NURSING RESEARCH

3. Outline
 Introduction
 Research and Research Report
 Purpose of research report
 Characteristics of an Effective Research Report
 Importance of a Research Report
 Steps of writing research report
 Tips for Writing Research Reports
 Structure of research report
 Summary
 Conclusion

4. RESEARCH
Research is the systematic investigations into
study of a natural phenomena or materials or
sources or existing conditions in order to
identify facts or to get additional information
and derive new conclusions.

5. What is a Research Report?
 A research report is a well-crafted document that
outlines the processes, data, and findings of a
systematic investigation.
 It is an important document that serves as a first-
hand account of the research process, and it is
typically considered as an objective and accurate
source of information.
A research paper/report is a systematic
write up on the findings of the study
including methodologies, discussion,
conclusions etc. following a definite style

6. Purpose research report
 Present the results of a research.
 Allow research results to invariably enter the general
store of knowledge.
 Provide a persuasive argument to readers of what
researcher has found.
 Allow readers to read selectively.
 Add value to research results by effectively
communicate to others.

7. Characteristics
of an Effective
Research
Report
Focus
Accuracy
Clarity
Concise

8. Importance of a Research Report
Knowledge
Transfer
Identification
of Knowledge
Gaps
Guide to
Writing a
Research
Report

9. How to Gather Research Data for
Report ?
 Understand the Problem
 Know what report seeks to achieve
 Identify audience
 Create Surveys/Questionnaires

10. Steps of writing research
report
logical
analysis of the
subject-matter
preparation of
the final
outline
preparation of
the rough draft
rewriting and
polishing
preparation of
the final
bibliography
writing the
final draft

11. Tips for Writing Research
Reports
 Prepare the context before starting to write and start
from the basics.
 Keep the target audience in mind while selecting a
format that is clear, logical and obvious to them.
 Have a clear research objective.
 Establish a working model
 Gather all the information about the research topic.
 Read aloud while writing

12.  Check grammar and spelling.
 Discuss only the discoveries that are significant.
 Try and stick to the survey questions/
 The graphs must be clear enough so that they
understand themselves.
 Be clear with messages.
 Be creative with titles.
 Create an effective conclusion
 Get a couple more pair of eyes to read the report

13. A standard format is used for
writing the research report, in
which the author presents the
research in an orderly, logical
manner.

14. Components of a research report
IMRaD Format

15.  Reports typically follow a conventional
format referred to as the IMRAD format.
These sections, respectively, address the
following questions:
 Why was the study done? (I)
 How was the study done? (M)
 What was learned? (R)
 What does it mean? (D)

16. Structure of a Research Report
Title
Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Findings
Discussion
Conclusions
References and Appendices

17. Title
 Be specific and concise but descriptive to
grab the reader’s attention.
 Tell what, when, where, etc.
 In one main title and a subtitle, give a clear
idea.
 Capitalize all words, except articles and
prepositions. the title should be brief (no more
than about 15 words), so writers must balance
clarity with brevity.
 The length of titles can often be reduced by
omitting unnecessary terms such as “A Study of
. . . ,” “Report of . . .” or “An Investigation To
Examine the Effects of . . .,” and so forth.

18. Style, layout, and Page formatting
Page numbering
 Pages are numbered
at the top right .
 Numeric page
numbering begins
with the first page of
Chapter I ( although
page number is not
placed on page 1).
Spacing and
Justification
 Text is double-spaced,
except for long
quotations and the
bibliography ( which
are single-spaced).
There is one blank line
between a section
heading and the text
that follows it.
 Do not right-justify
text. Use Ragged-tight.
Page layout
Left margin: 1.5”
Right margin:1”
Top margin:1”
Bottom margin:
1”

19. Font Face and size
 Any easily readable font is acceptable.
 The font should be 12 points.
 Usually the same font must be used throughout the
research, except the tables and graphs may use a
different font and chapter titles and section headings
may use a different font.

20. Acknowledgment
 Professionally acknowledge individuals and
organizations that were important in making
study possible.
 Avoid being "gushy" or overly flip.
 Include only if special help was received from
an individual or group.

21. Table of Contents
 Formal tables generally contain five major elements:
 Title
 Column heading
 Row heading,
 Body consisting of individual cells
 footnotes.
 This is like a compass that makes it easier for readers to
navigate the research report.
 This should list any chapter titles, normally in upper
case, preceded by their numbers in Roman or Arabic
numerals;
 Subheadings should be in lower case.
 It is recommended that different levels of subheadings
can be included in the Table of Contents

22. Abstract
 An abstract is an overview that highlights all
important aspects of the research including the
research method, data collection process, and
research findings, typically 250 words and goes
straight to the point.
5Ws
& 1H
Why
Who
What When
Where
How

23. Specific suggestions:
 2 sentences -- describe the general problem
being addressed and then introduce the
objectives or hypotheses that your particular
study considers.
 1-2 sentences -- describe the technique(s) used.
 1-3 sentences -- report the most significant
results from the experiment.
 Last sentence -- concluding statement.
 References are not cited in an abstract.

24. Key Words
 It is often necessary to include key words that will be
used in indexes to help others locate your study.
 Usually 5 to 10 key words suffice; indexing services
may add other key words.
 Ideally, the key words identified conform to subject
headings used in CINAHL or Index Medicus.

25. Chapter 1: Introduction
 Should establish the existing state of knowledge
of research topic and identify the specific focus
of work.
 The first paragraph should be written with special
care to grab the readers’ attention.
 Convey enthusiasm for topic and try to present
the problem in an imaginative way.

26.  The introduction typically includes a summary
of related research to provide a pertinent
context.
 It should give a clear idea of reason, method
and significance for intended audience of the
report.
 Start with a relatively broad background of
the topic you are investigating.

27.  Introductions are often written in a funnel shaped
structure,
 Researchers should explain why the problem is
important, in terms of either practical or theoretical
significance.
 Include relevant citations from primary literature
and other appropriate technical references.

28.  The introduction also should describe the
study’s theoretical or conceptual framework, if
relevant.
 The introduction should include definitions of
the concepts under investigation.
 Complete operational definitions are often
reserved for the method section, but conceptual
definitions belong early in the report.

29. Chapter 2: Background and Literature
Review
 A literature review is a written survey of existing
knowledge in the field of study.
 It provides an overview and analysis of different
research works that are relevant to the systematic
investigation.
 It highlights existing research knowledge and areas
needing further investigation.

30.  Literature reviews are usually done in the early
phase of a project, before data collection. When
writing report, be sure to bring literature
review up to date by including new researches.
 Each of the references cited in research must be
listed in the Literature Cited section.
 Avoid listing uncited references

31. Chapter 3: Methodology ( Materials &
Methods)
 The method section is often subdivided into
several parts, which helps readers to locate vital
information.
 Research Design
 Sample and Setting
 Data Collection Instruments
 Procedures
 Data Analysis etc.

32.  Gives the reader the information necessary to
exactly replicate (repeat).
 Description of the Research Design and
Procedures Used: Completely explain step-by-
step what was done.
 Sources of Data: Give complete information
about who, what, when, where, and how the data
was collected.
 Sampling Procedures: Explain how the data was
limited to the amount which was gathered. If all
of the available data were not utilized, how was a
representative sample achieved?

33. Methods and Instruments of Data
Gathering
 Explain the procedures for obtaining the data collected.
Include the forms or manner by which it was recorded.
 Statistical Treatment: Explain the complete
mathematical procedures used in analyzing the data and
determining the significance of the results.

34.  Information about response rates and response
bias to be written.
 Should describe basic characteristics of study
participants (e.g., age, gender, medical
condition).
 Describe the measurement of all variables used
in the analyses,

35.  Descriptive statistics
ordinarily come first,
to provide an overview
of study variables.
 Analyses should be
addressed as per the
research questions or
hypotheses have
numbered.
 The level of
significance is
typically set at .05
 Write in third person and
past tense.
 Describe what you did.
 For field studies, include
the locations and times
that data were
collected.
 Avoid the use of slang
or jargon.

36.  Three pieces of information are normally
included when reporting the results of statistical
tests:
The value of the
calculated statistic
Degrees of
freedom
Significance level.

37.  When results from several statistical analyses
are reported, it is useful to summarize them in a
table by numbering (e.g., “As shown in Table
2 ”).
 Figures may also be used to summarize results.
 Figures are especially helpful for displaying
information on some phenomenon over time, or
for portraying conceptual or empirical models.

38. Chapter 4: Analysis & interpretation
of Data (Results)
 Use tables and figures to help clarify the material when
possible.
 Present the results of the systematic investigation.
 Interpret data presented.
 Describe data analysis process and computer programs.
 Use graphs and charts as necessary.
 Support important interpretations with evidence and
diverse quotes if applicable.
 Show how the boundaries of the sample, research site,
timing, methodology and/or analysis limited results.

39. Chapter 5: Discussion
 This section is often the most challenging
section to write.
 Interpret the data and draw conclusions
regarding your hypothesis.
 Avoid repeating the results section --
evaluate your data and their implications in a
broader context.
 Present justification for each outcome.
 Key findings should be emphasized first.
 Compare your results and interpretation to
other studies in the primary literature

40.  Tables allow precise numerical presentation of
data.
 They should be concise and organized.
 All tables should have the following elements:
Title
 Tables are numbered (1, 2, 3...) in order of
their being referenced in the text.
 The title is at the top of the table.
 It should briefly describe the information
presented in the table.

41.  Column and row headings.
 Subheadings.
 Body (numerical data).
 Align the columns of numbers by their
decimal points
 Horizontal lines. All tables have at least 3
horizontal lines that separate .
 DO NOT use vertical lines in tables.
 Footnotes. Footnotes contain explanatory
information.
 Double space the entire table.

42. Chapter 6: Conclusions and
Recommendations
 This is a summary of all the information in the
report.
 It also outlines the significance of the entire
study.
 Restatement of the Problem.
 Description of the Procedures
 Major Findings
 Conclusions
 Recommendations for Further Investigation

43.  Write with accuracy, brevity and clarity
 Use a good topic sentence for each of your
paragraphs.
 Avoid discussing the results.
 Summarize statistical analyses in tables and
figures.
 Construct tables and figures before writing the
Results section.
 Number tables and figures in the same sequence as
they are first mentioned in the text.
 Figures and tables should be appropriately cited in
the text of the manuscript.

44. References and Appendices
 This section contains a list of all the primary and
secondary research sources.
 These are the bibliographic reference for each of
the works cited in the End Notes.
 Each reference is cited consecutively using a
superscript in Arabic numeral.
 Multiple references can be cited by listing each in order
in the superscript citation, separated by a comma.
 Citation numbers come after full stop and commas but
before a colon or semicolon.
 References are numbered and listed in the order they
appear in the text.

45.  Be accurate and precise. A reader must be able
to locate your sources.
 Include extra data sets and diagrams illustrating
analysis.
 Add permission letters and a sample of
participants' consent forms.
 Block out names of persons and institutions.

46.  Journal article, up to 6 personal author(s):
 Morrow D, McCarron PA, Woolfson AD, Donnelly RF.
Innovative Strategies for Enhancing Topical and Transdermal
Drug Delivery. The Open Drug Delivery Journal, 2007; 1: 36-
59. doi:10.2174/187412660701013606.
 Book:
 Cameron MH. Physical Agents in Rehabilitation: From
Research to Practice. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders;
1999: 185-217

47. SUMMARY

49. Do not panic
Academic writing skill can be taught and learnt.
Be structured
The key is to build the logical thinking and flow of
ideas.
Be serious
If you have any doubt, make it clear as early as
possible .
Do it yourself
Hands on experiences are essential and irreplaceable