Running head: RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
Title of research project set
centered and double-spaced in
uppercase and lowercase
approximately 3-½ in. from the
top of the page.
Be sure to set the running head in ALL CAPS flush left
in the header. Be sure the pagination (page number) is
set flush right in the header. Use small Roman
numerals for introductory matter (title page, contents
page, etc.) and Arabic numerals for text pages. Only
the first page contains the identifier “Running head:”.
A Template for the Master of Education
Option B Research Report
Vince Aleccia
Eastern Washington University
Your name and institutional
affiliation set centered and
double-spaced in uppercase
and lowercase directly below
title of the research project.
Presented to the Department of Education
of Eastern Washington University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree
Master of Education
June 10, 2016
Institutional details and date
of submission set centered
and double-spaced in
uppercase and lowercase
approximately 6-½ in. from
the top of the page.
i
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
Contents
ii
Please note that each Level 2
heading is indented the same.
CHAPTER 1 ....................................................................................................................................1
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................1
Significance of the Study .......................................................................................................2
Statement of the Research Problem .......................................................................................2
Research Questions ................................................................................................................3
Limitations of the Study.........................................................................................................4
Definition of Terms................................................................................................................4
On the Importance of the Content Page(s) .............................................................................5
A Note on Option B ...............................................................................................................6
CHAPTER 2 ....................................................................................................................................7
Literature Review.............................................................................................................................7
Your First Level 2 Heading ...................................................................................................8
This is a Level 3 heading ............................................................................................8
This is another Level 3 heading ..................................................................................8
Your Second Level 2 Heading ...............................................................................................9
Your Third Level 2 Heading ..................................................................................................9
Some Writing Strategies to Consider ...................................................................................10
Conclusion ...........................................................................................................................12
CHAPTER 3 ..................................................................................................................................13
Research Analysis ..........................................................................................................................13
Analysis................................................................................................................................13
Reflections ...........................................................................................................................14
Please note that
each Level 3
heading is
indented the same.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
iii
CHAPTER 4 ..................................................................................................................................15
Recommendations ..........................................................................................................................15
How You Answered the Research Questions of Your Study ..............................................15
Challenges You Experienced during the Study ...................................................................16
What Changes You Would Make ........................................................................................16
Your Professional Growth ...................................................................................................16
Data Collection ....................................................................................................................16
A Note on References ..........................................................................................................18
Suggested Length of the Research Report ...........................................................................19
REFERENCES ..............................................................................................................................20
APPENDICES ...............................................................................................................................21
Appendix A—Letter to Parents ...........................................................................................22
Appendix B—Student Survey .............................................................................................23
Please note that the page numbers
are aligned right. This can be easily
done using the Tabs menu located
under the Format pull-down menu.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
iv
Tables
Table 1—NBCT Responses to “I perform work that suits my values” .........................................18
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
v
Abstract
Immediately after the contents page (or list of tables and/or figures, if your research
report requires them), you will insert an abstract. This is a passage of about 150 words that
conveys what your research report addresses. In broad strokes, provide the reader with a
summary of your study and your findings. Because Option B is an extended literature review,
mention the major divisions of your second chapter. Use active voice, avoid technical jargon if at
all possible, and be as parsimonious as possible with your words. Set the label centered 1 in.
from the top of the page in bold. Be sure the text of your abstract is set double-space, like
everything else in your research report. This is the last introductory component before you begin
the first chapter. Because it appears before the text of your research report, the abstract is not
listed on the contents page(s).
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
Please note that the chapter
designator is set centered in all caps
bold 2 inches from the top of the
page. This is done for all chapters.
CHAPTER 1
1
Please note that the title of the
chapter (a Level 1 heading) is set
centered in bold caps and lower
case double-spaced under the
chapter designator. This, too, is
done for all chapters.
Introduction
The first chapter of your Option B research report for the MEd program provides an
overview and framework of the project for your reader. It should consist of six sections: (a)
introduction, (b) significance of the study, (c) statement of the research problem, (d) research
questions, (e) limitations of the study, and (f) definitions of terms. As with the other chapters of
your research project, the first section, which serves as a framework for what follows, does not
have a Level 2 heading. Hence, it begins as this paragraph does: indented but otherwise
unadorned. Be sure to paginate in the upper-right corner with a running head in the upper-left.
(The first chapter will normally begin with “1” for the pagination; the introductory pages such as
the title page, contents page, pages containing lists of tables or figures, and the abstract will be
paginated using lower-case roman numerals [i, ii, iii, etc.].) You may wish to cite specific
sources that you’ve encountered in your research that will convey the essence of the background
of your research project.
When you have provided the appropriate overview and background for the reader, you
will then need to provide the reader with an advance organizer as an additional aid. A listing of
the sections as given in the second sentence of this paragraph will suffice. Use APA seriation for
elements within a paragraph for this listing as discussed on page 64 of the Publication Manual.
Once you’ve given your reader a sufficient introduction, you’re ready to continue with the rest of
your first chapter.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
2
Please note the use and format
of this Level 2 heading.
Significance of the Study
In this section, you should explain why this study is important. Is there a current shortage
of certified teachers in the United States? How are school districts grappling with the shortage?
How are teacher-preparation programs in colleges and universities responding to the shortage?
What is the forecast for teacher supply in the near future? You may wish to cite specific studies
that you encounter in your review of literature that address the significance of your research
project. As Glatthorn and Joyner (2005) suggested,
a professionally significant study can contribute in one or more of these ways: test a
theory, contribute to the development of theory, extend existing knowledge, change
prevailing beliefs, suggest relationships between phenomena, extend a research
methodology or instrument, or provide greater depth of knowledge about a previously
studied phenomenon. (p. 114)
In essence, this section answers the imperative question “So what?” that is crucial to
understanding the significance of your research study. If you’re clear about the answer to “So
what?”, then you’ll have a better understanding of why you’re conducting your study and, just as
importantly, so will your reader.
Statement of the Research Problem
Please note the use and format of this long (40+
words) quote. The period appears after the last
word of the quote, not after the parenthetical cite.
Begin this section with a statement that starts “The purpose of this research project is
to….” Because this statement encapsulates the essence of your research project, you should take
great care in making it as complete as possible. As with the other sections of your first chapter,
you may wish to cite specific sources that address some aspect of the purpose of your research
project. An example of this is the long quote from Glatthorn and Joyner (2005) used in the
previous section.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
3
Research Questions
This section of your first chapter provides the reader with the specific questions your
research project will address. You will need a sentence or two that introduces your research
questions such as “To determine the effectiveness of alternative paths of teacher certification, I
will examine the following questions….” When you list your research questions, be sure to
number them with Arabic numerals followed by a period. (See pages 63-64 of the Publication
Manual for a rationale and more detailed explanation.) Here is an example of this format:
1. What constitutes alternative paths of teacher certification?
2. What are some of the most popular of the alternative paths of teacher certification?
3. What are the relative rates of success of these alternative paths as compared to traditional
preparation programs?
The scope and sequence of these questions are crucial as they form the major focus of your
research project. Be sure they’re in the most logical order. This is also important because your
research questions will almost certainly be tied to the sections of your literature review in the
second chapter.
Also, be thinking about what type or types of data you will use to answer the questions.
Creating research questions without thinking about the data sources to use in answering them is
one of the most common mistakes beginning researchers make. In addition, you will examine
how you answered these questions in your final chapter of your research study. Thus, they serve
as structural bookends that mark the focus and results of your research project in the first and last
chapters. When you have finished listing your research questions in the most logical order,
you’re ready to move on to the next section in your first chapter.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
4
Limitations of the Study
This section should make clear exactly what your research project will address as well as
what it won’t. If, for example, your research project will examine the impact of alternative paths
of teacher certification on beginning classroom teachers, then be sure to indicate that you will not
examine the history of traditional teacher-preparation programs. Or, for example, that you will
not examine the impact of normal schools on teacher certification. Other limitations may include
factors that you have no direct control over such as a budget cut in the middle of the year that
affects the planned outcome of your research project. It’s imperative that your reader knows
exactly what you plan to address in your study and what you plan to leave out. As with so much
else in life, accurate framing of what your study will and will not address is crucial.
Definition of Terms
One of the most important hallmarks of academic writing—or any writing for that
matter—is precision. You may well use terms that you encounter in your review of the literature
that are employed in specific ways in your research project. Thus, for the sake of clarity, be sure
to define these terms precisely for your reader. After your Level 2 heading, and before you list
your terms, be sure to indicate why you’re operationalizing these terms. For example, “It’s
essential that the reader knows exactly what is meant by some specialized terms that appear in
this research report. To give the reader that information, a list of terms follows with their specific
definitions as they apply to this study.” When you define a term, please begin with a paragraph
indentation and then list the term in boldface followed by a colon. End each definition with a
period. If you are using a term as defined by a researcher, be sure to cite the source at the end of
your definition. Please follow this formatting precisely, and be sure to list your terms in
alphabetical order. Here are three examples for you:
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
5
National Board Certified Teacher: an accomplished teacher who has demonstrated
professional mastery through certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards. Such a teacher is referred to as an NBCT. National Board certified teachers receive
certification in a specific subject are (for example, mathematics or art) and at a specific
development level (for example, Early Adolescence [EA] or Adolescence and Young Adulthood
[AYA]).
Professional Development School: a school, usually an elementary school, with ties to a
college or university teacher-training program that serves as a laboratory for training teachers
and, often, teacher leaders.
Role Conflict: the incompatibility or incongruency a teacher leader experiences in
performing professional duties—especially as they pertain to tension between (a) the teacher
leader’s internal standards or values and the defined role behavior; (b) the time or resources and
the defined role behavior; (c) several roles the teacher leader must assume and the accompanying
changes in behavior each role requires; and (d) institutional demands and requests from others,
including co-workers and supervisors (Rizzo, House, & Lirtzman, 1970).
On the Importance of the Contents Page(s)
The contents page or pages of your research report are more than simply a list of the
chapters and sections of your report. They serve as an integral structural device that provides the
organizing principle for the entire report. In essence, a well-structured contents page or pages
also doubles as an outline. The reader can readily consult it to determine the hierarchical
relationships between Level 2 headings within a chapter as well as any Level 3 headings (or, if
necessary, Level 4 headings) and their relationship with the appropriate Level heading which
they support. Please be sure your contents page or pages serve this purpose. Carefully check that
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
6
the Level 2 headings and Level 3 headings are organized correctly. Please ensure that you format
your headings correctly. (See pages 62-63 of the Publication Manual for more information.)
A Note on Option B
This option of the MEd research report should focus on an extensive literature review and
analysis on a topic that can make a difference for students and your institution—whether
classroom, school, or district. It should be a topic that you are passionate about. You will, of
course, spend a good deal of time on the research and writing of the four-chapter report.
Therefore, choose your project carefully as you will be living with it for a year (or more).
Some Formatting Pointers
When you set up your formatting defaults, be sure you have no additional space inserted
when you hit the Return key. To check this, first click on the Paragraph pull-down menu. Then
under Spacing be sure that both Before and After are set at 0 pt. Line spacing should also be set
as Double. If you make these settings your default, you’ll never have to worry about this while
you’re writing your research report. In addition, remember that APA style requires the use of the
Oxford comma in a list. Be sure, moreover, that your double quotation marks are “smart quotes”
(“x”) instead of inch markers ("x") and that your single quotation marks or apostrophes are also
true single quotation markers or apostrophes (‘x’) instead of foot markers ('x'). These details will
enhance the professional appearance of your finished research report.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
7
CHAPTER 2
Literature Review
The second chapter of your Option B research report for the MEd program encompasses
a synthesis of the pertinent research literature that you have examined. It should consist of
several sections including the following: (a) an introduction, (b) several segments of the
literature review, and (c) a set of conclusions. The number of segments of the literature review
itself will depend on the number of research questions you have for your research project.
Ideally, each research question should be correlated to one of the sections of the literature review
itself. For example, if your research project focuses on alternative paths to teacher certification—
the example used in the sample first chapter—then your sections of the literature review should
be aligned with your research questions. If your first research question deals with defining
alternative paths to teacher certification, then the appropriately related section of the literature
review should be devoted to studies that address this topic and be labeled with a fitting Level 2
heading such as Defining Alternative Paths to Teacher Certification (set, of course, in boldface
flush left).
As with the other chapters of your research project, your introductory section will be
without a Level 2 heading. Thus, it should begin as the first two paragraphs in this sample:
indented but otherwise unadorned. Likewise, be sure to have your running head and pagination
in the header. (Your second chapter will begin with the pagination number following the last
page number of the first chapter. For example, if your last page of the first chapter was page 6,
the first pagination number in your second chapter would be “7” as in this sample paper.) You
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
8
should also provide your reader with an advance organizer for the structure of this chapter, just
as you did in the first chapter. You might model this advance organizer on the second sentence of
the first paragraph above. Once you’ve completed your introductory section, you’re ready to
tackle the main part of your literature review. Please note the use and format
of these Level 3 headings.
Your First Level 2 Heading
This section of your literature review should be tied to one (and, ideally, the first) of your
research questions. Remember that a literature review should not be merely a collection of
annotations about sources. Rather, each section of your literature review should flow coherently
using sources to bolster your points in that particular section. Be sure to cite your studies (either
in text or parenthetically) using APA format. (See chapter 6, “Crediting Sources,” especially
sections 6.11 through 6.21 [pages 174-179] in the Publication Manual for guidance.) In addition,
be sure to keep a Level 2 heading connected to at least the first two lines of text that the heading
introduces. Separating a heading on one page and starting the text on the following page creates
typographical widows (the headings) and orphans (the separated text).
This is a Level 3 heading. Each section of your literature review may be subdivided into
subsections. If you choose this method of organization, be sure each subsection uses a Level 3
heading. These subsections may be a single paragraph or a collection of paragraphs. And please
remember that no paragraph should be longer than a single page. As with any other type of
outlining mechanism, be sure to have at least two Level 3 headings under a Level 2 heading.
This is another Level 3 heading. Each Level 3 heading is set in boldface just as Level 2
headings are. But unlike Level 2 headings, Level 3 headings are indented and have only the first
letter of the first word (and any proper nouns or adjectives) capitalized. Further, they end with a
period (or other end punctuation such as a question mark) to separate them from the rest of the
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
9
text in the paragraph. A word on structural simplicity here: There are Level 4 and Level 5
headings, but avoid them unless they’re absolutely necessary. If you must use them, then follow
the formatting guide on pages 62-63 of the Publication Manual concerning level of headings.
Your Second Level 2 Heading
This section of your literature review should be tied to another (and, ideally, the second)
of your research questions. Please be sure to cite your sources consistently using APA style. If
you’re citing a study with three authors in your text, you would use the citation form of Brown,
Smith, and Jones (2009). If, however, you give the citation within parentheses, you’ll need to
replace the conjunction “and” with an ampersand (&). This form of citation would be thus:
(Brown, Smith, & Jones, 2009). Observing these stylistic requirements will mark your paper as a
professional effort. Please note, however, that on the second and subsequent citations of sources
with three authors, you’ll need to list only the first author with “et al.” (meaning “and the rest” in
Latin) following. Be sure to refer to the chapter titled “Reference Examples” (pages 193-224) in
the Publication Manual. Pay special attention to the table on page 177 titled “Basic Citation
Styles.” This resource will be invaluable as you write your research project, and you may wish to
sleep with it under your pillow!
Your Third Level 2 Heading
As noted above, there is no set number of sections in the literature review. Some reviews
may have only two sections while others may have three, four, or more. This will depend largely
on the number of research questions you have guiding your research project. As a suggestion,
you may wish to check your list of references to be sure that each piece of literature you mention
in this chapter is listed alphabetically by author in the reference list. This list follows the last
chapter and precedes any material in the Appendix. Doing this at the end of each draft of each
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
10
chapter will simplify the process of compiling your list of references at the end of the writing
process (and, incidentally, prevent premature graying of your hair). Please remember, too, that
Option B of the research report for the MEd program requires a minimum of 50 sources in your
literature review.
Some Writing Strategies to Consider
Clear, readable writing is the currency in which scholars trade. Indeed, the three
hallmarks of good writing are clarity, economy, and precision. One of the best ways to become
an accomplished writer is to write frequently and edit carefully. As with most other endeavors,
there is no substitute for practice. Bookstores and libraries carry dozens of writing guides;
consider consulting several and buying at least one to reference regularly. One of the best and
most venerable is Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style, which has gone through multiple
revisions since its first appearance in 1959. Though slender, its 85 pages will provide reliable
advice about improving your writing. Consider the passage under Rule 17, “Omit needless
words”:
Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a
paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no
unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer
make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in
outline, but that every word tell. (p. 23)
In this 63-word passage, Strunk and White provide a solid principle about economy in writing.
Cut ruthlessly as you edit: if a 2-word phrase can be replaced with a single strong word, do so.
Rely on strong nouns and verbs that don’t require second-string adjectives and adverbs.
Please note that indented quotes such as
this do not have double quotation marks at
the beginning or end. The indentation alerts
the reader that this is a quote.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
11
Another strategy to consider is to have a structure as you write. The structure, of course,
may change as you move through the writing process, but it’s crucial to have a plan. At the least,
be sure you know what your main idea or thesis is. Time spent clarifying this critical part of your
document will pay handsome dividends. How will you develop your thesis? Will you use a
chronological, spatial, or importance order as you write? One way to keep this in your mind is
tape a copy of your thesis near your computer screen. As you finish each paragraph and save (a
good habit to cultivate), be sure to ask yourself if the last bit you’ve written in some way relates
to and develops your thesis. If it doesn’t, then there’s a good chance you should delete or at least
rewrite the paragraph. This incremental process—though initially painstaking—will ensure a
more coherent, unified document.
One of the trickiest parts of writing a research report or thesis is to align the reference list
with your in-text citations. If you don’t use a program such as RefWorks or EndNotes, consider
using this process: as you read your draft, place a check next to the appropriate entry in your
reference list. When you’ve finished reading the draft, each citation should be checked in the
reference list. If not, then be sure to add it. If a source in your reference list is not checked, then
be sure to delete it.
Another strategy to help polish your writing is having someone whose judgment you trust
read your draft. (Having two people is even better, provided they are careful readers.) Often, as
we edit our work, we tend to overlook phrases and sentences that contain unnecessary words or
words that have been unconsciously omitted. Another related problem is that of “eye skips.” This
is when a reader’s eyes unconsciously pass over an entire line of text, a far-too-common
occurrence. Having another pair of eyes to read your draft will lessen the chance of these events
happening.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
12
Finally, be sure that each paragraph in your research report is at least one sentence long
but no more than one page. Your readers will appreciate not having to slog through
excruciatingly long paragraphs. Not only that, but having an entire page of text without an
typographical respite in the form of headings or other graphics such as tables or figures can be a
terrific eyestrain.
Conclusion
When you have finished synthesizing your sources for the body of the literature review,
you will need to present your findings in a final section. This may be a paragraph or two that
recapitulates the major themes and findings of your literature review. It may, of course, be longer
depending on the complexity of your literature review.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
13
CHAPTER 3
Research Analysis
Chapter 3 of your Option B research report for the MEd program should consist of three
sections: (a) introduction, (b) analysis, and (c) reflections. As with the other chapters of your
research project, the first section, which serves as a framework for what follows, does not have a
Level 2 heading. Hence, it begins as this paragraph does: indented but otherwise unadorned. Be
sure to continue the pagination in the upper-right corner. (This sample chapter begins with “13”
for the pagination because of the relative brevity of this template, but in reality your third chapter
will probably begin with “30” or thereabouts, taking into account the pagination for your first
and second chapters.) When you have provided a framework for the reader that briefly
recapitulates the first two chapters (a few sentences at most), you will then need to provide the
reader with an advance organizer. A listing of the sections as given in the first sentence of this
paragraph will suffice. Once you have given your reader a recapitulation of the first two chapters
and an advance organizer for the rest of the third chapter, you’re ready to continue.
Analysis
In this section, you will demonstrate your analytical and logical thinking skills based on a
thoughtful, comprehensive analysis of the major concepts synthesized in your second chapter. As
part of this analysis, you should include the educational, historical, psychological, and social
perspectives (or any combination of these) that relate to your topic in general and your research
questions in particular. This is the place where your opinions—based, of course, on evidence
you’ve marshalled from your reading in the literature—should be logically expressed with
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
14
convincing arguments. Be sure to provide sufficient evidence to support your assertions. You
should also address concerns or issues (or both) with the topic in this section of your third
chapter. When you’ve provided your reader with an explication of your viewpoints, you’re ready
to move to the next section.
Reflections
In this section, you should report the learning you’ve gained in your investigation and
writing of the research report. Consider addressing these questions as part of this section: (a)
What new perspective(s) have you gained in your research and writing? (b) How have you been
changed with the new perspective(s)? and (c) What is the implication of the new perspective(s)
on your future educational practice?
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
15
CHAPTER 4
Recommendations
The fourth and final chapter of your Option B research report for the MEd program will
focus on integrating the theoretical learning into professional practice. It should consist of five
sections: (a) introduction, (b) a summary of how you answered your research questions raised in
the first chapter, (c) challenges you experienced while researching and writing the research
report and how you met them, (d) what changes you would make if you were to do a follow-up
study on this or a closely related topic, and (e) your professional development goals for your
continued growth in this area. This template contains an additional two sections concerning
references and suggested length that will not be part of your research report.
The first section, as in the other chapters, provides a quick overview of the project and
does not have a Level 2 heading. As with the other chapters, be sure to include the header. This
chapter will need to be written in past tense as you are reporting how you implemented your
research project. Once you have completed your introduction, you’re ready to move to the next
section.
How You Answered the Research Questions of Your Study
This section explains how you answered the research questions you raised in the first
chapter. You might do this by listing each research question and then summarizing how you
answered it, based on your literature review and analysis. Another method of organizing this
section is to list all of your research questions and then writing an extended narrative about how
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
16
you addressed them. You might wish to use Level 3 headings to organize this section for the
convenience of your reader.
Challenges You Experienced during the Study
It is rare to find a research study that goes exactly as planned; most studies have to
address unplanned-for changes. There is no dishonor in doing so. In this third section, list the
challenges you encountered during your research. For example, you may have had difficulty in
securing sufficient sources in one section of your literature review. Or you may have found that
there is a dearth of current sources on one aspect of your topic.
What Changes You Would Make
Change—especially unplanned-for change—seems to be a constant in the research
process. In this section, you will want to describe how your research project changed during the
process and what the factors were which led to these changes. Full disclosure of the results is not
only ethical in research but absolutely essential. In addition, you will want to explain what
changes you would make it you were to do a follow-up study on this topic. This is part of the
incremental growth all conscientious researchers experience during the research process.
Your Professional Growth
In this final section of your last chapter, explain how completing this research study will
affect your professional growth. Has it, for example, inspired you to do additional formal
academic work? Or has it provided you the impetus to tackle a different aspect in education
(becoming an instructional coach, say, or an administrator)?
Data Collection
This section, while not a part of your fourth chapter, will chronicle the process of data
collection you did (if any) while completing your research project. What was the process you
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
17
used? How were your data organized? If you choose to present your data using tables and
figures, be sure to follow APA style by consulting the Publication Manual (2010). See especially
pp. 128-150 for guidelines using tables and pp. 150-167 for guidelines using figures. One general
rule that might prove useful is found on p. 137 of the 5th edition of the Publication Manual
(2001): (a) if you have 3 or fewer numbers, use a sentence; (b) if you have from 4 to 20 numbers,
use a table; and (c) if you have more than 20 numbers, consider using a graph or figure instead of
a table.
Just as a reminder, APA style requires that tables have only horizontal lines, not vertical
ones. In addition, be sure to number tables and figures sequentially to avoid confusion. Thus if
you had both tables and figures, the first of each would be Table 1 and Figure 1. Be sure, too, to
double-space all parts of a word table including notes. (Tables using numbers should be doublespaced whenever possible for the sake of clarity.) Remember that notes should be set in 8-point
type rather than 12-point type used for headings and the body.
When you create tables and figures, please remember that these graphic representations
of data should follow the three hallmarks of good writing: clarity, economy, and precision. Thus,
headings and notes should contribute to the internal logic of the table or figure. You will also
want to strive for simplicity in representing data in tables and figures. Cut relentlessly to avoid
any possible misreading of your data.
Please see Table 1, which appears on the following page, as an example of how to
organize data in an economical fashion. For the sake of convenience and uniformity, please use
Table Simple 1 as your template. To access this, Click on the “Table” pull-down menu, then
click on “Table AutoFormat.” Under the “Table styles” list, scroll to “Table Simple 1” and
select. Table 1, found below, uses this table format and conforms to APA style requirements.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
18
Please note that the table
designator is set in Roman
caps and lower case.
Table 1
NBCT Responses to “I perform work that suits my values”
Please note that
the table title is set
in italic caps and
lower case.
Cumulative
Descriptor
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
Disagree
4
4.7
4.8
4.8
Uncertain
8
9.4
9.5
14.3
Agree
46
54.1
54.8
69.0
Strongly Agree
84
98.8
100.0
Missing
1
1.2
Total
85
100.0
Note. The results for this particular survey item did not have any responses for the descriptor of Strongly Disagree.
Please note that the table note is set in 8-point
Times New Roman with “Note” italicized and
followed by a period.
Be sure that every table and figure has a heading and that all vertical lines have been
omitted. Further, be sure to refer to all tables in the text, ideally just before the table appears. Be
sure that all tables are numbered sequentially using Arabic numerals. Figures, too, are numbered
sequentially using Arabic numerals.
A Note on References
As you compile your reference list, be sure to put each source in appropriate APA style
and format. This includes using hanging indentation, which is a real convenience for the reader.
Remember to order your sources alphabetically by author. Don’t forget to space between initials
in author or editor names. Please check to be sure that text citations and reference list entries
agree both in spelling and in date. In addition, be sure that inclusive page numbers are provided
for each journal article or book chapter listed. This is one of the most common errors for novice
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
19
researchers. Finally, check that each parenthetical or in-text citation is listed exactly the same
way in the reference list. By extension, check that each entry in your reference list is cited in
your text. This is common scholarly courtesy for your readers. Check that you have included the
digital object identifier (doi) for sources that have them.
Suggested Length of the Research Report
If you choose Option B for the MEd research report, you should know there are no
absolute length limits. That being said, most Option B research reports will probably encompass
between 50 and 80 pages, including references. Remember that the second chapter literature
review must contain a minimum of 50 sources, considerably more than either Options A or C.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
20
References
American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Glatthorn, A. A., & Joyner, R. L. (2005). Writing the winning thesis or dissertation: A step-bystep guide (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2005). Practical research: Planning and design (8th ed.). Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Rizzo, J. R., House, R. J., & Lirtzman, S. L. (1970). Role conflict and ambiguity in complex
organizations. Administrative Science Quarterly, 15(2), 150-163.
Strunk, Jr., W., & White, E. B. (1979). The elements of style (3rd ed.). New York, NY:
Macmillan.
Please note the use of hanging
indentation when a reference
listing exceeds a single line.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
21
Please note that the appendices
designator is set in caps and
lowercase and is centered
horizontally as well as vertically
on the page.
Appendices
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
22
Appendix A—Letter to Parents
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Over the next couple of months, in music class, I will be incorporating different methods to teach
music concepts to your child. The methods that will be incorporated are: (a) using background
music in class to observe any changes in behavior and academic performance, (b) using music
therapy to aid music instruction, and (c) using Mozart music in the classroom. All three methods,
I hope, will help your child learn, understand, and remember music concepts.
I will be using the information collected from our class sessions to aid in my professional
development as I work towards the Washington State requirement of completing my Professional
Certification.
As I teach your child music, I’ll be alternating different teaching methods and strategies to
determine which method has the largest positive effect on music learning. I’m looking forward to
trying out new methods which I hope will make me a better teacher for your child.
I will be using video and photographs as part of my evidence. The information collected will
only be used for my professional certification portfolio and will be destroyed once the portfolio
is accepted.
If you want your child to be included as evidence, either videotaped or photographed, please sign
below and return this letter to me.
I have been enjoying teaching your child and am excited with the growth I’ve seen over the year.
Thank you,
Mrs. Molly Bloom
Discover Elementary
Music Teacher
I hereby allow ___________________________ to be included in the evidence, videotapes, or
Child’s Name
photographs that are collected in music class.
____________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
23
Appendix B—Student Survey
This anonymous survey has been designed to gather demographic data as well as information
about student attitudes toward the Canyon High School campus newspaper. Thank you for taking
the time to respond to this survey.
Part I—Attitudinal Items. Please respond candidly to each statement by circling the most
appropriate number. The 5-point scale corresponds to the following values:
5 = Strongly Agree
4 = Agree
3 = Uncertain
2 = Disagree
1 = Strongly Disagree
1. The campus newspaper, which is published every two weeks, needs to be published more
often.
5
4
3
2
1
2. The size of the issue, 8 pages, is large enough to accommodate the news around the
campus community.
5
4
3
2
1
3. The design of the paper is, in general, visually pleasing.
5
4
3
2
1
4. The photographs that appear in the paper are, in general, clear and focused.
5
4
3
2
1
5. I generally receive a copy of the paper in my third-period class on publication days.
5
4
3
2
1
6. The headlines, in general, reflect the content of the stories.
5
4
3
2
1
7. News coverage is, in general, relevant to the campus community.
5
4
3
2
1
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION B
24
8. Sports coverage, in general, is balanced with all campus sports receiving notice in the
paper.
5
4
3
2
1
9. Entertainment coverage, in general, addresses most popular venues such as movies,
plays, and video games.
5
4
3
2
1
10. The ads in the paper are for services that I use or may use in the future.
5
4
3
2
1
Part II—Demographics. Please answer the following so we can compile a statistical crosssection of students who responded.
11. What is your gender?
_____ Female
_____ Male
12. What is your grade?
_____ Freshman
_____ Sophomore
_____ Junior
_____ Senior