Do the conclusions follow logically from the findings? If some of the findings contradict
each other, has this been discussed and explained, if possible? Have weaknesses in the
methodology, if any, been revealed?

• Are there any overlaps in the draft that have to be removed?
• Is it possible to condense the content? In general a text gains by shortening. Some parts
less relevant for action may be included in annexes. Check if descriptive paragraphs may
be shortened and introduced or finished by a concluding sentence.
• Do data in the text agree with data in the tables? Are all tables consistent (with the same
number of informants per variable), are they numbered in sequence, and do they have
clear titles and headings?
• Is the sequence of paragraphs and subsections logical and coherent? Is there a smooth
connection between successive paragraphs and sections? Is the phrasing of findings and
conclusions precise and clear?

The original authors of each section may prepare a second draft, taking into consideration all
comments that have been made. However, you might consider the appointment of two editors
amongst yourselves, to draft the complete version.
In the meantime, other group members may (re)write the introductory sections (INTRODUCTION,
OBJECTIVES and METHODOLOGY, adjusted from your original proposal).

Now a first draft of the SUMMARY can be written.

Task How to make a perfect report?

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
1. ................... is always a challenging job, which requires courage.
2. An almost universal weakness of beginning report writers is omitting the ................... .
3. Endless description without interpretation is another ................... .

4. Neglect of qualitative data is also ................... .

12.4 Finalising the Research Report

It is advisable to have one of the other groups and facilitators read the second draft and judge
it on the points mentioned in the previous section. Then a final version of the report should
be prepared. This time you should give extra care to the presentation and layout: structure,
style and consistency of spelling (use spell check!).

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