Report Writing
Report Writing
• Report Writing----Involves a Process
which Produces a Written Document
• Raises Questions: How To Write?
• No Fixed Answer: General Suggestions
Theory VS Practice
• Theory VS Practice---General Debate
• Both Are Inter-Related
• How to Write? Learn By Writing---Cannot
Avoid
• How To Write? Some Suggestions, Tips,
Right Steps
• Helpful---Efficiency in Academic Research
Research Proposal
• Writing Begins with Research Proposal
• Critical---Brings Clarity in Ideas, Issues,
Scope and Organization of Study
• Writing Report: About Central Ideas, Issues,
Areas of Concern
• Discussion of RP: Sort out Practical Issues
Objective
• Examples:
• The objective of this study is to explain the
fall of ethno-national movements in Pakistan
• The purpose of this paper is to study the role
of the state in economic development in
South Asia in the post-cold war period
• Other Terms: Problem Definition, Problem
Statement
Significance
• Why to Study This Issue: Make A Claim
• Theoretical Significance
• Practical Significance
Literature Review
• Claim and Proof Question
• Proof Of Your Claim---Gap in the
Literature
Overview of Argument
• Argument (Hypothesis)
• Theoretical Argument
• Empirical Argument
Methodology
• How will you prove your hypothesis?
• How will you test your hypothesis?
Organization
• Parts of the study, Content?
• The way they are organized
• Linkage Between Parts
Definitional Issues
Part of Research Report
• Theme: Broad Idea, Broad Area under
Discussion, Subject Matter of Conversation
• Theme of A Conference: Stability in South
Asia
• Rise of Terrorist Movements in South Asia
• Political Stability and Foreign Investment in
Pakistan
• Theme of Book: Clash of Civilization
Definitional Issues
• Central Thesis?
• Example: Stability (or other public goods
such as peace, open seas, international
trade, etc.) is provided by hegemons
because they benefit most from it.
• Thesis: Idea, Hypothesis, Argument, Main
Point
• Argument: Not only hypothesis, idea but also
elaboration of mechanisms through which
this occurs
Thesis
• Example: The globalization is so powerful
that it is changing local culture in developing
countries
• The attack on video shops in Pakistan is an
expression of the resistance of the local
culture against the global culture.
• Ideas, Hypotheses, Concepts, Phenomena
Thesis Statement
1. A Short Statement of the Thesis---One or
Two Sentences
2. A Statement Which Presents Brief Argument
to Reader
• A Theoretical Premise to be Proven
• A (Theoretical) Position ( or Claim you Make)
on the Subject
• A Statement which Identifies the Purpose
and Previews Main Ideas and Argument of
the Study
• A Guide (Roadmap) for Reader
•
Report Writing
General Guidelines
• Why Report Writing? Sharing Results,
Building Knowledge
• Thinking As Early As Possible
• Preserve Notes, Data
Report Writing
General Guidelines
• Original Research Question? Central Issue?
• Unit of Analysis---Ecological Fallacy
• Be Clear about Findings and Conclusions
• Data Evaluation, Interpretation, Conclusions
Report Writing
General Guidelines
• Many Parts of Report---Organization
Thoughts Important
• Pre-Writing Stage: Arrange Notes, Outline
(Main Ideas, Contents of Parts)
• Composing (First Draft---Free Writing,
Complete Report
• Rewriting---Improvements, Discussion,
Coherence, Errors, Citations, etc.
Report Writing
General Guidelines
• Parts of Report---Organization
• Introduction: Objective (Problem
Identification, Reason for Research,
Research Questions, Brief Argument,
Description of Procedures)
• Discussion of Data, Material----Different
Areas, Linkages, Relationships, Conclusions
(Chapters, Sections, Headings, Subheadings)
Report Writing
General Guidelines
• Restate Relationships, Meanings Found in
Data
• Relate Findings to Original Research
Question
• Draw Conclusions: Specific, General
(Restate Empirical Findings, General Issues,
Broad Context)
• Policy Implications, Future Research Areas
Report Writing
General Guidelines
• Clarity and New Ideas---Process of Writing
• Limit Conclusions----Supported By Evidence
• Writer’s Block---Mind Goes Blank (Solution:
Break)
• No Perfection
Report Writing
General Guidelines
• Clarity, Accuracy, Reflection of Logical
Thinking, Step-By-Step Discussion,
Coherence, Organization
• Reflects Good Understanding of Substantive
(theory and data) and Methodological Areas
• Use of Technical Terms
Report Writing
General Guidelines
• Avoid Repetition
• Avoid Wordiness, Flowery Language
• Avoid Moralizing Style, Advocacy
Research
• Avoid Plagiarism—a Form of Cheating
• Golden Principle: Apprenticeship---Role
of Supervisor