Notes on report writing for UGC NET Paper 1 Research Aptitude, in 3 short sub-topics. Each one gives the concept, the facts to memorise and the traps examiners set.
3 sub-topics
8 memory points
3 exam-trap notes
2 min read
Topic 16 of 29
What this topic covers
3 sub-topics, in the order to study them. Tap one to jump to it.
A research report has three parts. The preliminary pages include the title page, certificate, declaration, acknowledgements, abstract, table of contents and lists of tables, figures and abbreviations. The main body contains the introduction, review of literature, methodology, results and analysis, discussion, conclusions, recommendations and limitations with suggestions for further research. The end matter contains the bibliography or references, appendices (questionnaires, raw data, tools, supplementary tables) and, where used, a glossary or index. Technical reports serve scholars and funders, while popular reports serve the general public with simpler language.
Memorise
Preliminary pages → body → end matter.
Appendix: supporting material kept out of the body.
Abstract: short summary, typically 150–300 words.
Analyse / traps
Tools and raw data belong in appendices, not in the main chapters.
3H.2References, Footnotes and Latin Abbreviations#
Concept
A footnote appears at the bottom of the page and an endnote at the end of a chapter or document. A bibliography lists all works consulted, whereas a reference list lists only works cited, usually in alphabetical order by author’s surname. Latin abbreviations save space: ibid. (ibidem, in the same place) refers to the immediately preceding source; op. cit. (opere citato) refers to a work already cited; loc. cit. (loco citato) refers to the same passage; et al. means and others; cf. means compare; viz. means namely; passim means here and there; sic means thus, as in the original.
Memorise
Ibid. = same as the immediately preceding reference.
Op. cit. = work cited earlier; loc. cit. = same place cited earlier.
Bibliography = all consulted; references = only cited.
Analyse / traps
Ibid. cannot be used if another source has intervened since the one it refers to.
Research writing should be clear, precise, objective and formal, usually impersonal and in the past tense for methods and results, and free of jargon, emotive words and padding. Conclusions must follow from the findings, answer the objectives and state whether hypotheses were supported, without claiming more than the data allow and without introducing new data. Recommendations should be practical and linked to specific findings, and the report should also state limitations and suggest directions for further research. Careful revision and proofreading complete the work.
Memorise
Conclusions: derived from results, not beyond them.
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