General Guidelines for Report Writing in Special Education Research
Dr. D. Dutta Roy, Ph.D.
Psychology Research Unit
Indian Statistical Institute
203, B.T. Road, Kolkata – 700 108
E-mail: ddroy@isical.ac.in
http://www.isical. ac.in/~ddroy/invt.html
MANOVIKASH KENDRA, 4.12.2011, 10 AM to 12 Noon
TYPES OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RESEARCH
Scientific research: It aims at development of theory on special education. It is used by the scientific communities. Reporting of results follow standard guidelines provided by specific scientific groups concerned with disabilities or special education.
Action research: It is action oriented. It has no intention to develop theory. Generally, it is project oriented. Reporting of results follow the guidelines provided by the fund providers.
Both report distribution of cause-effect variables using either qualitative or quantitative manners or in both.
WHY RESEARCH REPORTING ?
Special educational research is a continuing process. It is the process of repeated search. Research findings may be affected by different errors due to sample representation, experimental manipulation, and presence of outliers in distribution of data. Sometimes, experimenter can not find out the errors due to biasness. This results faulty generalization about findings. These errors can be explored during writing, presenting or sharing the report with scientific communities having subject specific theoretical and practical knowledge and with beneficiaries. Presence of beneficiaries is important when research aims at application or action type research.
WHAT ARE THE KEY INGREDIENTS?
Although such sharing is accomplished in various ways, both formal and informal, the traditional medium for communicating research results is the scientific journal.
American Psychology Association (APA) specifies guidelines to write research report in the journals of disability. It includes Title, Abstract, Method, Results, Discussion and References. One can use appendix or annexure if necessary.
PARTS OF MANUSCRIPT
1.Title page
2. Abstract
3. Introduction
4. Method
5. Results
6. Discussion
7. References
8. Appendix
9. Author’s note
TITLE
It should be a concise statement of the main topic and should identify the actual variables or theoretical issues under investigation and the relationship between them. Title should be fully exploratory when standing alone. Recommended length for a title is 10 to 12 words. Title page should include heads to be used for each page.
In writing author’s name, use same name everywhere. If institutional affiliation is absent, write name of city and state of residence below author’s name.
ABSTRACT
An abstract is a brief, comprehensive summary of the contents of the article so that readers can survey the contents of an article quickly.
Key issues are : Background, Aims, Method, Results and Conclusion.
Background includes reasons for research.
Aims indicate Objectives of research.
Method includes design of research covering number and characteristics of participants, tools used, procedure of data collection (observation, experimental, survey types).
Results cover specific tools for analysis of data and research findings. Tools include statistical tools or graphs or qualitative interpretation.
Conclusion includes interpretation and implications of research findings in theory development or in applied areas.
A good abstract should reflect the purpose and content of the manuscript. It includes non-evaluative statement, important concepts, findings and implications.
Abstract should be concise, specific, coherent and readable.
Tense: use of present tense to describe results with continuing applicability or conclusions drawn. Use the past tense to describe specific variables manipulated or tests applied. Key words include technical terms.No. of words ranged from 100 to 150.
INTRODUCTION
This section orients the reader to the problem or issues being addressed, develops the logic and rationale for conducting the investigations. It should answer questions such as the why the topic is an important to study, What previous research work bears on the topic, how existing work logically connects to the author’s research questions, and or hypotheses, how the question will be researched, and what predictions can be made based on findings.
The key issues : The research problem, the framework for the study, the research questions and hypotheses.
The research problem : Scope, impact and current status of the problem including national statistics.
Framework for the study: Develop the background using literature but do not include exhaustive historical review. Authors review existing literature related to the identified problem, then build a logical rationale for a study that addresses gaps or inconsistencies in the literature. Author should present the theoretical and conceptual model that drove the investigation.
Demonstrate the logical continuity between previous and present work.
Develop the problem with enough breadth and clarity to make it generally understood by as wide a professional audience as possible.
Controversial issues should be treated fairly.
A definition of the variables.
Formal statement of hypotheses with clear rationality
Hypotheses: Hypotheses should be rationalized. The order is rationality and hypothesis. variables should be operationally defined.
METHOD
Method section describes in detail how the study was conducted.
It enables the reader to evaluate appropriateness of your methods and the reliability and the validity of your results.
Remember that the method section should tell the reader what you did and how you did it in sufficient detail so that a reader could reasonably replicate the study.
This section can be multi staged or sequential research. In multi staged research, there will be more than one experiment and objective of each experiment will differ. Likewise, result and discussion will differ. Finally, there will be general discussion.
The key areas: Participants, Apparatus, Procedure of data collection, Analysis of data.
Participants: This paragraph includes size of participants, their chronological and mental ages, categories of retardation, specific limitation and educational levels. Specific sources from where participants were selected and specific procedures for selecting and assigning them are in this paragraph. Major and relevant demographic characteristics of participants and matching group are in this section.
Apparatus: It describes the apparatus or materials used and their functions in the experiment. Complex or custom made equipment may be illustrated by drawing or photograph.
Procedure: It summarizes each step in the execution of research. It includes specific instruction to the subject, formation of group and experimental manipulations in details.
Analysis of data: Description of specific statistical tools and procedure to analyze the data.
RESULTS
It summarizes the data collected and the statistical treatment of them.
First, brief the main results or findings. Then report the data in sufficient details to justify the conclusions.
Tables : Table includes statistical distribution of data. The distribution indicates extent of variability, classification and interactions.
Figures: Figures provide reader’s eye view about comparisons and interactions of data.
Single case: In case of single case, raw scores will be included. Except single case design, do not include individual scores or raw data.
Always tell the reader what to look for Tables and Figures and provide sufficient explanations to make them readily intelligible.
Be certain to mention all the figures and tables in the text.
DISCUSSION
After presenting results, you are in a position to evaluate and interpret their implications, especially with respect to your original hypothesis.
In case multi staged or sequential research, general discussion is used.
You are free to examine, interpret and quantify the results.
Emphasize any theoretical consequences of the results and the validity of your conclusions. Similarities and differences between your results and the work of others should clarify and confirm your conclusions.
Emphasize on following questions:
What have I contributed here? How has my study helped to resolve the original problem?
What conclusions and theoretical implications can I draw from study?
REFERENCES
Books:
Author/s, Year, Title, Place, Publisher, page no.
Author/s, Year, Title, in Editor’s name, (Ed./s), Book name, Place, Publisher, Page no.
Journals: Paterson, P. (2008). How well do young offenders with Asperger Syndrome cope in custody?: Two prison case studies British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 36(1), 54-58.
Webs: Topics, Source, URL, date of retrieval.
Video blog: Title, Video posted to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqM90eQi5-M
APPENDIX
Brief description about institution from which data were collected
The primary or secondary data in original form
The questionnaires, observation checklists, or other tools used in study
AUTHOR'S NOTE
It includes author’s introduction and specific research interests. Author can acknowledge contribution of supporting people or institute. When the paper was presented in the conferences, name of the conferences, place and date will be mentioned in this section.
Psychology Research Unit
Indian Statistical Institute
203, B.T. Road, Kolkata – 700 108
E-mail: ddroy@isical.ac.in
http://www.isical. ac.in/~ddroy/invt.html
MANOVIKASH KENDRA, 4.12.2011, 10 AM to 12 Noon
TYPES OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RESEARCH
Scientific research: It aims at development of theory on special education. It is used by the scientific communities. Reporting of results follow standard guidelines provided by specific scientific groups concerned with disabilities or special education.
Action research: It is action oriented. It has no intention to develop theory. Generally, it is project oriented. Reporting of results follow the guidelines provided by the fund providers.
Both report distribution of cause-effect variables using either qualitative or quantitative manners or in both.
WHY RESEARCH REPORTING ?
Special educational research is a continuing process. It is the process of repeated search. Research findings may be affected by different errors due to sample representation, experimental manipulation, and presence of outliers in distribution of data. Sometimes, experimenter can not find out the errors due to biasness. This results faulty generalization about findings. These errors can be explored during writing, presenting or sharing the report with scientific communities having subject specific theoretical and practical knowledge and with beneficiaries. Presence of beneficiaries is important when research aims at application or action type research.
WHAT ARE THE KEY INGREDIENTS?
Although such sharing is accomplished in various ways, both formal and informal, the traditional medium for communicating research results is the scientific journal.
American Psychology Association (APA) specifies guidelines to write research report in the journals of disability. It includes Title, Abstract, Method, Results, Discussion and References. One can use appendix or annexure if necessary.
PARTS OF MANUSCRIPT
1.Title page
2. Abstract
3. Introduction
4. Method
5. Results
6. Discussion
7. References
8. Appendix
9. Author’s note
TITLE
It should be a concise statement of the main topic and should identify the actual variables or theoretical issues under investigation and the relationship between them. Title should be fully exploratory when standing alone. Recommended length for a title is 10 to 12 words. Title page should include heads to be used for each page.
In writing author’s name, use same name everywhere. If institutional affiliation is absent, write name of city and state of residence below author’s name.
ABSTRACT
An abstract is a brief, comprehensive summary of the contents of the article so that readers can survey the contents of an article quickly.
Key issues are : Background, Aims, Method, Results and Conclusion.
Background includes reasons for research.
Aims indicate Objectives of research.
Method includes design of research covering number and characteristics of participants, tools used, procedure of data collection (observation, experimental, survey types).
Results cover specific tools for analysis of data and research findings. Tools include statistical tools or graphs or qualitative interpretation.
Conclusion includes interpretation and implications of research findings in theory development or in applied areas.
A good abstract should reflect the purpose and content of the manuscript. It includes non-evaluative statement, important concepts, findings and implications.
Abstract should be concise, specific, coherent and readable.
Tense: use of present tense to describe results with continuing applicability or conclusions drawn. Use the past tense to describe specific variables manipulated or tests applied. Key words include technical terms.No. of words ranged from 100 to 150.
INTRODUCTION
This section orients the reader to the problem or issues being addressed, develops the logic and rationale for conducting the investigations. It should answer questions such as the why the topic is an important to study, What previous research work bears on the topic, how existing work logically connects to the author’s research questions, and or hypotheses, how the question will be researched, and what predictions can be made based on findings.
The key issues : The research problem, the framework for the study, the research questions and hypotheses.
The research problem : Scope, impact and current status of the problem including national statistics.
Framework for the study: Develop the background using literature but do not include exhaustive historical review. Authors review existing literature related to the identified problem, then build a logical rationale for a study that addresses gaps or inconsistencies in the literature. Author should present the theoretical and conceptual model that drove the investigation.
Demonstrate the logical continuity between previous and present work.
Develop the problem with enough breadth and clarity to make it generally understood by as wide a professional audience as possible.
Controversial issues should be treated fairly.
A definition of the variables.
Formal statement of hypotheses with clear rationality
Hypotheses: Hypotheses should be rationalized. The order is rationality and hypothesis. variables should be operationally defined.
METHOD
Method section describes in detail how the study was conducted.
It enables the reader to evaluate appropriateness of your methods and the reliability and the validity of your results.
Remember that the method section should tell the reader what you did and how you did it in sufficient detail so that a reader could reasonably replicate the study.
This section can be multi staged or sequential research. In multi staged research, there will be more than one experiment and objective of each experiment will differ. Likewise, result and discussion will differ. Finally, there will be general discussion.
The key areas: Participants, Apparatus, Procedure of data collection, Analysis of data.
Participants: This paragraph includes size of participants, their chronological and mental ages, categories of retardation, specific limitation and educational levels. Specific sources from where participants were selected and specific procedures for selecting and assigning them are in this paragraph. Major and relevant demographic characteristics of participants and matching group are in this section.
Apparatus: It describes the apparatus or materials used and their functions in the experiment. Complex or custom made equipment may be illustrated by drawing or photograph.
Procedure: It summarizes each step in the execution of research. It includes specific instruction to the subject, formation of group and experimental manipulations in details.
Analysis of data: Description of specific statistical tools and procedure to analyze the data.
RESULTS
It summarizes the data collected and the statistical treatment of them.
First, brief the main results or findings. Then report the data in sufficient details to justify the conclusions.
Tables : Table includes statistical distribution of data. The distribution indicates extent of variability, classification and interactions.
Figures: Figures provide reader’s eye view about comparisons and interactions of data.
Single case: In case of single case, raw scores will be included. Except single case design, do not include individual scores or raw data.
Always tell the reader what to look for Tables and Figures and provide sufficient explanations to make them readily intelligible.
Be certain to mention all the figures and tables in the text.
DISCUSSION
After presenting results, you are in a position to evaluate and interpret their implications, especially with respect to your original hypothesis.
In case multi staged or sequential research, general discussion is used.
You are free to examine, interpret and quantify the results.
Emphasize any theoretical consequences of the results and the validity of your conclusions. Similarities and differences between your results and the work of others should clarify and confirm your conclusions.
Emphasize on following questions:
What have I contributed here? How has my study helped to resolve the original problem?
What conclusions and theoretical implications can I draw from study?
REFERENCES
Books:
Author/s, Year, Title, Place, Publisher, page no.
Author/s, Year, Title, in Editor’s name, (Ed./s), Book name, Place, Publisher, Page no.
Journals: Paterson, P. (2008). How well do young offenders with Asperger Syndrome cope in custody?: Two prison case studies British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 36(1), 54-58.
Webs: Topics, Source, URL, date of retrieval.
Video blog: Title, Video posted to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqM90eQi5-M
APPENDIX
Brief description about institution from which data were collected
The primary or secondary data in original form
The questionnaires, observation checklists, or other tools used in study
AUTHOR'S NOTE
It includes author’s introduction and specific research interests. Author can acknowledge contribution of supporting people or institute. When the paper was presented in the conferences, name of the conferences, place and date will be mentioned in this section.
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