Report Cover Page

Report Cover Page

Title of report

This title should be a clear and unambiguous research question

Authors name

Date submitted

ASHE Tutor

Table of Contents TOC o "1-3" h z u

Table of Contents PAGEREF _Toc382211827 h 1Abstract PAGEREF _Toc382211828 h 21.Introduction PAGEREF _Toc382211829 h 22.Methodology PAGEREF _Toc382211835 h 33.Results and data analysis PAGEREF _Toc382211841 h 3Fig 3.1 Result 1 PAGEREF _Toc382211842 h 3Fig 3.2 Result 2 PAGEREF _Toc382211843 h 3Fig 3.3 Result 3 PAGEREF _Toc382211844 h 44.Discussion and conclusion PAGEREF _Toc382211845 h 55.Recommendations PAGEREF _Toc382211848 h 5References PAGEREF _Toc382211849 h 5PDP Summary PAGEREF _Toc382211850 h 5Appendix PAGEREF _Toc382211851 h 5AbstractThis is initially the most significant part of the report to the reader. It is a brief description of the rationale, methods used, results and discussion. Aim for 100-140 words here, a summary of:

What the report is about/aims why you did it.

What research methods have been used - what did you do.

What did you find out from your results what are your findings.

What conclusions have been drawn?

The Abstract should be written LAST as it offers a brief overall summary of the contents of the report. It is your shop window to show concisely what you did and helps future researchers check reports/papers for content and appropriateness for their work.

TIP: the above word count is 110 words an ideal size for your abstract

Introduction

This should begin with a brief description of the research problem and the importance/benefit of investing time in the research effects on the community/environment/economy and crucially the links to sustainability. The aims of the report should be concisely explained. Define any terms or acronyms used that the reader may not be familiar with.

The main body should include clear information with supporting data from well-sourced references (with citation), and have a clear, logical flow that provides a context for the question chosen. The main purpose here is to introduce background literature that is relevant to your central research question and illustrate knowledge of the research area.

A very brief overview of what you are going to discuss in each section this should provide the link to the Methods section.

MethodologyDescribe the procedure and methods adopted to collect quantitative and qualitative data.

Highlight the samples used and give reasons why you chose this sample set (e.g. number of people interviewed and their demographic makeup).

Include interview protocols if used.

If you are utilising observational data detail how this was collected.

Briefly justify your approach and methods (e.g. why you chose a questionnaire rather than personal interview).

Use Google/Microsoft Forms to generate your questionnaire. The questionnaire should illustrate a clear understanding of survey requirements and provide data suitable for data analysis.

Note: Include a copy of your blank questionnaire/interview questions in the appendix not in the methodology section

Results and data analysisNOTES:

This should present your data. It should describe your findings, but not offer any explanations or discussion of the results.

The data you collected, raw data, usually has to be converted statistically or mathematically to display in tables and/or graphs.

Qualitative data can be displayed in charts, tables or quotations.

For your data:

Minimum of 2 methods of presentation

Qualitative results

Quantitative data

If applicable: summary statistics (mean, mode, median, range, standard deviation)

Set up a spreadsheet or database to log your results use Google/Microsoft Forms for your questionnaire:

This will enable you to easily see how many people have responded, who has responded if you are sampling and what they have said as well as a simple process for spreadsheet creation directly from the Google or Microsoft Form.

Present your data using tables and charts, with summary statistics as required some measure of average, range or deviation.

Provide a textual summary or explanation of tables and charts. Label with titles, axis labels and appropriate keys.

The results section should provide a concise presentation of the most important, information rich data there should be no discussion.

EXAMPLE DATA: for illustration purposes only

9144003175

Fig 3.1 Chart comparing on/off campus living and effect on making new friends during the first few weeks at University.

Fig 3.1 indicates that 90% of students living on campus do not find it difficult to make new friends at University.

Discussion and Conclusions

Analyse your findings make suggestions as to what your data shows this is your critical evaluation of the research - both Primary and Secondary carried out. It is your chance to show the reader your insight and speculation, and it should answer your research question.

For critical appraisal:

Show an understanding of the data and its significance.

Link your own findings back to points you have made/citations you have used in the introduction or reference material

Discuss the limitations of the study/how it could have been improved

EXAMPLE DISCUSSION POINT: for illustration only

As seen in Fig 3.1 this study shows a marked difference in the crucial first weeks between students ability to make new friends at University for those students living on or off campus. This may be due to students living at home already having a set of friends in the area and they dont necessarily need to make new friends at university. Whereas, students living on campus will automatically meet new people whilst living in halls of residence, increasing the probability of making significant relationships. Students living at home may leave straight after class and have little social contact with fellow students.

From this point some link should then be made to one or two secondary sources that look at a similar field either in support or in contrast to the finding.

RecommendationsMake recommendations for future work and explain any further work that needs to be carried out in the future to improve the findings.

ReferencesAll sources should be cited in the body of the Interim Report.

In addition, you should provide a full reference list of suitable quality and quantity.

Please use Harvard referencing style, as set out in the MMU Library Referencing guidelines this is an important indicator of academic rigour.

PDP SummaryThis should refer to previously prepared PDP entries.

This should summarise and reflect/evaluate your work/progress in this unit. Focus on your skills, how you have developed them and identified further targets for next year when you progress to your linked degree.

Provide evidence for your comments.

~300 words

AppendicesProvide additional source material not included in the text or too large to include in the main body of the report. For example, copies of the questionnaire template or, if your Results section includes a simple table of relevant data which you extracted from a larger table, you would include the original large table as an appendix. Include any raw data in your appendix including calculations.