Main Components of a Research Report

1. Preliminary Pages:

Pages before Chapter One numbered in Roman Numerals.

• Title (2 title pages)

• Abstract

• Copyright

• Authorization

• Approval

• Declaration

• Dedication

• Acknowledgement

• Table of Contents

• List of Tables

• List of Figures

• Definition of Key Terms

• List of Abbreviations

2. Main Body:

• Chapter One

• Chapter Two

• Chapter Three

• Chapter Four

• Chapter Five

3. References:

• Affipunguh PK, Laar AS. (2016) Assessment of Women in Northern Ghana: a cross-sectional study. Int J Sci Rep DOI:

• Asp G., et. al. (2014). Associations between Mass Media Exposure in Southwestern Uganda: a Community-Based Survey. Global health action, 7(1), 22904.

• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, (2020) Goalkeepers Report. Data from IHME. hups:l/gates.ly/GK21 MMR

• Akello M., Tumwine J. (2018). Factors Influencing Utilization of Antenatal Care Services among Women in Eastern Uganda: a Descriptive Study. Afr Health Sci, 18(3), 701–710.

• Nankya F., Ssenyonga R. (2019). The Impact of Health Education on Hygiene Practices among Primary School Pupils in Central Uganda. J Community Health Dev, 5(2), 115–123.

• World Health Organization (2021). Global Report on Maternal and Child Health: Trends and Determinants. WHO Press, Geneva.

• Kiggundu D., et. al. (2020). HIV Testing Uptake and Linkage to Care among Key Populations in Kampala, Uganda: a Cross-Sectional Analysis. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1425.

• Namugambe S., & Odongo P. (2022). Assessing the Effect of Nutrition Education on Dietary Practices among Pregnant Women in Northern Uganda. Int J Nurs Midwifery, 14(2), 54–62.

• Ministry of Health Uganda (2023). Annual Health Sector Performance Report 2022/2023. Kampala: MoH Uganda.

• Kato L., & Birungi H. (2017). Community Perceptions on Malaria Prevention and Control Interventions in Rural Districts of Uganda. Trop Med Res J, 6(4), 198–206.

4. Appendices:

• Appendix I: Consent Form

• Appendix II: Questionnaire

• Appendix III: Introductory Letter

• Appendix IV: Approval Letter

• Appendix V: Proposal Approval Form

• Appendix VI: Notice of Research Study Topic and Supervisor

• Appendix VII: Map of STUDY AREA

• Appendix VIII: Map of DISTRICT

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A PROPOSAL AND A REPORT

Title Page:

• Proposal : has one title page.

• Report : two title pages

Tense:

• Proposal : written in the future tense since the research has not been conducted yet.

• Report : written in the past tense as it presents findings after the research has been completed.

Preliminary Pages:

Declaration:
Approval:
Abstract:

• Proposal : No abstract

• Report : Summarizes the completed research, including objectives, methods, results, and conclusions.

Copyright:

• Proposal : not applicable as the work is yet to be completed.

• Report : Reflects the copyright status of the completed work.

Authorization Page:

• Proposal : Not applicable.

• Report : Contains authorizations and approvals based on the completed work.

Dedication:

• Proposal : Not applicable

• Report : Can include a dedication to acknowledge individuals or entities.

Acknowledgment:

• Proposal : Not applicable.

• Report : Acknowledges actual support received during the research.

Table of Contents:
List of Abbreviations:
Definition of Key Terms:
List of Tables and Figures:

• Proposal: Not applicable.

• Report: Lists actual tables and figures used in the completed work.

Main Body:

Proposal (Chapters 1–3):

• Chapter 1 (Introduction): Sets the stage for the proposed research.

• Chapter 2 (Literature Review): Summarizes existing research relevant to the proposed study.

• Chapter 3 (Research Methodology): Details the planned research approach.

Report (Chapters 1–5):

• Chapter 1 (Introduction): Background, objectives, and significance.

• Chapter 2 (Literature Review): Comprehensive review of existing literature.

• Chapter 3 (Research Methodology): Detailed methodology based on what was actually done.

• Chapter 4 (Results): Presentation of research findings.

• Chapter 5 (Discussion): Interpretation, analysis, and implications.

Appendices:

• Proposal : May include research tools, budget, and workplan for planning purposes.

• Report : omits budget and workplan (already planned), includes actual research tools.

Additional Pages:

• Report : May include an introductory letter to provide context for the completed work.

Dissemination of Research Findings

• Besides completion of a research report, one needs to disseminate the findings
• Dissemination refers to the strategies used by the researcher to make those people who are concerned about your findings of those with interest in your findings get to know about your study.

Strategies for dissemination of research findings
These include;

• Oral presentations through CMEs
  • Poster presentations
  • Seminars
  • Publications
  • Conferences
  • Magazines
  • Newspapers etc

Chapter Four

• This is the results section of your research report
• It involves presentation of data and statistical forms
• Statistical data refers to all those numerical descriptions of events, things or objects. They take the form of counting or measurements eg sex and age distribution of children with diarrheal diseases, clinically diagnosed cases of malaria
• Note that results are presented according to the objectives of the study

Statistical methods
• These are the different means of organizing, analyzing and interpreting numerical data for better understanding of a phenomenon so as to allow us make good discisions/conclusions
• Statistical methods can be;
 • Descriptive
 • Analytical

Descriptive and Analytical Statistics

• Descriptive statistics involves organization, presentation and summarization of data
• Analytical statistics involves organization, presentation, summarization and finding an association between variables.

Statistical Variable

• Refers to any measurable characteristic that assumes a different value among individuals or subjects eg temperature, blood pressure, age, weight etc
• Statistical variables can be;

• Quantitative variable

• Qualitative variable

• Quantitative variables can be measured in the form of numbers as opposed to names or descriptions of events
• Qualitative variables can not be measured in the form of numbers but rather names age degree of pain like moderate, severe pain; tribe like Ganda, nyankole etc

Presentation of Data

• Data presentation is important in any research study
• It helps to summarize all the junk raw data into information that can easily be read an appreciated by other readers of your work
• Data can be presented in the form of tables, figures ie graph, pie chart, line graph, histograms etc
• These form visual aids that helps the reader to quickly understand the information.

Tables

• These help to summarize and give picture of how big, shape and distribution of the study findings
These can be presented as;

• Frequency distribution tables

• Grouped Frequency distribution tables

How to construct a table
• Ensure the table has an appropriate tittle
• Tittle should be above the table
• Every table must be numbered to facilitate easy referencing
• Should fit on one page
• Column and row headings should be brief and clear
• Units of headings should be clearly indicated

Figures (Graphs, Charts)

• These help to give a valuable supplement to the statistical analysis
• They help to show the trends of distribution
• When constructing a figure, follow the same guidelines for a table but the heading of a figure is usually placed below the figure

Chapter Five

This section of the research report deals with discussions of the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the study findings.
In the recommending sections you also highlight the nursing implications of the study findings.
Note that discussions are done according to your study objectives.

Key points in discussion of results

• Discussion must be based on the major findings of your study.

• Findings of your study must be related to findings of other previously done studies ie relate your findings to your literature review, are the findings in agreement or they dis agree?

• If your crucial findings do not relate to any literate reviewed also acknowledge it.