RESEARCH REPORT WRITING

<http://www.montana.edu/wwwegf/research/research.html#Citation>

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I. Introduction:

A. specific objectives
B. specific requirements
C. one cohesive report
D your own individual writing style (within reason)

II. The purpose of the paper (the problem statement)

A. sharing newly developed information or
B. a new understanding of previously known information
C. find, analyze, & organize the best information available
D. a logical, concise, & clear report
E. what are you attempting to accomplish?

1. persuade?
2. share information... from one (abstract) or more (expository) sources?
3. analyze a position?
4. compel people to act (or stop an action)?

III. Information selection

A. usefulness and
B. validity of sources (popular versus professional sources)
C. other reasons for EXCLUDING information

1. too technical
2. similar to other information used (redundant)
3. deals with aspects not covered in topic
4. outdated information

IV. Topic selection

A. assigned
B. of interest to you
C. emotion versus objectivity
D. other considerations............

1. narrow enough to be covered thoroughly (with time constraints)
2. broad enough to be covered without repeating (ditto)
3. current enough to be interesting

V. Planning the paper

A. take time to plan
B. think... plan... write
C. create a time line for

1. research
2. writing
3. rewriting
4. proofreading
5. final corrections
6. final draft

VI. Writing your paper

A. information arrangement (utilization of an outline)

1. introduction
2. main points
3. conclusion

B. Introduction..........

1. statement of purpose near the start
2. keep it in front of you at all times

C. working bibliography

1. management of notes, bibliography, et al
2. back up systems

D. Connecting your thoughts (transition)

1. logical progression

a. order of importance?
b. chronological order?

2. paragraph... a number of sentences (not just one) about one subject
3. transition between paragraphs with a word or sentence
4. closing paragraph

a. conclusion
b. summary
(reference back to statement of purpose)

VII. Giving credit

A. ‘borrowing’ without credit is theft
B. quotations............... rarely
C. paraphrasing...... often, but with proper citation both in text & in reference listings
D. reasons for paraphrasing

1. use of own style
2. simpler vocabulary
3. elimination of unnecessary information
4. clarification ... assist the reader in understanding
5. summarization

VIII. Editing & proofreading

A. first draft
B. reading for revision
C. read aloud or help from a friend
D. paragraph by paragraph

1. one topic per paragraph
2. enough detail
3. original authors cited?
4. logical progression?

E. other

1. slowly aloud
2. point to each word as read...
anything missing or repeated?
3. spelling..... (the problems with spell check)
4. punctuated
5. complete sentences?

IX. References (APA format)....