Lecture 5 Writing & Presenting a Research Report

1. Lecture 5Writing & Presenting a Research Report For use in fall semester 2015 Lecture notes were originally designed by Nigel Halpern. This lecture set may be modified during the semester. Last modified: 4-8-2015

2. Lecture Aim & Objectives Aim • To investigate issues relating to writing & presenting a research report Objectives • Research report • Oral presentation

3. Structure of a Research Report • Front cover (course title, students, project title) • Abstract (summary of the whole report) • Prelims (table of contents, list of tables & figures, acknowledgements) • Introduction (background, aims & objectives, report structure) • Literature review (review of lit that forms the basis of your research inc. any research questions and hypotheses) • Methodology (choice, design & delivery of survey instrument) • Results and discussion (presentation and analysis of data) • Conclusion (summary of key findings & future rec.s) • Appendices • List of references & bibliography

4. Referencing: Harvard System • Citing a book • International Monetary Fund. (1998). World economic outlook. International Monetary Fund, Washington, D.C. • Citing a chapter in a book • Strati, Antonio. (1990). Aesthetics and organizational skill. In: Organizational symbolism, edited by Barry A. Turner. De Gruyter studies in organization, Vol. 19. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin. • Citing a journal article • Seo, H. J. (1998). The effect of injection hole length on film cooling with bulk flow pulsations. International journal of heat and mass transfer, 41(2), 35-39.

5. Referencing: Harvard System • Citing a conference paper • Cao, X., Gabbert, U. and Peotzsch, R. (1998). Delamination modeling and analysis of adaptive composites. In: 39th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC structures, structural dynamics, and materials conference and exhibit, Long Beach, California, April 20-23 1998, part 4, 2911-2916. AIAA, Reston, VA. • Citing a reference which has been cited in another source • Patton, M. Q. (1980). Qualitative evaluation methods. Sage, Beverley Hills, CA. Cited in: Greenfield, Tony (ed). (1996). Research methods: guidance for postgraduates, p169. Arnold, London.

6. Referencing: Harvard System • Citing ephemeral sources (unpublished literature) • Society of British Aerospace Companies. (1998). The competitiveness challenge. SBAC, London. (unpublished). • Citing Internet resources • Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Libraries. (1997). Citing Internet resources (WWW document). http://www.lib.rmit.edu.au/citing/htm. (accessed 10th September 1998).

7. Referencing: Harvard System • Stylistic points • Order list A-Z • Be consistent • Titles italic or underlined? • Authors’ first names appear in full or as initials? • etc • Some people capitalise every major word of the title, which can look clumsy with long titles, or a long list of references

8. Referencing: Harvard System • Link references with the text (name & date method) • References & quotes must be acknowledged in the text with a link to the full reference at the end of the report. • Johnson (1995) argues that the converse is true…… • This has been documented in a number of recent studies (Hargreaves and Johnson, 1994; Melrose, 1989; Smith, 1992). • Where an author has published 2+ works in the same year, distinguish them with a lower case letter in text & references • Brown (1988a) demonstrated that….. • If a quote is used or a specific page is referred to, cite it in the text, rather than the reference • This was discussed in detail by Anderson (1980, p332)…..

9. Language, Style & Presentation • Appreciate the ‘audience’ for your report & write accordingly • Strive for clarity, and avoid jargon • Keep within any word limits • Number chapter & sections (and paragraphs, if necessary) • Follow local conventions on the use of the 1st person (3rd person is recommended if uncertain) • Avoid casual or discriminatory language

10. A Brief Note on Time Management • Appreciate the four key stages in a research project and allocate time accordingly • Planning • Data collection • Data analysis • Writing-up • Recognise when, where & how you write effectively • Write in drafts • Check your work thoroughly • Allow time for printing & binding (including any problems) • Work to a timetable & meet deadlines

11. Structure of an Oral Presentation • Introduction yourself & your topic • State objectives & outline your theme • Present the substance of your work • Summarise & draw conclusions • Ask for & respond to questions

12. Language, Style & Presentation • What to say • Include / exclude? • Essentials / irrelevances? • Use relevant & interesting examples • How to say it • Appreciate the ‘audience’ for your presentation & present accordingly • Be simple, clear & concise, avoiding any jargon • Keep within any time limits • Avoid casual or discriminatory language

13. Language, Style & Presentation • Preparation • Prepare any notes • Consider audio-visual aids • Flash cards, audio, video, handouts, OHP, computer, flipcharts, slide projector, video / data projector • Familiarisation of presentation & facilities (if possible) • Rehearsal: check timing & materials, eliminating any errors

14. Summary • Research report • Use appropriate structure & referencing • Carefully consider language, style & presentation • Manage your time & check the work thoroughly • Oral presentation • Structure appropriately • Carefully consider language, style & presentation • Prepare & rehearse thoroughly

15. “Thank you for your attention” Questions.…….