INTRODUCTION

MEANING
A report or account is any informational work (usually of writing, speech,
television, or film) made with the specific intention of relaying information or
recounting certain events in a widely presentable form.
Written reports are documents which present focused, salient content to a
specific audience. Reports are often used to display the result of an experiment,
investigation, or inquiry. The audience may be public or private, an individual
or the public in general. Reports are used in government, business, education,
science, and other fields.
Reports use features such as graphics, images, voice, or specialized vocabulary
in order to persuade that specific audience to undertake an action. One of the
most common formats for presenting reports is IMRAD: Introduction, Methods,
Results and Discussion. This structure is standard for the genre because it
mirrors the traditional publication of scientific research and summons the ethos
and credibility of that discipline. Reports are not required to follow this pattern,
and may use alternative patterns like the problem-solution format.
Additional elements often used to persuade readers include: headings to indicate
topics, to more complex formats including charts, tables, figures, pictures,
tables of contents, abstracts and nouns summaries, appendices, footnotes,
hyperlinks, and references.
Some examples of reports are: scientific reports, recommendation reports, white
papers, annual reports, auditor's reports, workplace reports, census reports, trip
reports, progress reports, investigative reports, budget reports, policy reports,
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demographic reports, credit reports, appraisal reports, inspection reports,

military reports, bound reports, etc.
Reports are very important in all their various forms along with the usual
evidences like in a crimes scene people usually leave behind evidences. They
fill a vast array of critical needs for many of society's important organizations.
Police reports are extremely important to society for a number of reasons. They
help to prosecute criminals while also helping the innocent become free.
Reports are a very useful method for keeping track of important information.
The information contained in reports can be used to make very important
decisions that affect our lives daily.

FUNCTIONS OF REPORT WRITING

Research report is considered a major component of the research study for the
research task remains incomplete till the report has been presented and or
written. The general functions of a report are as follows:
1. Findings and their implications: It gives emphasis on the findings of
most practical interest and on the implications of these findings.
2. Recommendations for action: Recommendations for action on the basis
of the findings of the study is made in the section of the report.
3. Objective of the study: A general review of how the problems arise is
presented along with the specific objectives of the project under study.
4. Methods Employed: A brief and non-technical description of the
methods and techniques used including a short review of the data on
which the study is based, is given in this part of the report.
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5. Results: This section constitutes the main body of the report wherein the
results of the study are presented in clear and non-technical terms with
liberal use of all sorts of illustrations such as charts, diagrams and the like
ones.
6. Technical Appearance: More detailed information on methods used,
forms etc. is presented in the form of appendices. But the appendices
often not detailed if the report is entirely meant for general public.
7. Analysis of data and presentation of findings: The analysis of data and
presentation of findings of the study with supporting data in the form of
tables and charts be fully narrated.
8. Solve Problems: The reports are needed to solve businesses problems. A
company may face problem of workers unrest, decline in sales, problems
in quality and so on. The company can arrive at effective solutions with
the help of reports prepared to solve problems.
9. Broad Generalizations: It must be avoided as most research reports is
not amenable to it because the coverage may be restricted to a particular
time, a particular area and particular conditions. Such restrictions, if any,
must invariably be specified and the results must be framed within the
limits.
10.Legal Action: Reports can be used to take legal action. For instance, a
committee may be set up to look into the malpractices adopted by a
particular manager or department. The report prepared by the committee
can be used to take legal action against guilty person.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD REPORT

There are very definite and set rules which should be followed in the actual
preparation of the report or paper. Once the techniques are finally decided, they
should be scrupulously adhered to, and no deviation permitted. The criteria of
format should be decided as soon as the materials for the research paper have
been assembled. The following points deserve mention so far as the mechanics
of writing a report are concerned:
1. Size and physical design: The manuscript should be written on unruled
paper 81/2in size. If it is to be written by hand, then blue-black ink should
be used. A Margin of at least one and one-half inches should be allowed at
the left hand and of at least half an inch at the right hand of the paper. There
should be one-inch margins, top and bottom. The paper should be neat and
legible. If the manuscript is to be typed, then all typing should be doublespaced on one side of the page only except for the insertion of long
quotations.
2. Procedure: Various steps in writing the report should strictly adhered.
Keeping in view the objective and nature of the problem, the layout of the
report should be thought of and accordingly reported.
3. Treatment of quotations: Quotations should be placed in quotation marks
and double spaced, forming an immediate part of the text. But if quotation
is of considerable length then it should be single-spaced and indented at
least half an inch to the right of the normal text margin.
4. Footnotes: Regarding footnotes one should keep in view the followings:
a) The footnotes serve 2 purposes with respect to the identification of
material used in the quotations in the report and notice of materials is
not immediately necessary to the body of the research text but still of
supplementary value. In other words, footnotes are meant for cross
references, citation of authorities and sources, acknowledgement and
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elucidation or explanation of a point of view. It should always be kept in

view that footnote is not an end or a means of the display of scholarship.
The modern tendency is to make the minimum use of footnotes for
scholarship does not need to be displayed.
b) Footnotes are placed at the bottom of the page on which the reference or
quotation which identify or supplement ends. Footnotes are customarily
separated from textual material by a space of half an inch and line about
one and half inches long.
c) Footnotes should be numbered consecutively usually beginning with 1
in each chapter separately. The number should be slightly above the line,
say at the end of the quotation. At the foot of the page, again, the
footnote number should be indented and typed a little above the line.
Thus, consecutive numbers must be used to correlate the reference in the
text with its corresponding note at the bottom of the page, except in case
of statistical tables and other numerical material, where symbols such as
the * or the like one may be used to prevent confusion.
d) Footnotes are always typed in single space though they are divided from
one another by double space.
5. Documentation style: Regarding documentation, the first footnote
reference to any given work should be complete in its documentation,
giving all the essential facts about the edition used. Such documentation
follows a general sequence.
i)

Regarding single-volume reference

1. Authors name in normal order followed by comma.
2. Title of work, underlined to indicate its italics.
3. Place and date of publication.
4. Pagination references.
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6. Punctuations and Abbreviations in footnotes: The first item after the

number in the footnote is the authors name, given in the normal signature order.
This is followed by a comma. After the comma, the title of the book is given:
the article (such as A,Anetc.) is omitted and only first word and proper
nouns and adjectives are capitalized. The title is followed by comma.
Information concerning the edition is given next. This entry is followed by a
comma. The place of publication is then stated; it may be mentioned in an
abbreviated form, if the place happens to be a famous one such as Lond. For
London, N.Y for New York and N.D for New Delhi. This entry is followed by a
comma. Then the name of the publisher is mentioned and the entry is closed by
a comma. It is followed by the date of publication if the date is given on a title
page. If the date appears in the copyright notice on the reverse side of the title
page or elsewhere in the volume, the comma should be omitted and the date
enclosed in square brackets

7. Use of statistics, charts and graphs: A judicious use of statistics in research

report is often considered a great deal towards the clarification and
simplification of material and research results. One may well remember that a
good picture is often worth more than a thousand words. Statistics are usually
presented in the form of tables, charts, bar and line-graphs. Such presentation
should be self-explanatory and complete in itself. It should be suitable and
appropriate looking to the problem at hand. Finally, statistical presentation
should be neat and attractive.

8. Final Draft: Revising and rewriting the rough draft of the report should be
done with great care before writing the final draft. For the purpose, the
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researcher should put to himself questions like: Are the sentences written in the
report clear? Are they grammatically correct? Do they say what is meant? Do
the various reports incorporated in the report fit together logically? Having at
least one colleague read the report just before the final revision is extremely
helpful. Sentences that seem crystal-clear to the writer may prove quite
confusing to other people; a connection that had seemed evident may strike
others as a non-sequitur. A friendly critic, by pointing out passages that seem
unclear or illogical, and perhaps suggesting ways of remedying the difficulties,
can be an invaluable aid in achieving the goal of adequate communication.

9. Preparation of the index: At the end of the report, an index should

invariably be given, the value of which lies in the fact that it acts as good guide,
to the reader. Index may be prepared both as subject index and as author index.
The former gives the names of the subject-topics or concepts along with the
number of pages on which they have appeared or discussed in the report,
whereas the latter gives the similar information regarding the names of the
author. The index should always be arranged alphabetically. Some people prefer
only one index common for names of authors, subject-topics, concepts and the
like ones.

UNDERSTANDING OF CONCEPT

LAYOUT OF THE RESEARCH REPORT

Anybody who is reading the research report, must necessarily be conveyed
enough about the study so that he can place it in its general scientific context
judge the ade3quacy of its methods and thus form an opinion of how seriously
the finding are to be taken .For this purpose there is the need for proper layout
of the report .The layout of the report means as to what the research report
should contain. A comprehensive layout of the research report should comprise.
(a)
(b)
(c)

Preliminary pages.
The main text.
The end matter.
Lets us deal with them separately.

(a)

PRELIMINARY PAGES

In its preliminary the report should carry a title and date followed by
acknowledgement in the form of Preface or forward .Then there should be a
table of content followed by list of tables and illustrations so that the decisionmaker or anybody interested in reading the report can easily located the required
information in the report.
(b)

MAIN TEXT

The main text provides the complete outline of the research report along with all
date. Title of the research study is report study is repeated at the top of the first
page of the main text and then follows the other details on page numbered
consecutive beginning with the second page. Each main section of the report
should being on a new page .

The main text of the report should have the following sections:
i.

Introduction.
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ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

Statement of finding and recommendations.

The results
The implementations drawn from the results
The summary.

(i)

Introduction

The purpose of introduction the research project to the readers .It should
contain a clear objectives of research i.e. enough background should be
given to make clear to a reader may also be started so that the present study
can be seen in that context. The hypotheses of study if any and the major
concept employed in the study should be explicit stated in the introduction of
the report.
The methodology adopted in conducting the study must be fully explained.
The scientific reader would like to know in detail about such things. How
was the study carried out? What was its basic design? If the study was an
experimental one then what were the experimental manipulation? If the data
were collected by means of questionnaires or interview then exactly what
question were asked .If measurement were based on observation then what
instructions were given to observers? Regarding the sample used in the study
the reader should be told: Who were the subject? How many were there?
How were they selected? All these questions are crucial for estimating the
probable limits of generalizability of the findings. The statistical analysis
adopted must also be clearly stated. In addition to all this the scope of the
study should be stated and the boundary lines be demarcated. The various
limitations under which the research project was completed must also be
narrated.

(ii)

Statement Of Finding And Recommendations

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After introduction the research report must contain a statement of finding

and recommendations. After introduction the research report must contain a
statement of finding and recommendations .After introduction the research
report must contain a statement of finding and recommendations in nontechnical language so that it can be easily understood by all concerned .If the
finding happen to be extensive at this point they should be put in the
summarized form.

(iii)

Results

A detailed presentation of the finding of the study with supporting data in the
form of tables and charts together with a validation of result is the next step
is writing the main text of the report. This generally comprises the main
body of the report extending over several chapters. The result section of the
report should contain statistical summarizes and reduction of the data rather
than the raw data. All the result should be presented in logical sequences and
spitted into readily identifiable section. All relevant results must find a place
in the report .But how one is to decide about what is relevant is the basic
question. Quite often guidance comes primarily from the research problem
and from the hypotheses, if any with which the study was concerned .But
ultimately the researcher must rely on his own judgment in deciding the
outline of his report. Nevertheless, it is still necessary that he state clearly
the problem with which he was concerned, the procedure by which he
worked on the problem, the conclusions at which he arrived and the bases for
his conclusion .

(iv)

Implication Of The Results

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Towards the end of the main text the researcher should again put down the
result of his research clearly and precrisely.He should state the implications for
understanding the human behavior. Such implications may have three aspects as
stated below:
(a) A statement of the inferences drawn from the present study which may be
expected to apply in similar circumstances.
(b) The conditions of the present study which may limit the extent of
legitimate generazations of the inferences drawn from the study.
(c) The relevant questions that still remain unanswered or new questions
raised by the study along with suggestions for the kind of research that
would provide answer for them.
It is considered a good practice to finish the report with a short
conclusion which summaries and recapitulate the main points of the
study. The conclusion drawn from the study should be clearly related to
the hypotheses that were stated in the introductory section. At the same
time, a forecast of the probable future of the subject and an indication of
the kind of research which needs to be done in that particular field is used
and desirable.
(v)

Summary

It has become customary to conclude the research report with a very brief
summary, resting in brief the research problem, the methodology, the major
findings conclusions drawn from the research results.

(C) End Matter

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At the end of the report appendices should be enlisted in respect of all

technical data such as questionnaires, sample information, mathematical
derivations and the like ones. Bibliography of sources consulted should also
be given .Index should invariably be given at the end of the report. The value
of index lies in the fact that it works as a guide to the readers for the contents
in the report.

STEPS IN WRITING REPORT

Research reports are the product of slow, painstaking, accurate inductive

work. Though all these steps are self-explanatory, yet a brief mention of each
one of these will be appropriate for better understanding.
i.

Logical Analysis of the subject matter: It is the first step which is

primarily concerned with the development of a subject. There are two
ways in which to develop a subject (a) logically and (b)
chronologically. The logical development is made on the basis of
mental connections and associations between one thing and another by
means of analysis. Logical treatment often consists in developing the
material form the simple possible to the most complex structures.
Chronological development is based on a connection or sequence in
time or occurrence. The directions for doing or making something
usually follow the chronological order.

ii.

Preparation of the final outline: It is the next step in writing the

research report Outlines are the framework upon which long written
works are constructed. Theyre an aid to the logical organization of the
material and a remainder of the points to be stressed in the report.
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iii.

Preparation of the rough draft: This follows the logical analysis of

the subject and the preparation of the final outline. Such a step is of
utmost importance for the researcher now sits to write down the
procedure adopted by him in collecting the material for his study
along with various limitations faced by him, the technique of analysis
adopted by him, the broad findings and generalizations and the various
suggestions he wants to offer regarding the problem concerned.

iv.

Rewriting and polishing of the rough draft: This step happens to be

the most difficult part of all formal writing. Usually this step requires
more time than the writing of the rough draft. The careful revision
makes the difference between mediocre and a good piece of writing.
While rewriting and polishing, one should check the report for
weakness in logical development or presentation. The researcher
should also see whether or not the material, as it is presented, has
unity and cohesion; does the report stand upright and firm and exhibit
a definite pattern, like a marble arch? Or does it resemble an old wall
of moldering cement and loose brick. In addition the researcher gives
addition to the fact that in his rough draft he has been consistent or
not. He should check the mechanics of writing-grammar, spelling and
usage.

v.

Preparation of the final bibliography: Next in order comes the task

of the presentation of the final report. The bibliography, which is
generally appended to the research report, is a list of books in some
way pertinent to the research which has been done. It should contain
all those works which the researcher has consulted. The bibliography
should be arranged alphabetically and may be divided into two parts;
the first may contain the names of books and pamphlets, and the
second may contain the names of magazine and newspaper articles.
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Generally, the pattern of bibliography is considered convenient and

satisfactory from the point of view of reader, though it is not only the
way of presenting the bibliography. The entries in bibliography should
be made adopting the following order:
For books and pamphlets, the order may be as under:
1. Name of author, last name first.
2. Title, underlined to indicate italics.
3. Place, publisher and date of publication
4. Number of volumes
Example: Kothari, C.R, Quantitative Techniques, New Delhi, Vikas Publishing
House Pvt ltd; 1978.
For magazines and newspapers, the order may be as under:
1. Name of the author, last name first.
2. Title of article, in quotation marks.
3. Name of the periodical, underlined to indicate italics
4. The volume or volume and number
5. The date of the issue
6. The pagination
Example: Robert V Roosa, Coping with Short-term International Money
Flows, The Banker, London, September, 1971, page 995.
The above examples are just samples for bibliography entries and may be used,
but one should also remember that they are not only the acceptable forms. The
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only thing important is that, whatever the method selects, it must remain
consistent.

TYPES OF REPORTS
Research reports vary greatly in length and type .In each individual case both
the length and the form are largely dictated by the problem at hand. For instance
business firms prefer report in the letter forms just one or two pages in length
bank, insurance organization and financial institution are generally fond of the
short balance-sheet type of tabulation for their investigation in the form of
algebraic notations. Chemists reports their results in symbols and formulae
.Students of literature usually write long report presenting the critical analysis of
some writer or period or the like with a liberal use of quotations from work of
the author under discussion. In the field of education and psychology, the
favorite form is the report is the report on the results of experimentations
accompanied by the detailed statistical tabulations. Clinical psychologist and
social pathologists frequently find it necessary to make use of the case history
form.
New items in the daily papers are also forms of report writing. They represent
firsthand on-the-scene account of the events described or compilations of
interviews with persons who were on the scence.In such reports the first
paragraph usually contains the important information in details and the
succeeding paragraphs contains the important information in details and the
succeeding paragraphs contains material which is progressively less important.

Book-reviews which analyze the content of the book and report on the author
intentions, his success or failure in achieving his aims, his language, his style,
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scholarship, bias or his point of view. Such reviews also happen to be a kind of
short report. The report prepared by government bureaus special commissions
and similar other organization and generally very completed by students in
academic institutions.
The above narrations throws light on the fact that result of research
investigations can be presented in a number of ways via a technical report a
popular report an article a monograph or at times even in the form of oral
presentation. Which methods of presentation to be used in a particular study
depend on the circumstances under which the study arose and the nature of the
result .A technical report is used whenever a full written report of the study is
required whether for record keeping or for public dissemination .A popular
report is used if the research results have policy implications.

We give below a few details above different types of reports:

(A)Technical report.
(B)Popular report.
(C)Interim report.
(D)Summary report.
(E) Research abstract.
(F) Research article.
(A)Technical Report
In the technical report the main emphasis is on
(i)
(ii)
(iii)

The method employed

Assumptions made in the course of the study
The detailed presentation of the findings including their limitations
and supporting data.

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A general outline of a technical report can be as follows:

1. Summary of result: A brief review of the main finding just in tow or three
pages.
2. Nature of the study: Description of the general objectives of study,
formulation of the problem in operational terms, the working hypothesis, the
type of analysis and data required etc.

3. Method employed: Specific methods used in the study and their limitation.
For instance in sampling studies we should give details of sample design
viz, sample size sample selection etc.
4. Data: Discussion of data collected their sources, characteristics and
limitations .If secondary data are used their suitability to the problem at
hand is fully assessed. In case of a survey, the manner in which data were
collected should be fully described.
5. Analysis of data and presentation of findings: The analysis of data and
presentation of the finding of the study with supporting data in the form of
tables and charts be fully narrated. This, in fact, happens to be the main
body of the report usually extending over several chapters.
6. Conclusion: A detailed summary of the finding and the policy implications
drawn from the results be explained.
7. Bibliography: Bibliography of various sources consulted be prepared and
attached.

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8. Technical appendices: appendices are given for all technical matter relating
to questionnaire mathematical derivations, elaboration on particular
technique of analysis and the like ones.
9. Index: Index must be prepared and be given invariably in the report at the
end.
The order presented above only gives a general idea of the nature of
technical report the order of presentation may not necessarily be the same in
all the technical report. This in other word means that the presentation may
vary in different reports, even the different sections outlined above will not
always be the same nor will all these sections appear in any particular
report.
It should however be remember that even in a technical report simple
presentation and ready availability of the finding remain an important
consideration and as such the liberal use of charts and diagrams is
considered desirable.
(B)Popular Report
The popular report is one which gives emphasis on simplicity and
attractiveness. The simplification should be sought through clear writing
minimization of technical, particularly mathematical, details and liberal use of
charts and digrams.Attractive layout along with large print, many subheadings,
even an occasional cartoon now then is another characteristic feature of the
popular report. Besides, in such a report emphasis is given on practical aspects
and policy implications.

We give below a general outline of a popular report.

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1. The finding and their implications: Emphasis in the report is given on

the finding of this findings
2. Recommendations for action: Recommendation for action on the basis
of the finding of the study is made in this section of the report.
3. Objective of the study: A general review of how the problems arise is
presented along with the specific objectives of the project under study.
4. Methods employed: A brief and non-technical description of the methods
and techniques used including a short review of the data on which the
study is based, is given in this part of the report.
5. Results: This section constitutes the main body of the report wherein the
results of the study are presented in clear and non-technical terms with
liberal use of all sorts of illustrations such as charts diagrams and the like
ones.
6. Technical appendices: More detailed information on methods used
forms; etc is presented in the form of appendices .But the appendices are
often not detailed if report is entirely meant for general public.
There can be several variations of the form in which a popular report can
be prepared .The only important thing about such report is that it gives
emphasis on simplicity and policy implication from the operational point
of view, avoiding the technical detail of all sorts to the extent possible.
(C)Interim Report
When there is long time lag between data collection and the presentation of the
results in the case of a sponsored project the study may lose its significance and
usefulness and the sponsor may lose its significance and usefulness and the
sponsor may also lose its significance and usefulness and the sponsor may also
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lose its significance and usefulness and the sponsor may also lose interest in it.
One of the most effective ways to avoid such eventualities is to present an
interim report.
This short report may contain either the first results of the analysis or the final
outcome of the analysis of some aspects completed analysed.Watever may be
the coverage of the interim report, it fulfills certain functions.
It facilitates the sponsoring agency to take action without waiting for the full
report. It helps to keep alive the agencys interest in the study and prevent
misunderstandings about the delay. In addition, it serves to spread over a longer
period the time consuming process of discussion of the research findings and
their consuming process of discussion of research findings and their
implications. The report also enables the researcher to find the appropriate style
of reporting.
The interim report contains a narration of what has been done so far and what
was their outcome .It presents a summary of the finding of that part of analysis,
which has been completed.

(d)Summary Report
A summary report is generally prepared for the consumption of the lay audience
viz, the general public. The preparation of this type of report is desirable for any
study whose findings are of general interest .It is written in non-technical,
simple language with a liberal use of pictoral charts, It just contain a brief
references to the objective of the study its major findings and their implication
.It is a short report of two or three pages. Its size is so limited as to be suitable
for publication in daily newspapers.
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(e) Research Abstract

This is a short summary of the technical report.Medcial students usually
prepare it on the eve of submitting their thesis. It copies are sent by the
university along with the letters of request to the examiners invited to evaluate
the thesis. It contains a brief presentation of the statement of the problem, the
objectives of the study, methods and techniques used and an over-view of the
report .A brief summary of the results of the study may also be added .This
abstract is primarily meant for enabling the examiner to decide whether the
study belongs to the area of their specialization and interest.

(f) Research Article

This is designed for publication in a professional journal. If a study has tow or
more aspects that can be discussed independently, I may be advisable to write
separate article rather than to crowd too many things into single article.
A research article must be clearly written in concise and unambiguous language.
It must be logically organized progressing from a statement of the problem and
the purpose of study through the analysis of evidence to the conclusion and
implications.
A professional journal may have its own special format for reporting research. It
is important to find out in advance whether the publication does have specific
format requirement. The preferred format is:
1. Introduction: A statement of the nature of the problems and a brief
review of previous studies pertinent to the development of the specific
questions or hypotheses to be tested.
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2. Methods: A brief statement of what was done where and how it was done
and statement of the specific techniques and tools used.
3. Results: A presentation of the salient findings with tables or charts.
4. Discussion: A discussion of the findings in relation to the hypotheses or
questions originally posed.
5. Conclusion: A presentation of the contribution of the study to theory and
practice and the broad implication of the findings.
The article must be accompanied by an abstract of 100-150 words typed
on a separate sheet of paper.
Any reference to an article or other sources is to be identified at an
appropriate point in the text by the last name of the author, year of
publication and pagination where appropriate all within parentheses.
The preferred format is:
1. Introduction
2. Methodology.
3. Results and discussion.
4. Policy implication/conclusion followed by references.
An abstract not exceeding 100 words should be submitted along with the
paper .The length of the article is limited to 20 typed pages .

BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Bibliography is the last important part of a research report .A bibliography list

the sources used in the preparation of the report .These may be
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Book
Article in periodicals
Reports and documents issued by officials or unofficial agencies.
Interview
Lectures
Radio and televisions talk.
If a bibliography is not a very long one, it can be put in alphabetical order
by another. But if it is a long one and the references included are diverse
it should be classified according to types of publications .It can also be
classified chapter wise.
The forms of entries in the bibliography are different from that of the
entries in the footnotes.
Authors must keep this in mind .The usual forms are given below .These
should be supplemented with the references given in the bibliography of
this monograph and other publications.
Index
If a research report is to be published the writer may like to give an index
at the end of the report .An index is given to assist readers to
instantaneously spot the type of information they want to get .For
example a researcher may like to know whether there is any information
in the report about the economic development of Africa .he can find it out
easily if there is alphabetical order with the page number which they
appear in the text.
The purpose of bibliography is different from that of footnotes .While
the bibliography gives a list of materials relating to the topics under study
as a ready reference to the reader the footnotes found at the bottom of the
respective pages or at the end of a section specifically cite the exact
sources and pages.
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The bibliography is a list of references relating to a topic or subject .It is

located at the end of the main body of the report .It contains all the
information found in a first footnotes relating to a work.
The function of bibliography is different from that of footnotes .While
footnotes are used to cite authority for specific statements quoted or
paraphrased, the bibliography lists in alphabetical order references used
by writer. The footnote designate the exact place where the quoted matter
is located .But the bibliography does not have a page

FOOTNOTES
Guidelines:
Your footnotes should be numbered consecutively throughout the paper.
Use your word processing program to insert footnotes and it will number
them automatically.
The footnote number should be inserted after the punctuation.
The first time you cite a source, you will include a full citation. For all
subsequent references to that text, your footnote will be in abbreviated
form.

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 Cite authors names as they appear in the texts .Don t replace first names
with initials unless the names appear this way on the title page of the
source. If no author is listed, organize the entry by the title.
Basic Format:
Authors first name Last name, Title in italics and in Headline style (City of
Publication, Publisher, Year), Page number if relevant.
Subsequent references to the same text:
Last name, Title in Shortened Form, page number.
Examples:
1. Kent Portney, Taking Sustainable Cities Seriously (Cambridge: MIT
Press 2003).
2. Harvey, the Condition of Post-modernity, 86-87.

CONCLUSION

The research report must present the logical analysis of the subject matter. It
must reflect a structure wherein the different pieces of analysis relating to the
research problem fit well.
A research report should show originality and should necessarily be an attempt
to solve intellectual problem. It must contribute to the solution of the problem
and must add to the store of knowledge.
One should always keep in view the fact report-writing is an art which is learnt
by practice and experience, rather than by mere doctrination
25

ABBREVIATIONS
MIT- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
TSX- Toronto Stock Exchange

26

REFERENCES

1) Name of the Book:

Author:
Publisher:

Research Methodology Methods and Techniques

C.R.Kothari.
New Age International (P) Ltd.

2) Name of the Book:

Author:

Research Methodology for the Business

Uma Sekaran.

3) Name of the Book:

Author:

Methodology of the Research in Social Science

O.R. Krishnaswami

Publisher:

4) Name of the Book:

Author:
Publisher:

Himalaya Publishing.

Research Methods.
Ram Ahuja.
Rawat Publishers.
NAME : Ajit Yadav
ROLL NO : 44
PLACE : Mumbai
DATE :

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