Writing Research Reports

Abstract

As publication provides the primary basis for an evaluation for promotion and tenure, the ability to write and produce research reports is a fundamental skill for the academic professional. Whether one writes final papers, theses, dissertations, or professional publications, the essential characteristics of the research report remain the same. Research reports are written to present an argument, and all the components of the report should be written to serve the argument. This chapter summarizes and discusses components and characteristics of the research report from several different points of view, but each with an eye toward effective argumentation. First, an overview of the American Psychological Association's Publication Manual is provided. The Manual presents more than the most commonly followed citation style; it embodies received wisdom with respect to writing style in the social sciences. However, when considering how to write an effective research report, a wealth of additional resources exists. These resources include the vast literature on writing theses and dissertations (the “how to finish” genre) and articles on academic style and argumentation written from editors' and researchers' points of view (the “how to publish” genre). These how to genres are augmented by a large body of literature in which the process and the products of research writing are objects of investigation. Considered together, these resources demystify both process and genre, providing a foundation that allows writers to present their research with confidence.