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CHAPTER SEVEN: THE RESEARCH REPORT ..................................................... 85
 
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 85
 
OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH REPORT WRITING......................................... 85
 
Characteristics of the research report ............................................................... 86
 
Types of reports ................................................................................................ 86
 
Steps in writing report ....................................................................................... 87
 
IMPORTANT RESEARCH TERMS ................................................................... 88
 
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND FURTHER READINGS ........................................................ 90
 

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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
 
Outcomes
 
By the end of the chapter, the student will be able to:
• Define research
• Distinguish between scientific and non-scientific analyses
• Demonstrate knowledge of research terminology
• Describe the characteristics of scientific research
• Sketch the steps in the research project
• Differentiate between the two major research paradigms.
INTRODUCTION
 
Research is a systematic way of answering questions about the world. It is intended to 
increase knowledge about the process of developing an understanding of the natural laws 
governing the universe; innovations or new ideas; commitment and technological 
advantages, which will improve the welfare of humanity.
Everybody takes part in some type of research. As individuals communicate with the world, 
they characterise explicit issues, gather data (information), examine information and settle 
on choices based on the information they obtained. This procedure can happen casually, 
now and again, or unconsciously. It is normally not logical and will in general be mistake 
inclined, thus, the idea of learning by experimentation. Scientifically, organised research 
has clearly defined characteristics that must be deliberately and unbiasedly pursued. 
Furthermore, non-scientific examination is inclined to an assortment of distorting factors.
The following two figures illustrate the features of non-scientific analysis and scientific
research.