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Research Report – Example, Writing Guide and Types

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Research Report

Definition:

Research Report is a written document that presents the results of a research project or study, including the research question, methodology, results, and conclusions, in a clear and objective manner.

The purpose of a research report is to communicate the findings of the research to the intended audience, which could be other researchers, stakeholders, or the general public.

Components of Research Report

Components of Research Report are as follows:

Introduction

The introduction sets the stage for the research report and provides a brief overview of the research question or problem being investigated. It should include a clear statement of the purpose of the study and its significance or relevance to the field of research. It may also provide background information or a literature review to help contextualize the research.

Literature Review

The literature review provides a critical analysis and synthesis of the existing research and scholarship relevant to the research question or problem. It should identify the gaps, inconsistencies, and contradictions in the literature and show how the current study addresses these issues. The literature review also establishes the theoretical framework or conceptual model that guides the research.

Methodology

The methodology section describes the research design, methods, and procedures used to collect and analyze data. It should include information on the sample or participants, data collection instruments, data collection procedures, and data analysis techniques. The methodology should be clear and detailed enough to allow other researchers to replicate the study.

The results section presents the findings of the study in a clear and objective manner. It should provide a detailed description of the data and statistics used to answer the research question or test the hypothesis. Tables, graphs, and figures may be included to help visualize the data and illustrate the key findings.

The discussion section interprets the results of the study and explains their significance or relevance to the research question or problem. It should also compare the current findings with those of previous studies and identify the implications for future research or practice. The discussion should be based on the results presented in the previous section and should avoid speculation or unfounded conclusions.

The conclusion summarizes the key findings of the study and restates the main argument or thesis presented in the introduction. It should also provide a brief overview of the contributions of the study to the field of research and the implications for practice or policy.

The references section lists all the sources cited in the research report, following a specific citation style, such as APA or MLA.

The appendices section includes any additional material, such as data tables, figures, or instruments used in the study, that could not be included in the main text due to space limitations.

Types of Research Report

Types of Research Report are as follows:

Thesis is a type of research report. A thesis is a long-form research document that presents the findings and conclusions of an original research study conducted by a student as part of a graduate or postgraduate program. It is typically written by a student pursuing a higher degree, such as a Master’s or Doctoral degree, although it can also be written by researchers or scholars in other fields.

Research Paper

Research paper is a type of research report. A research paper is a document that presents the results of a research study or investigation. Research papers can be written in a variety of fields, including science, social science, humanities, and business. They typically follow a standard format that includes an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion sections.

Technical Report

A technical report is a detailed report that provides information about a specific technical or scientific problem or project. Technical reports are often used in engineering, science, and other technical fields to document research and development work.

Progress Report

A progress report provides an update on the progress of a research project or program over a specific period of time. Progress reports are typically used to communicate the status of a project to stakeholders, funders, or project managers.

Feasibility Report

A feasibility report assesses the feasibility of a proposed project or plan, providing an analysis of the potential risks, benefits, and costs associated with the project. Feasibility reports are often used in business, engineering, and other fields to determine the viability of a project before it is undertaken.

Field Report

A field report documents observations and findings from fieldwork, which is research conducted in the natural environment or setting. Field reports are often used in anthropology, ecology, and other social and natural sciences.

Experimental Report

An experimental report documents the results of a scientific experiment, including the hypothesis, methods, results, and conclusions. Experimental reports are often used in biology, chemistry, and other sciences to communicate the results of laboratory experiments.

Case Study Report

A case study report provides an in-depth analysis of a specific case or situation, often used in psychology, social work, and other fields to document and understand complex cases or phenomena.

Literature Review Report

A literature review report synthesizes and summarizes existing research on a specific topic, providing an overview of the current state of knowledge on the subject. Literature review reports are often used in social sciences, education, and other fields to identify gaps in the literature and guide future research.

Research Report Example

Following is a Research Report Example sample for Students:

Title: The Impact of Social Media on Academic Performance among High School Students

This study aims to investigate the relationship between social media use and academic performance among high school students. The study utilized a quantitative research design, which involved a survey questionnaire administered to a sample of 200 high school students. The findings indicate that there is a negative correlation between social media use and academic performance, suggesting that excessive social media use can lead to poor academic performance among high school students. The results of this study have important implications for educators, parents, and policymakers, as they highlight the need for strategies that can help students balance their social media use and academic responsibilities.

Introduction:

Social media has become an integral part of the lives of high school students. With the widespread use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, students can connect with friends, share photos and videos, and engage in discussions on a range of topics. While social media offers many benefits, concerns have been raised about its impact on academic performance. Many studies have found a negative correlation between social media use and academic performance among high school students (Kirschner & Karpinski, 2010; Paul, Baker, & Cochran, 2012).

Given the growing importance of social media in the lives of high school students, it is important to investigate its impact on academic performance. This study aims to address this gap by examining the relationship between social media use and academic performance among high school students.

Methodology:

The study utilized a quantitative research design, which involved a survey questionnaire administered to a sample of 200 high school students. The questionnaire was developed based on previous studies and was designed to measure the frequency and duration of social media use, as well as academic performance.

The participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique, and the survey questionnaire was distributed in the classroom during regular school hours. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis.

The findings indicate that the majority of high school students use social media platforms on a daily basis, with Facebook being the most popular platform. The results also show a negative correlation between social media use and academic performance, suggesting that excessive social media use can lead to poor academic performance among high school students.

Discussion:

The results of this study have important implications for educators, parents, and policymakers. The negative correlation between social media use and academic performance suggests that strategies should be put in place to help students balance their social media use and academic responsibilities. For example, educators could incorporate social media into their teaching strategies to engage students and enhance learning. Parents could limit their children’s social media use and encourage them to prioritize their academic responsibilities. Policymakers could develop guidelines and policies to regulate social media use among high school students.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this study provides evidence of the negative impact of social media on academic performance among high school students. The findings highlight the need for strategies that can help students balance their social media use and academic responsibilities. Further research is needed to explore the specific mechanisms by which social media use affects academic performance and to develop effective strategies for addressing this issue.

Limitations:

One limitation of this study is the use of convenience sampling, which limits the generalizability of the findings to other populations. Future studies should use random sampling techniques to increase the representativeness of the sample. Another limitation is the use of self-reported measures, which may be subject to social desirability bias. Future studies could use objective measures of social media use and academic performance, such as tracking software and school records.

Implications:

The findings of this study have important implications for educators, parents, and policymakers. Educators could incorporate social media into their teaching strategies to engage students and enhance learning. For example, teachers could use social media platforms to share relevant educational resources and facilitate online discussions. Parents could limit their children’s social media use and encourage them to prioritize their academic responsibilities. They could also engage in open communication with their children to understand their social media use and its impact on their academic performance. Policymakers could develop guidelines and policies to regulate social media use among high school students. For example, schools could implement social media policies that restrict access during class time and encourage responsible use.

References:

• Kirschner, P. A., & Karpinski, A. C. (2010). Facebook® and academic performance. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(6), 1237-1245.
• Paul, J. A., Baker, H. M., & Cochran, J. D. (2012). Effect of online social networking on student academic performance. Journal of the Research Center for Educational Technology, 8(1), 1-19.
• Pantic, I. (2014). Online social networking and mental health. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(10), 652-657.
• Rosen, L. D., Carrier, L. M., & Cheever, N. A. (2013). Facebook and texting made me do it: Media-induced task-switching while studying. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(3), 948-958.

Note*: Above mention, Example is just a sample for the students’ guide. Do not directly copy and paste as your College or University assignment. Kindly do some research and Write your own.

Applications of Research Report

Research reports have many applications, including:

• Communicating research findings: The primary application of a research report is to communicate the results of a study to other researchers, stakeholders, or the general public. The report serves as a way to share new knowledge, insights, and discoveries with others in the field.
• Informing policy and practice : Research reports can inform policy and practice by providing evidence-based recommendations for decision-makers. For example, a research report on the effectiveness of a new drug could inform regulatory agencies in their decision-making process.
• Supporting further research: Research reports can provide a foundation for further research in a particular area. Other researchers may use the findings and methodology of a report to develop new research questions or to build on existing research.
• Evaluating programs and interventions : Research reports can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and interventions in achieving their intended outcomes. For example, a research report on a new educational program could provide evidence of its impact on student performance.
• Demonstrating impact : Research reports can be used to demonstrate the impact of research funding or to evaluate the success of research projects. By presenting the findings and outcomes of a study, research reports can show the value of research to funders and stakeholders.
• Enhancing professional development : Research reports can be used to enhance professional development by providing a source of information and learning for researchers and practitioners in a particular field. For example, a research report on a new teaching methodology could provide insights and ideas for educators to incorporate into their own practice.

How to write Research Report

Here are some steps you can follow to write a research report:

• Identify the research question: The first step in writing a research report is to identify your research question. This will help you focus your research and organize your findings.
• Conduct research : Once you have identified your research question, you will need to conduct research to gather relevant data and information. This can involve conducting experiments, reviewing literature, or analyzing data.
• Organize your findings: Once you have gathered all of your data, you will need to organize your findings in a way that is clear and understandable. This can involve creating tables, graphs, or charts to illustrate your results.
• Write the report: Once you have organized your findings, you can begin writing the report. Start with an introduction that provides background information and explains the purpose of your research. Next, provide a detailed description of your research methods and findings. Finally, summarize your results and draw conclusions based on your findings.
• Proofread and edit: After you have written your report, be sure to proofread and edit it carefully. Check for grammar and spelling errors, and make sure that your report is well-organized and easy to read.
• Include a reference list: Be sure to include a list of references that you used in your research. This will give credit to your sources and allow readers to further explore the topic if they choose.
• Format your report: Finally, format your report according to the guidelines provided by your instructor or organization. This may include formatting requirements for headings, margins, fonts, and spacing.

Purpose of Research Report

The purpose of a research report is to communicate the results of a research study to a specific audience, such as peers in the same field, stakeholders, or the general public. The report provides a detailed description of the research methods, findings, and conclusions.

Some common purposes of a research report include:

• Sharing knowledge: A research report allows researchers to share their findings and knowledge with others in their field. This helps to advance the field and improve the understanding of a particular topic.
• Identifying trends: A research report can identify trends and patterns in data, which can help guide future research and inform decision-making.
• Addressing problems: A research report can provide insights into problems or issues and suggest solutions or recommendations for addressing them.
• Evaluating programs or interventions : A research report can evaluate the effectiveness of programs or interventions, which can inform decision-making about whether to continue, modify, or discontinue them.
• Meeting regulatory requirements: In some fields, research reports are required to meet regulatory requirements, such as in the case of drug trials or environmental impact studies.

When to Write Research Report

A research report should be written after completing the research study. This includes collecting data, analyzing the results, and drawing conclusions based on the findings. Once the research is complete, the report should be written in a timely manner while the information is still fresh in the researcher’s mind.

In academic settings, research reports are often required as part of coursework or as part of a thesis or dissertation. In this case, the report should be written according to the guidelines provided by the instructor or institution.

In other settings, such as in industry or government, research reports may be required to inform decision-making or to comply with regulatory requirements. In these cases, the report should be written as soon as possible after the research is completed in order to inform decision-making in a timely manner.

Overall, the timing of when to write a research report depends on the purpose of the research, the expectations of the audience, and any regulatory requirements that need to be met. However, it is important to complete the report in a timely manner while the information is still fresh in the researcher’s mind.

Characteristics of Research Report

There are several characteristics of a research report that distinguish it from other types of writing. These characteristics include:

• Objective: A research report should be written in an objective and unbiased manner. It should present the facts and findings of the research study without any personal opinions or biases.
• Systematic: A research report should be written in a systematic manner. It should follow a clear and logical structure, and the information should be presented in a way that is easy to understand and follow.
• Detailed: A research report should be detailed and comprehensive. It should provide a thorough description of the research methods, results, and conclusions.
• Accurate : A research report should be accurate and based on sound research methods. The findings and conclusions should be supported by data and evidence.
• Organized: A research report should be well-organized. It should include headings and subheadings to help the reader navigate the report and understand the main points.
• Clear and concise: A research report should be written in clear and concise language. The information should be presented in a way that is easy to understand, and unnecessary jargon should be avoided.
• Citations and references: A research report should include citations and references to support the findings and conclusions. This helps to give credit to other researchers and to provide readers with the opportunity to further explore the topic.

Advantages of Research Report

Research reports have several advantages, including:

• Communicating research findings: Research reports allow researchers to communicate their findings to a wider audience, including other researchers, stakeholders, and the general public. This helps to disseminate knowledge and advance the understanding of a particular topic.
• Providing evidence for decision-making : Research reports can provide evidence to inform decision-making, such as in the case of policy-making, program planning, or product development. The findings and conclusions can help guide decisions and improve outcomes.
• Supporting further research: Research reports can provide a foundation for further research on a particular topic. Other researchers can build on the findings and conclusions of the report, which can lead to further discoveries and advancements in the field.
• Demonstrating expertise: Research reports can demonstrate the expertise of the researchers and their ability to conduct rigorous and high-quality research. This can be important for securing funding, promotions, and other professional opportunities.
• Meeting regulatory requirements: In some fields, research reports are required to meet regulatory requirements, such as in the case of drug trials or environmental impact studies. Producing a high-quality research report can help ensure compliance with these requirements.

Limitations of Research Report

Despite their advantages, research reports also have some limitations, including:

• Time-consuming: Conducting research and writing a report can be a time-consuming process, particularly for large-scale studies. This can limit the frequency and speed of producing research reports.
• Expensive: Conducting research and producing a report can be expensive, particularly for studies that require specialized equipment, personnel, or data. This can limit the scope and feasibility of some research studies.
• Limited generalizability: Research studies often focus on a specific population or context, which can limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations or contexts.
• Potential bias : Researchers may have biases or conflicts of interest that can influence the findings and conclusions of the research study. Additionally, participants may also have biases or may not be representative of the larger population, which can limit the validity and reliability of the findings.
• Accessibility: Research reports may be written in technical or academic language, which can limit their accessibility to a wider audience. Additionally, some research may be behind paywalls or require specialized access, which can limit the ability of others to read and use the findings.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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Research report guide: Definition, types, and tips

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5 March 2024

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From successful product launches or software releases to planning major business decisions, research reports serve many vital functions. They can summarize evidence and deliver insights and recommendations to save companies time and resources. They can reveal the most value-adding actions a company should take.

However, poorly constructed reports can have the opposite effect! Taking the time to learn established research-reporting rules and approaches will equip you with in-demand skills. You’ll be able to capture and communicate information applicable to numerous situations and industries, adding another string to your resume bow.

• What are research reports?

A research report is a collection of contextual data, gathered through organized research, that provides new insights into a particular challenge (which, for this article, is business-related). Research reports are a time-tested method for distilling large amounts of data into a narrow band of focus.

Their effectiveness often hinges on whether the report provides:

Strong, well-researched evidence

Comprehensive analysis

Well-considered conclusions and recommendations

Though the topic possibilities are endless, an effective research report keeps a laser-like focus on the specific questions or objectives the researcher believes are key to achieving success. Many research reports begin as research proposals, which usually include the need for a report to capture the findings of the study and recommend a course of action.

A description of the research method used, e.g., qualitative, quantitative, or other

Statistical analysis

Causal (or explanatory) research (i.e., research identifying relationships between two variables)

Inductive research, also known as ‘theory-building’

Deductive research, such as that used to test theories

Action research, where the research is actively used to drive change

• Importance of a research report

Research reports can unify and direct a company's focus toward the most appropriate strategic action. Of course, spending resources on a report takes up some of the company's human and financial resources. Choosing when a report is called for is a matter of judgment and experience.

Some development models used heavily in the engineering world, such as Waterfall development, are notorious for over-relying on research reports. With Waterfall development, there is a linear progression through each step of a project, and each stage is precisely documented and reported on before moving to the next.

The pace of the business world is faster than the speed at which your authors can produce and disseminate reports. So how do companies strike the right balance between creating and acting on research reports?

The answer lies, again, in the report's defined objectives. By paring down your most pressing interests and those of your stakeholders, your research and reporting skills will be the lenses that keep your company's priorities in constant focus.

Honing your company's primary objectives can save significant amounts of time and align research and reporting efforts with ever-greater precision.

Some examples of well-designed research objectives are:

Proving whether or not a product or service meets customer expectations

Demonstrating the value of a service, product, or business process to your stakeholders and investors

Improving business decision-making when faced with a lack of time or other constraints

Clarifying the relationship between a critical cause and effect for problematic business processes

Prioritizing the development of a backlog of products or product features

Comparing business or production strategies

Evaluating past decisions and predicting future outcomes

• Features of a research report

Research reports generally require a research design phase, where the report author(s) determine the most important elements the report must contain.

Just as there are various kinds of research, there are many types of reports.

Here are the standard elements of almost any research-reporting format:

Report summary. A broad but comprehensive overview of what readers will learn in the full report. Summaries are usually no more than one or two paragraphs and address all key elements of the report. Think of the key takeaways your primary stakeholders will want to know if they don’t have time to read the full document.

Introduction. Include a brief background of the topic, the type of research, and the research sample. Consider the primary goal of the report, who is most affected, and how far along the company is in meeting its objectives.

Methods. A description of how the researcher carried out data collection, analysis, and final interpretations of the data. Include the reasons for choosing a particular method. The methods section should strike a balance between clearly presenting the approach taken to gather data and discussing how it is designed to achieve the report's objectives.

Data analysis. This section contains interpretations that lead readers through the results relevant to the report's thesis. If there were unexpected results, include here a discussion on why that might be. Charts, calculations, statistics, and other supporting information also belong here (or, if lengthy, as an appendix). This should be the most detailed section of the research report, with references for further study. Present the information in a logical order, whether chronologically or in order of importance to the report's objectives.

Conclusion. This should be written with sound reasoning, often containing useful recommendations. The conclusion must be backed by a continuous thread of logic throughout the report.

• How to write a research paper

With a clear outline and robust pool of research, a research paper can start to write itself, but what's a good way to start a research report?

Research report examples are often the quickest way to gain inspiration for your report. Look for the types of research reports most relevant to your industry and consider which makes the most sense for your data and goals.

The research report outline will help you organize the elements of your report. One of the most time-tested report outlines is the IMRaD structure:

Introduction

...and Discussion

Pay close attention to the most well-established research reporting format in your industry, and consider your tone and language from your audience's perspective. Learn the key terms inside and out; incorrect jargon could easily harm the perceived authority of your research paper.

Along with a foundation in high-quality research and razor-sharp analysis, the most effective research reports will also demonstrate well-developed:

Internal logic

Narrative flow

Conclusions and recommendations

Readability, striking a balance between simple phrasing and technical insight

How to gather research data for your report

The validity of research data is critical. Because the research phase usually occurs well before the writing phase, you normally have plenty of time to vet your data.

However, research reports could involve ongoing research, where report authors (sometimes the researchers themselves) write portions of the report alongside ongoing research.

One such research-report example would be an R&D department that knows its primary stakeholders are eager to learn about a lengthy work in progress and any potentially important outcomes.

However you choose to manage the research and reporting, your data must meet robust quality standards before you can rely on it. Vet any research with the following questions in mind:

Does it use statistically valid analysis methods?

Do the researchers clearly explain their research, analysis, and sampling methods?

Did the researchers provide any caveats or advice on how to interpret their data?

Have you gathered the data yourself or were you in close contact with those who did?

Is the source biased?

Usually, flawed research methods become more apparent the further you get through a research report.

It's perfectly natural for good research to raise new questions, but the reader should have no uncertainty about what the data represents. There should be no doubt about matters such as:

Whether the sampling or analysis methods were based on sound and consistent logic

What the research samples are and where they came from

The accuracy of any statistical functions or equations

Validation of testing and measuring processes

When does a report require design validation?

A robust design validation process is often a gold standard in highly technical research reports. Design validation ensures the objects of a study are measured accurately, which lends more weight to your report and makes it valuable to more specialized industries.

Product development and engineering projects are the most common research-report examples that typically involve a design validation process. Depending on the scope and complexity of your research, you might face additional steps to validate your data and research procedures.

If you’re including design validation in the report (or report proposal), explain and justify your data-collection processes. Good design validation builds greater trust in a research report and lends more weight to its conclusions.

Choosing the right analysis method

Just as the quality of your report depends on properly validated research, a useful conclusion requires the most contextually relevant analysis method. This means comparing different statistical methods and choosing the one that makes the most sense for your research.

Most broadly, research analysis comes down to quantitative or qualitative methods (respectively: measurable by a number vs subjectively qualified values). There are also mixed research methods, which bridge the need for merging hard data with qualified assessments and still reach a cohesive set of conclusions.

Some of the most common analysis methods in research reports include:

Significance testing (aka hypothesis analysis), which compares test and control groups to determine how likely the data was the result of random chance.

Regression analysis , to establish relationships between variables, control for extraneous variables , and support correlation analysis.

Correlation analysis (aka bivariate testing), a method to identify and determine the strength of linear relationships between variables. It’s effective for detecting patterns from complex data, but care must be exercised to not confuse correlation with causation.

With any analysis method, it's important to justify which method you chose in the report. You should also provide estimates of the statistical accuracy (e.g., the p-value or confidence level of quantifiable data) of any data analysis.

This requires a commitment to the report's primary aim. For instance, this may be achieving a certain level of customer satisfaction by analyzing the cause and effect of changes to how service is delivered. Even better, use statistical analysis to calculate which change is most positively correlated with improved levels of customer satisfaction.

• Tips for writing research reports

There's endless good advice for writing effective research reports, and it almost all depends on the subjective aims of the people behind the report. Due to the wide variety of research reports, the best tips will be unique to each author's purpose.

Consider the following research report tips in any order, and take note of the ones most relevant to you:

No matter how in depth or detailed your report might be, provide a well-considered, succinct summary. At the very least, give your readers a quick and effective way to get up to speed.

Pare down your target audience (e.g., other researchers, employees, laypersons, etc.), and adjust your voice for their background knowledge and interest levels

For all but the most open-ended research, clarify your objectives, both for yourself and within the report.

Leverage your team members’ talents to fill in any knowledge gaps you might have. Your team is only as good as the sum of its parts.

Justify why your research proposal’s topic will endure long enough to derive value from the finished report.

Consolidate all research and analysis functions onto a single user-friendly platform. There's no reason to settle for less than developer-grade tools suitable for non-developers.

What's the format of a research report?

The research-reporting format is how the report is structured—a framework the authors use to organize their data, conclusions, arguments, and recommendations. The format heavily determines how the report's outline develops, because the format dictates the overall structure and order of information (based on the report's goals and research objectives).

What's the purpose of a research-report outline?

A good report outline gives form and substance to the report's objectives, presenting the results in a readable, engaging way. For any research-report format, the outline should create momentum along a chain of logic that builds up to a conclusion or interpretation.

What's the difference between a research essay and a research report?

There are several key differences between research reports and essays:

Research report:

Ordered into separate sections

More commercial in nature

Often includes infographics

Heavily descriptive

More self-referential

Usually provides recommendations

Research essay

Does not rely on research report formatting

More academically minded

Normally text-only

Less detailed

Omits discussion of methods

Usually non-prescriptive 

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• Research Report: Definition, Types + [Writing Guide]

One of the reasons for carrying out research is to add to the existing body of knowledge. Therefore, when conducting research, you need to document your processes and findings in a research report. 

With a research report, it is easy to outline the findings of your systematic investigation and any gaps needing further inquiry. Knowing how to create a detailed research report will prove useful when you need to conduct research.  

What is a Research Report?

A research report is a well-crafted document that outlines the processes, data, and findings of a systematic investigation. It is an important document that serves as a first-hand account of the research process, and it is typically considered an objective and accurate source of information.

In many ways, a research report can be considered as a summary of the research process that clearly highlights findings, recommendations, and other important details. Reading a well-written research report should provide you with all the information you need about the core areas of the research process.

Features of a Research Report 

So how do you recognize a research report when you see one? Here are some of the basic features that define a research report. 

• It is a detailed presentation of research processes and findings, and it usually includes tables and graphs. 
• It is written in a formal language.
• A research report is usually written in the third person.
• It is informative and based on first-hand verifiable information.
• It is formally structured with headings, sections, and bullet points.
• It always includes recommendations for future actions. 

Types of Research Report 

The research report is classified based on two things; nature of research and target audience.

Nature of Research

• Qualitative Research Report

This is the type of report written for qualitative research . It outlines the methods, processes, and findings of a qualitative method of systematic investigation. In educational research, a qualitative research report provides an opportunity for one to apply his or her knowledge and develop skills in planning and executing qualitative research projects.

A qualitative research report is usually descriptive in nature. Hence, in addition to presenting details of the research process, you must also create a descriptive narrative of the information.

• Quantitative Research Report

A quantitative research report is a type of research report that is written for quantitative research. Quantitative research is a type of systematic investigation that pays attention to numerical or statistical values in a bid to find answers to research questions. 

In this type of research report, the researcher presents quantitative data to support the research process and findings. Unlike a qualitative research report that is mainly descriptive, a quantitative research report works with numbers; that is, it is numerical in nature. 

Target Audience

Also, a research report can be said to be technical or popular based on the target audience. If you’re dealing with a general audience, you would need to present a popular research report, and if you’re dealing with a specialized audience, you would submit a technical report. 

• Technical Research Report

A technical research report is a detailed document that you present after carrying out industry-based research. This report is highly specialized because it provides information for a technical audience; that is, individuals with above-average knowledge in the field of study. 

In a technical research report, the researcher is expected to provide specific information about the research process, including statistical analyses and sampling methods. Also, the use of language is highly specialized and filled with jargon. 

Examples of technical research reports include legal and medical research reports. 

• Popular Research Report

A popular research report is one for a general audience; that is, for individuals who do not necessarily have any knowledge in the field of study. A popular research report aims to make information accessible to everyone. 

It is written in very simple language, which makes it easy to understand the findings and recommendations. Examples of popular research reports are the information contained in newspapers and magazines. 

Importance of a Research Report 

• Knowledge Transfer: As already stated above, one of the reasons for carrying out research is to contribute to the existing body of knowledge, and this is made possible with a research report. A research report serves as a means to effectively communicate the findings of a systematic investigation to all and sundry.  
• Identification of Knowledge Gaps: With a research report, you’d be able to identify knowledge gaps for further inquiry. A research report shows what has been done while hinting at other areas needing systematic investigation. 
• In market research, a research report would help you understand the market needs and peculiarities at a glance. 
• A research report allows you to present information in a precise and concise manner. 
• It is time-efficient and practical because, in a research report, you do not have to spend time detailing the findings of your research work in person. You can easily send out the report via email and have stakeholders look at it. 

Guide to Writing a Research Report

A lot of detail goes into writing a research report, and getting familiar with the different requirements would help you create the ideal research report. A research report is usually broken down into multiple sections, which allows for a concise presentation of information.

Structure and Example of a Research Report

This is the title of your systematic investigation. Your title should be concise and point to the aims, objectives, and findings of a research report. 

• Table of Contents

This is like a compass that makes it easier for readers to navigate the research report.

An abstract is an overview that highlights all important aspects of the research including the research method, data collection process, and research findings. Think of an abstract as a summary of your research report that presents pertinent information in a concise manner. 

An abstract is always brief; typically 100-150 words and goes straight to the point. The focus of your research abstract should be the 5Ws and 1H format – What, Where, Why, When, Who and How. 

• Introduction

Here, the researcher highlights the aims and objectives of the systematic investigation as well as the problem which the systematic investigation sets out to solve. When writing the report introduction, it is also essential to indicate whether the purposes of the research were achieved or would require more work.

In the introduction section, the researcher specifies the research problem and also outlines the significance of the systematic investigation. Also, the researcher is expected to outline any jargons and terminologies that are contained in the research.  

• Literature Review

A literature review is a written survey of existing knowledge in the field of study. In other words, it is the section where you provide an overview and analysis of different research works that are relevant to your systematic investigation. 

It highlights existing research knowledge and areas needing further investigation, which your research has sought to fill. At this stage, you can also hint at your research hypothesis and its possible implications for the existing body of knowledge in your field of study. 

• An Account of Investigation

This is a detailed account of the research process, including the methodology, sample, and research subjects. Here, you are expected to provide in-depth information on the research process including the data collection and analysis procedures. 

In a quantitative research report, you’d need to provide information surveys, questionnaires and other quantitative data collection methods used in your research. In a qualitative research report, you are expected to describe the qualitative data collection methods used in your research including interviews and focus groups. 

In this section, you are expected to present the results of the systematic investigation. 

This section further explains the findings of the research, earlier outlined. Here, you are expected to present a justification for each outcome and show whether the results are in line with your hypotheses or if other research studies have come up with similar results.

• Conclusions

This is a summary of all the information in the report. It also outlines the significance of the entire study. 

• References and Appendices

This section contains a list of all the primary and secondary research sources. 

Tips for Writing a Research Report

• Define the Context for the Report

As is obtainable when writing an essay, defining the context for your research report would help you create a detailed yet concise document. This is why you need to create an outline before writing so that you do not miss out on anything. 

• Define your Audience

Writing with your audience in mind is essential as it determines the tone of the report. If you’re writing for a general audience, you would want to present the information in a simple and relatable manner. For a specialized audience, you would need to make use of technical and field-specific terms. 

• Include Significant Findings

The idea of a research report is to present some sort of abridged version of your systematic investigation. In your report, you should exclude irrelevant information while highlighting only important data and findings. 

• Include Illustrations

Your research report should include illustrations and other visual representations of your data. Graphs, pie charts, and relevant images lend additional credibility to your systematic investigation.

• Choose the Right Title

A good research report title is brief, precise, and contains keywords from your research. It should provide a clear idea of your systematic investigation so that readers can grasp the entire focus of your research from the title. 

• Proofread the Report

Before publishing the document, ensure that you give it a second look to authenticate the information. If you can, get someone else to go through the report, too, and you can also run it through proofreading and editing software. 

How to Gather Research Data for Your Report  

• Understand the Problem

Every research aims at solving a specific problem or set of problems, and this should be at the back of your mind when writing your research report. Understanding the problem would help you to filter the information you have and include only important data in your report. 

• Know what your report seeks to achieve

This is somewhat similar to the point above because, in some way, the aim of your research report is intertwined with the objectives of your systematic investigation. Identifying the primary purpose of writing a research report would help you to identify and present the required information accordingly. 

• Identify your audience

Knowing your target audience plays a crucial role in data collection for a research report. If your research report is specifically for an organization, you would want to present industry-specific information or show how the research findings are relevant to the work that the company does. 

• Create Surveys/Questionnaires

A survey is a research method that is used to gather data from a specific group of people through a set of questions. It can be either quantitative or qualitative. 

A survey is usually made up of structured questions, and it can be administered online or offline. However, an online survey is a more effective method of research data collection because it helps you save time and gather data with ease. 

You can seamlessly create an online questionnaire for your research on Formplus . With the multiple sharing options available in the builder, you would be able to administer your survey to respondents in little or no time. 

Formplus also has a report summary too l that you can use to create custom visual reports for your research.

Step-by-step guide on how to create an online questionnaire using Formplus  

• Sign into Formplus

In the Formplus builder, you can easily create different online questionnaires for your research by dragging and dropping preferred fields into your form. To access the Formplus builder, you will need to create an account on Formplus. 

Once you do this, sign in to your account and click on Create new form to begin. 

• Edit Form Title : Click on the field provided to input your form title, for example, “Research Questionnaire.”
• Edit Form : Click on the edit icon to edit the form.
• Add Fields : Drag and drop preferred form fields into your form in the Formplus builder inputs column. There are several field input options for questionnaires in the Formplus builder. 
• Edit fields
• Click on “Save”
• Form Customization: With the form customization options in the form builder, you can easily change the outlook of your form and make it more unique and personalized. Formplus allows you to change your form theme, add background images, and even change the font according to your needs. 
• Multiple Sharing Options: Formplus offers various form-sharing options, which enables you to share your questionnaire with respondents easily. You can use the direct social media sharing buttons to share your form link to your organization’s social media pages.  You can also send out your survey form as email invitations to your research subjects too. If you wish, you can share your form’s QR code or embed it on your organization’s website for easy access. 

Conclusion  

Always remember that a research report is just as important as the actual systematic investigation because it plays a vital role in communicating research findings to everyone else. This is why you must take care to create a concise document summarizing the process of conducting any research. 

In this article, we’ve outlined essential tips to help you create a research report. When writing your report, you should always have the audience at the back of your mind, as this would set the tone for the document. 

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Types of Research Reports

What is a Research Report?

A research report is a concise document that summarizes the findings, methods, and conclusions of a research study or investigation. There are various types of research reports available for different purposes.

It typically includes details on the research question, methodology, data analysis, and results, providing a structured and informative account of the research process and outcomes.

Table of Contents

• Market Research
• Experimental
• Descriptive
• Exploratory
• Explanatory

Types of Research Report Writing

Limitations, key highlights.

• A research report is a document that gives a quick overview of a research study.
• Types of research reports offer a standardized format and structure, making it easier for readers to navigate and comprehend the information.
• They are useful in fields like academia, business, healthcare, social sciences, and more.
• Different types of report writing determine the report’s primary purpose, i.e., if it should be short, long, or for internal purposes, etc.

Different Types Of Research Reports

1. technical or scientific reports.

Technical and scientific reports communicate research findings to experts and professionals in a particular field.

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Characteristics:

• These reports include technical jargon, detailed methodologies, and in-depth analysis.
• They often have a standardized format for peer review.

 2. Popular Reports

Popular reports are designed for a general audience and aim to inform, educate, or entertain on a wide range of topics.

• Includes clear and jargon-free language
• Uses storytelling, visuals, and anecdotes to engage readers
• Prioritizes readability over deep analysis.

3. Survey Reports

Survey reports include data collected through surveys and focus on presenting insights and opinions on specific issues or questions.

• Contains information on survey methodology, including sample size and data collection methods.
• Presents statistical summaries like percentages and charts.

4. Market Research Reports

Market research reports provide insights into consumer behavior, market trends, and industry analysis.

• Includes market surveys, competitor analysis, and consumer demographics.
• Helps businesses in making strategic decisions.

5. Case Study Reports

Case study reports focus on an in-depth examination of a single entity, often to explore complex, real-life situations.

• Includes detailed descriptions of the case, data collection methods, and analysis.
• Common in business and psychology fields.

6. Analytical Research Reports

Analytical research reports involve a deep analysis of data to uncover patterns, trends, or relationships.

• Uses statistical tools and software to analyze data comprehensively
• Common in fields like economics and social sciences.

7. Review or Literature Survey Reports

Literature review reports provide an overview of existing research on a specific topic, highlighting gaps and trends.

• Synthesizes findings from various sources and provides a historical context
• Often offers recommendations for future research.

8. Experimental Research Reports

Experimental research reports involve controlled experiments to test hypotheses and determine if the results support or reject the hypothesis.

• Uses random sampling and control groups to minimize bias.
• Includes detailed descriptions of the experiment, hypothesis, methods, and statistical analyses.

9. Descriptive Research Reports

Descriptive research reports aim to provide a comprehensive picture of a phenomenon, group, or situation. They seek to answer the “what” and “how” questions.

• Typically, it relies on observations, surveys, and content analysis.
• Focuses on describing and summarizing data.

10. Exploratory Research Reports

Exploratory research reports are conducted when there is little prior knowledge about a subject. They aim to identify key variables and research questions.

• Involves open-ended interviews, focus groups, and literature reviews.
• Findings are preliminary, serving as a basis for further research.

11. Explanatory Research Reports

Explanatory research reports seek to understand the relationships between variables and explain why certain phenomena occur.

• Uses experimental designs, surveys, and statistical analyses.
• Provides in-depth insights into the research problem.

12. Policy or White Papers

Policy or white papers aim to inform policymakers, stakeholders, and the public about specific issues and recommend actions.

• Presents research findings in a concise and accessible manner
• Often consists of policy recommendations.

Components of Research Reports

These are some common components you must know while writing different types of research reports.

1. Title Page:

• Title of the Report
• Institutional Affiliation

2. Abstract: Add a concise summary of the research, including the research question or objective, methodology, key findings, and implications. Typically, it should be no more than 150-250 words.

3. Table of Contents: Include a list of sections and subsections with page numbers.

4. List of Figures and Tables: If your research includes numerical data, add all the statistics and tables along with their corresponding page numbers. It is similar to a table of contents for quantitative data.

5. List of Abbreviations and Symbols: Include any abbreviations or symbols you have used in the report and their meanings.

6. Introduction:

• Provide background information on the topic.
• State the research question or objective.
• Explain the significance and purpose of the study.
• Provide an outline of the report’s structure.

7. Literature Review:

• Review relevant literature and previous research on the topic.
• Identify gaps in existing knowledge.
• Explain how your study contributes to the field.

8. Methodology:

• Describe the research methods and techniques that you used.
• Explain the sampling methods, data collection, and data analysis procedures.
• Discuss any ethical considerations.

9. Results:

• Present the findings of your research.
• Use tables, figures, charts, and graphs to illustrate key points.
• Include descriptive and inferential statistics as needed.

10. Discussion:

• Interpret the results and relate them to the research question.
• Discuss the implications of your findings.
• Compare your results to previous research.
• Address any limitations of your study.

11. Conclusion:

• Summarize the main findings and their significance.
• Restate the research question and how it was addressed.
• Suggest areas for future research.

12. References: Include a list of all the sources cited in your report in a standardized citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).

Let us see an example of a research report.

Research Report: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Labor Market

This research study explores the profound changes occurring in the labor market due to the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The study examines the potential benefits and challenges AI poses for the workforce, job displacement, and the skills required in the future job market.

List of Figures and Tables

Introduction, literature review, methodology.

• Figure 1: Trend in AI Adoption by Industry (Page 7)
• Table 1: Summary of Job Displacement Data (Page 9)
• Figure 2: Projected Growth of AI-Related Occupations (Page 11)

The introduction section provides an overview of the research topic. It explains the significance of studying the impact of AI on the labor market, outlines the research questions, and previews the structure of the report.

The literature review section reviews existing research on the effects of AI on employment and the labor market. It discusses the different perspectives on whether AI will create new jobs or lead to job displacement. It also explores the skills and education required for the future workforce.

This section explains the research methods used, such as data collection methods, sources, and analytical techniques. It outlines how data on AI adoption, job displacement, and future job projections were gathered and analyzed.

The results section presents the key findings of the study. It includes data on the extent of AI adoption across industries, job displacement rates, and projections for AI-related occupations.

The discussion section interprets the results in the context of the research questions. It analyzes the potential benefits and challenges AI poses for the labor market, discusses policy implications, and explores the role of education and training in preparing the workforce for the AI era.

In conclusion, this research highlights the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the labor market. While AI brings opportunities for innovation and efficiency, it also presents challenges related to job displacement and workforce adaptation. Preparing for this evolving job landscape is crucial for individuals and policymakers.

Given below are various types of research reports writing that researchers and organizations use to present findings, progress, and other information.

Here is why the different types of research reports are important.

• Research reports are a primary means of sharing new knowledge and insights with the academic and scientific community. They contribute to the growth of human understanding in various fields.
• They provide a detailed and structured account of the research process, including methods, data, analysis, and conclusions. This documentation is crucial for transparency, replication, and future reference.
• These reports hold researchers accountable for their work. They provide a transparent record of the study, allowing others to assess the validity and reliability of the research.
• These often influence policy decisions, business strategies, and practical applications. For instance, medical research informs healthcare practices, while market research guides business decisions.

Listed below are some limitations of different types of research reports.

• Research reports can be influenced by the researcher’s biases, preferences, or the funder’s interests. It’s essential to assess the methodology critically.
• Findings in research reports may not always be directly applicable to other contexts or populations.
• Certain research reports are not available to everyone due to several barriers, making it hard for people to access important information.
• The process of conducting research, writing a report, and getting it published can be time-consuming.

Final Thoughts

Different types of research reports are important for sharing knowledge, making smart choices, and moving forward in different areas of study. It’s vital for both researchers and those who use research to grasp the different kinds of reports, what goes into them, and why they matter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Are research reports the same as research papers? Answer: Research reports and research papers share similarities but have distinct purposes and structures. Research papers are often more academic and can vary in structure, while research reports are typically more structured and cater to a broader audience.

Q2. How do I choose the right type of research report for my study? Answer: The choice of research report type depends on your research goals, audience, and the nature of your study. Consider whether you are conducting scientific research, market analysis, academic research, or policy analysis, and select the format that aligns with your objectives.

Q3. Can research reports be used as references in other research reports? Answer: Yes, research reports can be cited and used as references in other research reports as long as they are credible sources. Citing previous research reports adds depth and credibility to your work.

Recommended Articles

This article lists all the types of research reports available for research methodologies. We have also included its format, example, and several report-writing methods. For similar articles, you can check the following articles,

• Types of Research Methodology
• Types of Quantitative Research
• Quantitative Research Examples
• What is Qualitative Data Analysis

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Home Market Research

Research Reports: Definition and How to Write Them

Reports are usually spread across a vast horizon of topics but are focused on communicating information about a particular topic and a niche target market. The primary motive of research reports is to convey integral details about a study for marketers to consider while designing new strategies.

Certain events, facts, and other information based on incidents need to be relayed to the people in charge, and creating research reports is the most effective communication tool. Ideal research reports are extremely accurate in the offered information with a clear objective and conclusion. These reports should have a clean and structured format to relay information effectively.

What are Research Reports?

Research reports are recorded data prepared by researchers or statisticians after analyzing the information gathered by conducting organized research, typically in the form of surveys or qualitative methods .

A research report is a reliable source to recount details about a conducted research. It is most often considered to be a true testimony of all the work done to garner specificities of research.

The various sections of a research report are:

• Background/Introduction
• Implemented Methods
• Results based on Analysis
• Deliberation

Learn more: Quantitative Research

Components of Research Reports

Research is imperative for launching a new product/service or a new feature. The markets today are extremely volatile and competitive due to new entrants every day who may or may not provide effective products. An organization needs to make the right decisions at the right time to be relevant in such a market with updated products that suffice customer demands.

The details of a research report may change with the purpose of research but the main components of a report will remain constant. The research approach of the market researcher also influences the style of writing reports. Here are seven main components of a productive research report:

• Research Report Summary: The entire objective along with the overview of research are to be included in a summary which is a couple of paragraphs in length. All the multiple components of the research are explained in brief under the report summary.  It should be interesting enough to capture all the key elements of the report.
• Research Introduction: There always is a primary goal that the researcher is trying to achieve through a report. In the introduction section, he/she can cover answers related to this goal and establish a thesis which will be included to strive and answer it in detail.  This section should answer an integral question: “What is the current situation of the goal?”.  After the research design was conducted, did the organization conclude the goal successfully or they are still a work in progress –  provide such details in the introduction part of the research report.
• Research Methodology: This is the most important section of the report where all the important information lies. The readers can gain data for the topic along with analyzing the quality of provided content and the research can also be approved by other market researchers . Thus, this section needs to be highly informative with each aspect of research discussed in detail.  Information needs to be expressed in chronological order according to its priority and importance. Researchers should include references in case they gained information from existing techniques.
• Research Results: A short description of the results along with calculations conducted to achieve the goal will form this section of results. Usually, the exposition after data analysis is carried out in the discussion part of the report.

Learn more: Quantitative Data

• Research Discussion: The results are discussed in extreme detail in this section along with a comparative analysis of reports that could probably exist in the same domain. Any abnormality uncovered during research will be deliberated in the discussion section.  While writing research reports, the researcher will have to connect the dots on how the results will be applicable in the real world.
• Research References and Conclusion: Conclude all the research findings along with mentioning each and every author, article or any content piece from where references were taken.

Learn more: Qualitative Observation

15 Tips for Writing Research Reports

Writing research reports in the manner can lead to all the efforts going down the drain. Here are 15 tips for writing impactful research reports:

• Prepare the context before starting to write and start from the basics:  This was always taught to us in school – be well-prepared before taking a plunge into new topics. The order of survey questions might not be the ideal or most effective order for writing research reports. The idea is to start with a broader topic and work towards a more specific one and focus on a conclusion or support, which a research should support with the facts.  The most difficult thing to do in reporting, without a doubt is to start. Start with the title, the introduction, then document the first discoveries and continue from that. Once the marketers have the information well documented, they can write a general conclusion.
• Keep the target audience in mind while selecting a format that is clear, logical and obvious to them:  Will the research reports be presented to decision makers or other researchers? What are the general perceptions around that topic? This requires more care and diligence. A researcher will need a significant amount of information to start writing the research report. Be consistent with the wording, the numbering of the annexes and so on. Follow the approved format of the company for the delivery of research reports and demonstrate the integrity of the project with the objectives of the company.
• Have a clear research objective: A researcher should read the entire proposal again, and make sure that the data they provide contributes to the objectives that were raised from the beginning. Remember that speculations are for conversations, not for research reports, if a researcher speculates, they directly question their own research.
• Establish a working model:  Each study must have an internal logic, which will have to be established in the report and in the evidence. The researchers’ worst nightmare is to be required to write research reports and realize that key questions were not included.

Learn more: Quantitative Observation

• Gather all the information about the research topic. Who are the competitors of our customers? Talk to other researchers who have studied the subject of research, know the language of the industry. Misuse of the terms can discourage the readers of research reports from reading further.
• Read aloud while writing. While reading the report, if the researcher hears something inappropriate, for example, if they stumble over the words when reading them, surely the reader will too. If the researcher can’t put an idea in a single sentence, then it is very long and they must change it so that the idea is clear to everyone.
• Check grammar and spelling. Without a doubt, good practices help to understand the report. Use verbs in the present tense. Consider using the present tense, which makes the results sound more immediate. Find new words and other ways of saying things. Have fun with the language whenever possible.
• Discuss only the discoveries that are significant. If some data are not really significant, do not mention them. Remember that not everything is truly important or essential within research reports.

Learn more: Qualitative Data

• Try and stick to the survey questions. For example, do not say that the people surveyed “were worried” about an research issue , when there are different degrees of concern.
• The graphs must be clear enough so that they understand themselves. Do not let graphs lead the reader to make mistakes: give them a title, include the indications, the size of the sample, and the correct wording of the question.
• Be clear with messages. A researcher should always write every section of the report with an accuracy of details and language.
• Be creative with titles – Particularly in segmentation studies choose names “that give life to research”. Such names can survive for a long time after the initial investigation.
• Create an effective conclusion: The conclusion in the research reports is the most difficult to write, but it is an incredible opportunity to excel. Make a precise summary. Sometimes it helps to start the conclusion with something specific, then it describes the most important part of the study, and finally, it provides the implications of the conclusions.
• Get a couple more pair of eyes to read the report. Writers have trouble detecting their own mistakes. But they are responsible for what is presented. Ensure it has been approved by colleagues or friends before sending the find draft out.

Learn more: Market Research and Analysis

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Uncomplicated Reviews of Educational Research Methods

• Writing a Research Report

.pdf version of this page

This review covers the basic elements of a research report. This is a general guide for what you will see in journal articles or dissertations. This format assumes a mixed methods study, but you can leave out either quantitative or qualitative sections if you only used a single methodology.

This review is divided into sections for easy reference. There are five MAJOR parts of a Research Report:

1.    Introduction 2.    Review of Literature 3.    Methods 4.    Results 5.    Discussion

As a general guide, the Introduction, Review of Literature, and Methods should be about 1/3 of your paper, Discussion 1/3, then Results 1/3.

Section 1 : Cover Sheet (APA format cover sheet) optional, if required.

Section 2: Abstract (a basic summary of the report, including sample, treatment, design, results, and implications) (≤ 150 words) optional, if required.

Section 3 : Introduction (1-3 paragraphs) •    Basic introduction •    Supportive statistics (can be from periodicals) •    Statement of Purpose •    Statement of Significance

Section 4 : Research question(s) or hypotheses •    An overall research question (optional) •    A quantitative-based (hypotheses) •    A qualitative-based (research questions) Note: You will generally have more than one, especially if using hypotheses.

Section 5: Review of Literature ▪    Should be organized by subheadings ▪    Should adequately support your study using supporting, related, and/or refuting evidence ▪    Is a synthesis, not a collection of individual summaries

Section 6: Methods ▪    Procedure: Describe data gathering or participant recruitment, including IRB approval ▪    Sample: Describe the sample or dataset, including basic demographics ▪    Setting: Describe the setting, if applicable (generally only in qualitative designs) ▪    Treatment: If applicable, describe, in detail, how you implemented the treatment ▪    Instrument: Describe, in detail, how you implemented the instrument; Describe the reliability and validity associated with the instrument ▪    Data Analysis: Describe type of procedure (t-test, interviews, etc.) and software (if used)

Section 7: Results ▪    Restate Research Question 1 (Quantitative) ▪    Describe results ▪    Restate Research Question 2 (Qualitative) ▪    Describe results

Section 8: Discussion ▪    Restate Overall Research Question ▪    Describe how the results, when taken together, answer the overall question ▪    ***Describe how the results confirm or contrast the literature you reviewed

Section 9: Recommendations (if applicable, generally related to practice)

Section 10: Limitations ▪    Discuss, in several sentences, the limitations of this study. ▪    Research Design (overall, then info about the limitations of each separately) ▪    Sample ▪    Instrument/s ▪    Other limitations

Section 11: Conclusion (A brief closing summary)

Section 12: References (APA format)

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About research rundowns.

Research Rundowns was made possible by support from the Dewar College of Education at Valdosta State University .

• Experimental Design
• What is Educational Research?
• Writing Research Questions
• Mixed Methods Research Designs
• Qualitative Coding & Analysis
• Qualitative Research Design
• Correlation
• Effect Size
• Instrument, Validity, Reliability
• Mean & Standard Deviation
• Significance Testing (t-tests)
• Steps 1-4: Finding Research
• Steps 5-6: Analyzing & Organizing
• Steps 7-9: Citing & Writing

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Chapter 11: Presenting Your Research

Writing a Research Report in American Psychological Association (APA) Style

Learning Objectives

• Identify the major sections of an APA-style research report and the basic contents of each section.
• Plan and write an effective APA-style research report.

In this section, we look at how to write an APA-style empirical research report , an article that presents the results of one or more new studies. Recall that the standard sections of an empirical research report provide a kind of outline. Here we consider each of these sections in detail, including what information it contains, how that information is formatted and organized, and tips for writing each section. At the end of this section is a sample APA-style research report that illustrates many of these principles.

Sections of a Research Report

Title page and abstract.

An APA-style research report begins with a  title page . The title is centred in the upper half of the page, with each important word capitalized. The title should clearly and concisely (in about 12 words or fewer) communicate the primary variables and research questions. This sometimes requires a main title followed by a subtitle that elaborates on the main title, in which case the main title and subtitle are separated by a colon. Here are some titles from recent issues of professional journals published by the American Psychological Association.

• Sex Differences in Coping Styles and Implications for Depressed Mood
• Effects of Aging and Divided Attention on Memory for Items and Their Contexts
• Computer-Assisted Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Child Anxiety: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial
• Virtual Driving and Risk Taking: Do Racing Games Increase Risk-Taking Cognitions, Affect, and Behaviour?

Below the title are the authors’ names and, on the next line, their institutional affiliation—the university or other institution where the authors worked when they conducted the research. As we have already seen, the authors are listed in an order that reflects their contribution to the research. When multiple authors have made equal contributions to the research, they often list their names alphabetically or in a randomly determined order.

In some areas of psychology, the titles of many empirical research reports are informal in a way that is perhaps best described as “cute.” They usually take the form of a play on words or a well-known expression that relates to the topic under study. Here are some examples from recent issues of the Journal Psychological Science .

• “Smells Like Clean Spirit: Nonconscious Effects of Scent on Cognition and Behavior”
• “Time Crawls: The Temporal Resolution of Infants’ Visual Attention”
• “Scent of a Woman: Men’s Testosterone Responses to Olfactory Ovulation Cues”
• “Apocalypse Soon?: Dire Messages Reduce Belief in Global Warming by Contradicting Just-World Beliefs”
• “Serial vs. Parallel Processing: Sometimes They Look Like Tweedledum and Tweedledee but They Can (and Should) Be Distinguished”
• “How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Words: The Social Effects of Expressive Writing”

Individual researchers differ quite a bit in their preference for such titles. Some use them regularly, while others never use them. What might be some of the pros and cons of using cute article titles?

For articles that are being submitted for publication, the title page also includes an author note that lists the authors’ full institutional affiliations, any acknowledgments the authors wish to make to agencies that funded the research or to colleagues who commented on it, and contact information for the authors. For student papers that are not being submitted for publication—including theses—author notes are generally not necessary.

The  abstract  is a summary of the study. It is the second page of the manuscript and is headed with the word  Abstract . The first line is not indented. The abstract presents the research question, a summary of the method, the basic results, and the most important conclusions. Because the abstract is usually limited to about 200 words, it can be a challenge to write a good one.

Introduction

The  introduction  begins on the third page of the manuscript. The heading at the top of this page is the full title of the manuscript, with each important word capitalized as on the title page. The introduction includes three distinct subsections, although these are typically not identified by separate headings. The opening introduces the research question and explains why it is interesting, the literature review discusses relevant previous research, and the closing restates the research question and comments on the method used to answer it.

The Opening

The  opening , which is usually a paragraph or two in length, introduces the research question and explains why it is interesting. To capture the reader’s attention, researcher Daryl Bem recommends starting with general observations about the topic under study, expressed in ordinary language (not technical jargon)—observations that are about people and their behaviour (not about researchers or their research; Bem, 2003 [1] ). Concrete examples are often very useful here. According to Bem, this would be a poor way to begin a research report:

Festinger’s theory of cognitive dissonance received a great deal of attention during the latter part of the 20th century (p. 191)

The following would be much better:

The individual who holds two beliefs that are inconsistent with one another may feel uncomfortable. For example, the person who knows that he or she enjoys smoking but believes it to be unhealthy may experience discomfort arising from the inconsistency or disharmony between these two thoughts or cognitions. This feeling of discomfort was called cognitive dissonance by social psychologist Leon Festinger (1957), who suggested that individuals will be motivated to remove this dissonance in whatever way they can (p. 191).

After capturing the reader’s attention, the opening should go on to introduce the research question and explain why it is interesting. Will the answer fill a gap in the literature? Will it provide a test of an important theory? Does it have practical implications? Giving readers a clear sense of what the research is about and why they should care about it will motivate them to continue reading the literature review—and will help them make sense of it.

Breaking the Rules

Researcher Larry Jacoby reported several studies showing that a word that people see or hear repeatedly can seem more familiar even when they do not recall the repetitions—and that this tendency is especially pronounced among older adults. He opened his article with the following humourous anecdote:

A friend whose mother is suffering symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) tells the story of taking her mother to visit a nursing home, preliminary to her mother’s moving there. During an orientation meeting at the nursing home, the rules and regulations were explained, one of which regarded the dining room. The dining room was described as similar to a fine restaurant except that tipping was not required. The absence of tipping was a central theme in the orientation lecture, mentioned frequently to emphasize the quality of care along with the advantages of having paid in advance. At the end of the meeting, the friend’s mother was asked whether she had any questions. She replied that she only had one question: “Should I tip?” (Jacoby, 1999, p. 3)

Although both humour and personal anecdotes are generally discouraged in APA-style writing, this example is a highly effective way to start because it both engages the reader and provides an excellent real-world example of the topic under study.

The Literature Review

Immediately after the opening comes the  literature review , which describes relevant previous research on the topic and can be anywhere from several paragraphs to several pages in length. However, the literature review is not simply a list of past studies. Instead, it constitutes a kind of argument for why the research question is worth addressing. By the end of the literature review, readers should be convinced that the research question makes sense and that the present study is a logical next step in the ongoing research process.

Like any effective argument, the literature review must have some kind of structure. For example, it might begin by describing a phenomenon in a general way along with several studies that demonstrate it, then describing two or more competing theories of the phenomenon, and finally presenting a hypothesis to test one or more of the theories. Or it might describe one phenomenon, then describe another phenomenon that seems inconsistent with the first one, then propose a theory that resolves the inconsistency, and finally present a hypothesis to test that theory. In applied research, it might describe a phenomenon or theory, then describe how that phenomenon or theory applies to some important real-world situation, and finally suggest a way to test whether it does, in fact, apply to that situation.

Looking at the literature review in this way emphasizes a few things. First, it is extremely important to start with an outline of the main points that you want to make, organized in the order that you want to make them. The basic structure of your argument, then, should be apparent from the outline itself. Second, it is important to emphasize the structure of your argument in your writing. One way to do this is to begin the literature review by summarizing your argument even before you begin to make it. “In this article, I will describe two apparently contradictory phenomena, present a new theory that has the potential to resolve the apparent contradiction, and finally present a novel hypothesis to test the theory.” Another way is to open each paragraph with a sentence that summarizes the main point of the paragraph and links it to the preceding points. These opening sentences provide the “transitions” that many beginning researchers have difficulty with. Instead of beginning a paragraph by launching into a description of a previous study, such as “Williams (2004) found that…,” it is better to start by indicating something about why you are describing this particular study. Here are some simple examples:

Another example of this phenomenon comes from the work of Williams (2004).

Williams (2004) offers one explanation of this phenomenon.

An alternative perspective has been provided by Williams (2004).

We used a method based on the one used by Williams (2004).

Finally, remember that your goal is to construct an argument for why your research question is interesting and worth addressing—not necessarily why your favourite answer to it is correct. In other words, your literature review must be balanced. If you want to emphasize the generality of a phenomenon, then of course you should discuss various studies that have demonstrated it. However, if there are other studies that have failed to demonstrate it, you should discuss them too. Or if you are proposing a new theory, then of course you should discuss findings that are consistent with that theory. However, if there are other findings that are inconsistent with it, again, you should discuss them too. It is acceptable to argue that the  balance  of the research supports the existence of a phenomenon or is consistent with a theory (and that is usually the best that researchers in psychology can hope for), but it is not acceptable to  ignore contradictory evidence. Besides, a large part of what makes a research question interesting is uncertainty about its answer.

The Closing

The  closing  of the introduction—typically the final paragraph or two—usually includes two important elements. The first is a clear statement of the main research question or hypothesis. This statement tends to be more formal and precise than in the opening and is often expressed in terms of operational definitions of the key variables. The second is a brief overview of the method and some comment on its appropriateness. Here, for example, is how Darley and Latané (1968) [2] concluded the introduction to their classic article on the bystander effect:

These considerations lead to the hypothesis that the more bystanders to an emergency, the less likely, or the more slowly, any one bystander will intervene to provide aid. To test this proposition it would be necessary to create a situation in which a realistic “emergency” could plausibly occur. Each subject should also be blocked from communicating with others to prevent his getting information about their behaviour during the emergency. Finally, the experimental situation should allow for the assessment of the speed and frequency of the subjects’ reaction to the emergency. The experiment reported below attempted to fulfill these conditions. (p. 378)

Thus the introduction leads smoothly into the next major section of the article—the method section.

The  method section  is where you describe how you conducted your study. An important principle for writing a method section is that it should be clear and detailed enough that other researchers could replicate the study by following your “recipe.” This means that it must describe all the important elements of the study—basic demographic characteristics of the participants, how they were recruited, whether they were randomly assigned, how the variables were manipulated or measured, how counterbalancing was accomplished, and so on. At the same time, it should avoid irrelevant details such as the fact that the study was conducted in Classroom 37B of the Industrial Technology Building or that the questionnaire was double-sided and completed using pencils.

The method section begins immediately after the introduction ends with the heading “Method” (not “Methods”) centred on the page. Immediately after this is the subheading “Participants,” left justified and in italics. The participants subsection indicates how many participants there were, the number of women and men, some indication of their age, other demographics that may be relevant to the study, and how they were recruited, including any incentives given for participation.

After the participants section, the structure can vary a bit. Figure 11.1 shows three common approaches. In the first, the participants section is followed by a design and procedure subsection, which describes the rest of the method. This works well for methods that are relatively simple and can be described adequately in a few paragraphs. In the second approach, the participants section is followed by separate design and procedure subsections. This works well when both the design and the procedure are relatively complicated and each requires multiple paragraphs.

What is the difference between design and procedure? The design of a study is its overall structure. What were the independent and dependent variables? Was the independent variable manipulated, and if so, was it manipulated between or within subjects? How were the variables operationally defined? The procedure is how the study was carried out. It often works well to describe the procedure in terms of what the participants did rather than what the researchers did. For example, the participants gave their informed consent, read a set of instructions, completed a block of four practice trials, completed a block of 20 test trials, completed two questionnaires, and were debriefed and excused.

In the third basic way to organize a method section, the participants subsection is followed by a materials subsection before the design and procedure subsections. This works well when there are complicated materials to describe. This might mean multiple questionnaires, written vignettes that participants read and respond to, perceptual stimuli, and so on. The heading of this subsection can be modified to reflect its content. Instead of “Materials,” it can be “Questionnaires,” “Stimuli,” and so on.

The  results section  is where you present the main results of the study, including the results of the statistical analyses. Although it does not include the raw data—individual participants’ responses or scores—researchers should save their raw data and make them available to other researchers who request them. Several journals now encourage the open sharing of raw data online.

Although there are no standard subsections, it is still important for the results section to be logically organized. Typically it begins with certain preliminary issues. One is whether any participants or responses were excluded from the analyses and why. The rationale for excluding data should be described clearly so that other researchers can decide whether it is appropriate. A second preliminary issue is how multiple responses were combined to produce the primary variables in the analyses. For example, if participants rated the attractiveness of 20 stimulus people, you might have to explain that you began by computing the mean attractiveness rating for each participant. Or if they recalled as many items as they could from study list of 20 words, did you count the number correctly recalled, compute the percentage correctly recalled, or perhaps compute the number correct minus the number incorrect? A third preliminary issue is the reliability of the measures. This is where you would present test-retest correlations, Cronbach’s α, or other statistics to show that the measures are consistent across time and across items. A final preliminary issue is whether the manipulation was successful. This is where you would report the results of any manipulation checks.

The results section should then tackle the primary research questions, one at a time. Again, there should be a clear organization. One approach would be to answer the most general questions and then proceed to answer more specific ones. Another would be to answer the main question first and then to answer secondary ones. Regardless, Bem (2003) [3] suggests the following basic structure for discussing each new result:

• Remind the reader of the research question.
• Give the answer to the research question in words.
• Present the relevant statistics.
• Qualify the answer if necessary.
• Summarize the result.

Notice that only Step 3 necessarily involves numbers. The rest of the steps involve presenting the research question and the answer to it in words. In fact, the basic results should be clear even to a reader who skips over the numbers.

The  discussion  is the last major section of the research report. Discussions usually consist of some combination of the following elements:

• Summary of the research
• Theoretical implications
• Practical implications
• Limitations
• Suggestions for future research

The discussion typically begins with a summary of the study that provides a clear answer to the research question. In a short report with a single study, this might require no more than a sentence. In a longer report with multiple studies, it might require a paragraph or even two. The summary is often followed by a discussion of the theoretical implications of the research. Do the results provide support for any existing theories? If not, how  can  they be explained? Although you do not have to provide a definitive explanation or detailed theory for your results, you at least need to outline one or more possible explanations. In applied research—and often in basic research—there is also some discussion of the practical implications of the research. How can the results be used, and by whom, to accomplish some real-world goal?

The theoretical and practical implications are often followed by a discussion of the study’s limitations. Perhaps there are problems with its internal or external validity. Perhaps the manipulation was not very effective or the measures not very reliable. Perhaps there is some evidence that participants did not fully understand their task or that they were suspicious of the intent of the researchers. Now is the time to discuss these issues and how they might have affected the results. But do not overdo it. All studies have limitations, and most readers will understand that a different sample or different measures might have produced different results. Unless there is good reason to think they  would have, however, there is no reason to mention these routine issues. Instead, pick two or three limitations that seem like they could have influenced the results, explain how they could have influenced the results, and suggest ways to deal with them.

Most discussions end with some suggestions for future research. If the study did not satisfactorily answer the original research question, what will it take to do so? What  new  research questions has the study raised? This part of the discussion, however, is not just a list of new questions. It is a discussion of two or three of the most important unresolved issues. This means identifying and clarifying each question, suggesting some alternative answers, and even suggesting ways they could be studied.

Finally, some researchers are quite good at ending their articles with a sweeping or thought-provoking conclusion. Darley and Latané (1968) [4] , for example, ended their article on the bystander effect by discussing the idea that whether people help others may depend more on the situation than on their personalities. Their final sentence is, “If people understand the situational forces that can make them hesitate to intervene, they may better overcome them” (p. 383). However, this kind of ending can be difficult to pull off. It can sound overreaching or just banal and end up detracting from the overall impact of the article. It is often better simply to end when you have made your final point (although you should avoid ending on a limitation).

The references section begins on a new page with the heading “References” centred at the top of the page. All references cited in the text are then listed in the format presented earlier. They are listed alphabetically by the last name of the first author. If two sources have the same first author, they are listed alphabetically by the last name of the second author. If all the authors are the same, then they are listed chronologically by the year of publication. Everything in the reference list is double-spaced both within and between references.

Appendices, Tables, and Figures

Appendices, tables, and figures come after the references. An  appendix  is appropriate for supplemental material that would interrupt the flow of the research report if it were presented within any of the major sections. An appendix could be used to present lists of stimulus words, questionnaire items, detailed descriptions of special equipment or unusual statistical analyses, or references to the studies that are included in a meta-analysis. Each appendix begins on a new page. If there is only one, the heading is “Appendix,” centred at the top of the page. If there is more than one, the headings are “Appendix A,” “Appendix B,” and so on, and they appear in the order they were first mentioned in the text of the report.

After any appendices come tables and then figures. Tables and figures are both used to present results. Figures can also be used to illustrate theories (e.g., in the form of a flowchart), display stimuli, outline procedures, and present many other kinds of information. Each table and figure appears on its own page. Tables are numbered in the order that they are first mentioned in the text (“Table 1,” “Table 2,” and so on). Figures are numbered the same way (“Figure 1,” “Figure 2,” and so on). A brief explanatory title, with the important words capitalized, appears above each table. Each figure is given a brief explanatory caption, where (aside from proper nouns or names) only the first word of each sentence is capitalized. More details on preparing APA-style tables and figures are presented later in the book.

Sample APA-Style Research Report

Figures 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, and 11.5 show some sample pages from an APA-style empirical research report originally written by undergraduate student Tomoe Suyama at California State University, Fresno. The main purpose of these figures is to illustrate the basic organization and formatting of an APA-style empirical research report, although many high-level and low-level style conventions can be seen here too.

Key Takeaways

• An APA-style empirical research report consists of several standard sections. The main ones are the abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion, and references.
• The introduction consists of an opening that presents the research question, a literature review that describes previous research on the topic, and a closing that restates the research question and comments on the method. The literature review constitutes an argument for why the current study is worth doing.
• The method section describes the method in enough detail that another researcher could replicate the study. At a minimum, it consists of a participants subsection and a design and procedure subsection.
• The results section describes the results in an organized fashion. Each primary result is presented in terms of statistical results but also explained in words.
• The discussion typically summarizes the study, discusses theoretical and practical implications and limitations of the study, and offers suggestions for further research.
• Practice: Look through an issue of a general interest professional journal (e.g.,  Psychological Science ). Read the opening of the first five articles and rate the effectiveness of each one from 1 ( very ineffective ) to 5 ( very effective ). Write a sentence or two explaining each rating.
• Practice: Find a recent article in a professional journal and identify where the opening, literature review, and closing of the introduction begin and end.
• Practice: Find a recent article in a professional journal and highlight in a different colour each of the following elements in the discussion: summary, theoretical implications, practical implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research.

Long Descriptions

Figure 11.1 long description: Table showing three ways of organizing an APA-style method section.

In the simple method, there are two subheadings: “Participants” (which might begin “The participants were…”) and “Design and procedure” (which might begin “There were three conditions…”).

In the typical method, there are three subheadings: “Participants” (“The participants were…”), “Design” (“There were three conditions…”), and “Procedure” (“Participants viewed each stimulus on the computer screen…”).

In the complex method, there are four subheadings: “Participants” (“The participants were…”), “Materials” (“The stimuli were…”), “Design” (“There were three conditions…”), and “Procedure” (“Participants viewed each stimulus on the computer screen…”). [Return to Figure 11.1]

• Bem, D. J. (2003). Writing the empirical journal article. In J. M. Darley, M. P. Zanna, & H. R. Roediger III (Eds.),  The compleat academic: A practical guide for the beginning social scientist  (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. ↵
• Darley, J. M., & Latané, B. (1968). Bystander intervention in emergencies: Diffusion of responsibility.  Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 4 , 377–383. ↵

A type of research article which describes one or more new empirical studies conducted by the authors.

The page at the beginning of an APA-style research report containing the title of the article, the authors’ names, and their institutional affiliation.

A summary of a research study.

The third page of a manuscript containing the research question, the literature review, and comments about how to answer the research question.

An introduction to the research question and explanation for why this question is interesting.

A description of relevant previous research on the topic being discusses and an argument for why the research is worth addressing.

The end of the introduction, where the research question is reiterated and the method is commented upon.

The section of a research report where the method used to conduct the study is described.

The main results of the study, including the results from statistical analyses, are presented in a research article.

Section of a research report that summarizes the study's results and interprets them by referring back to the study's theoretical background.

Part of a research report which contains supplemental material.

Research Methods in Psychology - 2nd Canadian Edition Copyright © 2015 by Paul C. Price, Rajiv Jhangiani, & I-Chant A. Chiang is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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14 Types of Reports and When to Use Them (+ Templates)

Written by: Raja Mandal

Reporting is an essential part of business. In order to provide sophisticated and innovative reporting and analysis for your business or organization, you need to understand the various types of reports and when you'll need to use them. 

Simply knowing how to write a report isn't enough. The right types of reports significantly impact an organization, fundamentally changing the way people perform their activities and make decisions. 

However, deciding on a report is still a daunting task for many organizations. In this guide, we've put together a list of 14 types of reports and when you should use them.

Since you're here reading this, we're assuming you likely need to write a report. So, before we dive into the various types of reports, you can check out our handy guide on the proper report writing format to get started with your report writing process. 

Here’s a short selection of 8 easy-to-edit report templates you can edit, share and download with Visme. View more templates below:

Type #1: Annual Report

An annual report is an in-depth, comprehensive report on a business's achievements and financial statements from the preceding year. The first few pages of the report contain an eye-catching design and an overview of the organization's past year's activities and include future schemes. 

Organizations use this report to give shareholders and other interested people information about the company's activities and financial performance. 

Sometimes, jurisdictions require organizations to create and disclose annual reports, making it the most important one in this list. 

You can use this type of report to:

• Share an overview of the recent financial performance of your company
• Market and promote your business to prospective customers as well as investors and stakeholders
• Set goals and strategies for your business
• Build trust between your customers, suppliers and employees

Type #2: Weekly Report

A weekly report reviews a workweek that includes the works you have completed and ones that are still in progress to help you outline your workflow for the upcoming week. 

So, a weekly report is similar to an annual report. But while annual reports give an overview of a year, weekly reports provide a snapshot of a week. 

It allows the management team to take a quick look at what the employees are doing, including their challenges, strengths and weaknesses. On the flip side, the report can give the employees an idea of their role in the organization. 

Use this report when you want to:

• Get a clear picture of your organization on a weekly basis
• Help your team members learn how to do their work in the best way possible
• Improve communication by regularly checking on people
• Make your annual reports less stressful to prepare
• Set your goals and achieve them easily

Type #3: Sales Report

As the name suggests, sales reports are submitted by salespeople to the team to inform them about the on-field scenarios. In other words, a sales report is a document that summarizes the sales performance of a company over a specific period. 

The report includes data on leads generated, new accounts, revenue, sales volume, KPIs and many other crucial ones. Furthermore, it helps you take out the guesswork from your business decisions, giving you a clear view of the sales process of your business. 

One of the crucial benefits these types of reports provide is that you can set them to various frequencies and key performance indicators. Here are some examples:

Daily Sales Reports

Track KPIs such as daily sales calls, leads generated and many others. Here is an example template:

Monthly Sales Report

A monthly sales report helps you share the highlights, metrics and insights about your customer base with your stakeholders. 

Quarterly Sales Report

With a quarterly sales report , you can summarize your weekly and monthly sales report on a quarterly basis.

Yearly Sales Report

A yearly sales report is a lengthy, detailed version of your quarterly sales report. Use this to summarize your business' yearly sales performance, just like an annual report. 

Type #4: Analytical Report

Over the past few decades, data analysis has become a vital part of business intelligence and standard industry practice. Statistics show that the annual revenue from the global big data analytics industry is expected to reach $68 billion by 2025 . This is because the majority of businesses are adjusting their strategies based on data-driven insights.

So, in this digital era, one can not imagine business growth without data analytics. This is where analytical reports come into the picture. An analytical report helps you evaluate business performance based on data insights. 

The best thing about these types of reports is that they provide you with recommendations instead of playing with numbers. 

Use this report when you need:

• A better understanding of your business performance
• To analyze and summarize a large amount of data about your business through data visualization
• To share complex data easily using charts and graphs 
• To identify problems in your business and explain how the problem affects

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Type #5: Marketing Report

If you're a marketer, you know that no matter how extraordinary your marketing campaign performed, you need to monitor every single aspect of your campaign. It will not only help you shape your marketing strategy but give the upper management all the relevant information they are looking for. 

Thus, making a marketing report is one of the key elements of every marketing strategy. A marketing report includes data from the marketing channels to visualize the overall performance of your campaign. 

In simple words, these types of reports help you understand whether the marketing strategies you currently use are doing well or not. 

Use marketing reports when you need to:

• Make marketing data-driven decisions
• Measure performance from all marketing campaigns
• Present the data to the senior management and other team members
• Highlight areas to improve

Type #6: Trends Report

Trends report, also known as trend analysis report, allows you to report on the standard up-to-the-minute state of business. Also, it helps you analyze day-to-day forecasts, cases and opportunities in your business process. 

It can tell you where your brand message is being heard, who is listening and how it affects your marketing efforts. These types of reports rely on statistics, surveys and sometimes electronic analytics. 

Trends reports can help you:

• Identify the areas where your business is performing well
• Identify the underperforming areas of your business
• Improve your decision making by providing real-time data

Type #7: Informal Report

As the name suggests, an informal report doesn't have any specific structure. They include a brief and unstructured description that can be crucial for a business. The primary purpose of these types of reports is to convey critical information quickly. 

Therefore, neglecting any formal structure in favor of efficient and effective communication motivates writing an informal report. These types of reports may include letters, emails, digital postings and many others. 

Use an informal report when you need to:

• Convey information to help in decision making quickly
• Focus on the data rather than the structure of the report
• Share critical information internally 
• Share information to change operational decisions quickly

Annual budget reports, monthly financial reports, scientific research and employee appraisals are some of the examples of informal reports. 

Type #8: Formal Report

Formal reports also have a similar purpose, but they can not sacrifice the structural format of business reports. They focus on objectivity, organization and contain detailed information, making them more time-consuming to prepare than the informal reports. 

Due to their precise nature often includes sections like a table of contents, executive summary, an overview of key findings, and others for easier reference. Also, unlike informal reports, these types of reports include conveying information to external parties. 

• Share critical and detailed information
• Educate your team members
• Provide information to stakeholders to make decisions

Type #9: Budget Report

A budget report compares the actual spending and the pre-established budget. It helps businesses greatly in making accurate and informed financial decisions. Creating a budget report is typically creating financial goals for the organization. 

Once businesses hit a specific accounting period, they can use a budget report to compare these milestones. However, the budget reports are only estimations and differ from the financial results. 

Use these types of reports to:

• Track spending variances
• Ensure you don't overspend
• Prepare yourself for emergencies
• Identify the losing holes
• Keep your eye on the financial goals

Type #10: Event Report

An event report is one of the essential tools to measure whether an event was successful by comparing the results with the objectives. If you are an event manager or event planner, an event report should be in your toolbox. 

Though an event report may have many forms, the primary purpose is to make the event successful. Moreover, you can think of it as a follow-up to an event proposal to know about the event goals, purpose, budget and many more. 

You can use this report to:

• Get a clear picture of how to close out the event
• Stay consistent with meeting and event goals
• Create a predictable revenue stream
• Better focus on marketing
• Get a bird's eye view of your entire event

Type #11: Project Report

Project reports contain information about the proposed project and all the relevant information. It provides a project's feasibility by detailing all the necessary information. 

It includes information about the project like introduction, executive summary, organization summary, project description, marketing plan, management plan, budget and many more. 

These types of reports are most useful when you want to show project stakeholders all the information relevant to your project to help them understand the benefits and drawbacks of the project. 

Use this report to:

• Get approval of the project
• Identify the risks and expected profitability
• Test business soundness
• Monitor the current progress and measure against the original schedule

Type #12: Research Report

A research report is a document prepared by experts to share their research findings. The primary purpose of a research report is to convey to the interested people the total result of the study. It's an effective way to document the research processes and find any gaps needing attention. 

Research reports include a summary of the research process, findings, recommendations and conclusions. A research report will help you quickly understand the market needs and peculiarities in marketing. 

Use this report when you want to: 

• Share knowledge
• Spot business opportunities
• Present information in a precise and concise manner
• Use objective data to make informed decisions
• Strengthen your credibility and reputation

Type #13: Meeting Minutes Report

Meeting minutes reports are the notes of actions taken during a business and organizational meeting. They are created by a person from the organization, such as a secretary or a manager and become a crucial meeting document. 

In some cases, meeting minutes reports are considered a legal document by the legal authorities. The primary purpose of these types of reports is to describe the actions taken by the meeting attendees. 

You can provide structure, offer legal protection, measure progress, determine ownership and many others with the help of these reports. 

Additionally, you can use these documents to:

• Inform the absent team members about the discussions and decisions made during the meeting
• Keep a record of the conversations for future reference
• Provide reminders of action steps
• Give an overview of the key takeaways from the information meetings

Type #14: Evaluation Report

An evaluation report is a document that summarizes the effectiveness of a product, service, or process according to a set of standards. An evaluation report helps you share key findings and recommendations with all the stakeholders in a business. 

Due to the complicated nature of these types of reports, they include an executive summary, background information, criterion definitions and overall results, giving your stakeholders the transparency they need to make informed decisions. 

Use an evaluation report to:

• Enhance the chance of achieving goals and objectives
• Determine the value for money of the stakeholders' investments
• Identify the areas that need to be improved 
• Confirm whether a certain component of the initiative work or not and why

Create Your Report With Visme

Designing a report from scratch can seem intimidating, especially if you don't have any graphic design experience. Fortunately, with Visme, you can still design various types of reports using the free online report maker . 

The friendly interface of the Visme report maker gives you a stress-free experience for designing your reports. Choose a report template, customize it according to your taste, download it and you are all set to go. You can create and customize Dynamic Fields to easily update information throughout your reports and other projects. 

Visme lets you publish your reports online, share them using an URL or embed them on your website from the application itself. 

Sign up for a free Visme account and start creating your reports now!

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Raja Antony Mandal is a Content Writer at Visme. He can quickly adapt to different writing styles, possess strong research skills, and know SEO fundamentals. Raja wants to share valuable information with his audience by telling captivating stories in his articles. He wants to travel and party a lot on the weekends, but his guitar, drum set, and volleyball court don’t let him.

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Engaging With Research

Common Types of Research Reports & Documents

Research is central to most work in STEM fields and you may often be required to conduct various types of research as part of your professional life.  Lab reports, recommendation reports, proposals, and white papers are just some of the professional documents that rely on research.  These are the kinds of documents that can help organizations make decisions, solicit new clients and contracts, and communicate with the public.

For more information on these common types of professional correspondence, see the Workplace Communications chapter.

A Guide to Technical Communications: Strategies & Applications Copyright © 2016 by Lynn Hall & Leah Wahlin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Blog Beginner Guides 17 Types of Reports for Reporting and Decision Making

17 Types of Reports for Reporting and Decision Making

Written by: Danesh Ramuthi Dec 22, 2023

Reports are indispensable tools for communication and analysis, providing structured and clear presentations of data, findings, and insights. 

The spectrum of report types is as diverse as their applications, ranging from analytical reports that offer deep insights into data, to informational reports that present facts in a straightforward manner. Other common types include feasibility reports, research reports, and progress reports, each designed to fulfill specific objectives in different professional contexts.

Recognizing the myriad types of reports and their applications is essential for effective communication and decision-making. While it’s challenging to pinpoint an exact number, the variety of reports is vast and continuously evolving to meet the dynamic needs of different industries and technological advancements. 

For professionals seeking to master the art of report writing, Venngage offers report maker and customizable report templates . These tools are tailored to facilitate the creation of professional, visually compelling reports, suitable for a wide range of report types. 

Table of content:

Formal reports

• InFormal reports

Internal reports

External reports, annual reports, monthly reports, weekly reports, daily reports, financial reports, incident reports, marketing reports, sales reports, progress reports, project status reports, survey reports, informational reports, analytical reports, final thoughts.

Formal reports are comprehensive documents often used in business and academic settings to convey detailed information, research findings, or recommendations. These reports are characterized by a structured format, including elements like a title page, table of contents, executive summary, and bibliography. 

Precision and clarity in language are essential, as formal reports are typically intended for stakeholders who make key decisions based on the data presented. They often include charts, graphs, and other visual aids to support the text, providing a thorough analysis of the topic at hand.

Informal reports

Informal reports are typically shorter and less structured than formal reports. They are used for routine communication within an organization, such as updates, brief summaries, or informal proposals . 

These reports are usually more conversational in tone, making them more accessible and easier to read. Informal reports may not require extensive data or research and often bypass elements like the title page or table of contents. They are an effective tool for quick and efficient communication of essential information within teams or departments.

Internal reports are documents used within an organization to share information, analyze operations, or make recommendations. They are intended for an internal audience, such as management, employees, or departments, and are not typically shared outside the organization. 

These reports can be formal or informal, depending on their purpose and audience. Internal reports play a crucial role in decision-making, problem-solving, and strategy development, providing valuable insights into various aspects of the organization’s functioning.

External reports are prepared with the intent of sharing information with parties outside of the organization, such as investors, clients, regulatory bodies, or the general public. These reports must be meticulously crafted, as they reflect the organization’s professionalism and credibility. 

They often include annual reports, financial statements, compliance reports, and research findings. External reports require accuracy and transparency, often following specific guidelines or standards set by external entities. 

The language and presentation of these reports are tailored to meet the expectations and requirements of the external audience.

Annual reports are comprehensive reflections of a year’s accomplishments, challenges, and financial health for businesses and organizations. These reports, often crafted with a blend of informational and analytical insights, provide a detailed overview of the year’s activities, including achievements, financial performance, and future projections. 

Key components like an executive summary, financial statements, and marketing strategies are presented in a formal report format, offering stakeholders an in-depth look at the organization’s progress. Annual reports not only serve as statutory documents but also as tools for strategic planning and investor relations, often accompanied by engaging graphics and narratives to highlight the year’s milestones.

Monthly reports offer a regular pulse check on a business’s operations, giving insights into ongoing projects, sales performance, and financial health. These reports typically combine data analysis and narrative to present a clear picture of the month’s activities. 

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are often highlighted to track progress against goals. Whether it’s a  monthly end-close  sales report, financial overview, or inventory status, these reports provide essential feedback to management, allowing for timely adjustments in strategies or operations. 

In businesses where rapid changes occur, such as sales or marketing departments, monthly reports and dashboards are invaluable tools for staying aligned with short-term objectives and long-term goals.

Weekly reports serve as a compass for short-term progress and immediate action in various business contexts. These brief yet insightful documents focus on key developments, challenges, and accomplishments over a week. 

They often include updates on project milestones, team performance, and any immediate issues needing attention. In fast-paced environments, weekly reports are crucial for maintaining momentum and ensuring team alignment. 

Typically informal in nature, these reports are designed for quick consumption and prompt decision-making, often utilized by teams to stay connected and informed about ongoing activities and impending deadlines.

Daily reports are snapshots of day-to-day operations, crucial for industries and roles where real-time information is pivotal. These reports , often succinct and to-the-point, cover essential activities, key metrics, and immediate concerns. 

From a daily sales report in a bustling retail environment to a project status update in a dynamic construction site, these reports provide a continuous stream of information for timely decision-making. They are instrumental in managing daily workflows, addressing urgent issues, and keeping all stakeholders in the loop. 

Daily reports, usually brief and focused, play a significant role in ensuring smooth daily operations and immediate response to any arising challenges.

In business, numbers tell a compelling story, particularly through financial reports . These documents are crucial in painting a detailed picture of a company’s financial health. They encompass various statements, including income, cash flow, and balance sheets, offering a window into profitability, liquidity, and financial stability. 

Key for stakeholders, from investors to managers, these reports inform critical decisions, shape financial strategies, and ensure regulatory compliance. The precision and detail in these reports are paramount, as they not only reflect current fiscal standing but also guide future financial planning.

When unexpected events occur, the clarity and detail provided in incident reports become invaluable. These documents meticulously record incidents, outlining the specifics of when, where, and how they unfolded, and the immediate response enacted. 

Essential in risk management, these reports aid in identifying causes, enhancing safety protocols, and preventing recurrence. 

Their factual and objective nature ensures a clear understanding of each incident, making them integral in maintaining safety standards and complying with legal and regulatory requirements.

The pulse of a company’s marketing efforts is captured in marketing reports . These analytical tools evaluate the effectiveness of marketing strategies, from consumer engagement to campaign returns. 

By tracking key metrics such as web traffic, lead generation, and social media activity, these reports offer a comprehensive view of marketing successes and areas for improvement. Regular analysis through these reports is crucial for adapting to market dynamics, optimizing marketing strategies, and ensuring effective allocation of marketing resources.

Within the world of commerce, sales reports serve as a navigator, guiding through the complex seas of sales data. These reports offer a panoramic view of sales performance, highlighting trends, customer preferences, and revenue streams.

Businesses rely on these reports to gauge product performance, identify market opportunities, and strategize for future sales growth. The insights gained from sales reports are instrumental in target setting, forecasting, and formulating tactics to enhance sales effectiveness.

The journey of a project, with its triumphs and challenges, is chronicled in progress reports . These documents offer a periodic snapshot of ongoing projects, detailing accomplishments, pending tasks, and hurdles encountered along the way. They serve as a communication bridge between project teams and stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment on project objectives and timelines. 

Effective progress reports are key in steering projects towards their successful completion, keeping all parties informed and engaged in the project’s journey.

When navigating the complexities of project management, project status reports act as essential beacons, illuminating the current state of affairs. These documents offer a snapshot of progress, detailing milestones achieved, upcoming tasks, and any roadblocks encountered. 

Vital for keeping stakeholders informed, they enable proactive decision-making and ensure that everyone involved has a clear understanding of the project’s trajectory.

Survey reports are invaluable tools, translating responses into meaningful insights. These reports compile and analyze survey data, providing a clear picture of public opinions, customer satisfaction, or market trends. The findings in these reports guide strategic planning, product development, and customer engagement strategies, making them crucial for informed decision-making in various sectors.

Serving as the foundation of effective communication in organizations, informational reports present facts and data in a straightforward manner. They are designed to inform, rather than persuade, providing clear and concise information on a specific topic, event, or situation. 

These reports are essential for keeping team members, management, and stakeholders updated on various aspects of business operations, without the inclusion of analysis or recommendations.

Analytical reports stand at the crossroads of data and decision-making. These documents delve deep into data, examining patterns, trends, and correlations to provide a comprehensive analysis. They play a pivotal role in guiding business,  HR strategies , policy-making, and problem-solving. 

By offering insights and recommendations based on thorough analysis, these reports are instrumental in enabling organizations to make well-informed decisions.

Related: 50+ Essential Business Report Examples with Templates

There are many types of reports, encompassing everything from formal to informal, internal to external, and from financial to marketing reports. Each type serves a unique purpose, catering to different needs within a business or educational context. Understanding these differences is key to creating reports that are not just informative but also impactful.

Financial reports require meticulous detail, while marketing reports thrive on creativity and analytics. Similarly, progress and project status reports are essential in keeping stakeholders informed and projects on track.

Creating these reports doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Venngage offers a versatile report maker and a variety of report templates , making it easier to design reports that are both professional and visually appealing. With Venngage’s tools at your disposal, you can transform data and information into compelling narratives that resonate with your audience.

Remember, the right report can not only convey essential information but also inspire action, guide decision-making, and reflect the health and progress of your endeavors. So, take advantage of the resources available to you and elevate your reporting to the next level with Venngage.

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Exploring different types of reports

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Reports are great for conveying complex information and data in a structured and organized manner. And there are many different types of reports that are widely used in business, education, healthcare, and other sectors. For example, in business, reports are used for performance analysis, financial statements, and project updates. However, in education, reports are vital for research findings and academic assessments. Overall, reports enable effective decision-making and communication within organizations. However, not all types of reports are created equally. To create a truly compelling and useful report , it’s essential to understand the different types of reporting and best practices for creating and designing reports. Also, it’s helpful to recognize how Infogram can elevate your reports through engaging visualizations.

In this article, we’re going to explore what are the different types of reports and what are the best practices for each of them. Also, we’re going to discuss how Infogram can help you create reports faster and better.

Click to jump ahead: Informative reports Analytical reports Research reports Progress reports Different types of reporting Elevating different types of reports with Infogram

Different types of reports

Informative reports.

Informative reports represent one of the most prominent and essential types of documentation across various fields. These reports are structured to offer a clear and direct presentation of information, making them highly valuable in academic, scientific, and business contexts. 

Key characteristics 

Objective presentation: Informative reports maintain objectivity by presenting information in a straightforward, unbiased manner. They avoid the use of opinion, focusing solely on verifiable facts and data.

Concise summarization: These reports aim to transform large amounts of information into a concise, easily digestible format. They are a valuable tool for shortening extensive research or complex data into a manageable form.

Structured format: Informative reports often follow a standardized structure, including sections such as an introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion. This structure helps to locate and understand key information efficiently.

Supporting visuals: The inclusion of charts, graphs, tables, and other visual aids can improve the clarity and impact of an informative report. Visual elements help readers understand complex data more quickly.

Use cases 

Informative reports serve various purposes across different domains:

Academic: In education, informative reports are commonly used to present research findings, summarize experiments, or provide data analysis. Students and researchers use these reports to communicate their work to peers and the academic community.

Scientific: In science, informative reports are vital for sharing research results, observations, and discoveries. Scientific journals often feature these reports to showcase new knowledge and advancements within a particular field.

Business: In business, informative reports are instrumental in decision-making. Market research, financial analysis, and performance reports are all examples of informative reports that help business leaders make informed choices and strategies.

Government and policy: Government agencies use informative reports to share data and insights with the public, legislators, and policymakers. These reports can influence important decisions, laws, and policies.

Healthcare and medicine: In healthcare, informative reports are crucial for presenting clinical trial results, medical research, and patient data. These reports inform healthcare professionals, researchers, and the public about medical advancements and best practices.

Best practices for creating informative reports

Clear language: Use clear, jargon-free language that your target audience can easily understand. Avoid technical terms or jargon that might be unfamiliar to your readers.

Logical structure: Follow a well-defined structure, typically starting with an introduction, followed by the main body, conclusions, and any necessary appendices.

Visual aids: Incorporate relevant visuals, such as graphs, charts, or images, to illustrate key points and enhance comprehension. To create highly effective visuals, use Infogram . 

Citations and references: Properly cite all sources and references used to maintain credibility and avoid plagiarism.

Proofreading: Thoroughly proofread your report to eliminate errors in grammar, spelling, and formatting.

Analytical reports

Analytical reports delve deeper into data analysis to draw conclusions and offer recommendations. These reports are vital for decision-makers across different fields, providing a profound understanding of complex issues and the insights necessary for making informed choices. 

Key characteristics

Data examination: Analytical reports begin with a thorough examination of data, often involving complex datasets. The aim is to convey information, identifying patterns, trends, and relationships among variables.

Conclusions and recommendations: Unlike informative reports, analytical reports don’t just present facts and data; they go further to draw conclusions and offer recommendations. These recommendations are grounded in data analysis and are crucial for informing decision-makers.

Multiple perspectives: Analytical reports often present multiple perspectives on an issue. They consider various factors and viewpoints, offering a holistic understanding of the subject matter.

Actionable insights: The primary goal of an analytical report is to provide insights that can guide decision-making. These insights should be practical and actionable, empowering stakeholders to make informed choices.

Contextualization: Analytical reports often provide context for the data presented. They explain why certain findings are significant and how they relate to the broader context or problem under consideration.

Analytical reports serve a wide range of purposes across different sectors:

Business and management: In the corporate world, analytical reports are useful for assessing market trends, financial performance, and operational efficiencies. They provide management with the insights needed to improve processes and make strategic decisions.

Policy and government: Government agencies use analytical reports to inform policy decisions. These reports assess the impact of existing policies, explore potential alternatives, and recommend the best course of action for societal issues.

Healthcare and medicine: In healthcare, analytical reports help healthcare administrators and policymakers make informed decisions about resource allocation, patient care, and public health strategies.

Environmental and scientific research: Analytical reports play an important role in analyzing research findings and drawing scientific conclusions. They are crucial for peer-reviewed publications and for advancing scientific knowledge.

Education: Educational institutions and policymakers use analytical reports to assess the effectiveness of teaching methods, educational programs, and policies.

Best practices for creating analytical reports

Data quality: Ensure that the data used in the report is accurate, reliable, and relevant. The analysis is only as good as the data it’s based on.

Clear structure: Organize the report logically, with a clear introduction, data analysis, conclusions, and actionable recommendations. Each section should flow smoothly, guiding the reader through the report.

Visual representation: Use visual aids, such as charts, graphs, and tables, to enhance data presentation and make complex information more accessible.

Causal relationships: If applicable, explore causal relationships and correlations within the data, providing a nuanced understanding of the subject matter.

Research reports

Research reports play an important role in communicating the outcomes of a research process or scientific experiments. These reports serve as a reservoir of knowledge, storing the details of a research process, from methodology to data analysis, and ultimately leading to well-communicated conclusions. 

Methodology detailing: Research reports outline the methods used in the research. This includes research design, data collection techniques, and any tools or instruments used. A clear methodology section is vital for understanding the study’s credibility and replicability.

Data analysis and interpretation: These reports offer a well-rounded analysis of the collected data. Researchers often use statistical or qualitative methods to interpret the information, providing insights into the relationships between variables and the significance of findings.

Conclusions and implications: Research reports present conclusions drawn from the data and analysis. These conclusions provide valuable insights into the research question or problem, shedding light on its implications for theory, practice, or further research.

Citations and references: Proper citations and references are crucial for the study. This enhances the credibility and scholarly integrity of the report.

Peer review and publication: Many research reports undergo rigorous peer review before being published in academic journals. Peer review ensures the quality and validity of the research, making it accessible to the wider scientific community.

Research reports serve a multitude of purposes across various domains:

Academic advancement: In academia, research reports are the backbone of knowledge. They contribute to the gathering of scientific knowledge, advance theories, and inform future research directions.

Scientific discovery: In the scientific community, research reports are crucial for documenting groundbreaking discoveries, experimental results, and innovations. These reports fuel scientific progress and underpin the development of new technologies.

Policy formation: Research reports provide evidence and insights that policymakers and government agencies use to formulate and revise policies. They inform decisions related to public health, education, environmental regulations, and more.

Corporate research and development: In the corporate world, research reports drive innovation and strategic decision-making. They help businesses identify market trends, improve products, and optimize operations.

Healthcare and medicine: Research reports in healthcare and medicine contribute to the development of medical treatments, inform clinical guidelines, and shape public health interventions.

Best practices for creating research reports

Comprehensive methodology: Describe the research methodology in precise detail, ensuring that other researchers can replicate the study. Transparency is essential for the credibility of the report.

Data integrity: Ensure the data collected is reliable and that the analysis methods are appropriate for the research question. 

Logical structure: Follow a structured format with sections for the introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. This provides a clear path for readers to follow.

Contributions to knowledge: Clearly outline how the research contributes to the existing body of knowledge. Discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the findings.

Peer review: Consider submitting the research report to peer-reviewed journals or seeking feedback from colleagues and mentors. Peer review helps ensure the quality and accuracy of the research.

Progress reports

Progress reports are key in project management, offering a dynamic snapshot of ongoing activities, projects, or initiatives. These reports are instrumental in tracking and communicating the status of a venture, helping stakeholders stay informed and make informed decisions.

Regular updates: Progress reports are typically issued at regular intervals, such as weekly, monthly, or quarterly. They serve as a means of consistent communication, ensuring that stakeholders are well-informed throughout the project’s duration.

Status overview: These reports provide a comprehensive overview of the project’s status, summarizing achievements, challenges, and milestones reached during the reporting period.

Issues and challenges: Progress reports include information about any issues, bottlenecks, or challenges that have arisen during the project. This transparency is essential for addressing problems in a timely manner.

Next steps: They outline the planned actions and goals for the next reporting period. This helps to understand the project’s trajectory and future objectives.

Visual representation: Using charts, graphs, and visuals can make the report more engaging and help stakeholders quickly grasp key information.

Progress reports serve a range of purposes across different spheres:

Project management: In project management, these reports help project managers keep stakeholders updated on the progress of various tasks and activities. This, in turn, supports effective decision-making and the timely resolution of issues.

Business operations: Businesses use progress reports to monitor the development of strategic initiatives, product launches, and performance metrics. These reports help leadership teams assess the effectiveness of their strategies.

Government and public projects: Government agencies use progress reports to inform the public and policymakers about the advancement of infrastructure projects, public programs, and policy implementations.

Academic and research projects: In the academic world, progress reports are critical for tracking research projects, grant-funded studies, and academic initiatives. They help researchers and institutions remain accountable for their work.

Nonprofit and NGO activities: Nonprofit organizations and NGOs use progress reports to demonstrate the impact of their work to donors, volunteers, and the communities they serve.

Best practices for creating progress reports

Clarity: Ensure the report is clear, concise, and easily understood. Use plain language and avoid unnecessary jargon or technical details.

Timeliness: Deliver progress reports on schedule to maintain trust and accountability.

Transparent reporting: Be honest about challenges and setbacks. Transparency fosters trust and allows stakeholders to offer support and guidance when needed.

Visual aids: Incorporate visuals like Gantt charts , progress bars , or infographics to make data more visually appealing and digestible. Interested in discovering how Infogram can enhance your team’s work? Join a brief Zoom session with our Customer Success Manager to explore key features, get answers to your questions, and understand how we can assist. It’s quick, informative, and just like a coffee-break chat. Schedule your call now!

The delivery methods: Different types of reporting

While reports themselves come in various formats depending on their content (informational, analytical, etc.), the way we deliver that information can also be categorized. Here’s a closer look at different types of reporting, along with examples:

Frequency-based reporting

Scheduled reporting: This is the bread and butter of reporting, delivering information at predefined intervals. Think of it like clockwork – you get your weekly sales report every Monday or your monthly inventory report on the first day of each month. For example, a company receives a quarterly financial performance report that analyzes revenue, expenses, and profitability.

Real-time reporting: This type of reporting provides up-to-the-minute insights, crucial for situations where immediate action is necessary. Imagine monitoring website traffic during a product launch – real-time reporting shows how many people are visiting and interacting with the site. 

Target audience-based reporting

Internal reporting: Internal type of reporting keeps colleagues within an organization informed. It might include project updates for team members or departmental performance reviews for managers. 

External reporting: This reporting disseminates information to people outside the organization, such as investors, regulators, or the public. External reports often adhere to stricter formatting guidelines and may require legal or financial disclosures. 

Ad-hoc vs. scheduled reporting

Ad-hoc reporting: This type of reporting responds to specific needs or situations and isn’t tied to a predetermined schedule. For example, imagine needing to analyze data for a specific product launch – you’d generate an ad-hoc report to answer your questions. 

Scheduled reporting (as mentioned above): This reporting delivers information at regular intervals, providing a consistent flow of data for analysis and decision-making.

Choosing the right type of reporting method

The best reporting method depends on the information you’re presenting and who you’re presenting it to. Scheduled reports keep everyone on the same page, while real-time reporting allows for immediate action. Internal reports can be more informal, while external reports need to adhere to specific standards.

By understanding these different types of reporting, you can choose the method that ensures your information reaches the right people at the right time, ultimately leading to better communication and informed decisions.

Elevating different types of reports with Infogram

Infogram is a powerful tool for creating visually appealing and engaging reports. Here’s how it can help:

Easy-to-use templates: Infogram offers a range of customizable templates for different report types, saving you time and ensuring a professional look. Also, make sure to take a look at the best report examples and get inspired to create your own!

Data visualization: Infogram enables you to create interactive and impactful data visualizations , including charts, maps , and infographics . The interactivity and visual appeal help convey complex information in a comprehensible and highly engaging manner.

Real-time updates: With real-time data integration , you can keep your reports up-to-date, making them even more valuable for decision-making.

Collaboration features: Collaborate with team members and stakeholders in real-time, streamlining the report creation process and ensuring input from all relevant parties. 

Note: To collaborate in real-time, you’ll need to have a team or higher plan. Check out what other features you can easily unlock with Infogram plans.

Shareability: Infogram makes it easy to share your reports online, embed them in websites, or export them in various formats, improving their accessibility and reach.

Different types of reports – one solution

Reports are vital tools for conveying information, insights, and data. Understanding the different types of reports and following best practices for creating and designing them is crucial for their effectiveness. Infogram takes report creation to the next level by offering tools for visually engaging and impactful data visualizations. By integrating Infogram into your report creation process, you can create reports that not only inform but also captivate your audience. So, harness the power of reports and elevate your data storytelling with Infogram. Start creating today!

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• Research Report
• Post last modified: 11 January 2022
• Reading time: 25 mins read
• Post category: Research Methodology

What is Research Report?

Research reporting is the oral or written presentation of the findings in such detail and form as to be readily understood and assessed by the society, economy or particularly by the researchers.

As earlier said that it is the final stage of the research process and its purpose is to convey to interested persons the whole result of the study. Report writing is common to both academic and managerial situations. In academics, a research report is prepared for comprehensive and application-oriented learning. In businesses or organisations, reports are used for the basis of decision making.

Table of Content

• 1 What is Research Report?
• 2 Research Report Definition
• 3.1 Preliminary Part
• 3.2 Introduction of the Report
• 3.3 Review of Literature
• 3.4 The Research Methodology
• 3.5 Results
• 3.6 Concluding Remarks
• 3.7 Bibliography
• 4 Significance of Report Writing
• 5 Qualities of Good Report
• 6.1 Analysis of the subject matter
• 6.2 Research outline
• 6.3 Preparation of rough draft
• 6.4 Rewriting and polishing
• 6.5 Writing the final draft
• 7 Precautions for Writing Research Reports
• 8.1.1 Technical Report
• 8.1.2 Popular Report
• 8.2.1 Written Report
• 8.2.2 Oral Report

Research Report Definition

According to C. A. Brown , “A report is a communication from someone who has information to someone who wants to use that information.”

According to Goode and Hatt , “The preparation of report is the final stage of research, and it’s purpose is to convey to the interested persons the whole result of the study, in sufficient detail and so arranged as to enable each reader to comprehend the data and to determine for himself the validity of the conclusions.”

It is clear from the above definitions of a research report, it is a brief account of the problem of investigation, the justification of its selection and the procedure of analysis and interpretation. It is only a summary of the entire research proceedings.

In other words, it can be defined as written documents, which presents information in a specialized and concise manner.

Contents of Research Report

Although no hard and fast rules can be laid down, the report must contain the following points.

• Acknowledgement
• Table of contents
• List of tables
• List of graphs
• Introduction
• Background of the research study
• Statement of the problem
• Brief outline of the chapters
• Books review
• Review of articles published in books, journals, periodicals, etc
• Review of articles published in leading newspapers
• Working papers / discusssion paper / study reports
• Articles on authorised websites
• A broad conclusion and indications for further research
• The theoretical framework (variables)
• Model / hypothesis
• Instruments for data collection
• Data collection
• Pilot study
• Processing of data
• Hypothesis / model testing
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Tables and figures
• Conclusions
• Shortcomings
• Suggestions to the problems
• Direction for further research

Preliminary Part

The preliminary part may have seven major components – cover, title, preface, acknowledgement, table of contents, list of tables, list of graphs. Long reports presented in book form have a cover made up of a card sheet. The cover contains title of the research report, the authority to whom the report is submitted, name of the author, etc.

The preface introduces the report to the readers. It gives a very brief introduction of the report. In the acknowledgements author mention names of persons and organisations that have extended co-operation and helped in the various stages of research. Table of contents is essential. It gives the title and page number of each chapter.

Introduction of the Report

The introduction of the research report should clearly and logically bring out the background of the problem addressed in the research. The purpose of the introduction is to introduce the research project to the readers. A clear statement of the problem with specific questions to be answered is presented in the introduction. It contains a brief outline of the chapters.

Review of Literature

The third section reviews the important literature related to the study. A comprehensive review of the research literature referred to must be made. Previous research studies and the important writings in the area under study should be reviewed. Review of literature is helpful to provide a background for the development of the present study.

The researcher may review concerned books, articles published in edited books, journals and periodicals. Researcher may also take review of articles published in leading newspapers. A researcher should study working papers/discussion papers/study reports. It is essential for a broad conclusion and indications for further research.

The Research Methodology

Research methodology is an integral part of the research. It should clearly indicate the universe and the selection of samples, techniques of data collection, analysis and interpretation, statistical techniques, etc.

Results contain pilot study, processing of data, hypothesis/model testing, data analysis and interpretation, tables and figures, etc. This is the heart of the research report. If a pilot study is planned to be used, it’s purpose should be given in the research methodology.

The collected data and the information should be edited, coded, tabulated and analysed with a view to arriving at a valid and authentic conclusion. Tables and figures are used to clarify the significant relationship. The results obtained through tables, graphs should be critically interpreted.

Concluding Remarks

The concluding remarks should discuss the results obtained in the earlier sections, as well as their usefulness and implications. It contains findings, conclusions, shortcomings, suggestions to the problem and direction for future research. Findings are statements of factual information based upon the data analysis.

Conclusions must clearly explain whether the hypothesis have been established and rejected. This part requires great expertise and preciseness. A report should also refer to the limitations of the applicability of the research inferences. It is essential to suggest the theoretical, practical and policy implications of the research. The suggestions should be supported by scientific and logical arguments. The future direction of research based on the work completed should also be outlined.

Bibliography

The bibliography is an alphabetic list of books, journal articles, reports, etc, published or unpublished, read, referred to, examined by the researcher in preparing the report. The bibliography should follow standard formats for books, journal articles, research reports.

The end of the research report may consist of appendices, listed in respect of all technical data. Appendices are for the purpose of providing detailed data or information that would be too cumbersome within the main body of the research report.

Significance of Report Writing

Report writing is an important communication medium in organisations. The most crucial findings might have come out through a research report. Report is common to academics and managers also. Reports are used for comprehensive and application oriented learning in academics. In organisations, reports are used for the basis of decision making. The importance of report writing can be discussed as under.

Through research reports, a manager or an executive can quickly get an idea of a current scenario which improves his information base for making sound decisions affecting future operations of the company or enterprise. The research report acts as a means of communication of various research findings to the interested parties, organisations and general public.

Good report writing play, a significant role of conveying unknown facts about the phenomenon to the concerned parties. This may provide new insights and new opportunities to the people. Research report plays a key role in making effective decisions in marketing, production, banking, materials, human resource development and government also. Good report writing is used for economic planning and optimum utilisation of resources for the development of a nation.

Report writing facilitates the validation of generalisation. A research report is an end product of research. As earlier said that report writing provides useful information in arriving at rational decisions that may reform the business and society. The findings, conclusions, suggestions and recommendations are useful to academicians, scholars and policymakers. Report writing provides reference material for further research in the same or similar areas of research to the concerned parties.

While preparing a research report, a researcher should take some proper precautions. Report writing should be simple, lucid and systematic. Report writing should be written speedily without interrupting the continuity of thought. The report writing should sustain the interest of readers.

Qualities of Good Report

Report writing is a highly skilled job. It is a process of analysing, understanding and consolidating the findings and projecting a meaningful view of the phenomenon studied. A good report writing is essential for effective communication.

Following are the essential qualities of good report:

• A research report is essentially a scientific documentation. It should have a suggestive title, headings and sub-headings, paragraphs arranged in a logical sequence.
• Good research report should include everything that is relevant and exclude everything that is irrelevant. It means that it should contain the facts rather than opinion.
• The language of the report should be simple and unambiguous. It means that it should be free from biases of the researchers derived from the past experience. Confusion, pretentiousness and pomposity should be carefully guarded against. It means that the language of the report should be simple, employing appropriate words, idioms and expressions.
• The report must be free from grammatical mistakes. It must be grammatically accurate. Faulty construction of sentences makes the meaning of the narrative obscure and ambiguous.
• The report has to take into consideration two facts. Firstly, for whom the report is meant and secondly, what is his level of knowledge. The report has to look to the subject matter of the report and the fact as to the level of knowledge of the person for whom it is meant. Because all reports are not meant for research scholars.

Steps in Writing Research Report

Report writing is a time consuming and expensive exercise. Therefore, reports have to be very sharply focused in purpose content and readership. There is no single universally acceptable method of writing a research report.

Following are the general steps in writing a research report:

Analysis of the subject matter

Research outline, preparation of rough draft, rewriting and polishing, writing the final draft.

This is the first and important step in writing a research report. It is concerned with the development of a subject. Subject matter should be written in a clear, logical and concise manner. The style adopted should be open, straightforward and dignified and folk style language should be avoided.

The data, the reliability and validity of the results of the statistical analysis should be in the form of tables, figures and equations. All redundancy in the data or results presented should be eliminated.

The research outline is an organisational framework prepared by the researcher well in advance. It is an aid to logical organisation of material and a reminder of the points to be stressed in the report. In the process of writing, if need be, outline may be revised accordingly.

Time and place of the study, scope and limitations of the study, study design, summary of pilot study, methods of data collection, analysis interpretation, etc., may be included in a research outline.

Having prepared the primary and secondary data, the researcher has to prepare a rough draft. While preparing the rough draft, the researcher should keep the objectives of the research in mind, and focus on one objective at a time. The researcher should make a checklist of the important points that are necessary to be covered in the manuscript. A researcher should use dictionary and relevant reference materials as and when required.

This is an important step in writing a research report. It takes more time than a rough draft. While rewriting and polishing, a researcher should check the report for weakness in logical development or presentation. He should take breaks in between rewriting and polishing since this gives the time to incubate the ideas.

The last and important step is writing the final draft. The language of the report should be simple, employing appropriate words and expressions and should avoid vague expressions such as ‘it seems’ and ‘there may be’ etc.

It should not used personal pronouns, such as I, We, My, Us, etc and should substitute these by such expressions as a researcher, investigator, etc. Before the final drafting of the report, it is advisable that the researcher should prepare a first draft for critical considerations and possible improvements. It will be helpful in writing the final draft. Finally, the report should be logically outlined with the future directions of the research based on the work completed.

Precautions for Writing Research Reports

A research report is a means of conveying the research study to a specific target audience. The following precautions should be taken while preparing a research report:

• Its hould belong enough to cover the subject and short enough to preserve interest.
• It should not be dull and complicated.
• It should be simple, without the usage of abstract terms and technical jargons.
• It should offer ready availability of findings with the help of charts, tables and graphs, as readers prefer quick knowledge of main findings.
• The layout of the report should be in accordance with the objectives of the research study.
• There should be no grammatical errors and writing should adhere to the techniques of report writing in case of quotations, footnotes and documentations.
• It should be original, intellectual and contribute to the solution of a problem or add knowledge to the concerned field.
• Appendices should been listed with respect to all the technical data in the report.
• It should be attractive, neat and clean, whether handwritten or typed.
• The report writer should refrain from confusing the possessive form of the word ‘it’ is with ‘it’s.’ The accurate possessive form of ‘it is’ is ‘its.’ The use of ‘it’s’ is the contractive form of ‘it is.
• A report should not have contractions. Examples are ‘didn’t’ or ‘it’s.’ In report writing, it is best to use the non-contractive form. Therefore, the examples would be replaced by ‘did not’ and ‘it is.’ Using ‘Figure’ instead of ‘Fig.’ and ‘Table’ instead of ‘Tab.’ will spare the reader of having to translate the abbreviations, while reading. If abbreviations are used, use them consistently throughout the report. For example, do not switch among ‘versus,’ and ‘vs’.
• It is advisable to avoid using the word ‘very’ and other such words that try to embellish a description. They do not add any extra meaning and, therefore, should be dropped.
• Repetition hampers lucidity. Report writers must avoid repeating the same word more than once within a sentence.
• When you use the word ‘this’ or ‘these’ make sure you indicate to what you are referring. This reduces the ambiguity in your writing and helps to tie sentences together.
• Do not use the word ‘they’ to refer to a singular person. You can either rewrite the sentence to avoid needing such a reference or use the singular ‘he or she.’

Types of Research Report

Research reports are designed in order to convey and record the information that will be of practical use to the reader. It is organized into distinct units of specific and highly visible information. The kind of audience addressed in the research report decides the type of report.

Research reports can be categorized on the following basis:

Classification on the Basis of Information

Classification on the basis of representation.

Following are the ways through which the results of the research report can be presented on the basis of information contained:

Technical Report

A technical report is written for other researchers. In writing the technical reports, the importance is mainly given to the methods that have been used to collect the information and data, the presumptions that are made and finally, the various presentation techniques that are used to present the findings and data.

Following are main features of a technical report:

• Summary: It covers a brief analysis of the findings of the research in a very few pages. 
• Nature: It contains the reasons for which the research is undertaken, the analysis and the data that is required in order to prepare a report. 
• Methods employed: It contains a description of the methods that were employed in order to collect the data. 
• Data: It covers a brief analysis of the various sources from which the data has been collected with their features and drawbacks 
• Analysis of data and presentation of the findings: It contains the various forms through which the data that has been analysed can be presented. 
• Conclusions: It contains a brief explanation of findings of the research. 
• Bibliography: It contains a detailed analysis of the various bibliographies that have been used in order to conduct a research. 
• Technical appendices: It contains the appendices for the technical matters and for questionnaires and mathematical derivations. 
• Index: The index of the technical report must be provided at the end of the report.

Popular Report

A popular report is formulated when there is a need to draw conclusions of the findings of the research report. One of the main points of consideration that should be kept in mind while formulating a research report is that it must be simple and attractive. It must be written in a very simple manner that is understandable to all. It must also be made attractive by using large prints, various sub-headings and by giving cartoons occasionally.

Following are the main points that must be kept in mind while preparing a popular report:

• Findings and their implications : While preparing a popular report, main importance is given to the findings of the information and the conclusions that can be drawn out of these findings.
• Recommendations for action : If there are any deviations in the report then recommendations are made for taking corrective action in order to rectify the errors.
• Objective of the study : In a popular report, the specific objective for which the research has been undertaken is presented.
• Methods employed : The report must contain the various methods that has been employed in order to conduct a research.
• Results : The results of the research findings must be presented in a suitable and appropriate manner by taking the help of charts and diagrams.
• Technical appendices : The report must contain an in-depth information used to collect the data in the form of appendices.

Following are the ways through which the results of the research report can be presented on the basis of representation:

• Writtenreport
• Oral report

Written Report

A written report plays a vital role in every business operation. The manner in which an organization writes business letters and business reports creates an impression of its standard. Therefore, the organization should emphasize on the improvement of the writing skills of the employees in order to maintain effective relations with their customers.

Writing effective written reports requires a lot of hard work. Therefore, before you begin writing, it is important to know the objective, i.e., the purpose of writing, collection and organization of required data.

Oral Report

At times, oral presentation of the results that are drawn out of research is considered effective, particularly in cases where policy recommendations are to be made. This approach proves beneficial because it provides a medium of interaction between a listener and a speaker. This leads to a better understanding of the findings and their implications.

However, the main drawback of oral presentation is the lack of any permanent records related to the research. Oral presentation of the report is also effective when it is supported with various visual devices, such as slides, wall charts and whiteboards that help in better understanding of the research reports.

Business Ethics

( Click on Topic to Read )

• What is Ethics?
• What is Business Ethics?
• Values, Norms, Beliefs and Standards in Business Ethics
• Indian Ethos in Management
• Ethical Issues in Marketing
• Ethical Issues in HRM
• Ethical Issues in IT
• Ethical Issues in Production and Operations Management
• Ethical Issues in Finance and Accounting
• What is Corporate Governance?
• What is Ownership Concentration?
• What is Ownership Composition?
• Types of Companies in India
• Internal Corporate Governance
• External Corporate Governance
• Corporate Governance in India
• What is Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)?
• What is Assessment of Risk?
• What is Risk Register?
• Risk Management Committee

Corporate social responsibility (CSR)

• Theories of CSR
• Arguments Against CSR
• Business Case for CSR
• Importance of CSR in India
• Drivers of Corporate Social Responsibility
• Developing a CSR Strategy
• Implement CSR Commitments
• CSR Marketplace
• CSR at Workplace
• Environmental CSR
• CSR with Communities and in Supply Chain
• Community Interventions
• CSR Monitoring
• CSR Reporting
• Voluntary Codes in CSR
• What is Corporate Ethics?

Lean Six Sigma

• What is Six Sigma?
• What is Lean Six Sigma?
• Value and Waste in Lean Six Sigma
• Six Sigma Team
• MAIC Six Sigma
• Six Sigma in Supply Chains
• What is Binomial, Poisson, Normal Distribution?
• What is Sigma Level?
• What is DMAIC in Six Sigma?
• What is DMADV in Six Sigma?
• Six Sigma Project Charter
• Project Decomposition in Six Sigma
• Critical to Quality (CTQ) Six Sigma
• Process Mapping Six Sigma
• Flowchart and SIPOC
• Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility
• Statistical Diagram
• Lean Techniques for Optimisation Flow
• Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• What is Process Audits?
• Six Sigma Implementation at Ford
• IBM Uses Six Sigma to Drive Behaviour Change
• Research Methodology
• What is Research?

What is Hypothesis?

• Sampling Method

Research Methods

Data collection in research, methods of collecting data, application of business research, levels of measurement.

• What is Sampling?
• Hypothesis Testing
• What is Management?
• Planning in Management
• Decision Making in Management
• What is Controlling?
• What is Coordination?
• What is Staffing?
• Organization Structure
• What is Departmentation?
• Span of Control
• What is Authority?
• Centralization vs Decentralization
• Organizing in Management
• Schools of Management Thought
• Classical Management Approach
• Is Management an Art or Science?
• Who is a Manager?

Operations Research

• What is Operations Research?
• Operation Research Models
• Linear Programming
• Linear Programming Graphic Solution
• Linear Programming Simplex Method
• Linear Programming Artificial Variable Technique
• Duality in Linear Programming
• Transportation Problem Initial Basic Feasible Solution
• Transportation Problem Finding Optimal Solution
• Project Network Analysis with Critical Path Method
• Project Network Analysis Methods
• Project Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
• Simulation in Operation Research
• Replacement Models in Operation Research

Operation Management

• What is Strategy?
• What is Operations Strategy?
• Operations Competitive Dimensions
• Operations Strategy Formulation Process
• What is Strategic Fit?
• Strategic Design Process
• Focused Operations Strategy
• Corporate Level Strategy
• Expansion Strategies
• Stability Strategies
• Retrenchment Strategies
• Competitive Advantage
• Strategic Choice and Strategic Alternatives
• What is Production Process?
• What is Process Technology?
• What is Process Improvement?
• Strategic Capacity Management
• Production and Logistics Strategy
• Taxonomy of Supply Chain Strategies
• Factors Considered in Supply Chain Planning
• Operational and Strategic Issues in Global Logistics
• Logistics Outsourcing Strategy
• What is Supply Chain Mapping?
• Supply Chain Process Restructuring
• Points of Differentiation
• Re-engineering Improvement in SCM
• What is Supply Chain Drivers?
• Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) Model
• Customer Service and Cost Trade Off
• Internal and External Performance Measures
• Linking Supply Chain and Business Performance
• Netflix’s Niche Focused Strategy
• Disney and Pixar Merger
• Process Planning at Mcdonald’s

Service Operations Management

• What is Service?
• What is Service Operations Management?
• What is Service Design?
• Service Design Process
• Service Delivery
• What is Service Quality?
• Gap Model of Service Quality
• Juran Trilogy
• Service Performance Measurement
• Service Decoupling
• IT Service Operation
• Service Operations Management in Different Sector

Procurement Management

• What is Procurement Management?
• Procurement Negotiation
• Types of Requisition
• RFX in Procurement
• What is Purchasing Cycle?
• Vendor Managed Inventory
• Internal Conflict During Purchasing Operation
• Spend Analysis in Procurement
• Sourcing in Procurement
• Supplier Evaluation and Selection in Procurement
• Blacklisting of Suppliers in Procurement
• Total Cost of Ownership in Procurement
• Incoterms in Procurement
• Documents Used in International Procurement
• Transportation and Logistics Strategy
• What is Capital Equipment?
• Procurement Process of Capital Equipment
• Acquisition of Technology in Procurement
• What is E-Procurement?
• E-marketplace and Online Catalogues
• Fixed Price and Cost Reimbursement Contracts
• Contract Cancellation in Procurement
• Ethics in Procurement
• Legal Aspects of Procurement
• Global Sourcing in Procurement
• Intermediaries and Countertrade in Procurement

Strategic Management

• What is Strategic Management?
• What is Value Chain Analysis?
• Mission Statement
• Business Level Strategy
• What is SWOT Analysis?
• What is Competitive Advantage?
• What is Vision?
• What is Ansoff Matrix?
• Prahalad and Gary Hammel
• Strategic Management In Global Environment
• Competitor Analysis Framework
• Competitive Rivalry Analysis
• Competitive Dynamics
• What is Competitive Rivalry?
• Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy
• What is PESTLE Analysis?
• Fragmentation and Consolidation Of Industries
• What is Technology Life Cycle?
• What is Diversification Strategy?
• What is Corporate Restructuring Strategy?
• Resources and Capabilities of Organization
• Role of Leaders In Functional-Level Strategic Management
• Functional Structure In Functional Level Strategy Formulation
• Information And Control System
• What is Strategy Gap Analysis?
• Issues In Strategy Implementation
• Matrix Organizational Structure
• What is Strategic Management Process?

Supply Chain

• What is Supply Chain Management?
• Supply Chain Planning and Measuring Strategy Performance
• What is Warehousing?
• What is Packaging?
• What is Inventory Management?
• What is Material Handling?
• What is Order Picking?
• Receiving and Dispatch, Processes
• What is Warehouse Design?
• What is Warehousing Costs?

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Types of Research Report

Meaning research report.

Research report is simply a structure compilation of data founded by analysist and researcher after concluding their research study. It consists of data that is collected after analyzing a large set of relevant data acquired through surveys and qualitative methods. It is systematic written document that defines key aspects of research project and serves a medium of communicating it with relevant individuals. It is designed in such a way that facilitate the easy understanding of all findings and recommendations to users. Preparation of research report requires a good knowledge, experience, expertise and imagination by individual. A considerable amount of money and time need to be invested for designing a proper report. 

Research report is mainly of 2 types: Technical report and Popular report.

Technical Report

Outline of a Technical report may not be same in all case and may vary in all technical reports.

Popular Report

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• Insights blog

Different types of research articles

A guide for early career researchers.

In scholarly literature, there are many different kinds of articles published every year. Original research articles are often the first thing you think of when you hear the words ‘journal article’. In reality, research work often results in a whole mixture of different outputs and it’s not just the final research article that can be published.

Finding a home to publish supporting work in different formats can help you start publishing sooner, allowing you to build your publication record and research profile.

But before you do, it’s very important that you check the  instructions for authors  and the  aims and scope  of the journal(s) you’d like to submit to. These will tell you whether they accept the type of article you’re thinking of writing and what requirements they have around it.

Understanding the different kind of articles

There’s a huge variety of different types of articles – some unique to individual journals – so it’s important to explore your options carefully. While it would be impossible to cover every single article type here, below you’ll find a guide to the most common research articles and outputs you could consider submitting for publication.

Book review

Many academic journals publish book reviews, which aim to provide insight and opinion on recently published scholarly books. Writing book reviews is often a good way to begin academic writing. It can help you get your name known in your field and give you valuable experience of publishing before you write a full-length article.

If you’re keen to write a book review, a good place to start is looking for journals that publish or advertise the books they have available for review. Then it’s just a matter of putting yourself forward for one of them.

You can check whether a journal publishes book reviews by browsing previous issues or by seeing if a book review editor is listed on the editorial board. In addition, some journals publish other types of reviews, such as film, product, or exhibition reviews, so it’s worth bearing those in mind as options as well.

Get familiar with instructions for authors

Be prepared, speed up your submission, and make sure nothing is forgotten by understanding a journal’s individual requirements.

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Case report

A medical case report – also sometimes called a clinical case study – is an original short report that provides details of a single patient case.

Case reports include detailed information on the symptoms, signs, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of an individual patient. They remain one of the cornerstones of medical progress and provide many new ideas in medicine.

Depending on the journal, a case report doesn’t necessarily need to describe an especially novel or unusual case as there is benefit from collecting details of many standard cases.

Take a look at  F1000Research’s guidance on case reports , to understand more about what’s required in them. And don’t forget that for all studies involving human participants, informed written consent to take part in the research must be obtained from the participants –  find out more about consent to publish.

Clinical study

In medicine, a clinical study report is a type of article that provides in-depth detail on the methods and results of a clinical trial. They’re typically similar in length and format to original research articles.

Most journals now require that you register protocols for clinical trials you’re involved with in a publicly accessible registry. A list of eligible registries can be found on the  WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) . Trials can also be registered at  clinicaltrials.gov  or the  EU Clinical Trials Register . Once registered, your trial will be assigned a clinical trial number (CTN).

Before you submit a clinical study, you’ll need to include clinical trial numbers and registration dates in the manuscript, usually in the abstract and methods sections.

Commentaries and letters to editors

Letters to editors, as well as ‘replies’ and ‘discussions’, are usually brief comments on topical issues of public and political interest (related to the research field of the journal), anecdotal material, or readers’ reactions to material published in the journal.

Commentaries are similar, though they may be slightly more in-depth, responding to articles recently published in the journal. There may be a ‘target article’ which various commentators are invited to respond to.

You’ll need to look through previous issues of any journal you’re interested in writing for and review the instructions for authors to see which types of these articles (if any) they accept.

Conference materials

Many of our medical journals  accept conference material supplements. These are open access peer-reviewed, permanent, and citable publications within the journal. Conference material supplements record research around a common thread, as presented at a workshop, congress, or conference, for the scientific record. They can include the following types of articles:

Poster extracts

Conference abstracts

Presentation extracts

Find out more about submitting conference materials.

Data notes  are a short peer-reviewed article type that concisely describe research data stored in a repository. Publishing a data note can help you to maximize the impact of your data and gain appropriate credit for your research.

Data notes promote the potential reuse of research data and include details of why and how the data were created. They do not include any analysis but they can be linked to a research article incorporating analysis of the published dataset, as well as the results and conclusions.

F1000Research  enables you to publish your data note rapidly and openly via an author-centric platform. There is also a growing range of options for publishing data notes in Taylor & Francis journals, including in  All Life  and  Big Earth Data .

Read our guide to data notes to find out more.

Letters or short reports

Letters or short reports (sometimes known as brief communications or rapid communications) are brief reports of data from original research.

Editors publish these reports where they believe the data will be interesting to many researchers and could stimulate further research in the field. There are even entire journals dedicated to publishing letters.

As they’re relatively short, the format is useful for researchers with results that are time sensitive (for example, those in highly competitive or quickly-changing disciplines). This format often has strict length limits, so some experimental details may not be published until the authors write a full original research article.

Brief reports  (previously called Research Notes) are a type of short report published by  F1000Research  – part of the Taylor & Francis Group. To find out more about the requirements for a brief report, take a look at  F1000Research’s guidance .

Method article

A method article is a medium length peer-reviewed, research-focused article type that aims to answer a specific question. It also describes an advancement or development of current methodological approaches and research procedures (akin to a research article), following the standard layout for research articles. This includes new study methods, substantive modifications to existing methods, or innovative applications of existing methods to new models or scientific questions. These should include adequate and appropriate validation to be considered, and any datasets associated with the paper must publish all experimental controls and make full datasets available.  

Posters and slides

With F1000Research, you can publish scholarly posters and slides covering basic scientific, translational, and clinical research within the life sciences and medicine. You can find out more about how to publish posters and slides  on the F1000Research website .

Registered report

A  Registered Report  consists of two different kinds of articles: a study protocol and an original research article.

This is because the review process for Registered Reports is divided into two stages. In Stage 1, reviewers assess study protocols before data is collected. In Stage 2, reviewers consider the full published study as an original research article, including results and interpretation.

Taking this approach, you can get an in-principle acceptance of your research article before you start collecting data. We’ve got  further guidance on Registered Reports here , and you can also  read F1000Research’s guidance on preparing a Registered Report .

Research article

Original research articles are the most common type of journal article. They’re detailed studies reporting new work and are classified as primary literature.

You may find them referred to as original articles, research articles, research, or even just articles, depending on the journal.

Typically, especially in STEM subjects, these articles will include Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion sections. However, you should always check the instructions for authors of your chosen journal to see whether it specifies how your article should be structured. If you’re planning to write an original research article, take a look at our guidance on  writing a journal article .

Review article

Review articles provide critical and constructive analysis of existing published literature in a field. They’re usually structured to provide a summary of existing literature, analysis, and comparison. Often, they identify specific gaps or problems and provide recommendations for future research.

Unlike original research articles, review articles are considered as secondary literature. This means that they generally don’t present new data from the author’s experimental work, but instead provide analysis or interpretation of a body of primary research on a specific topic. Secondary literature is an important part of the academic ecosystem because it can help explain new or different positions and ideas about primary research, identify gaps in research around a topic, or spot important trends that one individual research article may not.

There are 3 main types of review article

Literature review

Presents the current knowledge including substantive findings as well as theoretical and methodological contributions to a particular topic.

Systematic review

Identifies, appraises and synthesizes all the empirical evidence that meets pre-specified eligibility criteria to answer a specific research question. Researchers conducting systematic reviews use explicit, systematic methods that are selected with a view aimed at minimizing bias, to produce more reliable findings to inform decision making.

Meta-analysis

A quantitative, formal, epidemiological study design used to systematically assess the results of previous research to derive conclusions about that body of research. Typically, but not necessarily, a meta-analysis study is based on randomized, controlled clinical trials.

Take a look at our guide to  writing a review article  for more guidance on what’s required.

Software tool articles

A  software tool article  – published by  F1000Research  – describes the rationale for the development of a new software tool and details of the code used for its construction.

The article should provide examples of suitable input data sets and include an example of the output that can be expected from the tool and how this output should be interpreted. Software tool articles submitted to F1000Research should be written in open access programming languages. Take a look at  their guidance  for more details on what’s required of a software tool article.

Further resources

Ready to write your article, but not sure where to start?

For more guidance on how to prepare and write an article for a journal you can download the  Writing your paper eBook .

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A Guide To The Top 14 Types Of Reports With Examples Of When To Use Them

What Is The Report Definition?

What are the different types of reports, what does a report look like, what you should look for in a reporting tool, types of reporting for every business & purpose.

Businesses have been producing reports forever. No matter what role or industry you work in, chances are that you have been faced with the task of generating a tedious report to show your progress or performance.

While reporting has been a common practice for many decades, the business world keeps evolving, and with more competitive industries, the need to generate fast and accurate reports becomes critical. This presents a problem for many modern organizations today, as building reports can take from hours to days. In fact, a survey about management reports performed by Deloitte says that 50% of managers are unsatisfied with the speed of delivery and the quality of the reports they receive.

With this issue in mind, several BI tools, such as RIB BI+ , have been developed to assist businesses in generating interactive reports with just a few clicks, enhancing the way companies make critical decisions and service insights from their most valuable data.

But, with so many types of reports used daily, how can you know when to use them effectively? How can you push yourself ahead of the pack with the power of information? Here, we will explore the 14 most common types of reports in business and provide some examples of when to use them to your brand-boosting advantage. In addition, we will see how online dashboards have overthrown the static nature of classic reports and given way to a much faster, more interactive way of working with data.

Let’s get started with a brief report definition.

A report is a document that presents relevant business information in an organized and understandable format. Each report is aimed at a specific audience and business purpose, and it summarizes the development of different activities based on goals and objectives.

That said, there are various types of reports that can be used for different purposes. Whether you want to track the progress of your strategies or stay compliant with financial laws, there is a different report for each task. To help you identify when to use them, we will cover the top 14 most common report formats used for businesses today.

1. Informational Reports

The first in our list of reporting types is informational reports. As their name suggests, this report type aims to give factual insights about a specific topic. This can include performance reports, expense reports, and justification reports, among others. A differentiating characteristic of these reports is their objectivity; they are only meant to inform but not propose solutions or hypotheses. Common informational reports examples are for performance tracking, such as annual, monthly, or weekly reports.

2. Analytical Reports

This report type contains a mix of useful information to facilitate the decision-making process through a mix of qualitative and quantitative insights as well as real-time and historical insights. Unlike informational reports that purely inform users about a topic, this report type also aims to provide recommendations about the next steps and help with problem-solving. With this information in hand, businesses can build strategies based on analytical evidence and not simple intuition. With the use of the right BI reporting tool, businesses can generate various types of analytical reports that include accurate forecasts via predictive analytics technologies. Let’s look at it with an analytical report example.

The example above is the perfect representation of how analytical reports can boost a business’s performance. By getting detailed information such as sales opportunities, a probability rate, as well as an accurate pipeline value forecast based on historical data, sales teams can prepare their strategies in advance, tackle any inefficiencies, and make informed decisions for increased efficiency.

3. Operational Reports

These reports track every pertinent detail of the company’s operational tasks, such as its production processes. They are typically short-term reports as they aim to paint a picture of the present. Businesses use this type of report to spot any issues and define their solutions or to identify improvement opportunities to optimize their operational efficiency. Operational reports are commonly used in manufacturing, logistics, and retail as they help keep track of inventory, production, and costs, among others.

4. Industry Reports

Next in our list of the most common kinds of reports, we have industry-specific reports. As its name suggests, these types of reports are used in specific industries and provide valuable information about KPIs and goals that are unique to that industry. For instance, construction reports are invaluable tools to track project progress and extract valuable conclusions to optimize processes.

The example below is a report for a construction company that has multiple active projects. The template offers a complete overview of performance with KPIs related to contract value, budget, and profit margins, among other things. That said, the most valuable part of this report is the detailed overview of finishing projects and projects in execution, where we see that industry-specific KPIs like the SPI and CPI are tracked for each project with color to understand the status at a glance. Templates like this one play a fundamental role in efficient project management in construction as they offer the necessary overview to make smart decisions with fresh data. 

5. Product Reports

As its name suggests, this report type is used to monitor several aspects related to product development. Businesses often use them to track which of their products or subscriptions are selling the most within a given time period, calculate inventories, or see what kind of product the client values the most. Another common use case of these reports is to research the implementation of new products or develop existing ones. Let’s see it in more detail with a visual example.

The image above is a product report that shows valuable insights regarding usage intention, purchase intention, willingness to pay, and more. In this case, the report is based on the answers from a survey that aimed to understand how the target customer would receive a new product. Getting this level of insight through this report type is very useful for businesses as it allows them to make smart investments in new products and set realistic pricing based on their clients’ willingness to pay.

6. Department Reports

These reports are specific to each department or business function. They serve as a communication tool between managers and team members who must stay connected and work together for common goals. Whether it is the sales department, customer service, logistics, or finances, this specific report type helps track and optimize strategies on a deeper level. Let’s look at it with an example of a team performance report.

The image above is a department report created with an online data analysis tool, and it tracks the performance of a support team. This insightful report displays relevant metrics such as the top-performing agents, net promoter score, and first contact resolution rate, among others. Having this information in hand not only helps each team member to keep track of their individual progress but also allows managers to understand who needs more training and who is performing at their best.

7. Progress Reports

From the branch of informational reports, progress reports provide critical information about a project’s status. Employees or managers can produce these reports daily, weekly, or monthly to track performance and fine-tune tasks for the project’s better development. Progress reports are often used as visual materials to support meetings and discussions. A good example is a KPI scorecard.

8. Internal Reports

A type of report that encompasses many others on this list, internal reports refer to any type of report that is used internally in a business. They convey information between team members and departments to keep communication flowing regarding goals and business objectives.

As mentioned above, internal reports are useful communication tools to keep every relevant person in the organization informed and engaged. This healthcare report aims to do just that. By providing insights into the performance of different departments and areas of a hospital, such as in and outpatients, average waiting times, treatment costs, and more, healthcare managers can allocate resources and plan the schedule accurately, as well as monitor any changes or issues in real-time.

9. External Reports

Although most of the report types listed here are used for internal purposes, not all reporting is meant to be used behind closed doors. External reports are created to share information with external stakeholders such as clients or investors for budget or progress accountability, as well as for governmental bodies to stay compliant with the law requirements.

The image above is the perfect example of an external client report from an IT project. This insightful report provides a visual overview of every relevant aspect of the project’s development. From deadlines, budget usage, completion stage, and task breakdown, clients can be fully informed and involved in the project.

10. Vertical & Lateral Reports

Next, in our rundown of types of reports, we have vertical and lateral reports. This reporting type refers to the direction in which a report travels. A vertical report is meant to go upward or downward the hierarchy, for example, a management report. A lateral report assists in organization and communication between groups that are at the same level of the hierarchy, such as the financial and marketing departments.

11. Research Reports

Without a doubt, one of the most vital reporting types for any modern business is centered on research. Being able to collect, collate, and drill down into insights based on key pockets of your customer base or industry will give you the tools to drive innovation while meeting your audience’s needs head-on.

The image above is a market research analytics report example for customer demographics. It serves up a balanced blend of metrics that will empower you to boost engagement as well as retention rates. Here, you can drill down into your audience’s behaviors, interests, gender, educational levels, and tech adoption life cycles with a simple glance.

What’s particularly striking about this dashboard is the fact that you can explore key trends in brand innovation with ease, gaining a working insight into how your audience perceives your business. This invaluable type of report will help you get under the skin of your consumers, driving growth and loyalty in the process.

12. Strategic Reports

Strategy is a vital component of every business, big or small. Strategic analytics tools are perhaps the broadest and most universal of all the different types of business reports imaginable.

These particular tools exist to help you consistently understand, meet, and exceed your most pressing organizational goals by providing top-level metrics on various initiatives or functions.

By working with strategic-style tools, you will:

• Improve internal motivation and engagement
• Refine your plans and strategies for the best possible return on investment (ROI)
• Enhance internal communication and optimize the way your various departments run
• Create more room for innovation and creative thinking

13. Project Reports

Projects are key to keeping a business moving in the right direction while keeping innovation and evolution at the forefront of every plan, communication, or campaign. But without the right management tools, a potentially groundbreaking project can become a resource-sapping disaster.

A project management report serves as a summary of a particular project’s status and its various components. It’s a visual tool that you can share with partners, colleagues, clients, and stakeholders to showcase your project’s progress at multiple stages. Let’s look at our example and dig a little deeper.

Our example above is a construction project management dashboard that offers a 360-degree view of a project’s development. This invaluable construction collaboration tool can help keep every relevant project stakeholder involved and informed about the latest developments to ensure maximum efficiency and transparency.

Work and budget development and cost breakdown charts can help develop efficient construction cost control strategies to ensure the project remains profitable and on schedule. On the other hand, progress metrics like the SPI and the CPI can help assess construction productivity issues that can lead to delays and costly overruns.

14. Statutory Reports

It may not seem exciting or glamorous, but keeping your business’s statutory affairs in order is vital to your ongoing commercial health and success.

When it comes to submitting vital financial and non-financial information to official bodies, one small error can result in serious repercussions. As such, working with statutory report formats is a watertight way of keeping track of your affairs and records while significantly reducing the risk of human error.

Armed with interactive insights and dynamic visuals, you will keep your records clean and compliant while gaining the ability to nip any potential errors or issues in the bud.

Now that we’ve covered the most relevant types of reports, we will answer the question: what does a report look like?

As mentioned at the beginning of this insightful guide, static reporting is a thing of the past. With the rise of modern technologies like self-service BI tools, the use of interactive reports in the shape of business dashboards has become more and more popular among companies.

Unlike static reports that take time to be generated and are difficult to understand, modern reporting tools are intuitive. Their visual nature makes them easy to understand for any type of user, and they provide businesses with a central view of their most important performance indicators for an improved decision-making process. Here, we will cover 20 useful dashboard examples from different industries, functions, and platforms to put the value of dashboard reporting into perspective.

1. Financial Report

Keeping finances in check is critical for success. This financial report offers an overview of the most important financial metrics that a business needs to monitor its economic activities and answer vital questions to ensure healthy finances.

With insights about liquidity, invoicing, budgeting, and general financial stability, managers can extract long and short-term conclusions to reduce inefficiencies, make accurate forecasts about future performance, and keep the overall financial efficiency of the business flowing. For instance, getting a detailed calculation of the business’s working capital can allow you to understand how liquid your company is. If it’s higher than expected, it means you have the potential to invest and grow—definitely one of the most valuable types of finance reports.

2. Construction Report

Our next example is a construction report offering the perfect overview for efficient construction bid management . In this case, the template is tracked for an enterprise that has multiple projects working simultaneously and needs a general view of how everything is performing to ensure maximum efficiency.

The key metric highlighted in this report is the net bid value, which shows the value of all submitted bids, including canceled ones. As seen in the net bid value by status chart, only a small amount is accounted for canceled bids, which means this organization’s construction bidding process is efficient. The rest of the charts displayed in the template help provide a deeper understanding of bids to make informed decisions.

Another valuable aspect of this construction report is its interactivity. The filters on top allow the user to visualize only data for a specific category, project classification, or bid status, making it possible to answer any questions that arise during meetings or discussions. This was not possible in the past as the construction industry relied heavily on static reporting. Luckily, with the rise of digital construction tools, like interactive real-time reporting, they no longer need to rely solely on intuition or outdated information. Instead, they have fresh insights at all times.

3. Marketing Report

Our following example is a marketing report that ensures a healthy return on investment from your marketing efforts. This type of report offers a detailed overview of campaign performance over the last 12 weeks. Having access to this information enables you to maximize the value of your promotional actions, keeping your audience engaged by providing a targeted experience.

For instance, you can implement different campaign formats as a test and then compare which one is most successful for your business. This is possible thanks to the monitoring of important marketing metrics such as the click-through rate (CTR), cost per click (CPC), cost per acquisition (CPA), and more.

The visual nature of this report makes it easy to understand important insights at a glance. For instance, the four gauge charts at the top show the total spending from all campaigns and how much of the total budget of each campaign has been used. In just seconds, you can see if you are on target to meet your marketing budgets for every single campaign.

4. Sales Report

An intuitive sales dashboard like the one above is the perfect analytical tool to monitor and optimize sales performance. Armed with powerful high-level metrics, this report type is especially interesting for managers, executives, and sales VPs as it provides relevant data to ensure strategic and operational success.

The value of this sales report lies in the fact that it offers a complete and comprehensive overview of relevant insights needed to make smart sales decisions. For instance, at the top of an analysis tool, you get important metrics such as the number of sales, revenue, profit, and costs, all compared to a set target and to the previous time period. The use of historical data is fundamental when building successful sales strategies as they provide a picture of what could happen in the future. Being able to filter the key metrics all in one screen is a key benefit of modern reporting.

5. HR Report

Our next report example concerns human resources analytics. The HR department needs to track various KPIs for employee performance and effectiveness. However, it must also ensure that employees are happy and working in a healthy environment since an unhappy workforce can significantly damage an organization. This intuitive dashboard makes this possible.

Providing a comprehensive mix of metrics, this employee-centric report drills down into every major element needed to ensure successful workforce management. For example, the top portion of the dashboard covers absenteeism in 3 different ways: yearly average, absenteeism rate with a target of 3.8%, and absenteeism over the last five years. Tracking absenteeism rates in detail is helpful as it can tell you if your employees are skipping workdays. If the rate is over the expected target, then you have to dig deeper into the reasons and find sustainable solutions.

On the other hand, the second part of the dashboard covers the overall labor effectiveness (OLE). This can be tracked based on specific criteria that HR predefined, and it helps them understand if workers are achieving their targets or if they need extra training or help.

6. Management Report

Managers must monitor big amounts of data to ensure that the business is running smoothly. One of them being investor relationships. This management dashboard focuses on high-level metrics that shareholders need to look at before investing, such as the return on assets, return on equity, debt-equity ratio, and share price, among others.

By getting an overview of these important metrics, investors can easily extract the needed insights to make an informed decision regarding an investment in your business. For instance, the return on assets measures how efficiently are the company’s assets being used to generate profit. With this knowledge, investors can understand how effectively your company deploys available resources compared to others in the market. Another great indicator is the share price; the higher the increase in your share price, the more money your shareholders are making from their investment.

7. IT Report

Just like all the other departments and sections covered in this list, the IT department is one that can especially benefit from these types of reports. With so many technical issues to solve, the need for a visual tool to help IT specialists stay on track with their workload becomes critical.

As seen in the image above, this IT dashboard offers detailed information about different system indicators. For starters, we get a visual overview of the status of each server, followed by a detailed graph displaying the uptime & downtime of each week. This is complemented by the most common downtown issues and some ticket management information. Getting this level of insight helps your IT staff to know what is happening and when it is happening and find proper solutions to prevent these issues from repeating themselves. Keeping constant track of these metrics will ensure robust system performance.

8. Procurement Report

The following report example was built with intuitive procurement analytics software. It gives a general view of various metrics that any procurement department needs to manage suppliers efficiently.

With the possibility to filter, drill down, and interact with KPIs, this intuitive procurement dashboard offers key information to ensure a healthy supplier relationship. With metrics such as compliance rate, the number of suppliers, or the purchase order cycle time, the procurement team can classify the different suppliers, define the relationship each of them has with the company and optimize processes to ensure it stays profitable.

One of the industries that could truly benefit from this template is construction. Managing procurement in construction projects is not easy, as suppliers must be picked carefully to ensure they meet the project’s needs. An overview like this one can help assess the abilities of each supplier to choose the ones that best meet the requirements. In construction, supplier selection is more than just about pricing, it also involves availability, certifications, quality, etc.

9. Customer Service Report

Following our list of examples of reports is one from the support area. Armed with powerful customer service KPIs, this dashboard is a useful tool for monitoring performance, spotting trends, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and improving the overall effectiveness of the customer support department.

Covering aspects such as revenue and costs from customer support as well as customer satisfaction, this complete analysis tool is the perfect tool for managers who have to keep an eye on every little detail from a performance and operational perspective. For example, by monitoring your customer service costs and comparing them to the revenue, you can understand if you are investing the right amount into your support processes. This can be directly related to your agent’s average time to solve issues; the longer it takes to solve a support ticket, the more money it will cost and the less revenue it will bring. If your agents take too long to solve an issue, you can think of some training instances to help them reduce this number.

10. Market Research Report

This list of report types would not be complete without a market research report. Market research agencies deal with a large amount of information coming from surveys and other research sources. Considering that, reports that can be filtered for deeper interaction become more necessary for this industry than for any other.

The image above is a brand analytics dashboard that displays the survey results about how the public perceives a brand. This savvy tool contains different charts that make it easy to understand the information visually. For instance, the map chart with the different colors lets you quickly understand in which regions each age range is located. The charts can be filtered further to see the detailed answers from each group for a deeper analysis.

11. Social Media Report

Last but not least, we have a social media report. This scorecard-format dashboard monitors the performance of four main social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. It serves as a perfect visual overview to track the performance of different social media efforts and achievements.

Tracking relevant metrics such as followers, impressions, clicks, engagement rates, and conversions, this report type serves as a perfect progress report for managers or clients who need to see the status of their social channels. Each metric is shown in its actual value and compared to a set target. The colors green and red from the fourth column let you quickly understand if a metric is over or under its expected target.

12. Logistics Report

Logistics are the cornerstone of an operationally fluent and progressive business. If you deal with large quantities of goods and tangible items, in particular, maintaining a solid logistical strategy is vital to ensuring you maintain your brand reputation while keeping things flowing in the right direction.

A prime example designed to improve logistical management, our warehouse KPI dashboard is equipped with metrics required to maintain strategic movement while eliminating any unnecessary costs or redundant processes. Here, you can dig into your shipping success rates across regions while accessing warehouse costs and perfect order rates in real-time. If you spot any potential inefficiencies, you can track them here and take the correct course of action to refine your strategy. This is an essential tool for any business with a busy or scaling warehouse.

13. Manufacturing Report

Next, in our essential types of business reports examples, we’re looking at tools made to improve your business’s various manufacturing processes.

Our clean and concise production tool is a sight to behold and serves up key manufacturing KPIs that improve the decision-making process regarding costs, volume, and machinery.

Here, you can hone in on historical patterns and trends while connecting with priceless real-time insights that will not only enable you to make the right calls concerning your manufacturing process at the moment but will also allow you to formulate predictive strategies that will ultimately save money, boost productivity, and result in top-quality products across the board.

14. Retail Report

As a retailer with so many channels to consider and so many important choices to make, working with the right metrics and visuals is absolutely essential. Fortunately, we live in an age where there are different types of reporting designed for this very reason.

Our sales and order example, generated with retail analytics software, is a dream come true for retailers as it offers the visual insights needed to understand your product range in greater detail while keeping a firm grip on your order volumes, perfect order rates, and reasons for returns.

Gaining access to these invaluable insights in one visually presentable space will allow you to track increases or decreases in orders over a set timeframe (and understand whether you’re doing the right things to drive engagement) while plowing your promotional resources into the products that are likely to offer the best returns.

Plus, by gaining an accurate overview of why people are returning your products, you can omit problem items or processes from your retail strategy, improving your brand reputation as well as revenue in the process.

15. Digital Media Report

The content and communications you publish are critical to your ongoing success, regardless of your sector, niche, or specialty. Without putting out communications that speak directly to the right segments of your audience at the right times in their journey, your brand will swiftly fade into the background.

To ensure your brand remains inspiring, engaging, and thought-leading across channels, working with media types of a business report is essential. You must ensure your communications cut through the noise and scream ‘quality’ from start to finish—no ifs, no buts, no exceptions.

Our content quality control tool is designed with a logical hierarchy that will tell you if your content sparks readership, if the language you’re using is inclusive and conversational, and how much engagement-specific communications earn. You can also check your most engaging articles with a quick glance to understand what your users value most. Armed with this information, you can keep creating content that your audience loves and ultimately drives true value to the business.

16. Energy Report

In the age of sustainability and in the face of international fuel hikes, managing the energy your business uses effectively is paramount. Here, there is little room for excess or error, and as such, working with the right metrics is the only way to ensure successful energy regulation.

If your company has a big HQ or multiple sites that require power, our energy management analytics tool will help you take the stress out of managing your resources. One of the most striking features of this dashboard is the fact that it empowers you to compare your company’s energy usage against those from other sectors and set an accurate benchmark.

Here, you can also get a digestible breakdown of your various production costs regarding energy consumption and the main sources you use to keep your organization running. Regularly consulting these metrics will not only allow you to save colossal chunks of your budget, but it will also give you the intelligence to become more sustainable as an organization. This, in turn, is good for the planet and your brand reputation—a real win-win-win.

17. FMCG Report

The fast-moving consuming goods (FMCG) industry can highly benefit from a powerful report containing real-time insights. This is because the products handled in this sector, which are often food and beverages, don’t last very long. Therefore, having a live overview of all the latest developments can aid decision-makers in optimizing the supply chain to ensure everything runs smoothly and no major issues happen.

Our report format example above aims to do just that by providing an overview of critical performance indicators, such as the percentage of products sold within freshness date, the out-of-stock rate, on-time in full deliveries, inventory turnover, and more. What makes this template so valuable is the fact that it provides a range of periods to get a more recent view of events but also a longer yearly view to extract deeper insights.

The FMCG dashboard also offers an overview of the main KPIs to aid users in understanding if they are on the right track to meet their goals. There, we can observe that the OTIF is far from its target of 90%. Therefore, it should be looked at in more detail to optimize it and prevent it from affecting the entire supply chain.

18. Google Analytics Report

Regardless of your industry, if you have a website, you probably require a Google Analytics report. This powerful tool helps you understand how your audience interacts with your website while helping you reach more people through the Google search engine. The issue is that the reports the tool provides are more or less basic and don’t give you the dynamic and agile view you need to stay on top of your data and competitors.

For that reason, we generated a range of Google Analytics dashboards that take your experience one step further by allowing you to explore your most important KPIs in real-time. That way, you’ll be able to spot any potential issues or opportunities to improve as soon as they occur, allowing you to act on them on the spot.

Among some of the most valuable metrics you can find in this sample are the sessions and their daily, weekly, and monthly development, the average session duration, the bounce rate by channel and by top 5 countries, among others.

19. LinkedIn Report

Another very important platform that companies use, no matter their size or industry, is LinkedIn. This platform is the place where companies develop and showcase their corporate image, network with other companies, and tell their clients and audience about the different initiatives they are developing to grow and be better. Some organizations also use LinkedIn to showcase their charity or sustainability initiatives.

The truth is LinkedIn has become an increasingly relevant platform, and just like we discussed with YouTube, organizations need to analyze data to ensure their strategies are on the right path to success.

The template above offers a 360-degree view of a company page’s performance. With metrics such as the followers gained, engagement rate, impressions vs unique impressions, CTR, and more. Decision-makers can dive deeper into the performance of their content and understand what their audience enjoys the most. For instance, by looking at the CTR of the last 5 company updates, you can start to get a sense of what topics and content format your audience on the platforms interact with the most. That way, you’ll avoid wasting time and resources producing content without interaction.

20. Healthcare Report

Moving on from platform-related examples, we have one last monthly report template from a very relevant sector, the healthcare industry. For decades now, hospitals and healthcare professionals have benefited from data to develop new treatments and analyze unknown diseases. But data can also help to ensure daily patient care is of top quality.

Our sample above is a healthcare dashboard report that tracks patient satisfaction stats for a clinic named Saint Martins Clinic. The template provides insights into various aspects of patient care that can affect their satisfaction levels to help spot any weak areas.

Just by looking at the report in a bit more detail, we can already see that the average waiting time for arrival at a bed and time to see a doctor are on the higher side. This is something that needs to be looked into immediately, as waiting times are the most important success factors for patients. Additionally, we can see those lab test turnarounds are also above target. This is another aspect that should be optimized to prevent satisfaction levels from going down.

As you learned from our extensive list of examples, different reports are widely used across industries and sectors. Now, you might wonder, how do I get my hands on one of these reports? The answer is a professional online reporting tool. With the right software in hand, you can generate stunning reports to extract the maximum potential out of your data and boost business growth in the process.

But, with so many options in the market, how do make sure you choose the best tool for your needs? Below we cover some of the most relevant features and capabilities you should look for to make the most out of the process.

1. Pre-made reporting templates

To ensure successful operations, a business will most likely need to use many reports for its internal and external strategies. Manually generating these reports can become a time-consuming task that burdens the business. That is why professional reporting software should offer pre-made reporting templates. At RIB, we offer an extensive template library for the construction industry that allows users to generate reports in a matter of seconds—allowing them to use their time on actually analyzing the information and extracting powerful insights from it.

2. Multiple visualization options

If you look for report templates on Google, you might run into multiple posts about written ones. This is not a surprise, as written reports have been the norm for decades. That being said, a modern approach to reporting has developed in the past years where visuals have taken over text. The value of visuals lies in the fact that they make the information easier to understand, especially for users who have no technical knowledge. But most importantly, they make the information easier to explore by telling a compelling story. For that reason, the tool you choose to invest in should provide you with multiple visualization options to have the flexibility to tell your data story in the most successful way possible.

3. Customization

While pre-made templates are fundamental to generating agile reports, being able to customize them to meet your needs is also of utmost importance. At RIB Software, we offer our users the possibility to customize their construction reports to fit their most important KPIs, as well as their logo, business colors, and font. This is an especially valuable feature for external reports that must be shown to clients or other relevant stakeholders, giving your reports a more professional look. Customization can also help from an internal perspective to provide employees who are uncomfortable with data with a familiar environment to work in.

4. Real-time insights

In the fast-paced world we live in today, having static reports is not enough. Businesses need to have real-time access to the latest developments in their data to spot any issues or opportunities as soon as they occur and act on them to ensure their resources are spent smartly and their strategies are running as expected. Doing so will allow for agile and efficient decision-making, giving the company a huge competitive advantage.

5. Sharing capabilities

Communication and collaboration are the basis of a successful reporting process. Today, team members and departments need to be connected to ensure everyone is on the right path to achieve general company goals. That is why the tool you invest in should offer flexible sharing capabilities to ensure every user can access the reports. For instance, we offer our users the possibility to share reports through automated emails or password-protected URLs with viewing or editing rights depending on what data the specific user can see and manipulate. A great way to keep everyone connected and boost collaboration.

As we’ve seen throughout our journey, businesses use different report formats for diverse purposes in their everyday activities. Whether you’re talking about types of reports in research, types of reports in management, or anything in between, these dynamic tools will get you where you need to be (and beyond).

In this post, we covered the top 14 most common ones and explored key examples of how different report types are changing the way businesses are leveraging their most critical insights for internal efficiency and, ultimately, external success.

With modern tools and solutions, reporting doesn’t have to be a tedious task. Anyone in your organization can rely on data for their decision-making process without needing technical skills. Rather, you want to keep your team connected or show progress to investors or clients. There is a report type for the job. To keep your mind fresh, here are the top 14 types of data reports covered in this post:

• Informational reports
• Analytical reports
• Operational reports
• Product reports
• Industry reports
• Department reports
• Progress reports
• Internal reports
• External reports
• Vertical and lateral reports
• Strategic reports
• Research reports
• Project reports
• Statutory reports

At RIB Software , we provide multiple solutions to make construction companies’ lives easier. Our construction data analytics software, RIB BI+, offers powerful business intelligence and reporting capabilities to help businesses in the building sector manage their data and make data-driven decisions to boost the quality of their projects. If you are ready to benefit from automated, interactive analytics, get a demo of RIB BI+ today!

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Methodology

Research Methods | Definitions, Types, Examples

Research methods are specific procedures for collecting and analyzing data. Developing your research methods is an integral part of your research design . When planning your methods, there are two key decisions you will make.

First, decide how you will collect data . Your methods depend on what type of data you need to answer your research question :

• Qualitative vs. quantitative : Will your data take the form of words or numbers?
• Primary vs. secondary : Will you collect original data yourself, or will you use data that has already been collected by someone else?
• Descriptive vs. experimental : Will you take measurements of something as it is, or will you perform an experiment?

Second, decide how you will analyze the data .

• For quantitative data, you can use statistical analysis methods to test relationships between variables.
• For qualitative data, you can use methods such as thematic analysis to interpret patterns and meanings in the data.

Table of contents

Methods for collecting data, examples of data collection methods, methods for analyzing data, examples of data analysis methods, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research methods.

Data is the information that you collect for the purposes of answering your research question . The type of data you need depends on the aims of your research.

Qualitative vs. quantitative data

Your choice of qualitative or quantitative data collection depends on the type of knowledge you want to develop.

For questions about ideas, experiences and meanings, or to study something that can’t be described numerically, collect qualitative data .

If you want to develop a more mechanistic understanding of a topic, or your research involves hypothesis testing , collect quantitative data .

You can also take a mixed methods approach , where you use both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Primary vs. secondary research

Primary research is any original data that you collect yourself for the purposes of answering your research question (e.g. through surveys , observations and experiments ). Secondary research is data that has already been collected by other researchers (e.g. in a government census or previous scientific studies).

If you are exploring a novel research question, you’ll probably need to collect primary data . But if you want to synthesize existing knowledge, analyze historical trends, or identify patterns on a large scale, secondary data might be a better choice.

Descriptive vs. experimental data

In descriptive research , you collect data about your study subject without intervening. The validity of your research will depend on your sampling method .

In experimental research , you systematically intervene in a process and measure the outcome. The validity of your research will depend on your experimental design .

To conduct an experiment, you need to be able to vary your independent variable , precisely measure your dependent variable, and control for confounding variables . If it’s practically and ethically possible, this method is the best choice for answering questions about cause and effect.

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Your data analysis methods will depend on the type of data you collect and how you prepare it for analysis.

Data can often be analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. For example, survey responses could be analyzed qualitatively by studying the meanings of responses or quantitatively by studying the frequencies of responses.

Qualitative analysis methods

Qualitative analysis is used to understand words, ideas, and experiences. You can use it to interpret data that was collected:

• From open-ended surveys and interviews , literature reviews , case studies , ethnographies , and other sources that use text rather than numbers.
• Using non-probability sampling methods .

Qualitative analysis tends to be quite flexible and relies on the researcher’s judgement, so you have to reflect carefully on your choices and assumptions and be careful to avoid research bias .

Quantitative analysis methods

Quantitative analysis uses numbers and statistics to understand frequencies, averages and correlations (in descriptive studies) or cause-and-effect relationships (in experiments).

You can use quantitative analysis to interpret data that was collected either:

• During an experiment .
• Using probability sampling methods .

Because the data is collected and analyzed in a statistically valid way, the results of quantitative analysis can be easily standardized and shared among researchers.

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If you want to know more about statistics , methodology , or research bias , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• Chi square test of independence
• Statistical power
• Descriptive statistics
• Degrees of freedom
• Pearson correlation
• Null hypothesis
• Double-blind study
• Case-control study
• Research ethics
• Data collection
• Hypothesis testing
• Structured interviews

Research bias

• Hawthorne effect
• Unconscious bias
• Recall bias
• Halo effect
• Self-serving bias
• Information bias

Quantitative research deals with numbers and statistics, while qualitative research deals with words and meanings.

Quantitative methods allow you to systematically measure variables and test hypotheses . Qualitative methods allow you to explore concepts and experiences in more detail.

In mixed methods research , you use both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods to answer your research question .

A sample is a subset of individuals from a larger population . Sampling means selecting the group that you will actually collect data from in your research. For example, if you are researching the opinions of students in your university, you could survey a sample of 100 students.

In statistics, sampling allows you to test a hypothesis about the characteristics of a population.

The research methods you use depend on the type of data you need to answer your research question .

• If you want to measure something or test a hypothesis , use quantitative methods . If you want to explore ideas, thoughts and meanings, use qualitative methods .
• If you want to analyze a large amount of readily-available data, use secondary data. If you want data specific to your purposes with control over how it is generated, collect primary data.
• If you want to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables , use experimental methods. If you want to understand the characteristics of a research subject, use descriptive methods.

Methodology refers to the overarching strategy and rationale of your research project . It involves studying the methods used in your field and the theories or principles behind them, in order to develop an approach that matches your objectives.

Methods are the specific tools and procedures you use to collect and analyze data (for example, experiments, surveys , and statistical tests ).

In shorter scientific papers, where the aim is to report the findings of a specific study, you might simply describe what you did in a methods section .

In a longer or more complex research project, such as a thesis or dissertation , you will probably include a methodology section , where you explain your approach to answering the research questions and cite relevant sources to support your choice of methods.

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Drinking alcohol is linked to six types of cancer, experts say: ‘It’s toxic’

More than 5% of all cancer cases are attributed to drinking alcohol, new report reveals.

Cancer risk spikes with alcohol consumption, expert warns

Addiction psychiatrist Dr. Adam Scioli of Caron Treatment Centers in Pennsylvania reveals why alcohol is ‘toxic to human cells’

It's long been known that no amount of alcohol is good for the body — and now new research spotlights the potential harm it can cause.

More than 5% of all cancer cases are caused by drinking alcohol , according to the Cancer Progress Report 2024 from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

Among the modifiable risk factors for cancer, alcohol is the third biggest, behind obesity (7.6% of cases) and cigarette smoking (19.3%).

TO REDUCE CANCER RISK, SKIP THE ALCOHOL, REPORT SUGGESTS

"Excessive levels of alcohol consumption increase the risk for six different types of cancer , including certain types of head and neck cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and breast, colorectal, liver and stomach cancers," said Rajarshi Sengupta, PhD, lead author of the AACR Cancer Progress Report 2024, in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.

More than 5% of all cancer cases are caused by drinking alcohol, according to the Cancer Progress Report 2024 from the American Association for Cancer Research. (iStock)

"Further, research shows that alcohol intake at an early age can increase the risk of cancer later in life."

Based on these findings, limiting or eliminating alcohol can reduce the risk of developing alcohol-related cancers by 8% and the risk of all cancers by 4%, the report noted.

Addiction expert warns of risks

There has been a "roller coaster of information" about whether alcohol is harmful, according to addiction psychiatrist Dr. Adam Scioli of Caron Treatment Centers in Pennsylvania.

"There have even been reports for years that it could be beneficial for one's health — but we know now that alcohol ingestion is one of the modifiable risk factors for cancer," Scioli, who is not affiliated with AACR, told Fox News Digital.

‘DOES SMARTPHONE EXPOSURE CAUSE BRAIN CANCER?’: ASK A DOCTOR

Around 75,000 Americans each year are diagnosed with a cancer that is linked in some way to alcohol use, according to Scioli. 

The more someone drinks — both in volume and frequency — the higher the risk, he warned.

Among the modifiable risk factors for cancer, alcohol is the third biggest, behind obesity (7.6% of cases) and cigarette smoking (19.3%). (iStock)

"Alcohol is a toxin," Scioli said. 

"We've long known that it impacts any number of organs, essentially starting with the brain and working its way down to the colorectal system ."

Is there a ‘safe’ amount?

Moderate alcohol use is defined as one drink or less in one day for women. 

For men, it is two drinks or fewer per day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"We've long known that alcohol impacts any number of organs, starting with the brain and working its way down to the colorectal system."

"Drinking alcohol in moderation may increase your overall risks of death and chronic disease," the agency stated on its website.

"Even low levels of alcohol use (less than one drink per day) can raise the risk of certain cancers."

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Scioli agreed, emphasizing that "we can definitely say there's no added health benefit to ingestion of alcohol."

"The line between safety and danger is debatable, and is different for each person."

While risk factors like tobacco use are widely known, public awareness about the link between alcohol and cancer is still low, according to Sengupta.

Moderate alcohol use is defined as one drink or less in one day for women, and two drinks or fewer for men, per the CDC. (iStock)

Most Americans (51%) are not aware that alcohol increases cancer risk, per AACR data.

"It's been flying under the radar for far too long — especially given the number of Americans who have met the criteria for alcohol use disorder, which is around 29 million Americans in 2023," said Scioli.

What needs to change?

The good news, according to Scioli, is that with modifiable risk factors like alcohol, reducing the intake decreases the risk. 

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As the report stated, those who are successful in decreasing their drinking or abstaining below those moderate risk levels will see a risk reduction in overall cancers, he noted.

Around 75,000 Americans each year are diagnosed with a cancer that is linked in some way to alcohol use, an expert said. (iStock)

"We need to do a much better job of making the public aware of the risks inherent in drinking — particularly moderate to heavy drinking," Scioli said. 

"And we need to make the public aware that there are mechanisms by which they can access help if they are unable to moderate their drinking or quit on their own."

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To help raise awareness, Sengupta of the AACR called for public messaging campaigns, "such as cancer-specific warning labels displayed on alcoholic beverages ."

Along with that, she told Fox News Digital, "effective clinical strategies that reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption must be considered to reduce the burden of alcohol-related cancers."

Fox News Digital reached out to the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association requesting comment.

Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].

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Report reveals impact of industrial biotechnology investments

24 September 2024

Sustained public investment in industrial biotechnology between 2010 and 2021 has led to a wide range of economic and social benefits for the UK.

That’s according to a report published today, titled ‘Evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council’s (BBSRC) investments in industrial biotechnology (IB)’.

The report is written by an independent panel of experts appointed by BBSRC to evaluate the IB portfolio.

Spin-out companies

Economic impacts include numerous spin-out companies, such as:

• Colorifix, which uses the products of microbes to dye textiles
• Deep Branch, which uses carbon dioxide to create ingredients for a more sustainable animal feed system
• Holiferm, which makes biobased surfactants used in household and personal care products

Cross-disciplinary approaches

IB is a set of cross-disciplinary approaches that use biological resources for the production and processing of materials and chemicals.

Its principal aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil chemical feedstocks or fossil chemical powered processes.

The applications of IB are vast and span a wide range of industry sectors, including:

• energy carriers
• pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals
• waste processing
• remediation

It also extends to agriculture, food and construction sectors.

Bio-based solutions have the potential to transform everyday life by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and their derivatives, as well as making a significant contribution to growing the UK economy.

The report reveals that BBSRC’s investment in IB has contributed to the establishment of at least 44 spin-out companies.

Several of these companies employ a considerable number of staff in well-paid, technologically oriented jobs and have been responsible for bringing multiple products to market.

Major successes

BBSRC’s Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (BBSRC NIBB) and the IB Catalyst have been major successes.

BBSRC NIBB Phase I (2014 to 2019) leveraged nearly £98 million of additional funding from an initial BBSRC investment of £18 million.

A total of 277 different businesses contributed funding to collaborative projects supported through the networks during this time.

The membership of the networks within the BBSRC NIBB reflect the reach of this initiative.

The membership encompasses a wide range of scientific areas, across all career stages, with strong involvement from academia and the private sector, nationally and internationally.

Sustained investment

However, the report also reveals that, although good progress is being made in delivering impact from these investments, the potential of the work to deliver greater economic and societal impact is not being fully realised.

The panel identified a need for sustained investment to realise the full potential impact of IB alongside supportive long-term government polices to enable the full potential of IB to be achieved.

Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, BBSRC Executive Chair, said:

I welcome this important and timely report, which shows the positive contribution BBSRC’s investments in industrial biotechnology makes to the UK’s economy, particularly in the generation of high-quality jobs through innovative activities. It’s also very encouraging to see how successful BBSRC’s Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy scheme has been, both in enabling interactions between the academic and business community and building communities in other areas. I look forward to seeing how the strong and enduring collaborations generated between the academic and business community resulting from BBSRC investments in IB activities continue to provide benefit.

Expert panel

BBSRC appointed an expert panel to conduct an independent evaluation of its investments in IB research and innovation.

BBSRC identified IB as a strategic priority in 2010.

Between 2010 and 2022, the council’s total spend on IB research and innovation was £413 million, including £42.4 million co-funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Innovate UK.

Current annual BBSRC expenditure on the IB portfolio is roughly £29 million.

The panel reviewed data from various sources including:

• BBSRC’s grants database
• BBSRC research outcomes data
• bibliographic and bibliometric databases
• business information databases
• stakeholder surveys and interviews

Outcomes data was obtained for 568 grants funded by BBSRC which had active spend between 2010 and 2021.

The evaluation encompasses four major themes:

• new knowledge and understanding
• knowledge exchange and supporting collaboration
• economic and societal impact
• BBSRC’s support for IB

Further findings

The report also found that:

• BBSRC’s investments supported high quality research that is internationally competitive
• BBSRC’s investments have built capability and capacity, producing future IB leaders within the UK and beyond
• targeted investments in the IB portfolio aimed at strengthening links between industry and academia are delivering significant impact and benefit
• the BBSRC NIBB initiative was an innovative and effective approach, helping to grow a vibrant IB community across multiple sectors and leveraging significant industry co-investment
• the IB portfolio provided a translational pathway that has significant potential for economic impact, with notable contributions to policy development
• international partnerships within the IB portfolio are helping the UK address global challenges such as net zero
• barriers to accessing specialist infrastructure such as scale-up facilities are limiting the delivery of further impact in BBSRC’s IB portfolio

Further information

Case studies, extraction of sugar from waste.

Fiberight was founded in 2009.

After a couple of pivots in company direction, their focus now is on the recovery of high value products from everyday household waste.

Advanced Microwave Technologies (AMT) was founded in 2008 and specialises in continuous flow microwave technology for various sector applications, including fermentation pre-treatment, microwave assisted reactions and microwave enhanced extraction.

Both Fiberight and AMT have been involved in various BBSRC funded projects with academics to support their development work.

Fiberight received funding in 2016 and 2017 from the IB Catalyst scheme, to work with academics on improving the production of sugars from waste.

Between 2014 and 2018 they participated in several NIBB, namely FoodWasteNet, LB Net and P2P.

AMT were also active members of both FoodWasteNet and HCVfP NIBB projects.

It was at NIBB networking events that the foundations of future working between Fiberight and AMT were formed.

Both companies then worked together as part of a consortium led by the University of Leeds, on a BBSRC Newton-Bhabha project aiming to translate existing IB technology on extraction of sugar from waste in India.

As well as supporting translation of research in a developing country, a patent application on the methodology supporting this work at a full-scale extraction plant level was approved.

Following on from their participation in BBSRC funded projects, Fiberight has since gained EU Horizon 2020 funding to showcase their work at industrial demonstration scale.

AMT has entered a commercial equipment rental agreement with Fiberight to aid them in the scale-up of their waste recovery technology on this project and others in the future.

Both companies continue to work with academic partners and ECRs, providing them with valuable exposure to industry and aiding in upskilling of the IB community.

Invasive weed provides solution to clean energy

Across many developing countries, there is a lack of suitable fuel for energy needs, particularly in rural areas.

An international team of UK, Indian, and Ugandan scientists and industry partners, through a BBSRC funded Global Challenges Research Fund project, have developed biodigesters that break down waste biomass through anaerobic digestion to generate biogas.

Led by the University of Leeds, the project is delivering demonstration units in rural areas of India and Uganda that are now being used by local communities for cooking.

Water hyacinth was used because it invades waterways, damaging the ecosystem and preventing communities from using the water for fishing or other activities.

The removal and clean-up of rivers is associated with high operational costs, environmental concerns and spread of diseases.

The project focuses on the utilisation of invasive aquatic macrophytes such as water hyacinth in combination with nutrient rich waste and immobilised microbial systems. It maximises the production of biogas, clean water and recovery of these nutrients in low-income communities, by developing innovative biotechnology solutions that promote resource efficiency and long-term sustainable services.

Defiant Renewables is an industry partner to the project and playing a key role in developing the technology in terms of designing bioreactors and highly active bacterial consortium to effectively produce large quantities of biogas from water hyacinth.

Supplied with different mixes of biomass, four demonstration digesters have been built for the use of local communities.

Locals have been engaged in the process, educated, and trained in this work, helping to build their knowledge of anaerobic digestion for producing biogas.

The team are now developing the technology further and exploring its potential for use in other countries.

Formed in 2018, Holiferm is a spin-out company focused on the production of surfactants, a key ingredient in household and personal care products.

Holiferm is facilitating the transition of the $42 billion surfactant market away from harmful, fossil fuel-based chemicals to biobased alternatives, resulting in biodegradable products that are also low in ecotoxicity.

These products have applications in personal care, home care, industrial cleaning and agricultural settings.

The technology was first demonstrated in the lab of a Reader in Chemical Engineering at The University of Manchester, with research being driven by then PhD student, who is now CEO of the organisation.

A number of small grants from various BBSRC NIBB provided targeted support at critical time points in the development of Holiferm’s technology, supporting work with industry partners and allowing the company to grow.

In September 2021, a £5.8 million investment from the US based company, Rhapsody Venture Partners, was the latest capital investment secured by Holiferm.

Holiferm won the Innovation Award at the Chemicals Northwest Awards 2022 for their patented gravity separation fermentation technology.

Holiferm is set to launch its second and third fermentation derived biosurfactants to market in 2024 and now employs 52 people.

These are rhamnolipid and Mannosylerythritol lipids.

They are currently being readied for pilot scale production before they go into a full manufacturing process at their Liverpool plant.

Top image:  Credit: ultramansk, iStock, Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

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Although research paper assignments may vary widely, there are essentially two basic types of research papers. These are argumentative and analytical .

Argumentative

In an argumentative research paper, a student both states the topic they will be exploring and immediately establishes the position they will argue regarding that topic in a thesis statement . This type of paper hopes to persuade its reader to adopt the view presented.

 Example : a paper that argues the merits of early exposure to reading for children would be an argumentative essay.

An analytical research paper states the topic that the writer will be exploring, usually in the form of a question, initially taking a neutral stance. The body of the paper will present multifaceted information and, ultimately, the writer will state their conclusion, based on the information that has unfolded throughout the course of the essay. This type of paper hopes to offer a well-supported critical analysis without necessarily persuading the reader to any particular way of thinking.

Example : a paper that explores the use of metaphor in one of Shakespeare's sonnets would be an example of an analytical essay.

*Please note that this LibGuide will primarily be concerning itself with argumentative or rhetorical research papers.

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Research reveals impact of gut microbiome on hormone levels in mice

• Date created: 26 September 2024
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Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have shown that the balance of bacteria in the gut can influence symptoms of hypopituitarism in mice.

They also showed that aspirin was able to improve hormone deficiency symptoms in mice with this condition.

Christophe Galichet and Robin Lovell-Badge were researching mouse Sox3 mutations, which cause hypopituitarism in mice and humans, at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR). When they transferred mice with Sox3  mutations from the NIMR to the Crick, they made an unexpected discovery.  

People with mutations in a gene called Sox3 develop hypopituitarism, where the pituitary gland doesn’t make enough hormones. It can result in growth problems, infertility and poor responses of the body to stress.

In research published today in PLOS Genetics , the scientists at the Crick removed Sox3 from mice, causing them to develop hypopituitarism around the time of weaning (starting to eat solid food).

They found that mutations in Sox3 largely affect the hypothalamus in the brain, which instructs the pituitary gland to release hormones. However, the gene is normally active in several brain cell types, so the first task was to ask which specific cells were most affected by its absence.

The scientists observed a reduced number of cells called NG2 glia, suggesting that these play a critical role in inducing the pituitary gland cells to mature around weaning, which was not known previously. This could explain the associated impact on hormone production.

The team then treated the mice with a low dose of aspirin for 21 days. This caused the number of NG2 glia in the hypothalamus to increase and reversed the symptoms of hypopituitarism in the mice.

NG2 glia (red) in the median eminence, which connects the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, are reduced in the mice with  Sox3  mutations (right-hand panel). 

Although it’s not yet clear how aspirin had this effect, the findings suggest that it could be explored as a potential treatment for people with Sox3 mutations or other situations where the NG2 glia are compromised.

It was a huge surprise to find that changes in the gut microbiome reversed hypopituitarism in the mice without Sox3. Christophe Galichet

An incidental discovery revealed the role of gut bacteria in hormone production

When the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) merged with the Crick in 2015, mouse embryos were transferred from the former building to the latter, and this included the mice with Sox3 mutations.

When these mice reached the weaning stage at the Crick, the researchers were surprised to find that they no longer had the expected hormonal deficiencies.

After exploring a number of possible causes, lead author Christophe Galichet compared the microbiome – bacteria, fungi and viruses that live in the gut – in the mice from the Crick and mice from the NIMR, observing several differences in its makeup and diversity. This could have been due to the change in diet, water environment, or other factors that accompanied the relocation.

He also examined the number of NG2 glia in the Crick mice, finding that these were also at normal levels, suggesting that the Crick-fed microbiome was somehow protective against hypopituitarism.

To confirm this theory, Christophe transplanted faecal matter retained from NIMR mice into Crick mice, observing that the Crick mice once again showed symptoms of hypopituitarism and had lower numbers of NG2 glia. 

Although the exact mechanism is unknown, the scientists conclude that the make-up of the gut microbiome is an example of an important environmental factor having a significant influence on the consequences of a genetic mutation, in this case influencing the function of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

Christophe Galichet , former Senior Laboratory Research Scientist at the Crick and now Research Operations Manager at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre , said: “It was a huge surprise to find that changes in the gut microbiome reversed hypopituitarism in the mice without Sox3 . It’s reinforced to me how important it is to be aware of all variable factors, including the microbiome, when working with animals in research and how nurture can influence nature.”

Robin Lovell-Badge , Group Leader of the Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics Laboratory at the Crick, said: “Hypopituitarism can result from trauma as well as rare mutations, and it can have some profound effects on health in general. As well as suggesting potential options for treatment, our work reinforces how important the gut-brain link is. The next step for this research will be to work out exactly how aspirin and the microbiome influence NG2 glia, and then study this effect in people so we can see if these relatively accessible interventions could help treat hypopituitarism.”

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• Published: 28 September 2024

Research on dynamic urine volume detection system based on smart flexible textile sensors

• Fan Xiong   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3802-7068 1 , 2 ,
• Yunfei Li 1 , 2 ,
• Chuanle Xie 3 ,
• Zheng Wang 1 , 2 ,
• Jinli Zhou 1 , 2 ,
• Hongying Yang 1 , 2 ,
• Mengzhao Fan 1 , 2 ,
• Chaoran Yang 1 , 2 ,
• Junjie Zheng 1 , 2 ,
• Chenxiao Wang 1 , 2 &
• Cheng Guo 1 , 2  

Scientific Reports volume  14 , Article number:  22459 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

Metrics details

• Urinary incontinence
• Urogenital diseases

Urine leakage volume is an important indicator reflecting the severity of incontinence in patients. Currently, there are limited smart diapers capable of continuous dynamic monitoring of urine volume. This study developed two types of urine volume sensors, resistive and capacitive, which were integrated with traditional diapers to assess urine leakage levels: mild leakage (0–5 mL), moderate leakage (6–12 mL), and severe leakage (above 12 mL). Three patterns of resistive urine volume sensors were designed, and the results showed that the A pattern could accurately determine urine volume and frequency levels. Additionally, three electrode spacing designs were tested for the capacitive urine volume sensors. The results indicated that the sensor with a 1 cm electrode spacing could determine the urine volume range, with each 1 mL increase in urine causing a capacitance rise of approximately 1.5–1.8 pF, with an error of about ± 0.5 mL per increment. Both resistive and capacitive methods showed high accuracy in monitoring urine volume and frequency. This study validated the feasibility of smart flexible fabric sensors in detecting urine volume and frequency, providing a potential solution for better assessing and managing the condition of incontinence patients.

Introduction

Urinary incontinence refers to a condition where an individual is unable to control the release of urine, leading to accidental leakage 1 , 2 . Population-based studies have shown that urinary incontinence is more common in women than in men, with approximately 10% of adult women experiencing this condition 3 , 4 . Urinary incontinence can result in social isolation, depression, anxiety, and other psychological issues for patients, severely affecting their daily lives and work. As age increases, the elasticity of the body’s muscles declines, particularly the pelvic floor muscles, reducing the ability to control urine. This is especially true for individuals over the age of 55, where the prevalence of urinary incontinence significantly rises. In the current medical context, the study of urinary incontinence is of great importance 5 , 6 , 7 . A deeper understanding of the mechanisms and influencing factors of urinary incontinence helps in formulating more precise treatment and rehabilitation strategies, thereby improving the quality of life for patients 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 . The volume and frequency of leakage are critical indicators reflecting the severity of urinary incontinence; the greater the leakage volume and frequency, the more severe the condition.

With the continuous advancement of medical technology, smart textiles are gradually transforming our approach to healthcare. These smart textiles are more comfortable and easier to wear, effectively enhancing user applicability and comfort. Smart textiles provide new solutions for care, primarily including smart diapers 12 , smart pads 13 , incontinence pads 14 , underwear 15 , and mattresses 16 . These textiles are equipped with various sensors, such as humidity sensors that can monitor urine moisture in real-time. Through wireless data transmission, these smart textiles can provide instant urine monitoring data, making them widely applicable in the care of infants, incontinence patients, and long-term bedridden patients. In this revolutionary era, smart diapers, as an effective assistant for urinary incontinence patients and caregivers, are bringing convenience and comfort to daily life with their unique smart technology and user-friendly design 12 .

In recent years most of the researchers have investigated different preparation process moisture sensing and continuously proved out the feasibility of moisture sensing for urine output monitoring. Meltem Tekcin et al. 17 used office inkjet printers to fabricate moisture sensors by printing conductive PEDOT: PSS polymer inks on polyamide-based taffeta label fabrics, and dropping adult diapers with 0.1–100 mL of saline to simulate incontinence detection. The results showed that the resistance of the sensor varied with the amount of water. Ngo et al. 18 designed a wireless incontinence sensor system using flexible screen-printed Interdigital Electrodes (IDE) sensors and biocompatible electrically conductive PEDOT: PSS material, combined with a battery, a sensor signal-reading device, and a wireless module. The capacitive method is more reliable in detecting urine volume than the conventional resistive sensors for urinary incontinence. However, it is known from ink printing analysis that prolonged exposure to urine will lead to dissolution of some of the ink, which may be harmful to the human body. Parkova et al. 19 , 20 prepared two types of fabrics, single electrode sensors and dual electrode sensors, using a computerized embroidery machine to improve the comfort of the urine loss alarm system using a cotton fabric as the base and a polyamide silver-plated yarn as the embroidery yarn. Liang et al. 21 proposed that self-stretching BC/CNT (BCT) helical fibers with excellent mechanical properties were prepared by solution spinning and winding processes using bacterial cellulose (BC) as a water-sensitive matrix and carbon nanotubes (CNT) as the sensing material. Due to the design with helical structure, smart diapers with fast response were prepared by combining the fibers with diapers and weighing scales (weighing wires). However, for the existing conductive yarn prepared sensing, did not complete the continuous urine frequency monitoring, can only remind the leakage of urine, the main use scenario is used to remind infants and young children to change diapers, and did not form the incontinence patients leakage frequency and leakage of urine monitoring function.

This study proposes two types of wearable flexible fabric urine volume sensors based on different measurement principles to address the issues of light urine leakage volume and urination frequency monitoring in patients with various types of incontinence. Compared to previous research, it has been found that most studies are limited to laboratory tests without real-life on-body experiments or tests conducted by medical personnel specializing in pelvic diseases. These studies often lack accuracy in urination frequency detection and do not provide techniques for evaluating urine leakage volume. The current smart diapers available on the market primarily function to alert for diaper saturation or bowel movements and do not cater to incontinence patients with pelvic diseases. Many adult women suffer from incontinence, and when medical personnel inquire about their urination frequency and volume, most patients find it challenging to provide accurate information due to a lack of understanding or embarrassment about their condition. This significantly complicates the medical staff’s ability to assess and diagnose the severity of the incontinence. Through this study, we designed a highly sensitive interdigital flexible sensing circuit that demonstrated high accuracy in monitoring urine leakage volume and urination frequency using resistive humidity sensors. These sensors can accurately determine the range of urine leakage volume and frequency and have undergone corresponding on-body tests. The flexible capacitive sensors showed better accuracy in urine volume monitoring compared to the resistive sensors. However, because the capacitive sensors are significantly affected by external pressure, ongoing research is focused on mitigating these effects during on-body experiments. The planar studies on flexible capacitive sensors provide a foundation for subsequent on-body monitoring research. This technology for monitoring urine volume and frequency is characterized by ease of use and high accuracy, offering a more convenient and discreet treatment option for incontinence patients. It also provides clinicians with more precise and comprehensive data for disease assessment and treatment planning. Additionally, this technology has broad applications in medical research, sports training, and other fields, supporting the advancement of related domains.

Experimental materials and equipment

Experimental materials.

The conductive materials chosen for the functional electrodes are silver-plated yarn with a fineness of 31.8 tex and a resistivity of 1.68 × 10 −5  Ω m, and graphene yarn with a resistivity of 2.5 × 10 −3  Ω m. The silver-plated conductive yarn consists of 18% silver and 82% nylon (manufacturers: Shenzhen Guolongfei Trading Co., Ltd.; Zhejiang Riffon Nano Biotechnology Co., Ltd.), with the basic mechanical properties shown in Table  1 . The electrode substrate materials are non-woven fabric I (polypropylene (PP) spunlace non-woven fabric; 25 g/m 2 ; Zhengzhou Yuli New Material Technology Co., Ltd.) and non-woven fabric II (polypropylene (PP) meltblown non-woven fabric; 20 g/m 2 ; Zhengzhou Yuli New Material Technology Co., Ltd.). The capacitive electrodes use silver-plated conductive fabric (composition: silver fiber; density: 100 g/m 2 ; manufacturer: Jinan Yumo Technology Co., Ltd.), and the base material is woven fabric made of raw cotton (composition: ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber; manufacturer: Dongguan Sovet Special Thread Co., Ltd.). The adhesive spray used is from 3 M China Co., Ltd.

The conductive liquid used in the experiments was artificial urine with a pH of 6.5 (manufactured by Dongguan Chuang feng Automation Technology Co, Ltd). The liquid carrier was selected as Jie hu jia adult diapers (Beijing Bei shute Maternal and Child Supplies Co, Ltd), specifically designed for urinary incontinence patients, featuring an inner core with larger capacity and faster absorption rate.

Experimental equipment

Brother Automatic Embroidery and Sewing Machine NV180 (Brother (China) Commercial Co, Ltd): This machine allows the independent design of patterns on design software and automatic embroidery. The electrode pattern design software used was PE-DESIGN 10.

Data Acquisition Module with nRF52832 Chip (Nordic Company): This module serves as the main control chip for data collection.

LCR Meter (Model: IM3533-01, Manufacturer: HIOKI Corporation, Japan): Used for collecting capacitance data.

Multimeter (Model: VC89A, Manufacturer: Victor (Sheng li) Corporation): Utilized for checking if the freshly embroidered sensors are short-circuited.

Sensor design and fabrication

Sensor structure design.

For the design of the resistive sensor, a serpentine electrode array was formed on hydrophilic non-woven fabric using silver-plated conductive yarn through sewing techniques. The sensor layer was tightly adhered to the surface of the diaper using adhesive spray, encapsulating it to integrate leakage detection and diaper functionality into a smart diaper. Diapers generally consist of four parts: the surface layer, flow guide layer, absorbent core layer, and bottom layer 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 . In this study, the urine volume sensor was embedded between the surface layer and the flow guide layer of the diaper. This configuration is shown in Fig.  1 .

To measure urine leakage and frequency using the capacitive method, the sensor needs to be combined with the diaper selected for this study for performance testing. The design for measuring urine volume and leakage frequency using the capacitive method involves placing the sensor layer at the bottom layer of the diaper to receive capacitive data. The functions and materials of each layer are similar to those of the resistive smart diaper. As shown in Fig.  1 .

( a ) Resistive urine volume sensor structure and liquid absorption diagram; ( b ) capacitive smart diaper structure and liquid absorption diagram.

Electrode pattern design and fabrication

Design and fabrication of resistive sensor.

In this study, silver-plated yarn was chosen as the conductive material, and hydrophilic non-woven fabric and hydrophobic non-woven fabric were used as the substrate and insulating materials, respectively, to fabricate the sensor. Considering the standard dimensions of diapers commonly used by patients and comfort requirements, specific size limitations were applied in the research, with the diaper size set at 7 cm × 24 cm. Therefore, the overall dimensions of the electrode pattern were limited within the range of 5 cm × 20 cm.

Design requirements: The sewn part on the surface of the sensor should be smooth and uniform; there should be no distortion in the overall conduction spacing; no short circuits should occur in the conductive areas, and good contact needs to be ensured.

Design of conduction spacing and patterns: Preliminary experiments revealed that the liquid absorption and spreading of each drop of artificial urine on the substrate material ranged approximately from 0.5 to 0.7 cm. Therefore, in this study, the designed conduction spacing for the urine volume sensor’s serpentine electrode array was set at 0.5 cm. To investigate the influence of different patterns on urine volume sensing performance, three different patterns, labeled A, B, and C, were designed with varying numbers of modules and different arrangements. Pattern A: This pattern comprises 2 conductive lines and 1 module, occupying the entire urine volume sensor area. Pattern B: This pattern includes 4 conductive lines and 3 modules arranged in an “upper-middle-lower” configuration. Pattern C: This pattern features 5 conductive lines and 4 modules arranged in a “cross” configuration. To ensure the flexibility of the designed sensor and to avoid discomfort during wear, straight-line stitches were used in the sewing process, with a stitch distance of 1.0 mm. The design schematic is illustrated in Fig.  2 .

The designed resistive urine volume sensing patterns are sewn using a Brother NV180 automatic embroidery and sewing machine. The specific preparation process is as follows: First, cut two pieces of hydrophilic non-woven fabric (Q1, Q2) measuring 10 cm × 25 cm each. Sew the conductive yarn onto Q1 according to the designed pattern, ensuring continuity and consistent spacing of each wire during the sewing process. Next, trim any burrs on the completed sensor and use a multimeter to check for any breaks in individual wires or short circuits between adjacent wires. If any wire is broken or adjacent wires are short-circuited, the urine volume sensor is considered faulty and needs to be re-prepared.

After confirming the functionality of the semi-finished urine volume sensor using a multimeter, proceed with the assembly process. Overlay Q2 onto the sensor, and apply conductive tape at the junctions of the conductive yarn. Utilize snap fasteners at the conductive tape locations to secure the layers. After fastening, cut a piece of hydrophobic non-woven fabric measuring 10 cm × 15 cm. Use this fabric to cover areas outside the urine volume sensor pattern. Its purpose is to prevent urine from dripping onto conductive yarn outside the sensor pattern during experiments, ensuring the accuracy of experimental data. Following these steps, the resistive urine volume sensor is fully assembled and prepared for use. Its physical appearance is depicted in Fig.  2 .

( a ) Urine volume sensor design; ( b ) resistive urine volume sensor physical image.

Design and fabrication of capacitive urine volume sensor

Following the selection of the fabrication process used for the resistive urine volume sensor and considering practicality for optimal results, the fabrication process for the capacitive urine volume sensor also involves sewing. Initially, the conductive electrodes are connected to the surface of the base material using black polyester yarn. Subsequently, during the sewing process, the yarn is threaded through the base material using stitches, securing the electrode yarn on it. Wave patterns are incorporated to enhance both decorative aspects and comfort. Throughout the sewing process, it is ensured that the electrode yarn is tightly and securely connected to the base material, preventing any looseness or breakage to ensure reliable electrode contact.

For the fabrication of the capacitive urine volume sensor, silver-plated conductive fabric and cotton woven fabric are chosen as the conductive and base materials, respectively. Considering the specifications of diapers commonly used by patients as well as comfort, the dimensions of the entire urine volume sensor are set at 10 cm × 28 cm, within the constraints of the selected diaper size (7 cm × 24 cm).

Design requirements: The sewn surface of the sensor must be smooth and uniform. Ensuring a tight and secure connection between the electrode yarn and the base material is imperative. Avoiding situations of loosening or breakage is crucial to guarantee excellent electrode contact.

The size of the capacitor is directly related to the area facing the electrodes and the alignment of the electrodes. Considering that a larger electrode area can increase the capacitance value, enhancing sensitivity, it’s important to balance this with the potential difficulties and costs associated with excessively large electrode areas. Additionally, there are constraints posed by the size of the diaper. Thus, this study maintains a consistent electrode area, with individual electrodes measuring 3 cm × 28 cm, and only varies the distance between the electrodes.

The sensitivity of a capacitive sensor is inversely proportional to the distance between the electrodes; a smaller distance between electrodes can increase the sensitivity but might also lead to mutual interference between the electrodes. Generally, the electrode spacing should be moderate, ensuring sensitivity while minimizing mutual interference. The distance between electrodes is also influenced by the presence of urine; if the distance between electrodes is too small, urine might form a bridge between them, causing erroneous measurements. When designing the electrode spacing, the flow of urine needs to be considered to prevent such occurrences. Therefore, the design of the electrode distance for capacitive urine volume sensors needs to consider multiple factors, including sensitivity and the flow of urine.

Therefore, this design keeps the electrode area constant and only varies the distance between the two electrodes. Three different electrode spacings have been chosen: 1 cm, 2 cm, and 3 cm. The design diagram is illustrated in Fig.  3 .

( a ) Urine volume sensing design diagram; ( b ) capacitive urine volume sensing prototype.

Testing process

Resistive measurement process.

Using the resistive method to measure urine volume primarily involves evaluating urine volume and frequency based on the analog resistance values. A urine volume detection platform was designed and constructed, with a data acquisition front-end module sampling frequency of 50 Hz. The Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) converts analog signals into digital values, representing the relative magnitude of input signals within a specified range. Therefore, all sampled values of the data acquisition device in this study are analog resistance values, and the waveform changes on the upper computer represent amplitude changes, not actual resistance or voltage values.

To begin, open the serial port debugging assistant on the computer to receive analog resistance data. Use a disposable sterile syringe to draw a quantified amount of artificial urine and drop it at regular intervals onto the same location of the diaper to activate the embedded urine volume sensor. The data acquisition device transmits the collected resistance values in real-time to the computer via the serial port debugging assistant. After completing an experiment, save the raw data in Excel and use Origin to plot charts to observe changes in analog resistance. Through these steps, the entire process of measuring urine volume using the resistive method is completed. Refer to Fig.  4 for details.

( a ) Schematic diagram of resistive urine volume measurement; ( b ) physical setup for resistive urine volume measurement.

The sampling amplitude range (K) of the data acquisition device in this study is from 0 to 950, with around 925 considered as “returning to the initial state”. As artificial urine drops, the analog resistance begins to decrease, and as the urine permeates, the analog resistance gradually rises. The specific experimental steps are as follows: Start by opening the serial port debugging assistant on the computer to receive data. The initial values of the development board are around 925. Secure the resistive urine volume sensor and the diaper with a clip, flatten them on a surface, connect the front-end module to the urine volume sensor using DuPont wires, connect the front-end module to the computer, and then start the experiment. On the smart diapers designed with three different urine volume sensors (A, B, and C), drop 1 mL, 2 mL, and 3 mL of artificial urine respectively. Drip once every 2 min, and drop 5 times for each milliliter. Then, based on the sampling amplitude values collected by the front-end module, plot trend curves to observe and evaluate the urine volume sensors. It is essential to simulate real urinary incontinence scenarios as closely as possible, by dropping artificial urine at the same position of the urine volume sensor and avoiding the edges of the diaper. After completing the 5 drops of urine experiment, continue observing the analog resistance changes for about 1 min. Develop urine volume grades based on the sensor’s performance and qualitatively assess urine volume and frequency.

Capacitance measurement process

The data acquisition device in this study had a sampling capacitance range of 0–60 pF. The “initial state recovery” capacitance values differed for smart diapers with different electrode spacings. As artificial urine drops, the capacitance value gradually increases, and with the infiltration of urine, the rising trend of capacitance becomes smoother. The specific experimental steps are as follows: Turn on the LCR meter, set the mode to LCR mode, adjust the instrument parameters as follows: measurement frequency at 1 kHz, measurement level signal at CV 1.5 V, voltage/current limit off, DC bias off, trigger set to INT, range set to HOLD 10 MΩ, measurement speed set to MED, averaging off, trigger delay at 0.2 s, and trigger synchronization output function off. Adjust the spacing between the electrodes, fix the capacitive urine volume sensor and the diaper, spread them flat on a plane, and use the LCR meter’s clamp to hold them on the protruding electrode fabric. Then start the experiment. Use a disposable sterile medical syringe to draw a specific volume of artificial urine. Drop 1 mL, 2 mL, and 3 mL of artificial urine on smart diapers with three different electrode spacings, respectively. Drip once every 1 min, 10 times for each milliliter. Then, collect the capacitance data using the LCR meter, plot the trend curve, observe, and evaluate the manufactured urine volume sensor. As shown in Fig.  5 .

( a ) Schematic of capacitance-based urine volume testing; (b) physical setup for capacitance-based urine volume testing.

Experimental results analysis

For the evaluation of the leakage range using the resistance method, assessment is primarily based on the sampling amplitude changes, with evaluation references including the response difference value (KX), response final value (RFV), response minimum value (RMV), response rate (KL), and response final value (RFv).

In the case of the capacitive method for evaluating urinary incontinence range, the assessment was primarily based on the variation in values obtained from the LCR tester.

\(\varepsilon\) is the dielectric constant of the material between the electrodes, S is the effective area of the opposing metal electrodes, d is the distance between the opposing metal electrodes.

Standard deviation of capacitance increase:

x is the mean of the capacitance increase, xn is the individual capacitance increase values, S is the standard deviation of the capacitance increase.

Determination of the optimal urinary volume resistive sensor

Experiment results and analysis for pattern a.

The module structure of pattern A is shown in the figure. At the central position of pattern A, 1 mL, 2 mL, and 3 mL of artificial urine were dropped every 2 min, with 5 drops per milliliter each time. The sampling amplitude change curves of module 1 are shown in Fig.  6 .

Schematic diagram of module A structure and sampling amplitude change graphs for different urine volumes ( a )1 mL, ( b ) 2 mL, ( c ) 3 mL.

The analysis of sampling amplitude changes for module 1 in the above figure is summarized in Table  2 . The response difference is denoted by KX, and the response rate is denoted by KL (%).

Based on the analysis of Fig.  6 ; Table  2 , it is found that the resistance sensing in Pattern A cannot accurately determine the specific urine volume. Therefore, this design will define three levels of urinary incontinence: mild, moderate, and severe. The range for mild incontinence is 0–5 mL, moderate incontinence is 6–12 mL, and severe incontinence is above 12 mL.

Pattern A for urine volume sensing consists of only one module covering the entire urine volume sensing area. Therefore, this analysis does not involve the position and quantity of urine volume sensing modules. From the figure and table, a common trend is observed: as artificial urine continues to drip, the difference in response values of urine volume sensing gradually decreases, and the recovery rate of sampling amplitude also decreases. There is no significant relationship between urine volume and the lowest value of sampling amplitude during dripping.

In the experiment where 1 mL of artificial urine was dropped each time, totaling 5 mL of artificial urine, the resistance-based urine volume sensing still shows a significant difference in response values, indicating that there is still some distance from saturation of the diaper, hence defined as mild urinary incontinence.

In the experiment where 2 mL of artificial urine was dropped each time, after the first two drops, which is 4 mL of artificial urine, the resistance-based urine volume sensing also shows a significant difference in response values, consistent with the analysis above. However, after the third drop of artificial urine, the KX value of the urine volume sensing remains around 75, and KL also remains around 12%. At this point, the diaper has absorbed a considerable amount of urine, thus defined as moderate urinary incontinence.

In the experiment where 3 mL of artificial urine was dropped each time, the sampling amplitude variation of urine volume sensing in the first 4 drops is generally consistent with the analysis above. However, when the last drop of artificial urine is added, KL can still reach over 10%, but KX is only 28. At this point, the smart diaper is approaching saturation, thus defined as severe urinary incontinence above 12 mL.

For pattern A, when the KX value can consistently remain above 100, it is defined as mild urinary incontinence. When the resistance KX is less than 100 but greater than 50, and KL remains above 10%, it is defined as moderate urinary incontinence. When KX is less than 50 or KL is less than 10%, it is defined as severe urinary incontinence. The frequency of urinary leakage is determined to be 5 times based on the KX change interval values, consistent with the actual titration frequency.

Experiment results and analysis for pattern B

The structure of module B is shown in the diagram below. At the central position of pattern B, 1 mL, 2 mL, and 3 mL of artificial urine are dropped every 2 min. As this sensor is designed with module two at the center, modules 1 and 3 serve mainly as reference modules for observing urine permeation. Each milliliter is dropped 5 times, and the sampling amplitude variation curves for modules 1, 2, and 3 are shown in Fig.  7 .

Depicts the schematic diagram of module B, illustrating the amplitude variation in sampling for different urine volumes ( a ) 1 mL, ( b ) 2 mL, ( c ) 3 mL.

The analysis of the amplitude variation in sampling for Module 2, as depicted in the above figure, is summarized in Table  3 .

Through the analysis of Fig.  7 ; Table  3 , it is still evident that there is a common pattern in the change of sampling amplitudes. Specifically, this design cannot accurately determine the specific urine volume. As artificial urine continues to drip, the KX and KL of urine volume sensors gradually decrease, and the relationship between urine volume and the lowest sampling amplitude during dripping is not significant.

The three modules in Pattern B are distributed in an “upper-middle-lower” pattern. Artificial urine always drips into the central part of the sensor. As a result, when there is sufficient urine, it starts to spread upwards and downwards, causing changes in resistance in the upper and lower modules. As observed from the figure, when the urine volume is between 2 and 5 mL, the sampling amplitudes of the upper and lower modules start to change, and they still follow the common pattern mentioned earlier.

Therefore, Pattern B did not achieve the expected results, and there is not much difference in KX and KL between the 1mL dripping experiment and the 3 mL dripping experiment. Pattern B can only detect mild urinary incontinence as defined earlier. This also indicates that with a larger measurement range, i.e., measuring larger volumes (4 mL, 5 mL, 6 mL) of urine, the device can still differentiate, but more urine is required to reach saturation. Additionally, based on the KX change interval, it can be determined that the leakage frequency of 5 times matches the actual dripping times in Module 2. However, there are sometimes deviations in leakage positions, leading to increased difficulty in analyzing leakage frequency in other modules.

Experimental results and analysis for pattern C

The structure of Module C is shown in the figure below. Every 2 min, 1 mL, 2 mL, and 3 mL of artificial urine are dripped in the center of module C, with a total of 5 drips. The sampling amplitude change curves for module 1, module 2, module 3, and module 4 are shown in Fig.  8 .

Structure schematic of Module C—Sampling amplitude change graph for different urine volumes ( a ) 1 mL, ( b ) 2 mL, ( c ) 3 mL.

The modules in Pattern C are distributed in a “field” shape. When artificial urine is dropped in the center of the smart diaper, the sampling amplitudes of all four modules will change. However, the general rule of sampling amplitude change can still be observed from the graph, where a larger urine volume leads to a lower sampling amplitude recovery rate and a smaller sampling amplitude recovery difference. However, there are significant differences between Pattern C and Patterns A and B. From the graph, it can be observed that when artificial urine is dropped in volumes ranging from 0 to 5 mL, the sampling amplitudes of all modules generally recover to above 450. After dropping urine volumes of 6–12 mL, the differences in sampling amplitude changes between the modules become significant, making it difficult to determine moderate urinary leakage. When urine volumes exceed 12 mL, the sampling amplitudes of Module 1 and Module 2 begin to recover more slowly, but it cannot be solely determined as severe urinary leakage based on the small difference in sampling amplitude recovery between Module 1 and Module 2.

Therefore, Pattern C can determine mild urinary leakage. However, when the urine volume exceeds 5 mL, there are significant differences in sampling amplitudes between modules, along with some oscillation intervals, making it difficult to distinguish between moderate and severe urinary leakage. This also indicates that Pattern C is not suitable for estimating urine volume using the resistance method, highlighting the importance of careful design in urine volume measurement. Based on the KX variation range, urinary leakage frequency is estimated to be 5–7 times, which deviates from the actual urinary leakage count. Thus, Pattern C’s assessment of urinary frequency and volume is prone to errors and increases analytical complexity.

According to the cross-point circuit flexible sensing electrode for Patterns A, B, and C, the relationship between urine volume and resistance sensing is summarized in Table  4 .

Based on the A, B, C crossed finger circuit flexible sensing electrodes, the correlation between urinary frequency and the resistance sensing method is determined. Each instance where KX exceeds 25 is recorded as one urinary leakage occurrence.

Optimal capacitance module spacing determination

Experiment and analysis of 1 cm electrode spacing.

When the electrode spacing is 1 cm, the initial capacitance value of the LCR tester is approximately 8.20 pF. Artificial urine, 1 mL, 2 mL, and 3 mL, respectively, is dropped every minute at the central position of the capacitive sensor pad. The artificial urine is dropped ten times per milliliter. The capacitance change curve is shown in Fig.  9 .

Capacitance variation with different urine volumes ( a ) 1 mL, ( b ) 2 mL, ( c ) 3 mL; ( d ) physical setup for urine volume testing.

Based on the analysis from Fig.  9 ; Table  5 , when the electrode spacing is 1 cm, the capacitance is quite sensitive. On average, the capacitance increases by approximately 1.5–1.8 pF per milliliter of artificial urine droplet. However, there is a considerable variance, indicating a high level of data dispersion. This preliminary judgment is likely due to the high sensitivity of the LCR tester, making it susceptible to significant environmental influences.

Therefore, a 1 cm electrode spacing can determine the range of urine volume, with an error of approximately ± 0.5 mL for each drop of artificial urine. The larger the urine volume, the greater the error, thus the accuracy of urine volume measurement with a 1 cm electrode distance in capacitive method is somewhat limited. However, it can roughly analyze the range of urine leakage values, and based on the DS variation, determine a leakage frequency of 10 times, consistent with the actual titration count.

Experiment results and analysis with 2 cm electrode spacing

When the electrode spacing is 2 cm, the initial capacitance value of the LCR tester is approximately 6.50 pF. Artificial urine droplets of 1 mL, 2 mL, and 3 mL are sequentially dropped onto the central position of the capacitance sensor in the urine volume sensor every minute, with 10 droplets for each milliliter of artificial urine. The capacitance change curves are illustrated in Fig.  10 .

Capacitance variation with different urine volumes. ( a ) 1 mL, ( b ) 2 mL, ( c ) 3 mL; ( d ) physical setup for urine volume testing.

The comprehensive comparison of capacitance changes with a 2 cm electrode spacing, as analyzed from Fig.  10 , is presented in Table  6 .

From Fig.  10 ; Table  6 , it can be observed that with a 2 cm electrode spacing, there is significant variation in capacitance. The average capacitance increase per milliliter differs significantly between the 1 mL artificial urine drop experiment and the 2 mL and 3 mL urine drop experiments. There is a notable difference in variance, indicating a high level of data dispersion.

Therefore, the 2 cm electrode distance urine volume sensing did not achieve the expected experimental results, as it cannot detect urine volume accurately. However, based on the DS variation, a leakage frequency of 10 times was determined, consistent with the actual titration count.

Experiment results and analysis with 3 cm electrode spacing

When the electrode spacing was 3 cm, the initial capacitance value measured by the LCR tester was approximately 5.30 pF. Artificial urine was dropped onto the central position of the capacitive sensor patch at intervals of 1 min, with 1 mL, 2 mL, and 3 mL of artificial urine being dropped each time. This process was repeated 10 times for each milliliter of artificial urine, and the capacitance change curve is shown in Fig.  11 .

The comprehensive comparison of capacitance changes with a 3 cm electrode spacing, as analyzed from Fig.  11 , is presented in Table  7 .

From Fig.  11 ; Table  7 , it can be observed that with a 3 cm electrode spacing, the capacitance change is relatively small, exhibiting unclear variations. There is a significant difference in the average capacitance increase per milliliter between the experiments with 1 mL artificial urine drops and those with 2 mL and 3 mL drops. The variance is high, indicating a considerable level of data dispersion.

Therefore, the 3 cm electrode distance urine volume sensing did not achieve the expected experimental results, as it cannot detect urine volume accurately. Additionally, based on the DS variation, monitoring the leakage frequency becomes challenging due to small DS variation values, leading to potential misjudgments and impacting the accuracy of leakage frequency monitoring.

Based on the tests with 1 cm, 2 cm, and 3 cm electrode distances, it was determined that a 1 cm electrode distance can more accurately analyze the range of urine leakage and ensure the accuracy of leakage frequency monitoring. A DS variation range of 1.5–1.8 pF corresponds to a urine leakage of 1 mL, and DS variation values greater than 0.4 pF are recorded as instances of leakage.

Experiment results and analysis of random urine volume with 1 cm electrode spacing

According to this study, a 1 cm electrode spacing can more accurately analyze the range of urinary incontinence volume. To validate the accuracy of monitoring urinary incontinence volume and frequency with a 1 cm electrode spacing, random titration tests were conducted using 1–10 mL of artificial urine, simulating random leaks 10 times. The resulting capacitance change curve is shown in Fig.  12 .

Capacitance variation graph for random urinary volume titration.

The capacitance values corresponding to the titration of random urinary volumes are analyzed from Fig.  12 and presented in Table  8 .

Based on the analysis of Fig.  12 ; Table  8 , random titration of artificial urine resulted in a capacitance increase of 85.43 pF. According to the sensor analysis with a 1 cm electrode spacing, the capacitance value changes by 1.5–1.8 pF per milliliter of artificial urine. Therefore, the estimated range of urinary incontinence is 47.45–56.93 mL. Integrating the data from the random simulation of artificial urine titration, a total of 56 mL was dripped, resulting in a monitoring difference of 0.93–8.55 mL compared to the actual urine leakage volume. Additionally, based on the DS change range, 10 instances of urine leakage were detected, consistent with the actual frequency of urine leakage. This analysis of urine leakage volume and frequency demonstrates that a 1 cm electrode spacing provides a basis for monitoring and analyzing urine leakage, aiding healthcare professionals in diagnosing the severity of urinary incontinence.

The actual results and analysis of pattern A

Volunteers in the laboratory walking test.

To validate the feasibility of the study, the completed forked circuit flexible sensor was tested on volunteers by dripping 1 mL of artificial urine for the first three times, 2 mL for the fourth and fifth times, and 3 mL for the sixth and seventh times, totaling 13 mL of artificial urine. This is illustrated in Fig.  13 .

( a ) Upper body test image; ( b ) upper body test data graph.

Based on Fig.  13 , the changes in KX and KL after each simulated urine leakage for A sensor pattern on the human body are shown in Table  9 .

Based on the analysis of Fig.  13 ; Table  9 , it is determined that the number of urinary leaks per drop of artificial urine is 7 times, which is consistent with the actual simulated urinary leak frequency. Judging from the KX value change interval and KL value for each drop of artificial urine in the table, it is determined that the urinary leakage volume is between 6 and 12 mL, with a small difference from the actual urinary leakage volume of 13 mL, which meets the error tolerance. This proves the feasibility of the A sensing pattern.

Medical volunteer upper body normal walking test

By contacting the local hospital, enlisting a basin disease health care workers as volunteers, the fork finger circuit flexible sensing upper body experiments, to complete the real urine leakage and leakage frequency monitoring, considering the volunteers’ own reasons, there is no photo of the volunteers, the volunteers agreed to keep the relevant data. As shown in Fig.  14 .

Variation of sampling amplitude with different urine volumes.

The changes in KX and KL after each instance of real urine leakage in human volunteers with the A sensing pattern are analyzed from Fig.  14 and shown in Table  10 .

Analysis from Fig.  14 ; Table  10 reveals that each drop of artificial urine resulted in a KX value indicating urinary leakage frequency of 7 times. The medical volunteer indicated consciously controlling 7 instances of urinary leakage, aligning with the monitoring results of A pattern for urinary leakage frequency. According to the KX value intervals for each drop of artificial urine in the table, the initial urinary leakage with a KX value of 68 and subsequent KX values consistently below 100, alongside the KL values, suggest a urinary leakage volume exceeding 24 mL. Weighing the used diaper after volunteer use confirmed a true urinary leakage volume of 33 mL, with a discrepancy of 9mL from the predicted urinary leakage volume. However, this validates the accuracy of A sensing pattern in monitoring urinary leakage frequency, providing an effective basis for estimating urinary leakage volume.

To address the monitoring challenges of urinary incontinence in patients, this study designed and fabricated both resistive and capacitive urine volume sensors, and analyzed their respective performance. By designing patterns for resistive urine volume sensing and determining electrode distances for capacitive urine volume sensing, these two types of sensors were prepared and integrated into the structure of regular diapers, resulting in smart diapers. This provided two effective preparation methods for feasible monitoring of urinary volume and frequency. Additionally, the relevant performance indicators of the sensors were outlined, providing a basis for further analysis and discussion. Furthermore, reliable urine volume sensors were selected. In the resistive urine volume sensing test, leakage levels were defined as follows: 0–5 mL for mild leakage, 6–12 mL for moderate leakage, and above 12 mL for severe leakage. The optimal A pattern could identify three levels of urinary leakage, whereas the B and C patterns could only detect mild leakage, making it difficult to distinguish between moderate and severe leakage. The A pattern largely met the desired objectives. In the capacitive urine volume sensing test, a 1 cm electrode spacing could determine the range of urine volume. Specifically, each 1 mL drop resulted in a capacitance increase of approximately 1.5–1.8 pF, with an error margin of about ± 0.5 mL per drop. This performance generally met the desired objectives. Through the 1 cm electrode spacing capacitance sensing random urine titration test, after analyzing the monitoring data to derive the relevant leakage interval and leakage frequency, the monitoring results will be compared with the real leakage volume and leakage frequency, to prove the feasibility of the 1 cm electrode spacing capacitance method of sensing. Through the upper-body test of A-pattern resistive sensing, we proved the accuracy of the resistive method in monitoring the frequency of urine leakage and the evaluation interval of urine leakage, and cooperated with the healthcare personnel related to pelvic diseases to conduct the upper-body leakage test to prove the feasibility of the A-pattern resistive method.

Data availability

All data that support the finding of this study are included in this manuscript and its supplementary information files.

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This study was supported by the Science and Technology Guidance Project of China National Textile and Apparel Council in 2021.

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Fan Xiong, Yunfei Li, Zheng Wang, Jinli Zhou, Hongying Yang, Mengzhao Fan, Chaoran Yang, Junjie Zheng, Chenxiao Wang & Cheng Guo

Henan Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Textile and Garment Industry, Zhengzhou, 450007, Henan, China

School of Textiles and Fashion, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, 201620, China

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F.X. and Y.L. participated in the design of the study, literature review, writing, and manuscript revision. C.X., Z.W., J.Z., H.Y., M.F., C.Y., J.Z., C.W., and C.G. were involved in the manuscript revision. All authors have read and approved the submitted version.

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Xiong, F., Li, Y., Xie, C. et al. Research on dynamic urine volume detection system based on smart flexible textile sensors. Sci Rep 14 , 22459 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-73179-0

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