5.1 Outline of a Research Report

According to the UHPAB Guidelines, the Trainee’s research report must not be below 30 pages and consists of the following:

Main Components of a Research Report

1. Preliminary Pages: Pages before Chapter One numbered in Roman Numerals.
   • a) Title page;
   • b) Preliminary pages which include Declaration, Approval, Dedication, Acknowledgement, Table of contents, List of tables, figures or pictures, Abbreviations/acronyms, Operational definitions, and Abstract;
2. Main Body:
   • c) Chapter One: Introduction;
   • d) Chapter Two: Literature Review;
   • e) Chapter Three: Methodology;
   • f) Chapter Four: Findings of the Study;
   • g) Chapter Five: Discussions, Recommendations and Conclusions;
3. References:
   • h) Reference list (Minimum 20 references, APA 7th Edition);
4. Appendices:
   • Appendix I: Data collection tools
   • Appendix II: Ethical requirements (Consent form, approval letters, introductory letters)
   • Appendix III: Similarity Index Report (Anti-plagiarism max 30%)
   • Appendix IV: Maps showing location of study area
   • Appendix V: Pictures
   • Appendix VI: Information sheets

Each Chapter of the Trainee’s research shall consist of the following:

5.1.1 Chapter One: Introduction

This Chapter should be structured as follows:

• 1.0 Introduction: Introduce the summary of the chapter in one (1) paragraph;
• 1.1 Background to the Study: This should be a maximum of two (2) pages. It must be concise and precise;
• 1.2 Statement of the Problem: This should be half a page;
• 1.3 Research Objectives:
  • 1.3.1 Purpose of the Study or General Objective;
  • 1.3.2 Specific Objectives: These should be 2-3 SMART objectives;
  • 1.3.3 Research questions;
• 1.4 Justification of the Study: This should include the rationale for conducting the study;
• 1.5 Significance of the Study: This should highlight the importance or contribution to academic knowledge or practical use;
• 1.6 Scope of the Study: Provides the boundary or limits of the research in terms of content, geographical area, and time span.

5.1.2 Chapter Two: Literature Review

This Chapter should be at least five (5) pages and arranged as follows:

• 2.0 Introduction: This should not be more than a half page;
• 2.1 Body: Shall be presented with a minimum of five (5) pages.

5.1.3 Chapter Three: Methodology

Chapter three (3) should be structured as follows:

• 3.0 Introduction;
• 3.1 Study Design: This should include the rationale;
• 3.2 Study Setting: This should include the rationale;
• 3.3 Study Population;
• 3.4 Sample Size Determination and its Justification: Use simple scientific method;
• 3.5 Sampling Method/Procedure: This should include the rationale;
• 3.6 Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria;
• 3.7 Study Variables;
• 3.8 Research Instruments/Tools;
• 3.9 Data Collection Method/Procedure;
• 3.10 Data Management and Analysis e.g., use of SPSS, Excel;
• 3.11 Data Presentation: By use of narratives, charts, and tables;
• 3.12 Quality Control: Measures ensuring validity and reliability;
• 3.13 Ethical Considerations;
• 3.14 Limitations to the Study: Constraints affecting sampling/methodology and how to mitigate them;
• 3.15 Dissemination of Study Findings.

5.1.4 Chapter Four: Findings of the Study

Results should be presented based on the specific objectives and in chronological order:

• 4.0 Introduction: Description of the sample size and data presentation methods;
• 4.1 Demographic Characteristics: All socio-demographic characteristics should be presented in one table with frequencies and percentages;
• 4.2 Research Objective 1: Use tables and figures or summarized narrative statements;
• 4.3 Research Objective 2: Use tables and figures or summarized narrative statements;
• 4.4 Research Objective 3: Use tables and figures or summarized narrative statements;

5.1.5 Chapter Five: Discussions, Recommendations and Conclusions

This Chapter should be structured as follows:

• 5.0 Introduction:
• 5.1 Discussion:
  • It is about the interpretation of key results;
  • Comparison with existing literature based on previous studies related to the topic;
  • Follow the order of specific objectives;
  • Comparisons and contrasts should be made in line with the cited literature with correct APA 7th edition in-text citation.
• 5.2 Recommendations:
  • Recommendations based on key findings derived from the results. It should indicate what is to be done, by whom, how, and when. At least one recommendation for each objective.
• 5.3 Conclusions:
  • These should be summarized in paragraphs, consistent with study objectives, and cover half a page;
• 5.4 Implications to Health Profession Practice:
  • Highlight the impact and relevancy of the findings to the Health Profession practice or how the findings will be important in improving Health Profession Practice.

7.0 APPENDICES FOR FINAL RESEARCH REPORT

• Appendix I: Data collection tool(s) or instrument(s)
• Appendix II: Ethical requirements (Consent form, approval letters, introductory letters)
• Appendix III: Similarity Index Report processed by anti-plagiarism checker software (Must not exceed 30%)
• Appendix IV: Maps showing location of study area
• Appendix V: Pictures
• Appendix VI: Information sheets

Key Differences Between a Research Proposal and a Research Report

Dissemination of Research Findings

Beyond the completion of a research report, it is crucial to disseminate the findings. Dissemination refers to the strategies employed by the researcher to ensure that individuals concerned with or interested in the research findings become aware of the study and its outcomes.

Strategies for Dissemination of Research Findings

These strategies include:

• Oral presentations through Continuous Medical Education (CMEs)
• Poster presentations
• Seminars
• Publications in academic journals
• Conferences
• Magazines
• Newspapers etc.

Chapter Four: Findings of the Study

This is the results section of your research report. It primarily involves the presentation of data, often in statistical forms.

Statistical data refers to all numerical descriptions of events, things, or objects. They take the form of counting or measurements, e.g., sex and age distribution of children with diarrheal diseases, clinically diagnosed cases of malaria.

Statistical Methods

These are the different means of organizing, analyzing, and interpreting numerical data for a better understanding of a phenomenon, allowing for sound decisions/conclusions.

Statistical methods can be broadly categorized as:

• Descriptive Statistics
• Analytical Statistics

Descriptive and Analytical Statistics:

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

Statistical Variable

A statistical variable refers to any measurable characteristic that assumes a different value among individuals or subjects, e.g., temperature, blood pressure, age, weight, etc.

Statistical variables can be:

• Quantitative variables: These can be measured in the form of numbers, as opposed to names or descriptions of events.
• Qualitative variables: These cannot be measured in the form of numbers but rather names, e.g., 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 raw data into information that can be easily read and appreciated by other readers of your work. Data can be presented in the form of tables, figures (i.e., graphs, pie charts, line graphs, histograms, etc.). These form visual aids that help the reader to quickly understand the information.

Tables:

• Tables help to summarize and give a picture of the size, shape, and distribution of the study findings.
• These can be presented as:
  • Frequency distribution tables
  • Grouped Frequency distribution tables
• All socio-demographic characteristics should be presented in one table with frequencies and percentages.

How to Construct a Table:

• Ensure the table has an appropriate title.
• The title 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):

• Figures 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 as for a table, but the heading of a figure is usually placed below the figure.

Chapter Five: Discussions, Recommendations, and Conclusions

This section of the research report deals with discussions of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the study. In this section, you also highlight the implications of the study findings to Health Profession Practice.

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, i.e., relate your findings to your literature review using correct APA 7th edition in-text citations. Discuss whether the findings are in agreement or disagreement.
• If your crucial findings do not relate to any literature reviewed, also acknowledge it.