Meaning and Sources of Topic Selection

Before starting a research work, first of all, researcher select a topic, which is one of the important parts of research work. Topic selection is one of the most important and difficult tasks in research work. A research guide may help the researcher to select a topic for research. While selecting a topic the following points should keep in mind. Normally, already overdone subject should not be chosen because it is difficulties to give new light (or idea) in such a case. The controversial subject should not be chosen. The subject should not be too narrow or too vague. Subject selected should be familiar or feasible to researcher so that the material or sources of research are within researcher's reach. The importance of subject, qualification and training of researcher must be considered while selecting a topic. The selection of topic must be preceded by the preliminary study.

Sources of topic selection
Topic can be selected from following sources,
• From the article published in newspapers and journals.
• From case studies kept in the library, which has been done by a previous specialist and postgraduate understudies.
• From course books or other related books.
• From discussion with research experts or advisors.

Layout of Report

There is no single format for preparing report in research work. The report writing may vary on the basis of nature of research. But a general format of report writing contains following parts:
A. Preliminary part
B. Central part ( i.e. main body)
C. Terminal part

A. Preliminary part
The preliminary section includes the following components:
• The title page
• Approval page
• Acknowledgement/preface
• Table of contents
• List of table
• List of figure
• Abbreviations

B. Central part / Main Body
The main part of report consists of following five chapters;
Chapter I: Introduction
It contains:
• Definition
• Focus of the study
• Purpose of the study
• Statement of problem
• Theoretical framework
• Hypothesis of the study
• Assumptions of the study
Chapter II: Review of literature
It contains:
• Historical background
• Review of previous study on the same topic
• Objective of previous research
• Findings of previous research
Chapter III: Methodology
It contains:
• Research design
• Population
• Sampling procedure
• Data gathering procedure
• Data processing procedure
• Variables and measures
• Parameters and Statistics
• Pilot study
Chapter IV: Presentation of Data and Analysis
It contains:
• Descriptive analysis
• Correlation analysis
• Inferential analysis
Chapter V: Summary and Conclusion
It contains:
• Summary
• Conclusion
• Recommendation

C. Terminal Part
The terminal section includes the following
components:
• Bibliography
• Appendix
• Glossary of items
• Index
• Vitae Sheet (bio-data)

Types of Report

United nation statistic office has approved three types of research namely,
1. Preliminary report
2. General report
3. Technical report

1. Preliminary report
Preliminary Research report includes results of studies that is still needed to to be affirmed by established researchers. It likewise incorporates topics where there may be contradictory evidence. The results of these studies are not conclusive. A preliminary report gives the information about the data available for the interested area, which is required to present as soon as possible. This report contains a brief statement about survey method, size of the sample used, method of selecting sample and limitation of the data. It is required to assign budget in advance.

2. General report
A general research report is just a report of any research. Statement of purposes of the survey, Description of the coverage, Nature of the collected information, Method of data collection and analysis, Numerical results, Period of data collection, Cost, Assessment of the fulfillment of the purpose of survey, Names of organization conducting and sponsoring, References are  includes on general report:

3. Technical report
A technical report is a document that portrays the procedure, advance, or consequences of specialized. It is also known as the scientific report. It might also incorporate proposals and finishes of the exploration. It gives emphasis on technical aspects or methodology of conducting research. A technical report is a document written by a
researcher detailing the results of a project and submitted to the sponsor of that project. It is prepared by comparing results.

Besides above mention types, in simple understanding research report can be broadly classified into following two parts:
1. Descriptive report: A descriptive report includes a depiction of suppositions and realities assemble by the analyst
during his/her study.
2. Analytical report: In addition to descriptive report this report presents facts and statistics and interprets this
information in relation to the problem under consideration.

Meaning of Research Report

The research report is a major component of research work. A research is considered to be incomplete and ill-defined without a report. This task should accomplish by the researcher with great care for this researcher may seek assistance and the guidance of experts. A research report is a formal communication written for a specific purpose, includes a description of the procedure used for collection and analysis of data, their significance, conclusion, and recommendations. It may be an oral presentation and/or a written statement that has the purpose of communicating research findings, proposals for blueprints, different discoveries to management or other specific audiences. Research reports vary in scope and treatment. Each university might set its own format and style of thesis writing for its research students.