Details materials

1. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I acknowledge with pleasure unparallel infrastructural support that I have received from Amity
Law School, Amity University, Noida .In fact this work is the outcome of outstanding support
that I have received from the faculty members of the college in particularly Dr.Meenu Gupta
This research work bears testimony to the active encouragement and guidance of a friends and
well wishers.
I am greatly indebted to the various writers, jurists and all others from whose writing and work I
have taken help to complete this research.
Date: / / 2018 Signature
Place: Amity University,Noida Swapna Shil
LLM:2018-2019(IEL)

2. STATEMENT BY THE CANDIDATE
I, Swapna Shil, a student of LLM of Amity Law School,Noida,AmityUniversity,with Enroll
No.A0851718009 and department of IEL( INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW),do
hereby declare that this dissertation is an original work of mine and is result of my own
intellectual efforts. I have quoted titles of all original sources i.e original documents and name of
the authors whose work has helped me in writing this dissertation paper have been placed at
appropriate places. I have not infringed copy rights of any other author.
LLM:2018-2019 (IEL)
Date: / /2018 Signature
Place: Amity University,Noida Swapna Shil

3. CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that research paper entitled “RESEARCH REPORT WRITING” which is being
submitted by Miss Swapna Shil for the award of the degree of Master of Laws is an independent
and original research work carried out by her.
The dissertation is worthy of consideration for the award of LLM degree of Law School Amity,
Noida, Amity University.
Miss Swapna Shil has worked under my guidance and supervision to fulfill all requirements for
the submission of this dissertation.
Signature
Prof. Dr.Menu Gupta
Amity University,Noida
Date: / /2018
LLM :2018-2019(IEL)

4. RESEARCH REPORT WRITING
A RESEARCH SUBMITTED TO
AMITY LAW SCHOOL, NOIDA, AMITY UNIVERSITY
LL.M. (MASTER OF LAW)
SUBMITTED BY: SUPERVISED BY:
SWAPNA SHIL PROF.(DR.)Meenu Gupta
ENROLLMENT NO: A0851718009 Faculty of Amity Law School
LL.M( International Environmental Law) AMITY UNIVERSITY,NOIDA
AMITY LAW SCHOOL
AMITY UNIVERSITY, NOIDA
2018-2019

5. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page. I
Certificate Page. II
Statement By Candidate Page.III
Table of Contents Page. IV
Introduction Page. 1
Classification Page. 1-2
Advantage Page. 2
Aims and Objectives of the Research Page. 2-3
Purpose Page. 3
Types of the Research Report Writing Page. 3-4
Significance of Writing Research
Report
Page. 4-5
Steps in writing Research Report Page. 5-6
Research Format Page. 6-11
Guidelines Page. 11
Mechanics of Writing a Report Page. 11-13
Bibliography Page.14

6. INTRODUCTION
A report is a presentation of facts and finding, usually as a basis for recommendation; written for
a specific readership, and probably intended to be kept as a record.
 It is purely based on observation and analysis.
 A report gives an explanation of any circumstances.
 A report discusses a particular problem in detail.
 Reports are required for judging the performances of various departments in an
organization.
 A good report is always fact finding and not fault finding. It should be prepared in an
impartial manner. The writers of their outlook and approach.1
 “Research reports are detailed and accurate accounts of the conduct of disciplined studies
accomplished to solve problems or to reveal new knowledge.”(Busha and Harter,1988)2
 Research reports must be complete, well organized and carefully drafted if their contents
are to contribute to fields in which the research efforts are made. This is an essential
means of communication to the research work done.
 “A report is a statement of the result of an investigation or of any matter on which
definite information is required.” According to Oxford English Dictionary.3
CLASSIFICATION
 Formal Reports: A formal report is one which is prepared in a prescribed from and is
presented according to an established procedure to a prescribed authority.
 Informal Reports: An informal repot is usually in the form of a person communication. It
may range from a short, almost fragmentary statement of facts on a single page, to a more
developed presentation taking several pages.
ON THE BASIS OF FORMAL ORGANIZATION
Statutory Report: A report and presented according to the form and procedure laid down by
law is called a statutory report. Ex: audit report
Non statutory Report: Formal reports which are not required under any law but which are
prepared to help the management in framing the policies is called non statutory report. Ex:
for policy formulations
1 http://www.sociology.kpi.ua/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Ranjit_Kumar-Research_Methodology_A_Step-by-
Step_G.pdf
2 C.P.KOTHARI and GAURAV.GARG, Research Methodoloy Methods and Techniques
3 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311651637_Elements_of_Good_Research_Report_Writing
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7. Periodic or Routine Reports: are prepared an presented at regular, prescribed intervals. They
may be submitted annually, semi-annually, quarterly, monthly, fortnightly, weekly or even
daily.
Special Reports: They are related to a single occasion or situation. Such as technical report of
a particular product.
ON THE BASIS OF FUNCTION
Informative Reports: These reports present facts about certain given activity in detail without
any note or suggestions. Ex: A vice chancellor asking about the number of candidates
appearing at a particular examination.
Interpretative Reports: It analyzes the facts, draws conclusions and makes recommendations.
Ex: A company chairman may ask for a report on falling trends in sale in a particular area.
He will in this case be naturally interested in knowing all the details including that of opinion
of any of the investigator.4
ADVANTAGE
 Solves Current Problems.
 Updated Information.
 Discloses Unknown Information.
 Internal Communication.
 Reliable Permanent Information.
 Decision Making and Planning.
AIMS & OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH
 The term research aim usually refers to the main goal or overarching purpose of a
research project. Sentences stating the aim of a project are usually quite brief and to the
point.
 They are broad and introductory rather than specific and focused.
 Are broad statements of desired outcome or the general intentions of the research, which
“paint a picture” of your research project.
 Emphasize what is to be accomplished (not how it is to be accomplished).
 Address the long term project outcomes, i.e. they should reflect the aspirations and
expectations of the research topic.
4 https://www.slideshare.net/annvitug/research-report-purposes-and-classifications
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8. OBJECTIVIES
 Understand the purpose of a report.
 Plan a report.
 Understand the structure of a report.
 Collect information for your report.
 Organize your information.
 Use an appropriate style of writing.
 Present data effectively.
 Understand how to lay out your information in an appropriate way.5
PURPOSE
 Present in conference.
 Publish in journals or articles.
 Get grant or financial aid.
 Have implications or recommendations in clinical practice, education &
administration.6
TYPES OF RESEARCH REPORT
There are a variety of research reports. The audience to whom a research report is addressed has
to keep in view in the preparation of a research report.
The research report may be divided into following types:
 Technical reports
 Popular reports
 Interim reports
 Summary report
5 https://www.slideshare.net/drjayeshpatidar/writing-research-objectives
6
http://www.slideshare.net/meghana353/research-report-writing
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9. Technical report : The technical report is essentially technical in nature and written in technical
language. It also contains technical appendix for methodological details, copies of measuring
instruments, scale etc.
Popular report : The popular report is for audience like executives/administrators and other non
technical users. Complicated statistical techniques and table can be used otherwise using
graphical and pictorial representations will be used.
Interim report : When there is a long time lag between data collection and the presentation of the
results. Interim report will be a suitable kind of a report to present data as and when the phase of
the project work gets completed. The interim report contains a narration of what has been done
so far and what was the outcome. It presents a summary of the finding of that part if analysis
which has been completed.
Summary report: A summary report is generally prepared for the consumption of the lay
audience. It is written in non-techinical, simple language with a liberal use of pictorial charts. It
just contains brief reference to the objectives of the study and major finding and their
implications.7
SIGNIFICANCE OF WRITING RESEARCH REPORT
 Research report in considered major components of the research study for the research task
remains incomplete till the report has been presented.
 As a matter of fact even the most brilliant hypothesis, highly well designed and conducted
research study, and most striking generalizations and finding are of little value unless they
are effectively communicated to others.
 A report should be properly dated & signed by the concerned authority or by the chairman of
the committee or by committee members. This has a legal significance and needs special
attention in report writing.
 A lengthy report is not necessary. In fact, report should be brief and compact document, It
should give complete picture of problem under investigation.
 Writing reports needs skill and this task should be accomplished by the researcher with the
utmost care.
 Reports communicate the planning, policies, and other matters regarding an organization.
 Reports disclose unknown information.
 A good report is one which is drafted in a simple and clear language. Its should not be
difficult and a reader should be able to understand the entire report easily, exactly & quickly.
 All the skills and the knowledge of the professionals are communicated through reports.
7 https://www.wisdomjobs.com/e-university/research-methodology-tutorial-355/different-steps-in-writing-report-
11587.html
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10.  Reports help the top line in decision making.
 A true and balanced report also helps in problem solving.
 A report should be in a proper format. The report should have all the essentials components
such as title, introduction, finding & recommendations.
 Reports present adequate information on various aspects of the business.
 In a report writing attention should be given to certain essential technical details.
 The data collection, analysis and interpretation of the data conclusions drawn and the
recommendation made in report should be made accurate so as to make the whole report
reliable and dependable for future reference and also for policy decisions.8
STEPS IN WRITING RESEARCH REPORT
LOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE SUBJECT MATTER:
It is the first step which is primarily concerned with the development of a subject and
there are two ways in which to develop a subject.
 Logically
 Chronologically
PREPARATION OF THE FINAL OUTLINE:
 Outlines are the framework upon which long written works are constructed.
 They are an aid to the logical organisations of the material and a reminder of the
points to be stressed in the report.
PREPARATION OF THE ROUGH DRAFT:
 This step is importance for the now sites to write down what he has done in the
context of his research study.
 This follows the logical analysis of the subject and the preparation of the final
outcome.
 He will write down the procedure adopted by him in collecting the material for his
study along with various limitations faced by him.
 The various suggestions he wants to offer regarding the problem concerned.
REWRITING AND POLISHING OF THE ROUGH DRAFT:
 In this the researcher should give due attention 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.
8 Robert K .Yin, Case Study Research: Design and Methods ( Applied Social Research Methods)
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11. PREPARATION OF THE FINAL BIBLIOGRAPHY :
 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.
 The bibliography should be arranged alphabetically.
 Generally this pattern of bibliography is considered convenient and satisfactory from
the point of view of reader.
WRITING THE FINAL DRAFT:
 This constitutes the last step. The final draft should be written in a concise and
objective style and in simple language, avoiding vague expression such as “it seems
“, there may be” 9etc.
 A research report should not be dull but must enthuse people and maintain interest
and must show originality.
 It must be remembered that every report should be an attempt to solve some
intellectual problem and must add to the knowledge of both the researcher and the
reader.
RESEARCH FORMAT
The research report format mainly consists of three main sections:
 The preliminary/Introductory Section
 The Body of The Report
 The Reference Section
 THE PRELIMINARY SECTION
TITLE PAGE :
Title page identifies the title of the report, the name of the character, the name of the
guide, institution, month and year of submission.
The title should communicate what the study is about a well constructed title makes it
easy for the reader to understand determine the nature of the topic.
9 https://www.aresearchguide.com/4format.html
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12. Title page bearing:
 The title of the dissertation
 The degree for which it is submitted,
 The anticipated year of graduation, and
 The student’s first name initials and surname
 An accurate word count.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
a) The table of contents is an outline of the report that indicates the page number on
which each major section and subsection begins.
The title of parts, sections or chapters and their principal, and their subdivisions
should be listed in the Table of Contents and must be worded exactly as they
appear in the body of the report.
It is advisable to use numbers for;
 Heading:e.g.5 ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
 Sub-heading:5.2.1 Mean Stress
 (No further sub-division is allowed)
b) Major heading and sub-headings are typed closer with the left margin.
c) Candidate is free to lable or gives title for each chapter as sensibly possible.
PREFACE INCLUDING ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The preface usually includes a brief statement and scope of the report. This page
permits writer to express appreciation to persons who have contributed significantly
to the research. 10It might be:
 Family
 Friends
 Respondents
 Collegues
 Fellowmates
 Subordinates ,Prefessor...etc
10 http://www.skiillsyouneed.com/learn/dissertation-results-discussion.html
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13. ABSTRACT/SUMMARY
 The abstract should be placed immediate before the first chapter of the report.(not
more than 300 words)
 It should take the form of a short factual statement identifying the topic of your study,
the approach adopted & the finding.
 Including the conclusions.
 Birdseye view of the result.
 It is likely to be used by future students and by other researchers.
 The abstract should give a brief exposition of the research problems. Purposes of the
study, scope of study, research approach and limitation.11
LIST OF TABLES (if any):
A list of all the tables included in the report along with the page numbers should be
provided.
 BODY OF THE REPORT
A. INTRODUCTION: The introduction sections provides the theoretical framework of the
study within which the research has been conducted background information of the topic
as well as head for and rationale for the research, to make the material more logical,
useful and interesting for readers.
The introduction begins with a description of the research problem or topic and includes
objectives, significance of the problem, research questions, statement of the hypothesis
It also includes the assumptions of the study (if any) definition of important terms, limitations
and delimitations of the study.
 Statement of the problem
 Significance of the problem
 Purpose
 Relation of the present problem to theoretical position of the previous research
 Statement of hypothesis
 Limitation of the study
 Definition of important terms
B. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ( Analysis of previous research): The purpose
of this chapter is to show that you are aware of where your own piece of research fits into
the overall context of research in your field. To do this you need to:
11 http://www.jsu.edu/dept/geography/mhill/research/researchf.html
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14.  Describe the current state of research in your defined area.
 Consider whether there are any closely related areas that you need to refer to;
 Identify a gap where you argue that further research is needed; and
 Explain how you plan to attend to that particular research gap.
 This can lead logically into a clear statement of the research question(s) or problem(s)
you will be addressing.
 In addition to the research context, there may be other relevant context to present for
example:
 Theoretical context;
 Methodological context;
 Practice context; and
 Political context.
C. DESIGN OF THE STUDY:
This section provides a detailed description of the methodology used in the study e.g,
population sample size and sampling techniques and tools used in the study. The purpose of
this section is to describe in detail how a researcher performed the study so that someone
should be able to replicate the study based on the information that a researcher provide in this
section. For a qualitative study, this section may also include a detailed description of the
nature and length of interactions with the participants. The description of participants
includes information about how they were selected and mainly representative of the
population. 12The description indicates the purpose of the instrument and the validity and
reliability of the instrument.
D. ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
This section describes the statistical techniques or the inferential interpretations that were
applied to the data and the result of this analysis. Tables and figures are used to present
finding for a reader.
E. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
The result section is to tell the reader what was found in the study. It includes the descriptive
statistical for the relevant variables (e.g mean, standard deviation). Then tell the reader what
statistical test you used to test your hypothesis and what you found. The discussion section is
where the researcher interprets and evaluates the results. The discussion of a research report
12 https://www.slideshare.net/ramdoss11/format-of-research-report
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15. section presents the theoretical and practical implications of the finding and makes
recommendation for the future research.
Things to remember when writing up results include….
 Focus on the key results
 Be clear and concise
 Don’t go into too much detail
 Let your pictures do the talking
 However, be careful not to omit anything
 Make life easier for your readers by simplifying your results: 75% is easier to understand
than 150 out of 200, and nearly 10% is easier to digest than 9.98%
 Describe your results don’t explain or discuss them this is what the discussion section is
for!13
F. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS:
Conclusions are a summary of the main ideas that come out from the discussion.
 It draws all arguments and finding together.
 It indicates whether hypothesis were accepted or rejected.
 It summarize major section is to evaluate interpret the result, especially with
respect to the original research question.
 REFERENCE SECTION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The reference section provides the reader with all the information needed to seek out and
obtain all original sources used in the research. It is written in the alphabetical order.
APPENDIX
This section provides a place for important information it includes tool prepared by the
researcher and used in the study.
 Examples of appendix materials
 Transcription(s) of interviews(s)
 Examples and/ or full results of questionnaires
13 https://www.wisdomjobs.com/e-university/research-methodology-tutorial-355/layout-of-the-research-report-
11588.html
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16.  Materials not published in standard sources such as correspondence between you and
an author whose writing you are researching
 Large tables of data
INDEX (if any):
At the end of the report, an index should be always prepared. It acts good guide, to the
reader. Index may be prepared of 3 types:
 Author Index
 Subject Index
 Content Index
GUIDELINES
 Be objective
 Minimize the use of technical language.
 Use present tense and active voice.
 Treat the data confidentially.
 Revise and rewrite.
 Use visual aids.
 Report should show originality.
 It must provide a ready availability of the findings.
 The layout must be appropriate and accordance with the objective.
 Report should be free from grammatical mistakes.
 Report must present the logical analysis of the subject matter.
 It must be an attempt to solve some intellectual problems.
 Index must be prepared and appended at the end.
 Report must be attractive in appearance, neat,& clear whether typed or printed.
 It should sate the policy implications relating to the problem under consideration.
 Appendices should be enlisted in respect of all the technical data in the report.
 Bibliography of courses consulted is a must for a good report.14
MACHANICS OF WRITING A REPORT
GENERAL RULES
 Material should typed on one side of the paper.
14 https://washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/arts-sciences/departments/chemistry/files/acs-research-
report-guidelines.pdf
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17.  The right margin should 1 inch, the aft margin 1.5 inches, the top margin 1.25 inches
and the bottom margin 1.5 inches.
 All textual material should be double spaced, triple spaced between paragraphs and
single space in quotations.
 Dividing the words at the end of the line should be avoided as far possible.
LAYOUT
The layout of the research report and various types of reports have been described in this
presentation earlier which should be taken as a guide for report writing in case of
particular problem.
TREATMENT OF QUOTATIONS
Definition or Quotations should be placed in quotation marks and double spaced forming
an immediate part of the text.
FOOTNOTES
Footnotes serve two purposes:
a) Page number: there should be page number in the report, if single side than page
number should be written in centre or at the right side at the bottom of the page.
b) For Cross References: asterisk(*) sign may be used to prevent confusions and
supplement note related to particular word should be mentioned below at that
page.
DOCUMENTATION STYLE
Regarding documentation any given work should give essential facts about the edition used. The
common order may be described as under:
1. Author’s name in normal order;
2. Title of work, underlined to indicate italics;
3. Place and date of publication;
4. Page number.
 EXAMPLE : JAHN GASSNER,MASTERS OF DRAMA,NEW YORK: DOVER
PUBLICATIONS,INC.1954,P.315 15
15 https://www.slideshare.net/vimalnair14/the-mechanics-of-writing-a-research-report
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18. ABBREVIATIONS:
 Following is the list of most common abbreviations frequently used in report writing:
 Bk., book
 Art., article
 Ch., chapter
 Ed., editor
 Ex., example
 Ill., illustration
 Ms., manuscripts
USE OF STATISTICS, CHARTS AND GRAPHS:
Statistics are usually presented in the form of tables, charts bars and line graphs and
pictograms. Such presentation should be self explanatory and complete it in itself.
THE FINAL DRAFT
Revising and rewriting the rough draft of the report should be done with great care
before of the report should be done with great care before writing the final draft. For
the purpose, the researcher should put to himself questions like:
a) Are the sentences written in the report clear?
b) Are they grammatically correct?
c) Do they say what is meant?
d) Do the various points incorporated in report fit logically?
On these questions we do final drafting.16
BIBLIOGRAPHY
It is list of writing with time and place of publication.
PREPARATION OF INDEX
At the end of the report, an index should be always repaired. It acts good guide, to
the reader. Index may be prepared of 3 types:
 Author Index
 Subject Index
 Content Index
16 https://www.wisdomjobs.com/e-university/research-methodology-tutorial-355/mechanics-of-writing-a-
research-report-11591.html
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19. BIBLIOGRAPHY
 http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/id/resources/writing/writing-resources/writing-dissertation
 http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/geography/undergraduate/ugdissguide3rdYr.html
 http://www.skillsyouneed.com/learn/dissertation-results-discussion.html#ixzz3pbqIoAQ1
 http://www.skiillsyouneed.com/learn/dissertation-results-discussion.html
 Gay, L.R., Mills,G.E& Airasian,P. (2008). Educational Research(ninth edition).Prentice
Hall;
 Pandya,S.R (2010). Educational Research.New Delhi; APH Publishing Corporation.
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