A topic in research methodology
Writing-up research is an important stage in a research study, whether the report is for internal institutional use, for a research sponsor, for a university dissertation or thesis, or for wider publication.
Read about Publishing research
The style of write-up will depend on the purpose, as well as conventions in a particular field or research tradition.
Journal conventions
It is also important to check the requirements of specific journals about such matters as required headings, referencing style, and so forth. As Jeavons noted:
"Manuscripts have to be written concisely to conserve journal space – and readers' time! – and should follow editorial conventions which vary form journal to journal and sometimes seem perversely arbitrary."
Jeavons, 1973
Generally we might consider the author of a research report to be balancing several imperatives and roles:
Three metaphors for writing-up research
"Effective educational research writing can be seen in terms of:
The literary analogy: A good research report has a narrative that leads the reader through 'the story' of the research.
The legal analogy: The author needs to make the case by a careful, logical argument, drawing upon convincing evidence.
The pedagogic analogy: The author is a communicator, charged with informing readers about the research."
Taber, 2013: 165
Report Structure
There are conventions, and so common expectations, about how a research report will be written. Some academic journals require the use of very specific subheadings: others are more flexible.
Studies using different methodologies may benefit from somewhat different approaches, but decisions on exactly how to structure a report should bear in mind the requirements of any 'target' journal that you have it in mind to submit to.
Read about structuring a research report
Protecting identity
When writing up research one has to keep in mind any assurances given that people, institutions or events will not be identified in reports .
Honest reporting
It is important not only that reports are honest, but that there are no omissions which would tend to make what is reported distort what was learnt in research.
It may be acceptable to use fictional narrative devices (like vignettes) subject to the nature of the device being made explicit to readers.
Read about selecting a research journal
Read about submitting to a research journal
Read about responding to an editorial decision
Collecting data in another language
Sometimes researchers are working in a context whether the local language is different to the language in which they expect to write-up their research. This introduces particular considerations about choice of language for data collection and analysis, and the use of translation.
Read about collecting and analysing data in another language
Read about guidelines for research writing including translated data
Sources cited:
- Jeavons, F. R. (1973). Science Observed. Science as a social and intellectual activity. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd.
- Taber, K. S. (2013). Classroom-based Research and Evidence-based Practice: An introduction (2nd ed.). London: Sage.
My introduction to educational research:
Taber, K. S. (2013). Classroom-based Research and Evidence-based Practice: An introduction (2nd ed.). London: Sage.
