Anatomy of a Research Report

Scientific papers provide a method to researchers to communicate with other researchers regarding
the findings of their study. Hence, there is a standard format that one must follow, which should be
presented in an orderly and logical manner. The trend in writing your articles follows what we call the
IMRAD format, which stands for Introduction, Method, Result, and Discussion. Along those, your paper
must also include the title, abstract, and references section.

Title  This section is an integral part of your paper.

 It is the part that is first read.
 It summarizes the main idea(s) or objective of your paper.
 It should contain the fewest words (usually a maximum of 12
content words) that adequately describe your paper's content or
purpose.

(University of South Carolina n.d.)

Example: The Influence of Facebook in the Social Issue Awareness of

Junior High School Students
Abstract  The summary of your research usually around 250-300 words.
 In your abstract, you should present the gist of your paper.
 It should contain the method, result, and recommendation in some
cases.

(University of Wisconsin-Madison, n.d.)

Example:

"This paper examines the impact of Facebook usage on students'

academic performance. In addition, it also analyse whether Socialization
influences Facebook usage. Empirical data was collected from 1165
Malaysian university students using a questionnaire survey. It was found
that the construct Socially Accepted influences Facebook usage while
Acculturation does not have any significant relationship with usage. The
results also illustrated that there is a positive relationship between
students' Academic Performance and Facebook usage i.e. the higher the
usage the better they perceived they perform."

Source: Ainin et. al. 2015, Facebook Usage, Socialization, and

Academic Performance
Introduction  Usually, your introduction includes the following elements: (a) brief
background [descriptive information] of the problem generally
coming from existing reports or data. This part of your paper
should not be opinionated. Instead, you should review data or
reports such as surveys or findings that could qualify your topic as
a valid one. Descriptive information should present either
international, national, or local context followed by the rationale
which justifies the conduct of your study in a particular topic.

 Another paragraph should also present literature and related

studies review, including definitions of your main ideas or terms
(literature review) and existing studies conducted in your topic of

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 interest. After writing your literature and study review, you must
include a synthesis that will further justify the conduct of your
paper. It should present the similarities and differences of your
paper to the review papers. After which, you have to highlight why
your paper is unique as compared to the existing ones.

 Another paragraph should also emphasize the research questions

or objectives of your paper. This will set the direction on what your
readers will expect from your paper.
Method  This section of your paper includes what type of research design
you will use in answering the questions of your paper.
 It includes the methods of data collection and analysis.

Result and Discussion  This section is where you present your findings and interpretation
of your collected data. You usually present them in a table
together with the interpretation and discussion (in paragraph form).
 In this section, your conclusions and recommendations after
presenting your findings are also included.
References  This is where you cite all the references that you have used.
 Having this section means you have consulted other research or
scholarly papers to support your paper further.
 It follows a referencing format. In your case, you will have to follow
APA 6th Edition.

If you notice, the discussion in the IMRAD section was brief and abstract. In the coming lessons,
each section will be further discussed for you to be guided in the completion of your research report.

Formulate your Working Title

If you could still remember in your lesson 1, you were asked to narrow down your topic and
formulate your general question by combining the main ideas or terms that you have identified. It was also
mentioned that general questions usually lead to the formulation of your research title. Hence, in this
activity, you have to turn that general question into a working title and possibly formulate research (sub)
questions that your research would like to study. You may create a minimum of 2 or 3 questions for your
paper. Please use the template below.

Example:

General Question (Topic) What is the perception of junior high school

students in using Google Meet as a platform in
online learning?
Working Title Junior High Schools Students' Perception in the
Use of Google Meet as a Platform in Online
Learning
Research Questions 1. How may the access of students to ICT be
described in terms of:

1.1 Type of Devices Used

1.2 Type of Internet Connection

2. How may the students describe their

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 competence in the use of Google Meet?

3. How may the students describe the competence

of their teacher in the use of Google Meet?

4. How do students perceived the use of Google

Meet as a platform for their online learning?

Writing your Introduction

Your introduction tells the reader the problem, questions you will answer, and the rationale for
answering the questions. It should also integrate some literature review. It includes defining the variables or
concepts of your research and related studies that have been conducted in your field of interest.

Remember that once your readers look into your introduction, they should see the following
elements:

 Descriptive background of your topic (particularly the issues or problems)

 Literature Review (Content and Related Studies)
 Proposed solution or approach (if applicable)
 Rationale or justification in conducting your study

For you to have a better perspective, The Writing Center of George Mason University (GMU) explained
general moves on how to go about your introduction. There are three moves but are always subject to your
paper's discipline, journal, or purpose. The movements are as follows:

Move Sub-Moves Sample Language1

Move 1: Establishing a Research a) Show that the research area a) Evidence suggests that X
Territory is important, problematic, or is among the most important
relevant in some way factors for …

Existing research
Describes the current state of recognizes the critical role
knowledge and research on the topic. b) played by …
Introduce and review previous
research in the field b) Data from several studies
suggest that

Extensive research has

shown …

Move 2: One or more of these are

included:
Establishing a Niche

a) Smith's analysis does not

a) Claim something is wrong take into account …
Establishes motivation for the study. with the previous research
Usually, this move is short and can be b) Previous studies on X

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 addressed in just one or several b) Highlight a gap in the field have not dealt with …
sentences.
c) Research on the subject
c) Raise a question where has been unable to specify
research in field is unclear whether …

d) This study seeks to obtain

d) Contribute something data which will help to
additional to the field address these research
gaps.

Move 3: One or more of these are

included:
Occupying the Niche

a) Outline your purposes and a) The purpose of this

state the nature of your investigation is to explore the
Shows how your research fills the research relationship between…
niche and brings new perspectives to
the field. b) State your hypothesis or b) We investigate the
research question you seek to following research question:
answer …

c)
Share your findings
c) This study provides new
insights into...

d) Elaborate on the value of d) The present research

your research explores, for the first time,
the effects of …
e)
Outline the structure that the e) This paper has been
research paper will follow divided into four parts. The
first part deals with …

Adopted from: The Writing Center – George Mason University

As you write your introduction, it will be inevitable to consult other sources. Ethically and as a
standard, it is important to document or cite them properly. Citation is a way of saying that you
acknowledge the ideas or works of authors you used to support your claims or ideas in your paper.
To do this, there is a citation format that you must follow, which is APA 6th Edition. In citation, we
have what we call the in-text or end-of-text (Reference) citation.
The in-text citation may be in three forms: Author-focused, Idea-focused (parenthetical citation),
and Chronology-focused.
Example:

Goshgarian (2016) defined critical reading as an active process of discovery.

– Author-focused

Hypertext writing is a useful method to improve the quality of academic essays of students
(Tamayo, 2019). – Idea-focused

In 2019, Tamayo introduced the concept of hypertext writing as a method to improve the
quality of academic essays of senior high students. – Chronology-focused

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More about In-Text Citation

If you have… You do this… Sample Citation

1st: Pineda, David, and Tamayo
(2019) claimed…

Subsequent: Pineda et. al.

(2019) asserted that…

Cite all authors' last name in first 1st: Researchers (Pineda, David &
One source 3 or 5 authors… citation; use et. al. for Tamayo, 2019) revealed that…
subsequent citations.
Subsequent: Researchers
(Pineda et. al., 2019) asserted
that…

Note: for parenthetical citations

use "&" instead of "and".
Cite the first few words (usually The site seemed to indicate
the title) support for homeopathic drugs
("Medical Miracles," 2009).
Use double quotation marks
No identified author around the title of an article, The brochure argues for
chapter, or Web page. Italicize homeschooling (Education
the title of a periodical, book, Reform, 2007).
brochure, or report.

Several studies (Jones & Powell,

Two or more sources in Separate each works with ";" 1993; Peterson, 1995, 1998;
parenthetical citation semi-colon Smith, 1990) suggest that...

The painting was assumed to be

by Matisse (Powell, 1989,
Specific parts of a source Include page or chapter number Chapter 6), but later analysis
showed it to be a forgery
(Murphy, 1999, p. 85).
Schwartz (2013) noted, "The
term 'cloud' comes from the
traditional representation of the
Internet in network diagrams" (p.
1626).

Griffith (2013) stated, "In the

Incorporate it in your text and use simplest terms, cloud computing
Direct Quotation (40 Words) quotation marks, then include means storing and accessing
specific page. data and programs over the
Internet instead of your
computer's hard drive" (para. 2).

"The term 'cloud' comes from the

traditional representation of the
Internet in network diagrams"
(Schwartz, 2013, p. 1626).

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 Jones's (1998) study found the
following:

More than 40 words, make the Students often had difficulty

Direct Quotation (More than 40 quotation free-standing indented using APA style, especially when
it was their first-time citing
Words) block of text and do not use
sources. This difficulty could be
quotation marks. attributed to the fact that many
students failed to purchase a
style manual or to ask their
teacher for help. (p. 199)

Source: Tamayo, 2018. Documenting Your Sources Using APA Style

End-of-Text Citation (Referencing)

Generally, the following elements should be present in your references:
• Author name
• Publication
• Date
• Title
• Publication information
• Issue Number for Paginated Journal
• Online/Electronic resources (DOI)
Type of Source Sample Entry
Book Calmorin, E. A., & Calmorin, A. (2007). Research methods and thesis writing.
Manila, Philippines: Rex Bookstore. Inc.

Fraenkel, J. R., Wallen, N. E., & Hyun, H. H. (2012). How to Design and Evaluate
Research in Education (8th ed.). N.Y., U.S.A.: McGraw-Hill.

Chapter of a Book Serviss, G. P. (1911). A trip of terror. In a Columbus of space (pp. 17-32). New York,
NY: Appleton.

Journal Article Becker, L. J., & Seligman, C. (1981). Welcome to the energy crisis. Journal of Social
Issues, 37(2), 1-7.

Without DOI Hamfi, A. G. (1981). The funny nature of dogs. E-journal of Applied Psychology,
2(2), 38-48. Retrieved from http://ojs.lib.swin.edu.au/index.php/fdo.

With DOI Paivio, A. (1975). Perceptual comparisons through the mind's eye. Memory &
Cognition Journal, 3, 635-647. doi:10.1037/0278-6133.24.2.225

Other Examples Visit this link if you have connection

https://www.scribbr.com/apa-examples/website/
Source: Tamayo, 2018. Documenting Your Sources Using APA Style
Write your Introduction.
Since you already have a title and research questions, you may now start writing your introduction. In
writing your introduction write legibly. If you have access to a laptop or computer, please observe the
following mechanics:

 Font style - Arial

 Font Size - 12pt.
 Margin - 1 inch all sides

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  Spacing - Single Space
 Paragraph Ruling - Justified

Content: Title, Introduction (incorporate your research questions in the introduction)

Writing the Methods Section of Research Report

Remember in analytical research you are to collect first-hand data from your sources. Your sources
may include people who are pertinent to the topic of your study. In the method section, you must state the
technique that will be used to collect data as well as how you will analyze them. It should also present a
step-by-step procedure on how you will collect your data. Therefore, in writing your methods section, the
following elements should be observed.

 Data Collection Method

 Sources of your Data
 Data Analysis Method
 Data Gathering Procedure

I. Data Collection Method

If you are familiar with the forms or questionnaires (Enrollment form, biodata, tests etc.) that you are
filling out or interviews that you might have participated, those were just some of the techniques in
collecting data. Data that you may collect may be in the form of quantitative (numerical) or qualitative
(words – characteristics, attributes, etc.).

Example:

Qualitative Quantitative
Gender Test scores (IQ, Aptitude Test)
Grade Level Temperature
Educational Attainment Allowance
Open-ended responses to questions Salary

The mentioned examples of data are just some of the many data you may encounter when you
conduct full-blown research in your higher learning level in the future. Just remember, the type of data that
you have will always depend on how you approach them in your study. For example, gender may be
considered qualitative but may also be used in quantitative studies depending on how you analyze them.

In collecting these data, you must look for the appropriate method to use in collecting them. Some of the
data collection methods include the use of surveys, questionnaires, direct interviews, and the like. There
are existing instruments made by other researchers which you may adopt, or you may also design your
own research instrument. Just remember that if you adopt or adapt a questionnaire from other research, it
is crucial that you ask permission either through email or a letter.

Since you are a beginner researcher, I recommend you focus first on using survey questionnaires
because quantitative analysis is more manageable than qualitative. However, you should follow or ask your
teacher's instructions. This will always depend on their capacity to provide you an instructional support as
you go through your analysis.

II. Sources of your Data

This section shows who or what will be the source of your data. In social research, we usually deal
with people who are referred to as either respondents or participants. You must determine how many and
what criteria you will set to qualify in participating as a respondent. This task is complex but for you to have
a baseline. I recommend limiting your respondents to 30 people (if you use surveys) or ten people (if you
use interviews). Again, this will always depend on the instruction of your teachers. So always consult them.

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Example:
"The respondents of this study will be the 30 junior high school students from Angeles City
National High School. The 30 students will be randomly selected by ensuring that each
grade levels have a representative."

III. Data Analysis

As you remember, there are two types of data (qualitative and quantitative). Depending on the data
you collected, you will use a specific data analysis method – Statistics (quantitative), Thematic Analysis
(Qualitative).

Statistics include the use of descriptive statistics such as mean (the average), mode (the frequency
counts), and the median (which is locating the middle score).

There are also other statistics such as the t-test, z-test, Pearson's r, Chi-square and the like, which you
may not be needed in your research since you are just beginning.

If you have taken your statistics in junior high, you may consult your math teachers to help you in analyzing
your data. Like what I advised you, it is better to consult your teacher in doing your research report.

Example:
"This research report will employ mean, frequency distribution, and percentage in the
analysis of data collected. "

IV. Data Gathering Procedure

This section presents the narrative format of your procedure in the collection and analysis of data. It
will basically cover everything from asking permission, the orientation of respondents, data analysis, and so
forth.

Example:
"In the implementation of this study, a letter of request seeking permission in the conduct of
the survey will be sent to the principal's office. As soon as the person-in-charge allows the
researchers to proceed, the respondents will be oriented and requested to sign a consent
and assent stating that any data collected from them will be treated with utmost
confidentiality and privacy. In like manner, the researchers will orient them on the objectives
and content of the study to ensure that the respondents understand everything they need to
know. After which, the collection of data shall begin.

After the data collection, data analysis shall begin by consulting the statistician and your
teacher to ensure that the interpretation will be valid. After the analysis, the writing of the
result and discussion shall take place to report the findings of the study."

Note: Remember that the method section is written for replication purposes. It is essential you
clearly write your method so that other researchers will be able to follow the step-by-step
procedure on the conduct of your study.

Writing the Result and Discussion

The result and discussion should be supported by related studies that will further substantiate and
strengthen the interpretation of your findings.

Example:

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 Let us say your research question is:

"What is the quality of academic essays of the students in terms of content after using
hypertext writing?"

You should present your answer or findings to the question this way:

"Content refers to the relevance of the message of the essay to the subject matter
presented in the writing task. The students were expected to be knowledgeable, substantive,
and thorough in the development of thesis during the writing of their academic essays.
Introductory
paragraph
Table 4
Content of the Essays

Descriptor Score f %
Summary Excellent 27.00 - 30.00 5 9.62
Table of the
Analyzed Average 22.00 - 26.99 28 53.85
Data
Fair 17.00 - 21.99 19 36.54
Total 52 100
Mean 22.69 (Average)
Verbalization
of the Table Table 4 shows the score of the students in terms of the content. As a group, the
by presenting
students had a mean score of 22.69 which means they are considered Average in terms of
the result.
content. Twenty-eight (28) or 53.85% of them scored ranging from 22.00 to 26.99 (Average)
while five (5) or 9.62% only scored ranging from 27.00 to 30.00 (Excellent). Nineteen (19) or
36.54% of the students scored ranging from 17.00 to 21.99 (Fair).

Interpretation The result revealed that the majority of the students have an Average score in terms
(Discussion)
of the result of content. This may be attributed to the method of accomplishing their essay which was
supported by hypertext writing. During the hypertext writing, the students were connected to the internet
related which gave them access to different materials such as news articles, video materials, books,
studies.
magazines, and other scholarly articles. This allowed the students to support and increase
the content of their essay (Graham, 2008). Hamel (2015) claimed that word processing
programs had a positive influence on writing assignments. Word processing or simply
hypertext writing is thought to have a positive influence in improving the text quality or
content of the essays of the students. Moreover, it allowed more insight into the writing
process itself. Hence, the method of hypertext writing might have contributed to the content
of the essays of the students to obtain the average level."

Source: Tamayo (2019) Hypertext Writing Skills and Quality of Academic of Essays of
Selected Senior High School Students

After presenting your findings by answering all your research questions or statement of the problem,
you should be able to draw conclusions and recommendations, which is the outcome of your paper. You
should be able to draw conclusions and recommendations for every research question.

Remember that conclusion and recommendation should only be based on your results. Do not
exaggerate.

Example:

Conclusion and Recommendation

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 1. From the presented findings, the researcher concluded that the students' overall quality of
academic essays in terms of content is average because of hypertext writing. Therefore,
writing teachers should consider employing hypertext writing as a pedagogy because it
helps in enriching the content of their essays by making them connected to various
sources online.

Adapted from: Tamayo (2019) Hypertext Writing Skills and Quality of Academic of
Essays of Selected Senior High School Students

Bring all the Research Parts together

Now that you have completed the parts of your research report, you may now bring them together
as one output. Please observe the following mechanics (if you have access to a laptop or computer), write
legibly if otherwise:

 Font style - Arial

 Font Size - 12pt.
 Paper Size - 8.5 x 11 (Letter Size/Short)
 Margin - 1 inch all sides
 Spacing - Single Space
 Paragraph Ruling - Justified

The content of your research report should include the following:

Title

Abstract

Introduction (Please include your research questions here)

Method

Result and Discussion (Please include your conclusions and recommendations)

References

Appendices (research instrument, letters, raw data/statistical computation if any)

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