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• v.37(16); 2022 Apr 25

A Practical Guide to Writing Quantitative and Qualitative Research Questions and Hypotheses in Scholarly Articles

Edward barroga.

1 Department of General Education, Graduate School of Nursing Science, St. Luke’s International University, Tokyo, Japan.

Glafera Janet Matanguihan

2 Department of Biological Sciences, Messiah University, Mechanicsburg, PA, USA.

The development of research questions and the subsequent hypotheses are prerequisites to defining the main research purpose and specific objectives of a study. Consequently, these objectives determine the study design and research outcome. The development of research questions is a process based on knowledge of current trends, cutting-edge studies, and technological advances in the research field. Excellent research questions are focused and require a comprehensive literature search and in-depth understanding of the problem being investigated. Initially, research questions may be written as descriptive questions which could be developed into inferential questions. These questions must be specific and concise to provide a clear foundation for developing hypotheses. Hypotheses are more formal predictions about the research outcomes. These specify the possible results that may or may not be expected regarding the relationship between groups. Thus, research questions and hypotheses clarify the main purpose and specific objectives of the study, which in turn dictate the design of the study, its direction, and outcome. Studies developed from good research questions and hypotheses will have trustworthy outcomes with wide-ranging social and health implications.

INTRODUCTION

Scientific research is usually initiated by posing evidenced-based research questions which are then explicitly restated as hypotheses. 1 , 2 The hypotheses provide directions to guide the study, solutions, explanations, and expected results. 3 , 4 Both research questions and hypotheses are essentially formulated based on conventional theories and real-world processes, which allow the inception of novel studies and the ethical testing of ideas. 5 , 6

It is crucial to have knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative research 2 as both types of research involve writing research questions and hypotheses. 7 However, these crucial elements of research are sometimes overlooked; if not overlooked, then framed without the forethought and meticulous attention it needs. Planning and careful consideration are needed when developing quantitative or qualitative research, particularly when conceptualizing research questions and hypotheses. 4

There is a continuing need to support researchers in the creation of innovative research questions and hypotheses, as well as for journal articles that carefully review these elements. 1 When research questions and hypotheses are not carefully thought of, unethical studies and poor outcomes usually ensue. Carefully formulated research questions and hypotheses define well-founded objectives, which in turn determine the appropriate design, course, and outcome of the study. This article then aims to discuss in detail the various aspects of crafting research questions and hypotheses, with the goal of guiding researchers as they develop their own. Examples from the authors and peer-reviewed scientific articles in the healthcare field are provided to illustrate key points.

DEFINITIONS AND RELATIONSHIP OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHESES

A research question is what a study aims to answer after data analysis and interpretation. The answer is written in length in the discussion section of the paper. Thus, the research question gives a preview of the different parts and variables of the study meant to address the problem posed in the research question. 1 An excellent research question clarifies the research writing while facilitating understanding of the research topic, objective, scope, and limitations of the study. 5

On the other hand, a research hypothesis is an educated statement of an expected outcome. This statement is based on background research and current knowledge. 8 , 9 The research hypothesis makes a specific prediction about a new phenomenon 10 or a formal statement on the expected relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable. 3 , 11 It provides a tentative answer to the research question to be tested or explored. 4

Hypotheses employ reasoning to predict a theory-based outcome. 10 These can also be developed from theories by focusing on components of theories that have not yet been observed. 10 The validity of hypotheses is often based on the testability of the prediction made in a reproducible experiment. 8

Conversely, hypotheses can also be rephrased as research questions. Several hypotheses based on existing theories and knowledge may be needed to answer a research question. Developing ethical research questions and hypotheses creates a research design that has logical relationships among variables. These relationships serve as a solid foundation for the conduct of the study. 4 , 11 Haphazardly constructed research questions can result in poorly formulated hypotheses and improper study designs, leading to unreliable results. Thus, the formulations of relevant research questions and verifiable hypotheses are crucial when beginning research. 12

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHESES

Excellent research questions are specific and focused. These integrate collective data and observations to confirm or refute the subsequent hypotheses. Well-constructed hypotheses are based on previous reports and verify the research context. These are realistic, in-depth, sufficiently complex, and reproducible. More importantly, these hypotheses can be addressed and tested. 13

There are several characteristics of well-developed hypotheses. Good hypotheses are 1) empirically testable 7 , 10 , 11 , 13 ; 2) backed by preliminary evidence 9 ; 3) testable by ethical research 7 , 9 ; 4) based on original ideas 9 ; 5) have evidenced-based logical reasoning 10 ; and 6) can be predicted. 11 Good hypotheses can infer ethical and positive implications, indicating the presence of a relationship or effect relevant to the research theme. 7 , 11 These are initially developed from a general theory and branch into specific hypotheses by deductive reasoning. In the absence of a theory to base the hypotheses, inductive reasoning based on specific observations or findings form more general hypotheses. 10

TYPES OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHESES

Research questions and hypotheses are developed according to the type of research, which can be broadly classified into quantitative and qualitative research. We provide a summary of the types of research questions and hypotheses under quantitative and qualitative research categories in Table 1 .

Research questions in quantitative research

In quantitative research, research questions inquire about the relationships among variables being investigated and are usually framed at the start of the study. These are precise and typically linked to the subject population, dependent and independent variables, and research design. 1 Research questions may also attempt to describe the behavior of a population in relation to one or more variables, or describe the characteristics of variables to be measured ( descriptive research questions ). 1 , 5 , 14 These questions may also aim to discover differences between groups within the context of an outcome variable ( comparative research questions ), 1 , 5 , 14 or elucidate trends and interactions among variables ( relationship research questions ). 1 , 5 We provide examples of descriptive, comparative, and relationship research questions in quantitative research in Table 2 .

Hypotheses in quantitative research

In quantitative research, hypotheses predict the expected relationships among variables. 15 Relationships among variables that can be predicted include 1) between a single dependent variable and a single independent variable ( simple hypothesis ) or 2) between two or more independent and dependent variables ( complex hypothesis ). 4 , 11 Hypotheses may also specify the expected direction to be followed and imply an intellectual commitment to a particular outcome ( directional hypothesis ) 4 . On the other hand, hypotheses may not predict the exact direction and are used in the absence of a theory, or when findings contradict previous studies ( non-directional hypothesis ). 4 In addition, hypotheses can 1) define interdependency between variables ( associative hypothesis ), 4 2) propose an effect on the dependent variable from manipulation of the independent variable ( causal hypothesis ), 4 3) state a negative relationship between two variables ( null hypothesis ), 4 , 11 , 15 4) replace the working hypothesis if rejected ( alternative hypothesis ), 15 explain the relationship of phenomena to possibly generate a theory ( working hypothesis ), 11 5) involve quantifiable variables that can be tested statistically ( statistical hypothesis ), 11 6) or express a relationship whose interlinks can be verified logically ( logical hypothesis ). 11 We provide examples of simple, complex, directional, non-directional, associative, causal, null, alternative, working, statistical, and logical hypotheses in quantitative research, as well as the definition of quantitative hypothesis-testing research in Table 3 .

Research questions in qualitative research

Unlike research questions in quantitative research, research questions in qualitative research are usually continuously reviewed and reformulated. The central question and associated subquestions are stated more than the hypotheses. 15 The central question broadly explores a complex set of factors surrounding the central phenomenon, aiming to present the varied perspectives of participants. 15

There are varied goals for which qualitative research questions are developed. These questions can function in several ways, such as to 1) identify and describe existing conditions ( contextual research question s); 2) describe a phenomenon ( descriptive research questions ); 3) assess the effectiveness of existing methods, protocols, theories, or procedures ( evaluation research questions ); 4) examine a phenomenon or analyze the reasons or relationships between subjects or phenomena ( explanatory research questions ); or 5) focus on unknown aspects of a particular topic ( exploratory research questions ). 5 In addition, some qualitative research questions provide new ideas for the development of theories and actions ( generative research questions ) or advance specific ideologies of a position ( ideological research questions ). 1 Other qualitative research questions may build on a body of existing literature and become working guidelines ( ethnographic research questions ). Research questions may also be broadly stated without specific reference to the existing literature or a typology of questions ( phenomenological research questions ), may be directed towards generating a theory of some process ( grounded theory questions ), or may address a description of the case and the emerging themes ( qualitative case study questions ). 15 We provide examples of contextual, descriptive, evaluation, explanatory, exploratory, generative, ideological, ethnographic, phenomenological, grounded theory, and qualitative case study research questions in qualitative research in Table 4 , and the definition of qualitative hypothesis-generating research in Table 5 .

Qualitative studies usually pose at least one central research question and several subquestions starting with How or What . These research questions use exploratory verbs such as explore or describe . These also focus on one central phenomenon of interest, and may mention the participants and research site. 15

Hypotheses in qualitative research

Hypotheses in qualitative research are stated in the form of a clear statement concerning the problem to be investigated. Unlike in quantitative research where hypotheses are usually developed to be tested, qualitative research can lead to both hypothesis-testing and hypothesis-generating outcomes. 2 When studies require both quantitative and qualitative research questions, this suggests an integrative process between both research methods wherein a single mixed-methods research question can be developed. 1

FRAMEWORKS FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHESES

Research questions followed by hypotheses should be developed before the start of the study. 1 , 12 , 14 It is crucial to develop feasible research questions on a topic that is interesting to both the researcher and the scientific community. This can be achieved by a meticulous review of previous and current studies to establish a novel topic. Specific areas are subsequently focused on to generate ethical research questions. The relevance of the research questions is evaluated in terms of clarity of the resulting data, specificity of the methodology, objectivity of the outcome, depth of the research, and impact of the study. 1 , 5 These aspects constitute the FINER criteria (i.e., Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, and Relevant). 1 Clarity and effectiveness are achieved if research questions meet the FINER criteria. In addition to the FINER criteria, Ratan et al. described focus, complexity, novelty, feasibility, and measurability for evaluating the effectiveness of research questions. 14

The PICOT and PEO frameworks are also used when developing research questions. 1 The following elements are addressed in these frameworks, PICOT: P-population/patients/problem, I-intervention or indicator being studied, C-comparison group, O-outcome of interest, and T-timeframe of the study; PEO: P-population being studied, E-exposure to preexisting conditions, and O-outcome of interest. 1 Research questions are also considered good if these meet the “FINERMAPS” framework: Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, Relevant, Manageable, Appropriate, Potential value/publishable, and Systematic. 14

As we indicated earlier, research questions and hypotheses that are not carefully formulated result in unethical studies or poor outcomes. To illustrate this, we provide some examples of ambiguous research question and hypotheses that result in unclear and weak research objectives in quantitative research ( Table 6 ) 16 and qualitative research ( Table 7 ) 17 , and how to transform these ambiguous research question(s) and hypothesis(es) into clear and good statements.

a These statements were composed for comparison and illustrative purposes only.

b These statements are direct quotes from Higashihara and Horiuchi. 16

a This statement is a direct quote from Shimoda et al. 17

The other statements were composed for comparison and illustrative purposes only.

CONSTRUCTING RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHESES

To construct effective research questions and hypotheses, it is very important to 1) clarify the background and 2) identify the research problem at the outset of the research, within a specific timeframe. 9 Then, 3) review or conduct preliminary research to collect all available knowledge about the possible research questions by studying theories and previous studies. 18 Afterwards, 4) construct research questions to investigate the research problem. Identify variables to be accessed from the research questions 4 and make operational definitions of constructs from the research problem and questions. Thereafter, 5) construct specific deductive or inductive predictions in the form of hypotheses. 4 Finally, 6) state the study aims . This general flow for constructing effective research questions and hypotheses prior to conducting research is shown in Fig. 1 .

Research questions are used more frequently in qualitative research than objectives or hypotheses. 3 These questions seek to discover, understand, explore or describe experiences by asking “What” or “How.” The questions are open-ended to elicit a description rather than to relate variables or compare groups. The questions are continually reviewed, reformulated, and changed during the qualitative study. 3 Research questions are also used more frequently in survey projects than hypotheses in experiments in quantitative research to compare variables and their relationships.

Hypotheses are constructed based on the variables identified and as an if-then statement, following the template, ‘If a specific action is taken, then a certain outcome is expected.’ At this stage, some ideas regarding expectations from the research to be conducted must be drawn. 18 Then, the variables to be manipulated (independent) and influenced (dependent) are defined. 4 Thereafter, the hypothesis is stated and refined, and reproducible data tailored to the hypothesis are identified, collected, and analyzed. 4 The hypotheses must be testable and specific, 18 and should describe the variables and their relationships, the specific group being studied, and the predicted research outcome. 18 Hypotheses construction involves a testable proposition to be deduced from theory, and independent and dependent variables to be separated and measured separately. 3 Therefore, good hypotheses must be based on good research questions constructed at the start of a study or trial. 12

In summary, research questions are constructed after establishing the background of the study. Hypotheses are then developed based on the research questions. Thus, it is crucial to have excellent research questions to generate superior hypotheses. In turn, these would determine the research objectives and the design of the study, and ultimately, the outcome of the research. 12 Algorithms for building research questions and hypotheses are shown in Fig. 2 for quantitative research and in Fig. 3 for qualitative research.

EXAMPLES OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS FROM PUBLISHED ARTICLES

• EXAMPLE 1. Descriptive research question (quantitative research)
• - Presents research variables to be assessed (distinct phenotypes and subphenotypes)
• “BACKGROUND: Since COVID-19 was identified, its clinical and biological heterogeneity has been recognized. Identifying COVID-19 phenotypes might help guide basic, clinical, and translational research efforts.
• RESEARCH QUESTION: Does the clinical spectrum of patients with COVID-19 contain distinct phenotypes and subphenotypes? ” 19
• EXAMPLE 2. Relationship research question (quantitative research)
• - Shows interactions between dependent variable (static postural control) and independent variable (peripheral visual field loss)
• “Background: Integration of visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive sensations contributes to postural control. People with peripheral visual field loss have serious postural instability. However, the directional specificity of postural stability and sensory reweighting caused by gradual peripheral visual field loss remain unclear.
• Research question: What are the effects of peripheral visual field loss on static postural control ?” 20
• EXAMPLE 3. Comparative research question (quantitative research)
• - Clarifies the difference among groups with an outcome variable (patients enrolled in COMPERA with moderate PH or severe PH in COPD) and another group without the outcome variable (patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH))
• “BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in COPD is a poorly investigated clinical condition.
• RESEARCH QUESTION: Which factors determine the outcome of PH in COPD?
• STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed the characteristics and outcome of patients enrolled in the Comparative, Prospective Registry of Newly Initiated Therapies for Pulmonary Hypertension (COMPERA) with moderate or severe PH in COPD as defined during the 6th PH World Symposium who received medical therapy for PH and compared them with patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) .” 21
• EXAMPLE 4. Exploratory research question (qualitative research)
• - Explores areas that have not been fully investigated (perspectives of families and children who receive care in clinic-based child obesity treatment) to have a deeper understanding of the research problem
• “Problem: Interventions for children with obesity lead to only modest improvements in BMI and long-term outcomes, and data are limited on the perspectives of families of children with obesity in clinic-based treatment. This scoping review seeks to answer the question: What is known about the perspectives of families and children who receive care in clinic-based child obesity treatment? This review aims to explore the scope of perspectives reported by families of children with obesity who have received individualized outpatient clinic-based obesity treatment.” 22
• EXAMPLE 5. Relationship research question (quantitative research)
• - Defines interactions between dependent variable (use of ankle strategies) and independent variable (changes in muscle tone)
• “Background: To maintain an upright standing posture against external disturbances, the human body mainly employs two types of postural control strategies: “ankle strategy” and “hip strategy.” While it has been reported that the magnitude of the disturbance alters the use of postural control strategies, it has not been elucidated how the level of muscle tone, one of the crucial parameters of bodily function, determines the use of each strategy. We have previously confirmed using forward dynamics simulations of human musculoskeletal models that an increased muscle tone promotes the use of ankle strategies. The objective of the present study was to experimentally evaluate a hypothesis: an increased muscle tone promotes the use of ankle strategies. Research question: Do changes in the muscle tone affect the use of ankle strategies ?” 23

EXAMPLES OF HYPOTHESES IN PUBLISHED ARTICLES

• EXAMPLE 1. Working hypothesis (quantitative research)
• - A hypothesis that is initially accepted for further research to produce a feasible theory
• “As fever may have benefit in shortening the duration of viral illness, it is plausible to hypothesize that the antipyretic efficacy of ibuprofen may be hindering the benefits of a fever response when taken during the early stages of COVID-19 illness .” 24
• “In conclusion, it is plausible to hypothesize that the antipyretic efficacy of ibuprofen may be hindering the benefits of a fever response . The difference in perceived safety of these agents in COVID-19 illness could be related to the more potent efficacy to reduce fever with ibuprofen compared to acetaminophen. Compelling data on the benefit of fever warrant further research and review to determine when to treat or withhold ibuprofen for early stage fever for COVID-19 and other related viral illnesses .” 24
• EXAMPLE 2. Exploratory hypothesis (qualitative research)
• - Explores particular areas deeper to clarify subjective experience and develop a formal hypothesis potentially testable in a future quantitative approach
• “We hypothesized that when thinking about a past experience of help-seeking, a self distancing prompt would cause increased help-seeking intentions and more favorable help-seeking outcome expectations .” 25
• “Conclusion
• Although a priori hypotheses were not supported, further research is warranted as results indicate the potential for using self-distancing approaches to increasing help-seeking among some people with depressive symptomatology.” 25
• EXAMPLE 3. Hypothesis-generating research to establish a framework for hypothesis testing (qualitative research)
• “We hypothesize that compassionate care is beneficial for patients (better outcomes), healthcare systems and payers (lower costs), and healthcare providers (lower burnout). ” 26
• Compassionomics is the branch of knowledge and scientific study of the effects of compassionate healthcare. Our main hypotheses are that compassionate healthcare is beneficial for (1) patients, by improving clinical outcomes, (2) healthcare systems and payers, by supporting financial sustainability, and (3) HCPs, by lowering burnout and promoting resilience and well-being. The purpose of this paper is to establish a scientific framework for testing the hypotheses above . If these hypotheses are confirmed through rigorous research, compassionomics will belong in the science of evidence-based medicine, with major implications for all healthcare domains.” 26
• EXAMPLE 4. Statistical hypothesis (quantitative research)
• - An assumption is made about the relationship among several population characteristics ( gender differences in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of adults with ADHD ). Validity is tested by statistical experiment or analysis ( chi-square test, Students t-test, and logistic regression analysis)
• “Our research investigated gender differences in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of adults with ADHD in a Japanese clinical sample. Due to unique Japanese cultural ideals and expectations of women's behavior that are in opposition to ADHD symptoms, we hypothesized that women with ADHD experience more difficulties and present more dysfunctions than men . We tested the following hypotheses: first, women with ADHD have more comorbidities than men with ADHD; second, women with ADHD experience more social hardships than men, such as having less full-time employment and being more likely to be divorced.” 27
• “Statistical Analysis
• ( text omitted ) Between-gender comparisons were made using the chi-squared test for categorical variables and Students t-test for continuous variables…( text omitted ). A logistic regression analysis was performed for employment status, marital status, and comorbidity to evaluate the independent effects of gender on these dependent variables.” 27

EXAMPLES OF HYPOTHESIS AS WRITTEN IN PUBLISHED ARTICLES IN RELATION TO OTHER PARTS

• EXAMPLE 1. Background, hypotheses, and aims are provided
• “Pregnant women need skilled care during pregnancy and childbirth, but that skilled care is often delayed in some countries …( text omitted ). The focused antenatal care (FANC) model of WHO recommends that nurses provide information or counseling to all pregnant women …( text omitted ). Job aids are visual support materials that provide the right kind of information using graphics and words in a simple and yet effective manner. When nurses are not highly trained or have many work details to attend to, these job aids can serve as a content reminder for the nurses and can be used for educating their patients (Jennings, Yebadokpo, Affo, & Agbogbe, 2010) ( text omitted ). Importantly, additional evidence is needed to confirm how job aids can further improve the quality of ANC counseling by health workers in maternal care …( text omitted )” 28
• “ This has led us to hypothesize that the quality of ANC counseling would be better if supported by job aids. Consequently, a better quality of ANC counseling is expected to produce higher levels of awareness concerning the danger signs of pregnancy and a more favorable impression of the caring behavior of nurses .” 28
• “This study aimed to examine the differences in the responses of pregnant women to a job aid-supported intervention during ANC visit in terms of 1) their understanding of the danger signs of pregnancy and 2) their impression of the caring behaviors of nurses to pregnant women in rural Tanzania.” 28
• EXAMPLE 2. Background, hypotheses, and aims are provided
• “We conducted a two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate and compare changes in salivary cortisol and oxytocin levels of first-time pregnant women between experimental and control groups. The women in the experimental group touched and held an infant for 30 min (experimental intervention protocol), whereas those in the control group watched a DVD movie of an infant (control intervention protocol). The primary outcome was salivary cortisol level and the secondary outcome was salivary oxytocin level.” 29
• “ We hypothesize that at 30 min after touching and holding an infant, the salivary cortisol level will significantly decrease and the salivary oxytocin level will increase in the experimental group compared with the control group .” 29
• EXAMPLE 3. Background, aim, and hypothesis are provided
• “In countries where the maternal mortality ratio remains high, antenatal education to increase Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) is considered one of the top priorities [1]. BPCR includes birth plans during the antenatal period, such as the birthplace, birth attendant, transportation, health facility for complications, expenses, and birth materials, as well as family coordination to achieve such birth plans. In Tanzania, although increasing, only about half of all pregnant women attend an antenatal clinic more than four times [4]. Moreover, the information provided during antenatal care (ANC) is insufficient. In the resource-poor settings, antenatal group education is a potential approach because of the limited time for individual counseling at antenatal clinics.” 30
• “This study aimed to evaluate an antenatal group education program among pregnant women and their families with respect to birth-preparedness and maternal and infant outcomes in rural villages of Tanzania.” 30
• “ The study hypothesis was if Tanzanian pregnant women and their families received a family-oriented antenatal group education, they would (1) have a higher level of BPCR, (2) attend antenatal clinic four or more times, (3) give birth in a health facility, (4) have less complications of women at birth, and (5) have less complications and deaths of infants than those who did not receive the education .” 30

Research questions and hypotheses are crucial components to any type of research, whether quantitative or qualitative. These questions should be developed at the very beginning of the study. Excellent research questions lead to superior hypotheses, which, like a compass, set the direction of research, and can often determine the successful conduct of the study. Many research studies have floundered because the development of research questions and subsequent hypotheses was not given the thought and meticulous attention needed. The development of research questions and hypotheses is an iterative process based on extensive knowledge of the literature and insightful grasp of the knowledge gap. Focused, concise, and specific research questions provide a strong foundation for constructing hypotheses which serve as formal predictions about the research outcomes. Research questions and hypotheses are crucial elements of research that should not be overlooked. They should be carefully thought of and constructed when planning research. This avoids unethical studies and poor outcomes by defining well-founded objectives that determine the design, course, and outcome of the study.

Disclosure: The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

Author Contributions:

• Conceptualization: Barroga E, Matanguihan GJ.
• Methodology: Barroga E, Matanguihan GJ.
• Writing - original draft: Barroga E, Matanguihan GJ.
• Writing - review & editing: Barroga E, Matanguihan GJ.

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Research Design | Step-by-Step Guide with Examples

Published on 5 May 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on 20 March 2023.

A research design is a strategy for answering your research question  using empirical data. Creating a research design means making decisions about:

• Your overall aims and approach
• The type of research design you’ll use
• Your sampling methods or criteria for selecting subjects
• Your data collection methods
• The procedures you’ll follow to collect data
• Your data analysis methods

A well-planned research design helps ensure that your methods match your research aims and that you use the right kind of analysis for your data.

Table of contents

Step 1: consider your aims and approach, step 2: choose a type of research design, step 3: identify your population and sampling method, step 4: choose your data collection methods, step 5: plan your data collection procedures, step 6: decide on your data analysis strategies, frequently asked questions.

• Introduction

Before you can start designing your research, you should already have a clear idea of the research question you want to investigate.

There are many different ways you could go about answering this question. Your research design choices should be driven by your aims and priorities – start by thinking carefully about what you want to achieve.

The first choice you need to make is whether you’ll take a qualitative or quantitative approach.

Qualitative research designs tend to be more flexible and inductive , allowing you to adjust your approach based on what you find throughout the research process.

Quantitative research designs tend to be more fixed and deductive , with variables and hypotheses clearly defined in advance of data collection.

It’s also possible to use a mixed methods design that integrates aspects of both approaches. By combining qualitative and quantitative insights, you can gain a more complete picture of the problem you’re studying and strengthen the credibility of your conclusions.

Practical and ethical considerations when designing research

As well as scientific considerations, you need to think practically when designing your research. If your research involves people or animals, you also need to consider research ethics .

• How much time do you have to collect data and write up the research?
• Will you be able to gain access to the data you need (e.g., by travelling to a specific location or contacting specific people)?
• Do you have the necessary research skills (e.g., statistical analysis or interview techniques)?
• Will you need ethical approval ?

At each stage of the research design process, make sure that your choices are practically feasible.

Prevent plagiarism, run a free check.

Within both qualitative and quantitative approaches, there are several types of research design to choose from. Each type provides a framework for the overall shape of your research.

Types of quantitative research designs

Quantitative designs can be split into four main types. Experimental and   quasi-experimental designs allow you to test cause-and-effect relationships, while descriptive and correlational designs allow you to measure variables and describe relationships between them.

With descriptive and correlational designs, you can get a clear picture of characteristics, trends, and relationships as they exist in the real world. However, you can’t draw conclusions about cause and effect (because correlation doesn’t imply causation ).

Experiments are the strongest way to test cause-and-effect relationships without the risk of other variables influencing the results. However, their controlled conditions may not always reflect how things work in the real world. They’re often also more difficult and expensive to implement.

Types of qualitative research designs

Qualitative designs are less strictly defined. This approach is about gaining a rich, detailed understanding of a specific context or phenomenon, and you can often be more creative and flexible in designing your research.

The table below shows some common types of qualitative design. They often have similar approaches in terms of data collection, but focus on different aspects when analysing the data.

Your research design should clearly define who or what your research will focus on, and how you’ll go about choosing your participants or subjects.

In research, a population is the entire group that you want to draw conclusions about, while a sample is the smaller group of individuals you’ll actually collect data from.

Defining the population

A population can be made up of anything you want to study – plants, animals, organisations, texts, countries, etc. In the social sciences, it most often refers to a group of people.

For example, will you focus on people from a specific demographic, region, or background? Are you interested in people with a certain job or medical condition, or users of a particular product?

The more precisely you define your population, the easier it will be to gather a representative sample.

Sampling methods

Even with a narrowly defined population, it’s rarely possible to collect data from every individual. Instead, you’ll collect data from a sample.

To select a sample, there are two main approaches: probability sampling and non-probability sampling . The sampling method you use affects how confidently you can generalise your results to the population as a whole.

Probability sampling is the most statistically valid option, but it’s often difficult to achieve unless you’re dealing with a very small and accessible population.

For practical reasons, many studies use non-probability sampling, but it’s important to be aware of the limitations and carefully consider potential biases. You should always make an effort to gather a sample that’s as representative as possible of the population.

Case selection in qualitative research

In some types of qualitative designs, sampling may not be relevant.

For example, in an ethnography or a case study, your aim is to deeply understand a specific context, not to generalise to a population. Instead of sampling, you may simply aim to collect as much data as possible about the context you are studying.

In these types of design, you still have to carefully consider your choice of case or community. You should have a clear rationale for why this particular case is suitable for answering your research question.

For example, you might choose a case study that reveals an unusual or neglected aspect of your research problem, or you might choose several very similar or very different cases in order to compare them.

Data collection methods are ways of directly measuring variables and gathering information. They allow you to gain first-hand knowledge and original insights into your research problem.

You can choose just one data collection method, or use several methods in the same study.

Survey methods

Surveys allow you to collect data about opinions, behaviours, experiences, and characteristics by asking people directly. There are two main survey methods to choose from: questionnaires and interviews.

Observation methods

Observations allow you to collect data unobtrusively, observing characteristics, behaviours, or social interactions without relying on self-reporting.

Observations may be conducted in real time, taking notes as you observe, or you might make audiovisual recordings for later analysis. They can be qualitative or quantitative.

Other methods of data collection

There are many other ways you might collect data depending on your field and topic.

If you’re not sure which methods will work best for your research design, try reading some papers in your field to see what data collection methods they used.

Secondary data

If you don’t have the time or resources to collect data from the population you’re interested in, you can also choose to use secondary data that other researchers already collected – for example, datasets from government surveys or previous studies on your topic.

With this raw data, you can do your own analysis to answer new research questions that weren’t addressed by the original study.

Using secondary data can expand the scope of your research, as you may be able to access much larger and more varied samples than you could collect yourself.

However, it also means you don’t have any control over which variables to measure or how to measure them, so the conclusions you can draw may be limited.

As well as deciding on your methods, you need to plan exactly how you’ll use these methods to collect data that’s consistent, accurate, and unbiased.

Planning systematic procedures is especially important in quantitative research, where you need to precisely define your variables and ensure your measurements are reliable and valid.

Operationalisation

Some variables, like height or age, are easily measured. But often you’ll be dealing with more abstract concepts, like satisfaction, anxiety, or competence. Operationalisation means turning these fuzzy ideas into measurable indicators.

If you’re using observations , which events or actions will you count?

If you’re using surveys , which questions will you ask and what range of responses will be offered?

You may also choose to use or adapt existing materials designed to measure the concept you’re interested in – for example, questionnaires or inventories whose reliability and validity has already been established.

Reliability and validity

Reliability means your results can be consistently reproduced , while validity means that you’re actually measuring the concept you’re interested in.

For valid and reliable results, your measurement materials should be thoroughly researched and carefully designed. Plan your procedures to make sure you carry out the same steps in the same way for each participant.

If you’re developing a new questionnaire or other instrument to measure a specific concept, running a pilot study allows you to check its validity and reliability in advance.

Sampling procedures

As well as choosing an appropriate sampling method, you need a concrete plan for how you’ll actually contact and recruit your selected sample.

That means making decisions about things like:

• How many participants do you need for an adequate sample size?
• What inclusion and exclusion criteria will you use to identify eligible participants?
• How will you contact your sample – by mail, online, by phone, or in person?

If you’re using a probability sampling method, it’s important that everyone who is randomly selected actually participates in the study. How will you ensure a high response rate?

If you’re using a non-probability method, how will you avoid bias and ensure a representative sample?

Data management

It’s also important to create a data management plan for organising and storing your data.

Will you need to transcribe interviews or perform data entry for observations? You should anonymise and safeguard any sensitive data, and make sure it’s backed up regularly.

Keeping your data well organised will save time when it comes to analysing them. It can also help other researchers validate and add to your findings.

On their own, raw data can’t answer your research question. The last step of designing your research is planning how you’ll analyse the data.

Quantitative data analysis

In quantitative research, you’ll most likely use some form of statistical analysis . With statistics, you can summarise your sample data, make estimates, and test hypotheses.

Using descriptive statistics , you can summarise your sample data in terms of:

• The distribution of the data (e.g., the frequency of each score on a test)
• The central tendency of the data (e.g., the mean to describe the average score)
• The variability of the data (e.g., the standard deviation to describe how spread out the scores are)

The specific calculations you can do depend on the level of measurement of your variables.

Using inferential statistics , you can:

• Make estimates about the population based on your sample data.
• Test hypotheses about a relationship between variables.

Regression and correlation tests look for associations between two or more variables, while comparison tests (such as t tests and ANOVAs ) look for differences in the outcomes of different groups.

Your choice of statistical test depends on various aspects of your research design, including the types of variables you’re dealing with and the distribution of your data.

Qualitative data analysis

In qualitative research, your data will usually be very dense with information and ideas. Instead of summing it up in numbers, you’ll need to comb through the data in detail, interpret its meanings, identify patterns, and extract the parts that are most relevant to your research question.

Two of the most common approaches to doing this are thematic analysis and discourse analysis .

There are many other ways of analysing qualitative data depending on the aims of your research. To get a sense of potential approaches, try reading some qualitative research papers in your field.

A sample is a subset of individuals from a larger population. Sampling means selecting the group that you will actually collect data from in your research.

For example, if you are researching the opinions of students in your university, you could survey a sample of 100 students.

Statistical sampling allows you to test a hypothesis about the characteristics of a population. There are various sampling methods you can use to ensure that your sample is representative of the population as a whole.

Operationalisation means turning abstract conceptual ideas into measurable observations.

For example, the concept of social anxiety isn’t directly observable, but it can be operationally defined in terms of self-rating scores, behavioural avoidance of crowded places, or physical anxiety symptoms in social situations.

Before collecting data , it’s important to consider how you will operationalise the variables that you want to measure.

The research methods you use depend on the type of data you need to answer your research question .

• If you want to measure something or test a hypothesis , use quantitative methods . If you want to explore ideas, thoughts, and meanings, use qualitative methods .
• If you want to analyse a large amount of readily available data, use secondary data. If you want data specific to your purposes with control over how they are generated, collect primary data.
• If you want to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables , use experimental methods. If you want to understand the characteristics of a research subject, use descriptive methods.

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Writing up a Research Report

• Stefan Hunziker 3 &
• Michael Blankenagel 3  
• First Online: 04 January 2024

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A research report is one big argument about how and why you came up with your conclusions. To make it a convincing argument, a typical guiding structure has developed. In the different chapters, there are distinct issues that need to be addressed to explain to the reader why your conclusions are valid. The governing principle for writing the report is full disclosure: to explain everything and ensure replicability by another researcher.

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Field, A. (2016). An adventure in statistics. The reality enigma . SAGE.

Field, A. (2020). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (5th ed.). SAGE.

Früh, M., Keimer, I., & Blankenagel, M. (2019). The impact of Balanced Scorecard excellence on shareholder returns. IFZ Working Paper No. 0003/2019. https://zenodo.org/record/2571603#.YMDUafkzZaQ . Accessed: 9 June 2021.

Pearl, J., & Mackenzie, D. (2018). The book of why: The new science of cause and effect. Basic Books.

Yin, R. K. (2013). Case study research: Design and methods (5th ed.). SAGE.

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What is quality research? A guide to identifying the key features and achieving success

Every researcher worth their salt strives for quality. But in research, what does quality mean?

Simply put, quality research is thorough, accurate, original and relevant. And to achieve this, you need to follow specific standards. You need to make sure your findings are reliable and valid. And when you know they're quality assured, you can share them with absolute confidence.

You’ll be able to draw accurate conclusions from your investigations and contribute to the wider body of knowledge in your field.

Importance of quality research

Quality research helps us better understand complex problems. It enables us to make decisions based on facts and evidence. And it empowers us to solve real-world issues. Without quality research, we can't advance knowledge or identify trends and patterns. We also can’t develop new theories and approaches to solving problems.

With rigorous and transparent research methods, you’ll produce reliable findings that other researchers can replicate. This leads to the development of new theories and interventions. On the other hand, low-quality research can hinder progress by producing unreliable findings that can’t be replicated, wasting resources and impeding advancements in the field.

In all cases, quality control is critical. It ensures that decisions are based on evidence rather than gut feeling or bias.

Standards for quality research

Over the years, researchers, scientists and authors have come to a consensus about the standards used to check the quality of research. Determined through empirical observation, theoretical underpinnings and philosophy of science, these include:

1. Having a well-defined research topic and a clear hypothesis

This is essential to verify that the research is focused and the results are relevant and meaningful. The research topic should be well-scoped and the hypothesis should be clearly stated and falsifiable .

For example, in a quantitative study about the effects of social media on behavior, a well-defined research topic could be, "Does the use of TikTok reduce attention span in American adolescents?"

This is good because:

• The research topic focuses on a particular platform of social media (TikTok). And it also focuses on a specific group of people (American adolescents).
• The research question is clear and straightforward, making it easier to design the study and collect relevant data.
• You can test the hypothesis and a research team can evaluate it easily. This can be done through the use of various research methods, such as survey research , experiments or observational studies.
• The hypothesis is focused on a specific outcome (the attention span). Then, this can be measured and compared to control groups or previous research studies.

2. Ensuring transparency

Transparency is crucial when conducting research. You need to be upfront about the methods you used, such as:

• Describing how you recruited the participants.
• How you communicated with them.
• How they were incentivized.

You also need to explain how you analyzed the data, so other researchers can replicate your results if necessary. re-registering your study is a great way to be as transparent in your research as possible. This  involves publicly documenting your study design, methods and analysis plan before conducting the research. This reduces the risk of selective reporting and increases the credibility of your findings.

3. Using appropriate research methods

Depending on the topic, some research methods are better suited than others for collecting data. To use our TikTok example, a quantitative research approach, such as a behavioral test that measures the participants' ability to focus on tasks, might be the most appropriate.

On the other hand, for topics that require a more in-depth understanding of individuals' experiences or perspectives, a qualitative research approach, such as interviews or focus groups, might be more suitable. These methods can provide rich and detailed information that you can’t capture through quantitative data alone.

4. Assessing limitations and the possible impact of systematic bias

When you present your research, it’s important to consider how the limitations of your study could affect the result. This could be systematic bias in the sampling procedure or data analysis, for instance. Let’s say you only study a small sample of participants from one school district. This would limit the generalizability and content validity of your findings.

5. Conducting accurate reporting

This is an essential aspect of any research project. You need to be able to clearly communicate the findings and implications of your study . Also, provide citations for any claims made in your report. When you present your work, it’s vital that you describe the variables involved in your study accurately and how you measured them.

Curious to learn more? Read our Data Quality eBook .

How to identify credible research findings

To determine whether a published study is trustworthy, consider the following:

• Peer review: If a study has been peer-reviewed by recognized experts, rest assured that it’s a reliable source of information. Peer review means that other scholars have read and verified the study before publication.
• Researcher's qualifications: If they're an expert in the field, that’s a good sign that you can trust their findings. However, if they aren't, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the study's information is unreliable. It simply means that you should be extra cautious about accepting its conclusions as fact.
• Study design: The design of a study can make or break its reliability. Consider factors like sample size and methodology.
• Funding source: Studies funded by organizations with a vested interest in a particular outcome may be less credible than those funded by independent sources.
• Statistical significance: You've heard the phrase "numbers don't lie," right? That's what statistical significance is all about. It refers to the likelihood that the results of a study occurred by chance. Results that are statistically significant are more credible.

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Research report guide: Definition, types, and tips

Last updated

5 March 2024

Reviewed by

From successful product launches or software releases to planning major business decisions, research reports serve many vital functions. They can summarize evidence and deliver insights and recommendations to save companies time and resources. They can reveal the most value-adding actions a company should take.

However, poorly constructed reports can have the opposite effect! Taking the time to learn established research-reporting rules and approaches will equip you with in-demand skills. You’ll be able to capture and communicate information applicable to numerous situations and industries, adding another string to your resume bow.

• What are research reports?

A research report is a collection of contextual data, gathered through organized research, that provides new insights into a particular challenge (which, for this article, is business-related). Research reports are a time-tested method for distilling large amounts of data into a narrow band of focus.

Their effectiveness often hinges on whether the report provides:

Strong, well-researched evidence

Comprehensive analysis

Well-considered conclusions and recommendations

Though the topic possibilities are endless, an effective research report keeps a laser-like focus on the specific questions or objectives the researcher believes are key to achieving success. Many research reports begin as research proposals, which usually include the need for a report to capture the findings of the study and recommend a course of action.

A description of the research method used, e.g., qualitative, quantitative, or other

Statistical analysis

Causal (or explanatory) research (i.e., research identifying relationships between two variables)

Inductive research, also known as ‘theory-building’

Deductive research, such as that used to test theories

Action research, where the research is actively used to drive change

• Importance of a research report

Research reports can unify and direct a company's focus toward the most appropriate strategic action. Of course, spending resources on a report takes up some of the company's human and financial resources. Choosing when a report is called for is a matter of judgment and experience.

Some development models used heavily in the engineering world, such as Waterfall development, are notorious for over-relying on research reports. With Waterfall development, there is a linear progression through each step of a project, and each stage is precisely documented and reported on before moving to the next.

The pace of the business world is faster than the speed at which your authors can produce and disseminate reports. So how do companies strike the right balance between creating and acting on research reports?

The answer lies, again, in the report's defined objectives. By paring down your most pressing interests and those of your stakeholders, your research and reporting skills will be the lenses that keep your company's priorities in constant focus.

Honing your company's primary objectives can save significant amounts of time and align research and reporting efforts with ever-greater precision.

Some examples of well-designed research objectives are:

Proving whether or not a product or service meets customer expectations

Demonstrating the value of a service, product, or business process to your stakeholders and investors

Improving business decision-making when faced with a lack of time or other constraints

Clarifying the relationship between a critical cause and effect for problematic business processes

Prioritizing the development of a backlog of products or product features

Comparing business or production strategies

Evaluating past decisions and predicting future outcomes

• Features of a research report

Research reports generally require a research design phase, where the report author(s) determine the most important elements the report must contain.

Just as there are various kinds of research, there are many types of reports.

Here are the standard elements of almost any research-reporting format:

Report summary. A broad but comprehensive overview of what readers will learn in the full report. Summaries are usually no more than one or two paragraphs and address all key elements of the report. Think of the key takeaways your primary stakeholders will want to know if they don’t have time to read the full document.

Introduction. Include a brief background of the topic, the type of research, and the research sample. Consider the primary goal of the report, who is most affected, and how far along the company is in meeting its objectives.

Methods. A description of how the researcher carried out data collection, analysis, and final interpretations of the data. Include the reasons for choosing a particular method. The methods section should strike a balance between clearly presenting the approach taken to gather data and discussing how it is designed to achieve the report's objectives.

Data analysis. This section contains interpretations that lead readers through the results relevant to the report's thesis. If there were unexpected results, include here a discussion on why that might be. Charts, calculations, statistics, and other supporting information also belong here (or, if lengthy, as an appendix). This should be the most detailed section of the research report, with references for further study. Present the information in a logical order, whether chronologically or in order of importance to the report's objectives.

Conclusion. This should be written with sound reasoning, often containing useful recommendations. The conclusion must be backed by a continuous thread of logic throughout the report.

• How to write a research paper

With a clear outline and robust pool of research, a research paper can start to write itself, but what's a good way to start a research report?

Research report examples are often the quickest way to gain inspiration for your report. Look for the types of research reports most relevant to your industry and consider which makes the most sense for your data and goals.

The research report outline will help you organize the elements of your report. One of the most time-tested report outlines is the IMRaD structure:

Introduction

...and Discussion

Pay close attention to the most well-established research reporting format in your industry, and consider your tone and language from your audience's perspective. Learn the key terms inside and out; incorrect jargon could easily harm the perceived authority of your research paper.

Along with a foundation in high-quality research and razor-sharp analysis, the most effective research reports will also demonstrate well-developed:

Internal logic

Narrative flow

Conclusions and recommendations

Readability, striking a balance between simple phrasing and technical insight

How to gather research data for your report

The validity of research data is critical. Because the research phase usually occurs well before the writing phase, you normally have plenty of time to vet your data.

However, research reports could involve ongoing research, where report authors (sometimes the researchers themselves) write portions of the report alongside ongoing research.

One such research-report example would be an R&D department that knows its primary stakeholders are eager to learn about a lengthy work in progress and any potentially important outcomes.

However you choose to manage the research and reporting, your data must meet robust quality standards before you can rely on it. Vet any research with the following questions in mind:

Does it use statistically valid analysis methods?

Do the researchers clearly explain their research, analysis, and sampling methods?

Did the researchers provide any caveats or advice on how to interpret their data?

Have you gathered the data yourself or were you in close contact with those who did?

Is the source biased?

Usually, flawed research methods become more apparent the further you get through a research report.

It's perfectly natural for good research to raise new questions, but the reader should have no uncertainty about what the data represents. There should be no doubt about matters such as:

Whether the sampling or analysis methods were based on sound and consistent logic

What the research samples are and where they came from

The accuracy of any statistical functions or equations

Validation of testing and measuring processes

When does a report require design validation?

A robust design validation process is often a gold standard in highly technical research reports. Design validation ensures the objects of a study are measured accurately, which lends more weight to your report and makes it valuable to more specialized industries.

Product development and engineering projects are the most common research-report examples that typically involve a design validation process. Depending on the scope and complexity of your research, you might face additional steps to validate your data and research procedures.

If you’re including design validation in the report (or report proposal), explain and justify your data-collection processes. Good design validation builds greater trust in a research report and lends more weight to its conclusions.

Choosing the right analysis method

Just as the quality of your report depends on properly validated research, a useful conclusion requires the most contextually relevant analysis method. This means comparing different statistical methods and choosing the one that makes the most sense for your research.

Most broadly, research analysis comes down to quantitative or qualitative methods (respectively: measurable by a number vs subjectively qualified values). There are also mixed research methods, which bridge the need for merging hard data with qualified assessments and still reach a cohesive set of conclusions.

Some of the most common analysis methods in research reports include:

Significance testing (aka hypothesis analysis), which compares test and control groups to determine how likely the data was the result of random chance.

Regression analysis , to establish relationships between variables, control for extraneous variables , and support correlation analysis.

Correlation analysis (aka bivariate testing), a method to identify and determine the strength of linear relationships between variables. It’s effective for detecting patterns from complex data, but care must be exercised to not confuse correlation with causation.

With any analysis method, it's important to justify which method you chose in the report. You should also provide estimates of the statistical accuracy (e.g., the p-value or confidence level of quantifiable data) of any data analysis.

This requires a commitment to the report's primary aim. For instance, this may be achieving a certain level of customer satisfaction by analyzing the cause and effect of changes to how service is delivered. Even better, use statistical analysis to calculate which change is most positively correlated with improved levels of customer satisfaction.

• Tips for writing research reports

There's endless good advice for writing effective research reports, and it almost all depends on the subjective aims of the people behind the report. Due to the wide variety of research reports, the best tips will be unique to each author's purpose.

Consider the following research report tips in any order, and take note of the ones most relevant to you:

No matter how in depth or detailed your report might be, provide a well-considered, succinct summary. At the very least, give your readers a quick and effective way to get up to speed.

Pare down your target audience (e.g., other researchers, employees, laypersons, etc.), and adjust your voice for their background knowledge and interest levels

For all but the most open-ended research, clarify your objectives, both for yourself and within the report.

Leverage your team members’ talents to fill in any knowledge gaps you might have. Your team is only as good as the sum of its parts.

Justify why your research proposal’s topic will endure long enough to derive value from the finished report.

Consolidate all research and analysis functions onto a single user-friendly platform. There's no reason to settle for less than developer-grade tools suitable for non-developers.

What's the format of a research report?

The research-reporting format is how the report is structured—a framework the authors use to organize their data, conclusions, arguments, and recommendations. The format heavily determines how the report's outline develops, because the format dictates the overall structure and order of information (based on the report's goals and research objectives).

What's the purpose of a research-report outline?

A good report outline gives form and substance to the report's objectives, presenting the results in a readable, engaging way. For any research-report format, the outline should create momentum along a chain of logic that builds up to a conclusion or interpretation.

What's the difference between a research essay and a research report?

There are several key differences between research reports and essays:

Research report:

Ordered into separate sections

More commercial in nature

Often includes infographics

Heavily descriptive

More self-referential

Usually provides recommendations

Research essay

Does not rely on research report formatting

More academically minded

Normally text-only

Less detailed

Omits discussion of methods

Usually non-prescriptive 

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Home » Research Report – Example, Writing Guide and Types

Research Report – Example, Writing Guide and Types

Table of Contents

Research Report

Definition:

Research Report is a written document that presents the results of a research project or study, including the research question, methodology, results, and conclusions, in a clear and objective manner.

The purpose of a research report is to communicate the findings of the research to the intended audience, which could be other researchers, stakeholders, or the general public.

Components of Research Report

Components of Research Report are as follows:

Introduction

The introduction sets the stage for the research report and provides a brief overview of the research question or problem being investigated. It should include a clear statement of the purpose of the study and its significance or relevance to the field of research. It may also provide background information or a literature review to help contextualize the research.

Literature Review

The literature review provides a critical analysis and synthesis of the existing research and scholarship relevant to the research question or problem. It should identify the gaps, inconsistencies, and contradictions in the literature and show how the current study addresses these issues. The literature review also establishes the theoretical framework or conceptual model that guides the research.

Methodology

The methodology section describes the research design, methods, and procedures used to collect and analyze data. It should include information on the sample or participants, data collection instruments, data collection procedures, and data analysis techniques. The methodology should be clear and detailed enough to allow other researchers to replicate the study.

The results section presents the findings of the study in a clear and objective manner. It should provide a detailed description of the data and statistics used to answer the research question or test the hypothesis. Tables, graphs, and figures may be included to help visualize the data and illustrate the key findings.

The discussion section interprets the results of the study and explains their significance or relevance to the research question or problem. It should also compare the current findings with those of previous studies and identify the implications for future research or practice. The discussion should be based on the results presented in the previous section and should avoid speculation or unfounded conclusions.

The conclusion summarizes the key findings of the study and restates the main argument or thesis presented in the introduction. It should also provide a brief overview of the contributions of the study to the field of research and the implications for practice or policy.

The references section lists all the sources cited in the research report, following a specific citation style, such as APA or MLA.

The appendices section includes any additional material, such as data tables, figures, or instruments used in the study, that could not be included in the main text due to space limitations.

Types of Research Report

Types of Research Report are as follows:

Thesis is a type of research report. A thesis is a long-form research document that presents the findings and conclusions of an original research study conducted by a student as part of a graduate or postgraduate program. It is typically written by a student pursuing a higher degree, such as a Master’s or Doctoral degree, although it can also be written by researchers or scholars in other fields.

Research Paper

Research paper is a type of research report. A research paper is a document that presents the results of a research study or investigation. Research papers can be written in a variety of fields, including science, social science, humanities, and business. They typically follow a standard format that includes an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion sections.

Technical Report

A technical report is a detailed report that provides information about a specific technical or scientific problem or project. Technical reports are often used in engineering, science, and other technical fields to document research and development work.

Progress Report

A progress report provides an update on the progress of a research project or program over a specific period of time. Progress reports are typically used to communicate the status of a project to stakeholders, funders, or project managers.

Feasibility Report

A feasibility report assesses the feasibility of a proposed project or plan, providing an analysis of the potential risks, benefits, and costs associated with the project. Feasibility reports are often used in business, engineering, and other fields to determine the viability of a project before it is undertaken.

Field Report

A field report documents observations and findings from fieldwork, which is research conducted in the natural environment or setting. Field reports are often used in anthropology, ecology, and other social and natural sciences.

Experimental Report

An experimental report documents the results of a scientific experiment, including the hypothesis, methods, results, and conclusions. Experimental reports are often used in biology, chemistry, and other sciences to communicate the results of laboratory experiments.

Case Study Report

A case study report provides an in-depth analysis of a specific case or situation, often used in psychology, social work, and other fields to document and understand complex cases or phenomena.

Literature Review Report

A literature review report synthesizes and summarizes existing research on a specific topic, providing an overview of the current state of knowledge on the subject. Literature review reports are often used in social sciences, education, and other fields to identify gaps in the literature and guide future research.

Research Report Example

Following is a Research Report Example sample for Students:

Title: The Impact of Social Media on Academic Performance among High School Students

This study aims to investigate the relationship between social media use and academic performance among high school students. The study utilized a quantitative research design, which involved a survey questionnaire administered to a sample of 200 high school students. The findings indicate that there is a negative correlation between social media use and academic performance, suggesting that excessive social media use can lead to poor academic performance among high school students. The results of this study have important implications for educators, parents, and policymakers, as they highlight the need for strategies that can help students balance their social media use and academic responsibilities.

Introduction:

Social media has become an integral part of the lives of high school students. With the widespread use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, students can connect with friends, share photos and videos, and engage in discussions on a range of topics. While social media offers many benefits, concerns have been raised about its impact on academic performance. Many studies have found a negative correlation between social media use and academic performance among high school students (Kirschner & Karpinski, 2010; Paul, Baker, & Cochran, 2012).

Given the growing importance of social media in the lives of high school students, it is important to investigate its impact on academic performance. This study aims to address this gap by examining the relationship between social media use and academic performance among high school students.

Methodology:

The study utilized a quantitative research design, which involved a survey questionnaire administered to a sample of 200 high school students. The questionnaire was developed based on previous studies and was designed to measure the frequency and duration of social media use, as well as academic performance.

The participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique, and the survey questionnaire was distributed in the classroom during regular school hours. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis.

The findings indicate that the majority of high school students use social media platforms on a daily basis, with Facebook being the most popular platform. The results also show a negative correlation between social media use and academic performance, suggesting that excessive social media use can lead to poor academic performance among high school students.

Discussion:

The results of this study have important implications for educators, parents, and policymakers. The negative correlation between social media use and academic performance suggests that strategies should be put in place to help students balance their social media use and academic responsibilities. For example, educators could incorporate social media into their teaching strategies to engage students and enhance learning. Parents could limit their children’s social media use and encourage them to prioritize their academic responsibilities. Policymakers could develop guidelines and policies to regulate social media use among high school students.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this study provides evidence of the negative impact of social media on academic performance among high school students. The findings highlight the need for strategies that can help students balance their social media use and academic responsibilities. Further research is needed to explore the specific mechanisms by which social media use affects academic performance and to develop effective strategies for addressing this issue.

Limitations:

One limitation of this study is the use of convenience sampling, which limits the generalizability of the findings to other populations. Future studies should use random sampling techniques to increase the representativeness of the sample. Another limitation is the use of self-reported measures, which may be subject to social desirability bias. Future studies could use objective measures of social media use and academic performance, such as tracking software and school records.

Implications:

The findings of this study have important implications for educators, parents, and policymakers. Educators could incorporate social media into their teaching strategies to engage students and enhance learning. For example, teachers could use social media platforms to share relevant educational resources and facilitate online discussions. Parents could limit their children’s social media use and encourage them to prioritize their academic responsibilities. They could also engage in open communication with their children to understand their social media use and its impact on their academic performance. Policymakers could develop guidelines and policies to regulate social media use among high school students. For example, schools could implement social media policies that restrict access during class time and encourage responsible use.

References:

• Kirschner, P. A., & Karpinski, A. C. (2010). Facebook® and academic performance. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(6), 1237-1245.
• Paul, J. A., Baker, H. M., & Cochran, J. D. (2012). Effect of online social networking on student academic performance. Journal of the Research Center for Educational Technology, 8(1), 1-19.
• Pantic, I. (2014). Online social networking and mental health. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(10), 652-657.
• Rosen, L. D., Carrier, L. M., & Cheever, N. A. (2013). Facebook and texting made me do it: Media-induced task-switching while studying. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(3), 948-958.

Note*: Above mention, Example is just a sample for the students’ guide. Do not directly copy and paste as your College or University assignment. Kindly do some research and Write your own.

Applications of Research Report

Research reports have many applications, including:

• Communicating research findings: The primary application of a research report is to communicate the results of a study to other researchers, stakeholders, or the general public. The report serves as a way to share new knowledge, insights, and discoveries with others in the field.
• Informing policy and practice : Research reports can inform policy and practice by providing evidence-based recommendations for decision-makers. For example, a research report on the effectiveness of a new drug could inform regulatory agencies in their decision-making process.
• Supporting further research: Research reports can provide a foundation for further research in a particular area. Other researchers may use the findings and methodology of a report to develop new research questions or to build on existing research.
• Evaluating programs and interventions : Research reports can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and interventions in achieving their intended outcomes. For example, a research report on a new educational program could provide evidence of its impact on student performance.
• Demonstrating impact : Research reports can be used to demonstrate the impact of research funding or to evaluate the success of research projects. By presenting the findings and outcomes of a study, research reports can show the value of research to funders and stakeholders.
• Enhancing professional development : Research reports can be used to enhance professional development by providing a source of information and learning for researchers and practitioners in a particular field. For example, a research report on a new teaching methodology could provide insights and ideas for educators to incorporate into their own practice.

How to write Research Report

Here are some steps you can follow to write a research report:

• Identify the research question: The first step in writing a research report is to identify your research question. This will help you focus your research and organize your findings.
• Conduct research : Once you have identified your research question, you will need to conduct research to gather relevant data and information. This can involve conducting experiments, reviewing literature, or analyzing data.
• Organize your findings: Once you have gathered all of your data, you will need to organize your findings in a way that is clear and understandable. This can involve creating tables, graphs, or charts to illustrate your results.
• Write the report: Once you have organized your findings, you can begin writing the report. Start with an introduction that provides background information and explains the purpose of your research. Next, provide a detailed description of your research methods and findings. Finally, summarize your results and draw conclusions based on your findings.
• Proofread and edit: After you have written your report, be sure to proofread and edit it carefully. Check for grammar and spelling errors, and make sure that your report is well-organized and easy to read.
• Include a reference list: Be sure to include a list of references that you used in your research. This will give credit to your sources and allow readers to further explore the topic if they choose.
• Format your report: Finally, format your report according to the guidelines provided by your instructor or organization. This may include formatting requirements for headings, margins, fonts, and spacing.

Purpose of Research Report

The purpose of a research report is to communicate the results of a research study to a specific audience, such as peers in the same field, stakeholders, or the general public. The report provides a detailed description of the research methods, findings, and conclusions.

Some common purposes of a research report include:

• Sharing knowledge: A research report allows researchers to share their findings and knowledge with others in their field. This helps to advance the field and improve the understanding of a particular topic.
• Identifying trends: A research report can identify trends and patterns in data, which can help guide future research and inform decision-making.
• Addressing problems: A research report can provide insights into problems or issues and suggest solutions or recommendations for addressing them.
• Evaluating programs or interventions : A research report can evaluate the effectiveness of programs or interventions, which can inform decision-making about whether to continue, modify, or discontinue them.
• Meeting regulatory requirements: In some fields, research reports are required to meet regulatory requirements, such as in the case of drug trials or environmental impact studies.

When to Write Research Report

A research report should be written after completing the research study. This includes collecting data, analyzing the results, and drawing conclusions based on the findings. Once the research is complete, the report should be written in a timely manner while the information is still fresh in the researcher’s mind.

In academic settings, research reports are often required as part of coursework or as part of a thesis or dissertation. In this case, the report should be written according to the guidelines provided by the instructor or institution.

In other settings, such as in industry or government, research reports may be required to inform decision-making or to comply with regulatory requirements. In these cases, the report should be written as soon as possible after the research is completed in order to inform decision-making in a timely manner.

Overall, the timing of when to write a research report depends on the purpose of the research, the expectations of the audience, and any regulatory requirements that need to be met. However, it is important to complete the report in a timely manner while the information is still fresh in the researcher’s mind.

Characteristics of Research Report

There are several characteristics of a research report that distinguish it from other types of writing. These characteristics include:

• Objective: A research report should be written in an objective and unbiased manner. It should present the facts and findings of the research study without any personal opinions or biases.
• Systematic: A research report should be written in a systematic manner. It should follow a clear and logical structure, and the information should be presented in a way that is easy to understand and follow.
• Detailed: A research report should be detailed and comprehensive. It should provide a thorough description of the research methods, results, and conclusions.
• Accurate : A research report should be accurate and based on sound research methods. The findings and conclusions should be supported by data and evidence.
• Organized: A research report should be well-organized. It should include headings and subheadings to help the reader navigate the report and understand the main points.
• Clear and concise: A research report should be written in clear and concise language. The information should be presented in a way that is easy to understand, and unnecessary jargon should be avoided.
• Citations and references: A research report should include citations and references to support the findings and conclusions. This helps to give credit to other researchers and to provide readers with the opportunity to further explore the topic.

Advantages of Research Report

Research reports have several advantages, including:

• Communicating research findings: Research reports allow researchers to communicate their findings to a wider audience, including other researchers, stakeholders, and the general public. This helps to disseminate knowledge and advance the understanding of a particular topic.
• Providing evidence for decision-making : Research reports can provide evidence to inform decision-making, such as in the case of policy-making, program planning, or product development. The findings and conclusions can help guide decisions and improve outcomes.
• Supporting further research: Research reports can provide a foundation for further research on a particular topic. Other researchers can build on the findings and conclusions of the report, which can lead to further discoveries and advancements in the field.
• Demonstrating expertise: Research reports can demonstrate the expertise of the researchers and their ability to conduct rigorous and high-quality research. This can be important for securing funding, promotions, and other professional opportunities.
• Meeting regulatory requirements: In some fields, research reports are required to meet regulatory requirements, such as in the case of drug trials or environmental impact studies. Producing a high-quality research report can help ensure compliance with these requirements.

Limitations of Research Report

Despite their advantages, research reports also have some limitations, including:

• Time-consuming: Conducting research and writing a report can be a time-consuming process, particularly for large-scale studies. This can limit the frequency and speed of producing research reports.
• Expensive: Conducting research and producing a report can be expensive, particularly for studies that require specialized equipment, personnel, or data. This can limit the scope and feasibility of some research studies.
• Limited generalizability: Research studies often focus on a specific population or context, which can limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations or contexts.
• Potential bias : Researchers may have biases or conflicts of interest that can influence the findings and conclusions of the research study. Additionally, participants may also have biases or may not be representative of the larger population, which can limit the validity and reliability of the findings.
• Accessibility: Research reports may be written in technical or academic language, which can limit their accessibility to a wider audience. Additionally, some research may be behind paywalls or require specialized access, which can limit the ability of others to read and use the findings.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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Seize The Power Of Analytical Reports – Business Examples & Templates

Table of Contents

1) What Is An Analytical Report?

2) Why Is Analytical Reporting Important?

3) How To Create An Analytical Report?

4) Top Analytical Report Examples

5) Analytical Reporting Mistakes To Avoid

In recent years, analytical reporting has evolved into one of the world’s most important business intelligence components, inspiring companies across industries to adopt a more strategic mindset.

While many companies struggle to leverage an effective business intelligence strategy, the importance of analytical information creates a fluctuation of knowledge that cannot be simply collected into a single spreadsheet. It has become harder to create and use a single report and communicate a wide range of vital insights between departments, stakeholders, and important parties in a single company. That’s why a business needs a proper analytical report that will filter important data and improve the creation of the full management report that can lead to a successful business operation.

That doesn’t mean that creating these kinds of statements should only be intended for specialized analysts who can read and interpret complex information more swiftly, but with self-service BI tools that expand the knowledge of all employees in a company, analytical reports can become one of the most invaluable instruments that force progress, directly affect operating costs and use modern interface which everyone understands.

That said, we will delve deeper into analytical reporting as well as its value in real-world business content. We will also look at how to create them with the assistance of professional online reporting software .

Let’s get started.

What Is An Analytical Report?

An analytical report is a type of business report that uses qualitative and quantitative company data to analyze as well as evaluate a business strategy or process while empowering employees to make data-driven decisions based on evidence and analytics.

While analytical reporting is based on statistics, and historical data, and can deliver a predictive projection of a specific issue, its usage is also spread in analyzing current data in a wide range of industries. For instance, a hospital has seen in its analytics that the average waiting time can be reduced by conducting specific actions. A marketing agency can decide to allocate its budget differently after the team has seen that the most traffic comes from a different source of the invested budget. Applications of these kinds of reports are different, and, therefore, the writing style and generating valuable insights are distinctive in every industry.

Why Is Analytical Reporting Important?

Now, let's consider the business-boosting benefits of operating with powerful indicators.

Analytic reports are the gateway to business intelligence (BI). And when your organization becomes more intelligent, you will push yourself ahead of the competition. Working with them will empower you to land informed, accurate decisions while allowing you to problem-solve or respond to change with pinpoint accuracy.

To put their importance into perspective, here is a rundown of the top benefits of effective report analysis:

• Communication & collaboration : By investing in effective BI reporting tools and processes, you can give everyone in the business access to valuable visual indicators from one central location. This will empower them with the knowledge they need to perform better in their roles while preventing any interdepartmental friction due to poor or inaccurate information. Armed with powerful analytics report metrics, everyone in the company will be on the same page, creating a culture of open collaboration and communication in the process.
• Productivity : In addition to better communication, analytics will also give you a panoramic view of your internal processes. By gaining this level of shared insight, you can streamline inefficient processes across the board while motivating your team to focus on more strategic activities to grow the business. The result? A more engaged, more productive business that is not only more adaptable but also more profitable.
• Innovation : A modern business tool offers a wealth of valuable KPIs all in one place. With the assistance of a dashboard creator ,  you also get dynamic data visualizations designed to provide deep-dive insights into your business’s most vital functions or processes. Thanks to report analysis, you will be able to identify weaknesses, capitalize on trends, uncover patterns you never knew existed, and generate accurate predictions. You can also assess and improve your customer satisfaction score by making data-driven decisions to enhance the overall customer experience. From an accessible dashboard, you can create logical narratives and share details that will ensure your sales, marketing, customer service, financial, HR, and fulfillment activities are all the more innovative. When you do that, you will stand out in your niche and, ultimately, grow the business.
• Evolution : The digital world is in a state of constant motion. What works today may be obsolete tomorrow, so keeping up with the changes is essential to not only survive but thrive. A report provides 24/7 access to historical info and live data thanks to reporting automation , and predictive features that will empower you to respond to continual change, refining your business models or processes according to the landscape around you while keeping down operational costs and maintaining staff engagement. As every noteworthy report is interactive and customizable, you can easily make continual tweaks or adjustments and stay ahead in your field as you and your industry grow. 

The take-home here is: With the right analytical report template, you will improve vision, efficiency, and communication in every key facet of the business, which will boost your bottom line while attracting more clients or customers to your business.

Your Chance: Want to build your own analytical reports completely free? Try our professional reporting software for 14 days, completely free!

How To Create An Analytical Report?

Now that we've looked at a definition and some top benefits, we’ll consider how to create an analytics-style report to enhance business intelligence across the board with the assistance of modern and professional tools.

1. Use digital dashboards

The first step should always be to think about the best medium in terms of usability and presentation. It’s possible to create a comprehensive report using a spreadsheet, whitepaper, or a simple Word document or file. But these more traditional methods are usually clunky and time-consuming. It is possible to structure data across a broad range of spreadsheets, but the final result can be more confusing than productive.

By using an online dashboard , you will be able to gain access to dynamic KPIs in a way that’s digestible, actionable, and accurate. No more sifting through droves of spreadsheets, no more patchwork data analysis, and static presentations. With digital analytical reporting, you will see the insights unfolding before your very eyes.

2. Be dynamic

Traditional reports have a standard structure that doesn’t facilitate editing. Traditional types of analytical reports typically consist of a title page, table of contents, introduction, methodology, body section, conclusions, recommendations, and a bibliography. But with dynamic, interactive dashboard reporting software , your structure will be far simpler and more holistic. As such, you can retain all the conventional information you require, but the dynamism will provide facts you can use live and dig deeper while drilling down into pockets of knowledge with the swipe of a screen or the click of a button.

3. Choose the right chart types

Perhaps one of the most important steps is choosing the right chart type. Once you’ve made a conscious commitment to work with dynamic analytical reports, the next phase of the operation comes in the form of choosing the right chart type. A modern data report offers a host of interactive charts and visualizations you can use to your advantage.

If you choose the right types - those that represent the information you’re looking to convey with your data analysis report - you will enhance communication and productivity. Common chart types include interactive bar charts, line charts, bubble plots, area charts, and maps. To assist you in picking the right ones, here is a guide to choosing the best types of graphs and charts for your business.

4. Use real-time data

In addition to working with the right chart types, using dynamic real-time data is one of the cornerstones of analytical reporting success.

Interacting with real-time data through dynamic visualizations will ensure you can respond to any potential issue as it unfolds. Moreover, working with real-time data that aligns with your exact goals or objectives will improve your in-the-moment decision-making. At the same time, it will give you the capabilities to evolve your strategic efforts in line with the ever-changing commercial landscape surrounding your business.

5. Follow design best practices

When you’re considering the preparation of these reports, presentation is everything. Regardless of how powerful your dashboard software is, without following best practices, you will dilute your most vital organizational information, making it far less effective. When it comes to the design aspect, a clear, concise layout with a balanced mix of visuals is the way forward. For powerful analytical reporting, you must ensure your layout provides clear-cut answers to the questions linked to crucial aspects of your business’s progress. You should avoid packing too many charts and widgets into any analytics reports as it will only detract from your most valuable information. Also, for maximum data-driven success, focus on following a logical format that will allow you and your users to extract actionable insights at a glance. Adding tables at the bottom of the page will enable you to achieve a logical format as they usually provide more value than charts, graphs, or similar metrics.

6. Work with the right KPIs

As well as the many different types of analytical reports that exist in the digital age, there are also many types of dynamic KPIs you can use. The visually rich and interactive nature of these KPIs means that you can gain access to a wealth of invaluable facts, both past, predictive, and real-time. For an informational-style report format to work at its optimum capacity, selecting the right KPI template to consistently work toward your business goals is vital. When you’re creating or developing a business analytics report, you should consider which trends you are looking to uncover or benchmark and choose your KPIs accordingly.

Focusing on your primary business goals will ensure you reach a suitable conclusion when picking dynamic KPIs - doing so will ensure your business is more adaptable, more responsive, and more innovative with the initiatives you develop for the organization. By choosing your indicators well, you gain the ability to spot strengths and weaknesses while making your information more accessible to other stakeholders, both internal and external. This is an essential component of making sure that you get the structure of an analytical performance report just right.

7. Make your reports accessible

Expanding on our previous point, your business analytics report must always be accessible. In addition to developing a visually accessible, logical design and format, your relevant information should always be available to the right people in your organization whenever and wherever they need it. By working with pre-defined templates, you will be able to provide 24/7 access to your company’s most important KPI dashboards as employees will be able to log in and extract insights from a multitude of devices, including smartphones and tablets. The primary aim of a business analytical report is to improve internal business intelligence while empowering everyone with the knowledge they need to perform better - this limitless level of accessibility will do just that.

8. Tell a tale

You’ve probably noticed that we’ve already mentioned the importance of “telling a tale or story” - and for good reasons. The human brain favors strong narratives or a plot it can follow, so if your analysis report format is developed with storytelling in mind, you will make your business reporting efforts far more powerful.

To learn more about how to improve your efforts, you can read our comprehensive guide on data analysis methods and techniques.

9. Use interactive features

When fine-tuning an analytical report, it’s important to consider the features and functionality that will make your data more interactive.

Working with certain features will bring your most valuable insights to life while helping your users to perform better within their roles. These dynamic features include:

• Clickable chart or graph filters
• Detailed data visualization drill-throughs and drill downs
• Chart zoom-in functionality
• Dynamic text boxes and images
• Practical informational toolkits

By enabling the right features and helping everyone within the business understand how to use them, you will ensure your analytical reports offer maximum value, offering a consistently healthy return on investment (ROI) in the process. If you want to see this interactive dashboard feature more in detail, then take a look at our complete guide on the topic!

10. Benefit from artificial intelligence (AI)

Leveraging the power of AI technology will make your data analysis report template all the more powerful. The best modern AI software is equipped with autonomous functionality that streamlines and optimizes the analytical process.

Without a doubt, two of the most valuable AI features that drive today’s types of analytical reports are predictive analytics and intelligent alerts . With AI-powered predictive analytics, it’s possible to visually map out accurate future trends or patterns that will optimize your strategic planning. This level of vision will also allow you to take targeted measures to nip any potential inefficiencies in the bud before they spiral out of control. With intelligent alerts, your reports will inform you when you’ve reached a specific benchmark or any informational abnormalities occur. As a result, you will become exponentially more adaptive, responsive, and able to evolve your analytical efforts.

11. Implement a self-service approach

When it comes to analytical reports, it’s important that every key user or stakeholder can interact with the right insights with minimal support or intervention.

Adopting a self-service approach will empower everyone in the business to explore, examine, and extract valuable information that will optimize their abilities and ultimately, push the business forward. The right type of analysis report tool will make your data accessible while presenting each metric in a way that offers maximum value across the board. As a result, everyone will benefit from your company’s most pivotal data.

12. Gather internal feedback from your stakeholders

Once your analytical reporting tool is up and running, gathering feedback from every relevant stakeholder is vital to ensure ongoing success.

When working with such instruments, it’s critical to get your initial design and formatting correct—but it’s equally important to focus on continual maintenance.

By holding focus groups and workshops (or requesting online feedback) split into two main segments—your internal users and external stakeholders who you present your discoveries to—you will identify any gaps (both functional and informational) in your analytical report format (or formats).

Regardless of your sector or industry, adopting this mindset is vital, as it will ensure your data remains accessible and every single facet of your dashboard helps your users perform to the best of their abilities.

13. Keep on moving, improving, and evolving

Expanding on our previous point: once you’re up and running with your business analysis report and everyone is on board, moving with the landscape around you is vital.

Make a point of checking in with your analysis report format, design, and KPIs on a frequent basis. Consider whether the visualizations and benchmarks you’re using still represent the industry around you as well as the phase of the journey you’re currently on.

If you’ve found that you’ve suddenly scaled your business, for instance, you might find that you need to realign your core organizations and perhaps drill down deeper into your recruitment, talent retention, and fulfillment data.

The point here is that if you want to keep winning through business intelligence, committing to changing, and evolving your efforts continually is the best way forward.

14. Think about privacy and security

In the age of information, having watertight cybersecurity policies is of paramount importance — especially when you’re working with data.

That said, when you’re building an analysis report template or working with analytical software, prioritizing privacy as well as security is critical. It’s important to create your reports using dashboards with in-built features or functionality that will protect your (or your consumers’) most sensitive data from devastating attacks, breaches, or leaks. Plus, placing privacy at the very top of your analytical priority list will ensure you remain compliant concerning legislation like GDPR and CCPA.

Benefit From These 22 Analytical Report Examples

Many industries are discovering that analytical reports are essential for healthy and consistent business development across the board. These 22 strikingly different but equally powerful analysis report examples prove it.

Let’s take a look at them, one by one.

1. Healthcare: How can we reduce the patients waiting time in our hospital?

**click to enlarge**

Primary KPIs:

• Treatment Costs
• ER Wait Time
• Patient Wait Time

Next, we look at an analysis report sample in the health and wellbeing sector. The healthcare dashboard above emphasizes healthcare metrics that combine historical information, and statistics and delve deeper into the analysis of trends, therefore, it can serve as a fundamental part of generating future decisions that are important to run and modify a successful hospital strategy. Although big data in healthcare is becoming expansive and increasing in the variety of information it can provide, it also uses reports in the form of a dashboard (like the one above) so that every piece of information generated has its own measurement and quality of evidence. The average waiting time by division can clearly increase the effectiveness of different hospital departments if used correctly. Also, the number of patients can explain why some divisions have a bigger amount of waiting time, and, therefore, propose a solution to reduce it, and also reduce costs that directly affect the department.

This metric is important for the finance department, but the holistic view of all the informational scopes created and presented in this arrangement will assist management in making better decisions. The image above can also serve as an analytical report template, which can then be used as a roadmap to a successful hospital strategy.

2. Sales: How to exceed targets next year?

The next analysis report example comes from the sales industry.

• Sales Growth
• Sales Target
• Acquisition Cost

This sales dashboard combines a lot of important KPIs, like the average weekly revenue, customer acquisition cost, and yearly overview of the revenue and profit. You can even go further and interactively explore these units on a daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly time frame. The importance lies within the interpretation of big data compiled into just one central hub and a quick summary of the crucial factors that a sales report should have.

The sales target is exceeded by 115%, which means that managers can quickly conclude their targets are on track, provide feedback to their team and generate more ideas on how to proceed with the next steps of a strategy. Incorporating this kind of report into a business practice can bring value to a company, as smart KPIs are presented in a clear and efficient way. Combining these indicators, which provide straightforward evidence and an overview of the overall strategy, managers can reduce operational costs and set additional targets on how to decrease customer acquisition costs, which is one of the main goals of any solid strategy.

We can go even deeper on a monthly level.

This monthly report combines data of sales reps, their whole funnel, the average length of stages within their journey, and the average cycle length. You can see the single efficiency and conversion rates of a specific manager or representative, and gather information on the number of opportunities, proposals, negotiations, and closing times each one had. This sharp series of sales charts and analyses can project evidence of an effective selling cycle, meaning each member of a team can visually see their part of the strategy and make decisions based on the presented data. Since these kinds of reports can be used by different teams and stakeholders, the important value of clear analysis and numbers can define future actions while analyzing current data.

3. Marketing: Where should we allocate our budget?

Our third example of an analytical report comes from marketing. Digital marketing KPIs have expanded since the use of digital media has entered the marketing scene and reports have become more broad and detailed. Although you can combine your tracking KPIs into a single spreadsheet, it is often more useful to have a clear overview of specific campaigns, return on investment, cost per click, or landing page conversion rate.

• Traffic Sources
• Conversion Rate
• Bounce Rate

This data analysis report template shows a perfect overview of web analytics metrics. It quickly shows the total amount of visits, average session duration, bounce rate, page views, and the total goal conversion rate. Based on this info, a marketing department can quickly grasp into their analytics and conclude whether to make changes to their strategy or make an additional decision for a specific campaign. Monitoring traffic sources can easily define where to invest more or less, and the systematization of top campaigns, channels, and conversions can easily provide evidence of historical data based on the last year’s performance, or a weekly rundown of trends. This kind of marketing dashboard can bring consuming writing and exporting documents into the pains of the past since the dynamics of digital reports have gone into the future of the digital age.

4. Finance: How can we reduce the operating expenses ratio?

The fourth in our examples of analytical reports comes from the finance sector.

• Return on Assets
• Return on Equity
• Working Capital

This financial dashboard is a simple representation of how you can meet all your financial objectives in one analytical report, as it combines: gross profit margin, operating expenses ratio, operating profit margin, and net profit margin. All these indicators offer valuable and succinct insights into one central point of access which can be then analyzed in more detail by providing data and, therefore, a base for making future decisions. After seeing this visual representation of the most important performance indicators, stakeholders, managers, or employees can benefit from insights and decide whether to reduce the operating expenses or take action into developing a new strategy to increase revenue and profit.

5. FMCG: How do we make our supply chain more efficient?

Our next sample comes in the form of our FMCG dashboard . A business analysis report focused on fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), this report sample is ideal for businesses turning over large amounts of inventory on a regular basis.

• Out of Stock Rate (OOF)
• Delivered On-Time & In-Full (OTIF)
• Average Time To Sell
• Percentage of Sold Products Within Freshness Data

Boasting a cohesive mix of supply chain metrics designed to give business owners the capabilities to develop efficient strategies for streamlining their stock handling and fulfillment activities, this analytical report sample offers both at-a-glance and long-term strategic performance indicators based on average selling times and out-of-stock rates, among other invaluable nuggets of information.

This is a powerful report that will save you time and money while significantly improving both your supplier and consumer relationships in the long run.

6. Market research: How is our brand awareness? 

This analysis report template is based on improving your business’s market research strategies to gather critical insights using a more efficient, effective, and value-driven approach.

• Unaided Brand Awareness
• Aided Brand Awareness
• Brand Image
• Celebrity Analysis

An analysis report format offers a two-fold solution — the mix of KPIs featured within this real-time dashboard can help businesses across industries boost their brand awareness and leverage influencer relationships while collecting market insights that will help in the development of smarter, more results-driven marketing and communication initiatives.

This is a visual tool that will help you create a brand image that resonates with your target audience while taking advantage of business-boosting opportunities across a range of mediums, from email to social media and beyond.

7. Manufacturing: How efficient are my costs and processes?

• Asset Turnover
• Maintenance Costs

This balanced analysis report offers an at-a-glance snapshot of all core manufacturing metrics related to costs over a set period.

In today’s fast-paced, hyperconnected world, manufacturing companies or departments are under enormous pressure to fulfill high-quality products that meet stringent QC regulations while keeping costs at a consistent minimum.

Equipped with charts that display accessible financial trends, this analysis report is designed to give manufacturing decision-makers the tools to assess KPIs such as unit costs and return on assets swiftly and confidently. By using this key data report template, you will strike the perfect balance of quality, consistency, and financial efficiency – the operational sweet spot. 

8. Support Team: Are we meeting our customers’ needs?

• First Contact Resolution Rate
• Utilization Rate
• Net Promoter Score

In an age where customer service and experience are considered even more important than price or product, you cannot afford to be complacent with your support efforts. That’s where this data report template comes in.

This support-centric Zendesk dashboard will help you optimize your support team for continual success. The analysis report example offers an overview of general customer support KPIs such as Net Promoter Score (NPS), first contact resolution rate, and the amount of open and unassigned support tickets for a 30 days period. Among these, it displays an interactive chart showcasing the individual performance of your support agents, like this you can reward the employees with better numbers and help or incentivize the ones with lower ones.  By tracking and measuring your support success you will gain the ability to make strategic decisions to make your service department incredibly efficient. 

9. Procurement cost: Can I improve my return on investment?

• Cost of Purchase Order
• Procurement Cost Reduction
• Procurement Cost Avoidance
• Procurement ROI

This procurement-based analysis platform is focused on costs and purchases. The design showcases interactive charts tracking metrics like the cost of the purchase order, cost reduction, cost savings, cost avoidance, and procurement ROI, all of them displaying the actual number and a 5 years trend. In addition, you can see a detailed breakdown of the cost reductions, cost savings, and avoidance, among cost reductions related to suppliers.   

By drilling down into this cohesive mix of procurement KPIs , it’s possible to omit any unnecessary costs from your procurement processes while understanding the ROI of specific items within your inventory. Tracking these metrics regularly will enable you to optimize every element of your procurement chain, ensuring that your efforts are not only value-driven but also won’t drain your budget with minimal gain. This is an essential data analysis report example for businesses across industries.

10. Employee performance: How well is my team doing?

HR is one of the beating hearts of your business. Keeping your employees engaged and motivated will improve your productivity levels significantly. This HR-centric data analysis template will help you do just that.

• Absenteeism Rate
• Overtime Hours
• Training Costs
• Employee Productivity

Built to track labor effectiveness and absenteeism as well as staff productivity, overtime rates, and labor costs, this detailed tool will ensure your talent remains engaged while operating to the best of its abilities. Tracking these HR KPIs frequently will help you provide support, resources, or training where required while tackling any inefficiencies or staff-related issues head-on with a productive, valuable solution. This is a tool that will create continual success and cohesion in every department.

11. Supply chain: Are my operations optimized from end to end?

Historically, businesses across industries have hemorrhaged money with poor, inefficient supply chains and operational bottlenecks. But by taking a data-driven approach to your supply chain-based activities, you can cut out inefficiencies or operational snags.

• Inventory Accuracy
• Inventory Turnover
• Inventory to Sales Ratio

This logistics dashboard is a business analytics report that will help you track turnover, out-of-stock items, and inventory-to-sales ratios with pinpoint accuracy. By doing so, you can reduce redundant supply chain costs while keeping your entire process flowing from end to end. This is an analytics report example designed for sustainable supply chain success.

12. Energy: How sustainable & power-efficient is my business?

Many companies overlook their energy consumption – but it counts. If you have several offices, warehouses, or commercial sites to manage, you will suffer without proficient energy management solutions or strategies.

• Power Cuts & Average Duration
• Consumption by Sector

This energy dashboard allows you to compare your energy consumption to other sectors while gaining vital information on power cut durations, emissions, overall consumption, and costs. Armed with a melting pot of energy usage data, you can use this tool to become more financially efficient as well as greener and more sustainable – which is vital in an increasingly progressive and competitive digital landscape. By putting a data-driven energy management strategy in place, you will make your business more sustainable while reducing your annual costs.

13. YouTube Performance: What content works for my target? 

With customers choosing videos over regular content more and more, brands have the opportunity to give important information in a more engaging and interactive way. For instance, by using explainer videos you can tell your audience about a new product, a service, or even what your brand is about, without putting them through the pain of reading long texts to find the information they need. With this type of content, you can also close more deals and increase conversions by adding extra value to your company.  

Primary KPIs: 

• Audience Retention 

Our YouTube dashboard is an invaluable tool to measure the performance of your video content. It contains detailed charts showcasing forms of engagement metrics such as likes, comments, shares, and views along with two graphs displaying the average audience retention by seconds and the average watch time for the specific video. 

By tracking these metrics you can see the overall outcome of a specific video and compare it with others to understand what kind of content your target audience enjoys the most. In addition, by looking at the average watch time you can get a notion of how long your videos should be to keep the viewers entertained. This will lead to an optimization of resources and better content for your audience. 

14. IT CTO: are your high-level tech-centric decisions working?

The role of a CTO is high-pressure and all-encompassing. The execution, rollout, and development of technology within a company have a direct impact on its ongoing success. That said, as a CTO, your decisions must be swift, razor-sharp, and built for consistent growth.

Our slick CTO IT dashboard is designed to provide senior tech decision-makers with access to quality high-level metrics at a quick glance.

• Number of Critical Bugs
• Reopened Tickets
• Accuracy of Estimates
• New Developed Features
• Team Attrition Rate

With a balanced design and a wealth of visual information including critical IT KPIs such as user trends, critical bug quantifications, team attrition rates, newly developed features, and more, here you have everything at your disposal to act at the moment while formulating business-boosting strategies in a number of key technological areas.

15. CMO: how can I drive more efficiency from my campaigns?

The next of our dynamic analytical reports examples is for a company's CMO. Marketing and communications are key in delivering consistent brand messaging to specific segments of your audience across a wealth of channels. It's a colossal task, and if done right, it can bring exponential value to any business.

• Sales Target & Growth
• Website-Traffic-to-Lead Ratio
• Cost per Lead
• Lead-to-MQL Ratio
• MQL-to-SQL Ratio

This highly-informative analytical report template is built to provide busy CMOs or senior marketers with the insight to measure campaign success with pinpoint accuracy while managing budgets and ensuring the best possible return on marketing investment (ROMI) with every promotional initiative.

The information delivered by this template also offers a level of insight that will ultimately improve the collaboration between sales and marketing departments.

16. Customer retention: how can I inspire customer loyalty?

In our hyper-connected digital age, consumers are well and truly in the driver’s seat. As such, taking measures to improve customer retention and loyalty is critical to your business’s ongoing growth.

• Customer Churn
• Net Retention Rate
• Revenue Churn
• MRR Growth Rate

Not only are existing customers more cost-effective to maintain, but a loyal consumer will also act as a brand advocate, which, in turn, will expand your brand reach further with minimal effort. This retention dashboard will give you a clear insight into your levels of churn, retention, and growth, making it easy to target any potential issues affecting loyalty.

Armed with this invaluable information, you can set about developing strategies that will reduce your customer churn across every relevant channel and touchpoint.

17. Content quality: can I improve the impact of my communications?

Content is everything in the digital age of business. Without delivering a consistent flow of quality content that enlightens, helps, or inspires your audience, you will eventually come to a grinding halt.

• Flesch Reading Ease
• Average Comments per Article
• Story Turnaround Time

Our panoramic analytical report sample provides professional reporting based on the accessibility, efficiency, and engagement of your business’s content.

Working with these critical insights, you will ensure your content reads naturally while discovering new ways to reduce turnaround time and gaining a clear understanding of the type of articles, mediums, or ideas that resonate most with your audience, driving better results in the process.

18. IT costs: how can I optimize my expenditure & boost ROI?

As the very backbone of any forward-thinking organization, the IT department is responsible for keeping the whole ecosystem ticking. But, with so many processes and applications to consider, budgets can become strained.

• IT Costs Break Down
• IT Costs vs Revenue

This expense-oriented analytical report example is visually balanced and offers a vivid breakdown of the entire department's costs, revenue, and ROI over a monthly, quarterly, or annual timeframe. Not only is it possible to map out your budget versus spending over a specific period, but you can also pinpoint exactly where you’re spending most of your budget.

Gaining a firm visual grasp of your IT costs breakdown, you can take strategic measures to drive down any fiscal inefficiencies while distributing your resources in a way that is more balanced and built for sustainable success. One of the most striking features of this analysis report sample is the fact that you can keep a close eye on your department's overall ROI with a quick glance. As a result, you will keep your IT department operating at maximum efficiency while earning the very best returns for your ongoing efforts.

19. Retail optimization: how can I streamline my marketing and selling activities?

Retail is an ultra-competitive but incredibly rewarding industry — as long as you have the right strategy in place. To develop a sustainable strategy that results in continual growth and evolution, sweating the right data is key — that’s where analytics reporting comes in.

• Website Traffic/Foot Traffic
• Sell-Through Rate
• Retail Conversion Rate
• Monthly Revenue Per Employee

As an analytical report template designed to help stretched retail brands take charge of their most impactful data, this retail dashboard drills down into trend-based KPIs, including web or foot traffic, sell-through rates, conversions, GMROI, and revenue.

Armed with this melting pot of information, you can track the ongoing balance between your investments and returns while making accurate comparisons on inventory received versus sold. Gaining access to real-time data based on revenue per employee as well as traffic and cart abandonment rates will give you the capacity to optimize every phase of your consumer-facing retail journey for complete success. Working in close collaboration with this insightful analysis report format will result in consistently solid conversion rates while preserving the financial integrity of your physical or online store.

20. Google Analytics optimization: how can I drive greater analytical conclusions from the platform?

Google Analytics (GA) is one of the most rewarding data-driven platforms and offers a wealth of consumer-facing intelligence for brands across any niche or vertical imaginable. But, with so many using GA to improve the digital experiences they offer, cutting through the noise can prove challenging.

• Sessions and Users
• New and Returning Visitors
• Goal Conversion Rate

An analytical report format designed to offer additional depth and context when using the platform, our Google Analytics dashboard will help you pinpoint exactly where and how in your digital journey you can drive consumer engagement.

With dynamic KPIs including sessions and users, new and returning visitors, bounce rates, and goal conversion rates on the visual menu, here you can dig deeper into essential pockets of data that will boost your regional, as well as international, success. Harnessing this essential data, along with the dashboard’s superior machine learning capabilities and drill-down functions, you can optimize your user flows, consumer content, and multi-channel marketing strategies for success across the board.

21. Facebook marketing: how do I improve engagement & boost brand awareness with my content?

Facebook remains one of the world’s most popular and actively subscribed-to social media platforms. By understanding your Facebook audience on a deeper level, you will unlock the key to knowing which type of content earns the best rates of engagement.

• Number of Fans
• Follower Demographics
• Page Views by Sources
• Actions on Page

This particular analytical report sample is visually striking and offers a granular breakdown of key Facebook engagement metrics, including page views by source, on-page actions, fan numbers, and follower demographics.

Each informational element in this Facebook dashboard works in harmony to provide the tools necessary to create communications that appeal to specific audience segments while understanding where your content is leading your Facebook users. If you discover, for instance, that your Facebook posts are prompting a healthy number of website clicks but a consistently low level of desired CTA clicks, you can reassess the times you’re posting, as well as the content or sentiment of your messaging, to drive more social conversions.

Here, you have everything you need to level up your Facebook marketing strategy in one accessible analytical report outline — an essential tool for any ambitious modern company.

22. Procurement analytics: how can I optimize every key phase of my procurement funnel?

If you deal in tangible goods, your procurement strategy will dictate many core aspects of your organizational efficiency and flow.

• Supplier Quality Rating
• Vendor Rejection Rate & Costs
• Emergency Purchase Ratio
• Purchases In Time & Budget
• Spend Under Management

This data analysis report example is equipped with interactive KPIs that will help you appraise the quality of your suppliers, along with any associated operational costs, with pinpoint accuracy. Working with this powerful procurement dashboard will also empower you to uncover key patterns related to your ongoing expenditures throughout the year while drilling down into your emergency purchases ratio.

Here you can set actionable benchmarks for every key component of your procurement strategy while identifying any suppliers or parts of your process that might be draining your budget. Tracking your vendor costs and rejection rates will also play a pivotal role in your ability to examine your ongoing quality management strategies. As a result, you can reassess your supplier relationships while ensuring you keep the entire chain flowing from end to end.

Analytical Reporting Mistakes to Avoid

We’ve looked at an official analytical report definition and explored various types of analytical tools—we’ve even walked through a comprehensive list of samples. Now, let’s look at the essential mistakes you should avoid when generating them.

• Not knowing your goals and objectives

The first cardinal sin of analysis-based report building is not taking ample time to work through your core business goals or objectives in a collaborative environment. Without looking at your existing functions and setting actionable goals or outcomes, you will choose the wrong metrics and essentially analyze information that offers very little value to the growth of your business. The bottom line? Do not skip this vital phase of the operation. Set aside ample time for goal setting and make sure that you involve the relevant personnel or stakeholders.

• Not considering your users or audience

The next mistake boils down to a failure of considering your end-users and those who will need to read your reports. Think about what various users across different departments will need in terms of KPIs, visualizations, and access to perform better at their roles while ensuring your templates are set up for external stakeholders to understand the information before them and you will ensure your efforts deliver maximum results across the board, all while building collaborative bonds.

• Choosing style over substance

W hen designing your dashboards, you should never choose style over substance. Making your design visually appealing is good, but you should never prioritize aesthetics over practicality. Work through your reports in detail and ensure every relevant strand of information is clear, accessible, and fully interactive to ensure the best (and most informational) user experience possible. Refer to our design tips in the report building section for inspiration.

• Not providing training

Developing wonderful data templates is all well and good, but without training everyone within the business, your efforts will offer little value. That said, you must run workshops on your new data tools and make sure that everyone in the business understands why they should use them as well as how to use them to the best of their abilities. No exceptions, no compromises.

By avoiding these key mistakes, you will ensure that every analysis-centric report you write will improve business intelligence across the business. And in doing so, you will thrive.

Takeaways From Analytical Reports

The digital age has transformed the way we interact with the world around us. Now, businesses across sectors have the power to collect, curate, and interpret data in a way that improves intelligence and accelerates success. In this bold new world, BI tools have emerged as must-have tools for getting and staying ahead in a competitive digital landscape.

After asking the question, “What is an analytical report” and exploring an official definition, looking at a mix of real-world samples, and drilling down into how to make an analysis report, it’s clear that these dynamic, interactive, and highly visual displays offer no end of the business-boosting value.

We’ve uncovered an official analytical report definition, and explored a wealth of analytical reports examples and the data-driven benefits are clear.  It’s easy to see how these kinds of reports can be used across industries by offering actionable insights that cover a host of departments, activities, and internal functions. Using BI dashboard tools will ensure that you stay on top of today’s market while reducing operational costs and propelling yourself ahead of the competition with powerful data-driven initiatives. 

An online data visualization tool, coupled with the right analytical reports examples, can help track the specific and holistic progress of your company and improve your decision-making. Welcome to the future.

If you want to start rocking your reports today, try datapine for a 14-day trial . It’s time to take your data to the next level.

Quality – Quality report format

Here's the right quality report format for your projects

What is a quality report.

Quality is a central function to all construction and industrial projects. While many professional services and product companies in the world have version of quality control in the form of management and checks and balances, the industries (amongst other industries including manufacturing, aerospace etc.) really do stand alone when it comes to quality.

A large part of maintaining quality control and building quality into your every day processes is the quality report.

A quality report is a report which documents a specific quality process or outcome (or both), such as and inspection test plan, quality communications plan or non-conformance report.

The purpose of these reports is to make your quality management process and quality control procedures concrete - and to make sure you are measuring - both quantitatively and qualitatively - the outputs of these processes so as to ensure that your project is maintaining the quality standards set out in officel quality assurance and quality control guidelines, as well as the specifications set out by the client and/or contarctor.

Why is the format of my quality reports important anyway?

Because quality reports are important to the functioning and overall success of your projects; naturally, the format of your quality reports is important too. Your quality reports will be touching the hands and attracting the eyes of a number of important stakeholders, who are associating your quality reports (and their formatting) with the quality of your work and the likely outcome of their asset or project.

Messy and poorly formatted quality reports indicate to other parties that your quality processes and controls will be sloppy - even if they are not.

Outside of the poor impression your quality reports may set, properly reporting on quality inputs and outputs are to be reported on in accordance with the quality standards you have agreed to, such as the ISO9000 and it's variations. The type and extensiveness of your quality reports will depend upon which guidelines you have agreed to follow, as well as the strictness and processes of the other parties involved in your project.

These parameters, as well as your own internal tools like the quality management system you use or the size of your quality teams will also effect what and how extensive your quality reports are.

Ultimately, the 'quality' of your quality reporting and work will impact how much work you get and what your reputation is. If you maintain high quality project delivery with high quality reporting, then you can always point to your records in the case of unfair disputes or claims, as well as lean on the objective data such as the number of defects on your jobs or speed to corrective actions. This protects your reputation, and protects you bank account as well. A quality reporting app can help streamline processes to keep track of submitted reports and detailed analytics to improve performance.

All of these reports and clean data will help you improve the quality of your work and over time, help you win more work too.

The different types of quality report formats

As mentioned, the quality guidelines set out prior to the project commencing will impact the types and frequency of quality reporting you conduct, as will what you communicate to and agree with your other parties.

We'll outline some of the more popular quality reports below, along with some proven formatting tips and guidelines to help you steer your quality reports into the clear.

Defect report format

The defect report is a staple quality report. Defects occur regularly on projects, with heavy machinery, lots of transportation and moving parts resulting in a lot of surface imperfections and 'defects'.

Your defect report should follow this simple format:

• An automated form ID or number for record keeping purposes and audit control
• The date the defect was identified
• A lot reference (which is typically how jobs are organised for the purposes of breaking down an asset into digestible lots)
• Select the party or parties involved (the subcontractor, supplier etc.)
• Give a defect description and attach the proof of defect
• Sketch (if applicable)
• Proposed action/rectification
• Signoff when the rectification or corrective action is scheduled and finally, a reference photo once the defect is resolved

This is the type of formatting very common amongst quality reports. You outline the defect and who or more importantly what was responsible for the defect; you document and describe the defect with supporting evidence; then you draft or create an action for resolving this defect.

As you can derive from this report, the better contractors and subcontractors are at following this format and communicating the format fields, the faster defects move from defect to resolved.

Use and edit this defect report.

Non-conformance report format

A non-conformance report is another mainstay in the quality reporting space, and will deployed across any and every project when there is a non-conformance.

You can see the correct formatting for your non-conformance report below, which looks very similar in format to the defect report:

• Project information (for record keeping)
• Contractor and supplier information (who and what did the non conformance arise from)
• Description and photos/videos of the non-conformance
• Recommendation for the nonconformance
• Delay information and causes associated with the non conformance

As you can see, the format is very similar. The major difference between the two is that the non conformance can often have greater impacts on the project in terms of delays and issues. Defects are typically surface level problems, which means you non conformance report format will have space for documenting delays and other financial and project level information.

Use and edit this non-conformance report.

Snag list or construction punch list formatting

Punch lists and snag lists are the result of defect and in some cases non conformances (although mostly defects).

On a number of projects, defects arise as the project progresses, or some defects are missed while the subcontractor or team is conducting work. At the end of a project or often before a client walk-through, a quality team or engineer will walk through and document a number of outstanding defects which form a lunch list or snag list for a specific subcontractor. This list is an itemised list which the subcontractor must get through and tick-off in order for their work to be considered complete.

As you can imagine, the format for a snag or punch list is quite straightforward, as are a number of quality checklists you will see and use while conducting your quality jobs.

See below for an example snag list.

Use and customise this snag list report.

Get started with the right quality format for your job

Working in the industries comes with a lot of reporting, data entry, communicating changes and general admin.

• How they are created - the source of the document)
• How they are completed - are they paper, excel, word doc, app based etc.
• How they are organised - what happens when a document is filled in i.e does it go into the cloud or does it stay on paper
• How they are analysed - how is the data from your quality reports aggregated and understood so to be able to draw conclusions from your data

While there platforms to deal with these problems and give you full document assembly, automation and analytics controls - such as Sitemate's Dashpivot - getting your quality reporting right can start with single documents.

If you are looking for any of the above quality reports such as a snag or construction punch list, inspection or ITP or quality management plan, take a look at the templates below.

These templates are entirely digital, meaning you can edit and customise them online, as well as complete them on computer, tablet or mobile.

Once completed, your completed quality reports are stored in the cloud, where they can be accessed and collaborated on in real-time - and then downloaded, printed or shared in the perfect PDF or excel format, making all of your quality reports and work look and feel more professional.

Improving your quality reports starts with the right format, and we've built that format for you below.

Snag list template

Defect Report template

Non-conformance report (NCR) template

See how you can easily streamline your systems and processes with sitemate today.

About Lance Hodgson

Lance is VP of Marketing at Sitemate. His aim is to bring awareness to a brighter future for the Built World where industrial workers and companies work smarter.

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Sex Differences in the Role of Sleep on Cognition in Older Adults

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Study Objectives The study aimed to investigate sex differences in the relationship between sleep quality (self-report and objective) and cognitive function across three domains (executive function, verbal memory, and attention) in older adults.

Methods We analyzed cross-sectional data from 207 participants with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment (89 males and 118 females) aged over 60. The relationship between sleep quality and cognitive performance was estimated using generalized additive models. Objective sleep was measured with the GT9X Link Actigraph, and self-reported sleep was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

Results We found that females exhibited stable performance of executive function with up to about 400 minutes of total sleep time, with significant declines in performance ( p = 0.02) when total sleep time was longer. Additionally, a longer total sleep time contributed to lower verbal memory in a slightly non-linear manner ( p = 0.03). Higher self-reported sleep complaints were associated with poorer executive function in females with normal cognition ( p = 0.02). In males, a positive linear relationship emerged between sleep efficiency and executive function ( p = 0.04), while self-reported sleep was not associated with cognitive performance in males with normal cognition.

Conclusions Our findings suggest that the relationships between sleep quality and cognition differ between older males and females, with executive function being the most influenced by objective and self-reported sleep. Interventions targeting sleep quality to mitigate cognitive decline in older adults may need to be tailored according to sex, with distinct approaches for males and females.

Statement of Significance This research is significant as it addresses the gap in a previously underexplored area of sex differences in the interplay between sleep quality and cognitive function in older populations. By examining both objective and self-reported sleep measures across three cognitive domains, the study provides valuable insights into how sleep impacts various cognitive domains differently in older males and females. Notably, the findings suggest that interventions to improve sleep quality and potentially mitigate cognitive decline may need to be sex-specific.

Competing Interest Statement

CS is the owner and Chief Executive Officer of Sleep Health Education, LLC.

Funding Statement

This study was funded by the University of Kansas Alzheimers Disease Research Center, the National Institute on Aging (grant nos. P30AG035982; R01AG033673), and the University of Kansas General Research Fund.

Author Declarations

I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

Ethics committee/IRB of The University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center gave ethical approval for this work.

I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.

I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).

I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.

We added exploratory analyses comparing sleep parameters measured by actigraphy and the PSQI. We also compared performed model comparisons to assess which model best explains the relationship between sleep and cognition.

Data Availability

The dataset presented in this article is not readily available because dataset requests must be made directly to the KU-ADRC. Those interested in accessing the dataset should be directed to the following website where they can complete a data request form: https://www.kumc.edu/research/alzheimers-disease-research-center/research/resources-for-researchers-and-principal-investigators.html .

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• How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 21, 2023.

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research proposals.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

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Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

• Example research proposal #1: “A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management”
• Example research proposal #2: “Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use”

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

• Introduce your topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights your research will contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

• Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
• Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
• Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

• Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
• Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
• Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

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Regions & Countries

About half of americans say public k-12 education is going in the wrong direction.

About half of U.S. adults (51%) say the country’s public K-12 education system is generally going in the wrong direction. A far smaller share (16%) say it’s going in the right direction, and about a third (32%) are not sure, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in November 2023.

Pew Research Center conducted this analysis to understand how Americans view the K-12 public education system. We surveyed 5,029 U.S. adults from Nov. 9 to Nov. 16, 2023.

The survey was conducted by Ipsos for Pew Research Center on the Ipsos KnowledgePanel Omnibus. The KnowledgePanel is a probability-based web panel recruited primarily through national, random sampling of residential addresses. The survey is weighted by gender, age, race, ethnicity, education, income and other categories.

Here are the questions used for this analysis , along with responses, and the survey methodology .

A majority of those who say it’s headed in the wrong direction say a major reason is that schools are not spending enough time on core academic subjects.

These findings come amid debates about what is taught in schools , as well as concerns about school budget cuts and students falling behind academically.

Related: Race and LGBTQ Issues in K-12 Schools

Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say the public K-12 education system is going in the wrong direction. About two-thirds of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (65%) say this, compared with 40% of Democrats and Democratic leaners. In turn, 23% of Democrats and 10% of Republicans say it’s headed in the right direction.

Among Republicans, conservatives are the most likely to say public education is headed in the wrong direction: 75% say this, compared with 52% of moderate or liberal Republicans. There are no significant differences among Democrats by ideology.

Similar shares of K-12 parents and adults who don’t have a child in K-12 schools say the system is going in the wrong direction.

A separate Center survey of public K-12 teachers found that 82% think the overall state of public K-12 education has gotten worse in the past five years. And many teachers are pessimistic about the future.

Related: What’s It Like To Be A Teacher in America Today?

Why do Americans think public K-12 education is going in the wrong direction?

We asked adults who say the public education system is going in the wrong direction why that might be. About half or more say the following are major reasons:

• Schools not spending enough time on core academic subjects, like reading, math, science and social studies (69%)
• Teachers bringing their personal political and social views into the classroom (54%)
• Schools not having the funding and resources they need (52%)

About a quarter (26%) say a major reason is that parents have too much influence in decisions about what schools are teaching.

How views vary by party

Americans in each party point to different reasons why public education is headed in the wrong direction.

Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say major reasons are:

• A lack of focus on core academic subjects (79% vs. 55%)
• Teachers bringing their personal views into the classroom (76% vs. 23%)

In turn, Democrats are more likely than Republicans to point to:

• Insufficient school funding and resources (78% vs. 33%)
• Parents having too much say in what schools are teaching (46% vs. 13%)

Views also vary within each party by ideology.

Among Republicans, conservatives are particularly likely to cite a lack of focus on core academic subjects and teachers bringing their personal views into the classroom.

Among Democrats, liberals are especially likely to cite schools lacking resources and parents having too much say in the curriculum.

Note: Here are the questions used for this analysis , along with responses, and the survey methodology .

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‘Back to school’ means anytime from late July to after Labor Day, depending on where in the U.S. you live

Among many u.s. children, reading for fun has become less common, federal data shows, most european students learn english in school, for u.s. teens today, summer means more schooling and less leisure time than in the past, about one-in-six u.s. teachers work second jobs – and not just in the summer, most popular.

About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .

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Digital twin market to surpass $150bn by 2030, impacting many industries

GlobalData’s Digital Twins report examines growth and users across many industries including power, healthcare and sport.

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The digital twin market will be worth $154bn by 2030 having expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 35.6% since 2019, according to a new report.

The 2024 edition of GlobalData’s Digital Twins report explores the market for the technology and its impact on numerous industries. The report indicates that growth in the market will be predominantly driven by low-cost sensors used in internet of things devices, a decline in the cost of high-performance computing and improved cloud accessibility.

Digital twins are digital representations of physical assets, systems, people or processes. Creating a ‘live bridge’ between a physical asset and its virtual representation, they integrate data and information about the asset to provide insights that go beyond what can be gained from modelling.

Digital twins can operate on different levels, such as for a constituent component or part such as a blade in a turbine to high-level enterprise-wide models or production plants.

The main benefits of the technology include improving efficiency, sustainability, status monitoring and planning. These benefits have potential utilisations across most industries from manufacturing and energy to infrastructure and sport.

Digital twins in manufacturing

In the manufacturing industry, companies are looking to create digital twins of plants via real-time monitoring, allowing for the optimisation of production. This, in turn, can lengthen the lifespan of equipment and reduce costs.

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GlobalData’s report highlights several car manufacturers, such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, as having partnered with Nvidia in 2023 to create virtual models of factories. Technology company Bosch is also partnering with Multiverse Computing to create digital twins of factories in Madrid, utilising a quantum computer to improve quality control and efficiencies in energy and waste management.

Digital twins in power

In the power sector, organisations are using digital twins in a variety of ways. Among them, the US Department of Energy is utilising the technology for floating offshore wind turbines, with a partnership led by Principle Power providing a real-time representation of the WindFloat Atlantic wind farm off the coast of northern Portugal. The twin allows operators to more deeply understand the performance and operation of the wind farm leading to more efficient and cheaper operating costs.

In the UK, meanwhile, at the start of 2024, the Nation Grid Electricity System Operator signalled interest in developing digital twin energy system infrastructure with help from the government-led National Digital Twin programme by signing a memorandum of understanding.

there is also interest from Australia and Singapore in creating twins of energy grids with aims variously of helping to maintain reliable power supplies, model the effects of weather conditions and model the effects of turbines on wildlife and ecosystems.

Digital twins in healthcare

By creating digital twins of the human body, there is the potential to model the effects of drugs either in development phases or for managing an individual’s condition.

There are several digital twin operations focussed on digital hearts led by TCS, Dassault Systemes and Harvard University. The National Center for Neurology and Psychiatry in Japan is working to develop a brain digital twin to identify and prevent mental illness, while Twin Health has created a whole-body digital twin to help patients mitigate and reverse chronic metabolic disease.

Digital twins in construction

For construction, digital twins can help monitor long-term projects to identify and mitigate potential issues. A digital twin of Ezhou Huaha Airport was created recently using Bentley Systems’ iTwin platform to resolve around 6,000 issues before construction, minimising time spent in the construction process and saving money.

Bentley Systems is a key vendor in this space, creating twins to monitor dam construction, a water treatment plant and for railway upgrades.

Digital twins in automotive

Due to the myriad of constituent parts that make up vehicles, the report highlights that digital twins can be used to improve monitoring. Tesla, for example, makes digital twins of every car it sells, allowing it to update software for individual vehicles based on sensor data. Mercedes-Benz and Renault, meanwhile, are using digital twins to streamline manufacturing processes.

There is also scope to significantly change the second-hand car industry. While the value of vehicles is currently depreciated based on mileage, age and other factors, digital twins and sensors could give a more accurate reflection of vehicle condition, performance, warranty and service history.

Digital twins in aerospace and defence

Digital twins have a similar scope for reducing costs and improving performance in the aerospace and defence sectors.

GE Aviation has created a digital twin of aircraft engine blades for identifying erosion. The company is able to predict the degradation of materials over time.

The US Naval Air Systems Command also uses them to aid the integration of technology into naval aviation, and the US Air Force Research Laboratory for a digital virtual battleground and evaluating aircraft and weapons systems.

Digital twins in government

Governments bodies can use digital twins to monitor the state of existing infrastructure and plan future projects.

The National Research Foundation in Singapore, for example, analyses the potential of rooftop solar energy generation.

The digital twin of Singapore was the first city twin to be created and was completed in 2018, allowing the city to make use of it during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Elsewhere, municipalities are using the technology to reduce carbon output, plan new infrastructure and model the impacts of climate change.

Digital twins in sport

Digital twins in sport can be used for managing venues and monitoring athlete performance. For the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the organising committee is working with OnePlan to help simulate all major competition venues and make them more efficient and sustainable.

Elsewhere, Japanese tech giant NTT has created a digital twin of the race route for the Tour de France cycling event for real-time updates.

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Earth and Environmental Sciences

Department newsletter: 03-26-2024.

EES NEWSLETTER

WEEK OF MARCH 26, 2024

EES 5010 Geoscience Seminar - 3/29/2024 - 125 TROWBRIDGE HALL - 3:30 - 5PM

Presenter: Dr. Matthew Jones - Research Geologist - Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center - United States Geological Survey - Reston, VA

Title: Anomalous volcanic carbon dioxide release and Cretaceous Ocean Anoxic Event 2

Abstract: A distinct, mid-Cretaceous black shale layer, discovered in large swaths of the global ocean during pioneering ocean drilling in the 1970s, represents the effects of severe ocean anoxia approximately 94 million years ago during an event called Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2). This intriguing finding that past ocean basins were abruptly deprived of dissolved oxygen has spurred decades of research focused on both the triggers and paleoceanographic responses for this and other Cretaceous OAEs. This lecture will detail key research breakthroughs in the scientific understanding of Cretaceous OAEs over the nearly 50 years since their initial discovery, incorporating the most recent findings from scientific drilling in the Indian Ocean by the JOIDES Resolution research vessel. Geochemical data and sedimentological observations will be presented from cores drilled in the Mentelle Basin (offshore Australia) during International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 369. Observations and data from these cores provide a new understanding of the role and intensity of ocean acidification during OAE2 caused by abrupt CO2­ emission from the eruptions of large igneous provinces (LIPs). The precise source of the CO2 remains unclear given uncertainties regarding the ages and eruptive histories of many submarine LIPs. Yet expeditions to recover cores from submarine LIPs, including the most recent Cretaceous IODP expedition which cored the expansive Agulhas Plateau offshore South Africa, provide rare opportunities to help determine which specific LIP so drastically influenced Earth’s climate and oceans in the mid-Cretaceous.

Marine drilling records of the Cretaceous OAEs provide some of the best geologic records of the effects of rapid carbon emission on the ocean-atmosphere system. These records highlight the apparent sensitivity of Cretaceous oceans to the volcanogenic emissions of volatiles like CO2 and SO2. However, the natural feedback mechanisms that eventually sequestered carbon to restabilize oceanographic conditions by the end of OAE2 may provide prescient models for modern, geologically-based mitigation strategies to address rising anthropogenic CO2 levels.

• Early registration - fall 2024: 4/8 - 4/26/24
• Last day to drop a course - undergrad/grad: 4/15/24
• Last day to withdraw without collegiate approval - undergrad/grad: 4/15/24
• Final exam reports due - grad - 4/16/24
• Single thesis deposit (5pm CST) - 4/23/24 
• Close of classes: 5/3/24
• Final exam week: 5/6 - 5/10/24
• Commencement: 5/9 - 5/12/24
• First day of summer classes - 5/13/24

Students, Faculty, & Alumni: Distinguished Alumni Award nominations!

Since 2019 your Earth and Environmental Science Alumni Board have announced a Distinguished Alumni Awardee. A “Distinguished Alumni” is alumni with a B.S., M.S., or Ph. D. who is recognized from making significant contributions to earth and environmental sciences throughout their careers, and personified service to and passion for the discipline and community, including public outreach. All nominations are kept on file so no nominee is ever “lost” in the review and selection process.  The Distinguished Alumni is announced each year at Homecoming .

Please send your nominations to Lee Phillips, EESB Chair ( [email protected] ), Brian Hartman ( [email protected] ), Chair of the Alumni Outreach Committee, which oversees this award process, and Amy Sullivan, alumni and Past EESB Chair ( [email protected] ) who coordinates nominee documentation. From that point the Alumni Outreach Committee will move forward with the review and documentation process. Let’s honor our awesome alumni!

1stGen@Iowa Student advisory board

1stGen@Iowa is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025  1stGen@Iowa Student Advisory Board . Please help us spread the word about this unique leadership opportunity for first-gen students and consider forwarding the information below to students you think might be interested in applying. A file that can be shared on social media is also attached.

• Eligible Applicants: Any undergraduate, graduate, or professional student who plans to be enrolled at the University of Iowa during the 2024-2025 academic year and  identifies as first-generation is eligible to apply for the 1stGen@Iowa Student Advisory Board. Students do not have to "be registered" as first-gen in their student record to apply. 
• Who is a first-generation college student? At the University of Iowa, first-generation students are typically those students who do not have a parent(s) or legal guardian(s) who completed a four-year degree. However, a much more inclusive, comprehensive definition can be found  here . 
• Term Length: Selected students will serve a full academic year, from approximately September - April. Students may request to serve additional terms.
• NEW for Fall 2024 - Student Advisory Board Retreat: All 1stGen@Iowa Student Advisory Board members, both new and returning, will be expected to attend a fall retreat on Sunday, September 8th 2024
• Completed application form
• Current resume (upload your resume with the application form)

To learn more about this opportunity, please go to the  1stGen@Iowa Student Advisory Board Webpage.  

graduate student defenses

• The genus Asiatosuchus has historically been used as a wastebasket taxon to refer to any basal crocodile from the Paleogene. These species represent some of the closest extinct relatives to all modern crocodiles. Here we sought to reassess the species Asiatosuchus grangeri Mook, 1940, a crocodile from the middle Eocene of China. Fossil specimens of this species were reexamined to create a detailed description from which to conduct a morphology based phylogenetic analysis. A. grangeri was found to be somewhat more derived than previously thought, and less closely related to other species that have previously been referred to the genus. The results of this analysis may also point towards an Asian lineage of early crocodile which persisted from the Late Cretaceous up to the Eocene. Further studies are required among basal crocodiles to both resolve the remaining degree of uncertainty in their phylogenetic relationships and incorporate these findings with molecular data of extant species.
• 4/3, Wednesday, 1PM (CST) - Brandon Botha [Master’s Defense] - 349 Iowa Memorial Union [faculty advisor: Emily Finzel]
• The influence of natural and induced bias are unsolved problems in detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology. This project evaluates natural bias that may result from hydraulic sorting in a depositional environment and induced bias that may result from sample disaggregation during mineral separation. In Mesozoic strata from the Black Hills, South Dakota, we conducted three experiments for natural bias. In the Hulett Member of the Jurassic Sundance Formation, which represents deposition in a shallow marine environment, we sampled beds with different sedimentary structures representing varying hydrodynamic conditions. In the Fuson Member of the Cretaceous Lakota Formation, multiple samples from different positions within two ancient barforms were sampled. In the Cretaceous Fall River Formation, we sampled the base and top of a fluvial channel and its associated crevasse splay deposits. We test for induced bias by running in parallel two aliquots of 300 grams from each sample. The first aliquot was mechanically disaggregated using a jaw crusher and disk mill and the second aliquot was processed using a SelFrag Electopulse Disaggregator, which disaggregates along grain boundaries using high voltage electrical fragmentation. We also collected grain size data for each aliquot to test for differences in the resulting mineral separates as well as age-grain-size correlations. For each test, we use visual and statistical approaches to evaluate for biasing. Visual comparisons evaluate the presence or absence and relative abundance of age populations. Quantitative comparisons rely upon five statistical metrics: similarity, likeness, and cross-correlation of kernel density estimates (KDEs), and Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) and Kuiper tests of cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) to compare data. Our results suggest that for our experiments, natural and induced biasing are not present and that, in terms of provenance, the samples from each unit would be interpreted as having the same sources. We also find, similar to previous studies, that the number of grains (n) dated greatly influences how statistical metrics are measured.
• Mineral exploration cores drilled in 1963 into a magnetic anomaly by the New Jersey Zinc Company in northwest Iowa found the ~2.7 Ga Otter Creek layered mafic intrusion stratigraphically overlain by the ~1.78 Ga Matlock “Keratophyre” (MK). The MK was logged in two of the drilled Matlock cores: C-5 and C-6. The MK was described as a dark gray porphyritic rhyolite unit in the subsurface Precambrian basement of Iowa that grades downward from a crystal-poor tuff (core C-6 and top of core C-5) into a volcanic flow breccia that contains mafic clasts from the underlying 2.7 Ga Otter Creek Layered Igneous Complex (core C-5). This project involved gathering new petrographic and compositional data to investigate the nature and petrogenesis of this highly altered, mixed rhyolite-basalt unit. A PXRF was used to survey compositional variations in the cores to aid sample selection for whole rock geochemistry and U-Pb zircon geochronology (high-Zr core sections). Zircon was recovered from two Matlock C-5 core sections, but the sample of crystal-poor tuff (C-6 core section) was barren. Zircons analyzed by LA-ICP-MS at the Arizona LaserChron Center yielded concordia ages of 1803 ± 4 Ma (sample C5 488-9) and 1810 ± 9 Ma (sample C5 1067), suggesting the MK is older than the previous estimate (~1.78 Ga). The ICP-MS data on 24 whole rock samples shows that the MK is not a keratophyre unit but instead a high potassium rhyolite that has been highly altered and variably leached in alkali elements, and that there are three distinct rhyolite units within the MK unit based on incompatible and immobile element ratios, such as Zr/Nb and La/Sm. The PXRF and whole rock geochemical data highlight an unusual amount of mafic clasts. These whole rock geochemical data and new in-situ zircon U-Pb ages provide additional context about the southern margin of the Superior Craton.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

UNDERGRAD / ENTRY-LEVEL

The Iowa Geological Survey is looking for a full-time summer assistant at its facility on the UI Research Park in Coralville. The assistant will primarily assist in the preparation of well chip samples and enter geologic information into various databases. Some field work, such as collecting groundwater level measurements, may also be possible as projects develop.

A background in geology or earth sciences is desirable, but not required. Must be detail oriented. Must have the ability to move research materials weighing up to 50 pounds. A valid driver’s license and ability to meet and maintain University Driving Policy standards is required. Applicants MUST be enrolled as a student at a college or university in the spring 2024. 

Work hours are typically between 8:00 – 5:00 p.m., M-F, but are flexible after training is complete. Pay is $15.00/hr. The position starts on May 13 and will last through August 23.

To apply for this position, please send a resume to Rick Langel at ( [email protected] ). If you have any questions, please contact Rick at [email protected] or 335-4102.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking surveyors for prairie butterfly monitoring in western Minnesota. This work is a vital part of our mission to protect and save our native plant communities and the pollinators that depend on them. 

These positions are available as contracts (it’s not as hard as it might sound). To view the Request For Proposals (RFP) and submit an application package to bid on the contract, visit the Minnesota Supplier Portal  here . Two projects are listed under Bidding Opportunities:

• DNR EWR PT QC BUTTERFLY MONITORING IN NW MN – 2000015504
• DNR EWR PT QC BUTTERFLY MONITORING IN SW MN – 2000015465

Click on the project, then click on ‘View Bid Package’. There you will find the RFP document with project details. New users of this system will first need to register for an account before applying. Information about how to pose questions about the proposal and the process can be found on p. 4 of each RFP. You may bid on both opportunities. Applications are due by 2:00 PM CST on Thursday, 28 March 2024 for the SW proposal and 2:00 PM CST on Friday, 29 March 2024 for the NW proposal.

Field Trip and Short Course Program Coordinator - The Geological Society Of America - Boulder, Colorado (Hybrid)

$25.00 - $27.40 Per Hour - Full Time

The Program Coordinator is responsible for GSA’s field and professional development programs, including administering field trips, field awards, short courses, and GSA’s Continuing Education Units (CPEs). This is an exciting, interactive, and highly visible role that demands exceptional customer service skills, a love of field activities and/or fieldwork, and a high level of professionalism.

This position will work closely with volunteers and help them to propose, review, implement, and complete field trips or short courses within an allotted time frame. The trips or courses may be associated with specific GSA-related meetings or may occur independently of these meetings, including virtually.

This role will report to the Director of Strategic Outreach and Engagement, and will liaise with GSA committees, sections, members, non-members, staff, internal and external funders, and representatives from government agencies, private industries, and academic institutions.

Key Essential functions include but not limited to:

• Implementing and overseeing Short Course programs and field trips for the GSA Connects and Section meetings if requested, to include virtual field trips and courses.
• Working closely with GSA Director of Strategic Outreach and Engagement and the Director of Meetings and Events, members, and committees to guide the offerings and selection of field trips and short courses.
• Assisting the Field Trip Chair and the Committee on Professional Development in their review of proposals for field trips, short courses, and GSA’s J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship Program. Send out acceptance notices to field trip and short course leaders and to the winners of the scholarship.
• Coordinating logistics for trips and courses, including travel, hotel, meals, room set-ups, etc., as needed.
• Increasing engagement with potential leaders and participants.
• Working with the Marketing Department to create marketing materials and campaigns to appropriately advertise trips, courses, the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship Award, and other trip- and course-related programs.
• Preparing budgets for each trip and program and working with trip and course leaders on those budgets to ensure that the maximum number of potential trips and courses are offered and run each year. Handles all trips and courses invoicing and reimbursements after each meeting.
• Surveying leaders and attendees at the conclusion of programs, and evaluating, analyzing, and reporting on the programs based on that data.
• Analyzing data from past offerings, gathering data from new offerings, and reporting that data to aid in future decision making.
• Assessing and working to increase the impact and visibility of the field and short course programs within the scope of the GSA strategic plan.
• Providing excellent customer service to all leaders, participants, members, non-members, staff, and other interested parties by clearly communicating information and answering all inquiries regarding general and specific program information.
• Traveling to various meetings and other locales to administer programs as necessary.
• Ensure Continuing Education Units (CEU) are offered, marketed, assessed and awarded to all course and trip attendees.

An ideal candidate will have an Associate’s Degree and be able to travel locally and nationally for GSA program events throughout the year.

The opportunity is a full-time, non-exempt position with a home base in the Boulder HQ or Washington D.C. office and available for a Hybrid work environment at times. The hourly range is $25.00 -$27.40 per hour for a 40-hour work week. GSA provides excellent benefits, including medical, dental, PTO, which include paid holidays, life insurance, 403(b) retirement, and opportunities for professional development. Additional recognized time off includes Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples Day in 2024.

If you are interested in this position, please review the full job description, and submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references.

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply immediately. Submissions will be reviewed immediately and ongoing until the position is filled. This posting may close at any time.

PROFESSIONAL/POST-GRAD

Researcher 4: Assistant Researcher Scientist - Natural Resources Research Institute, Minerals and metallurgy - Duluth, Minnesota

$46,000 - $110,000 Per Year - Full Time

Job Opening is 360188

The Natural Resources Research Institute was established by the Minnesota legislature in 1983 as an applied science and engineering research organization to inform state citizens and decision-makers while leveraging the power of the University of Minnesota. NRRI is guided by the forward-looking charter provided by the Legislature to foster the economic development of Minnesota’s natural resources in an environmentally sound manner to promote private sector employment.

NRRI’s mission is to deliver integrated research solutions that value our resources, environment, and economy for a sustainable and resilient future. We are a mission-driven, project-focused team working to create opportunities for natural resource stewardship. With industrial-scale facilities in Duluth and Coleraine, MN, NRRI works across five strategic research platforms. These platforms address Minnesota’s soil, forest, water, and mineral resources:

• Applied Ecology and Resource Management
• Minerals and Metallurgy
• Materials and Bioeconomy
• Data Collection and Delivery
• Commercialization Services

***Please note this position is NOT eligible for sponsorship***

This intermediate-level research position is responsible for the execution and management of comprehensive research projects related to the origin and occurrence of natural resources. The successful candidate must have significant training and experience in one or more of the following areas: Mineralogy, Petrology, Geochemistry and Structural Geology and a demonstrated record of successful execution and completion of research projects in areas of specialized interest. The successful candidate will work on a wide variety of projects, including but not limited to 1) examination of geological characteristics of natural resources; 2) fieldwork, sample-collection, laboratory sample preparation; 3) petrographic studies of collected samples; 4) contributing to analytical reports and participating in group efforts to prepare manuscripts for publication. The researcher will be expected to contribute to ongoing collaborative research programs across the Institute. Predominantly day trips but occasional overnight travel to field locations and to external labs will be needed for up to 15% of the time.

Travel will be needed for fieldwork and sample collection. Lab work will include sample studies in hand and under microscope. Visiting external labs for sample analysis and data collection will be needed from time to time. Lifting heavy objects up to 40 lbs. might be occasionally required.

The researcher will work under the supervision of an NRRI research manager to engage in research and associated activities such as project development, management of resources, and team leadership to achieve the strategic objectives of the Institute. The position leverages Institute policies and procedures and applies project management skills in concert with their technical expertise to manage day-to-day research activities.

Project Development 50 %

As a key contributor in the research organization, this position is responsible for the execution of existing, integrated, multi-disciplinary research projects in Geology involving 1) ferrous and non-ferrous mineral resources, 2) initiatives in the creation and development of a renewable energy infrastructure; 3) pathways to minimize the industrial emission of carbon, consistent with state and federal government policies and the strategic research objectives of the Institute. The work will include partnership with institutes such as universities, national labs, industry, and state and federal government. The researcher may travel to field locations, collaborate with workers, collect field and drill-core samples, and engage in a group effort on sample collection, sample inspection, sample preparation, and generation of analytical data. Strong project management skills and excellent oral and written communication skills will be crucial in reaching these objectives.

Research Funding 20%

The research scientist is expected to help generate research funding from internal and external sources contributing to the preparation of professional, competitive grant proposals. It is expected that the research scientist will coordinate and collaborate across the Institute as well as the University of Minnesota System to ensure that project budget, schedule, and scope fulfill granting agency requirements.

Publications 20%

The researcher will participate with the supervisor and co-workers in research teams in the preparation and writing of project reports and manuscripts. The research scientist is expected to contribute to the preparation of peer-reviewed articles, technical reports, client reports, professional presentations, and outreach materials as appropriate.

Operational Assistance 10%

The researcher is expected to contribute expertise to mineral processing, and to industry service contracts across the Institute. The researcher will acquire, analyze, interpret, and report mineralogical data to support research and external sales projects. The researcher will review established operational policies and procedures related to research activities of the Institute. The researcher will practice and uphold Institute core values, including a robust safety and respectful work environment.

Required Qualifications:

• BS/BA plus 4 years applicable experience or MS plus 2 years applicable experience in geological sciences or in related areas of study from an accredited college or university in one or more of the following areas: mineralogy, igneous and metamorphic petrology, structural geology, and high temperature geochemistry
• Demonstrated knowledge of geology and mineral resources
• Experience in geological fieldwork.
• Experience in drill core collection and inspection.
• Proficiency with petrological microscopes and the development of comprehensive lithogeochemical models of rock systems.
• Proficiency in written and oral English.
• Experience in working with collaborative teams.
• Lifting heavy objects up to 40 lbs. might be occasionally required.
• Working in rugged terrains and visiting mining and industrial locations are expected occasionally
• Must possess a valid US Drivers License

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in geospatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Proficiency in Lith geochemical software such as ioGAS and IGPET.
• Knowledge and experience in the geology of the Great Lakes Region.
• Experience using mineralogical techniques and analytical methods such as MLA/QEMSCAN, XRD, Electron Microprobe (EPMA) and X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF).
• A record of publishing peer-reviewed articles and geological maps.
• Experience in project management, execution, and reporting.

Geosciences Department Technician - Union College, Geosciences Department - Schenectady, New York

$37,000 - $57,000 Per Year - Full Time

The Union College Geosciences Department seeks a permanent full-time (12 month) Department Technician. Our technician plays a crucial role supporting the students and faculty in the department by assisting with field trips, indoor/outdoor laboratory exercises, instrument operation and maintenance, and classroom material preparation. We seek to hire a dynamic colleague with laboratory experience in the geosciences (BSc required, MSc or PhD preferred). Applicants with broadly defined laboratory experience are encouraged, which could include lab-based classes, student research, or previous technical employment. Duties vary depending on department need, but will include aiding students and faculty during classroom and outdoor lab experiences, maintaining and operating geochemical equipment, and engaging in a wide variety of sample preparations. Major department instrumentation includes IR-MS, LA-ICPMS, IC, SEM and XRD. Training will be provided for all required tasks, and no specific experience is required. The rate for this position is between $18.00 - $27.50 per hour (or approx. $37,000 to $57,000 per year), depending on experience. The region has a very reasonable cost of living and is home to cultural and culinary possibilities in the state capital, Albany, and nearby Berkshires, along with proximity to local mountain ranges (the Adirondacks, Catskills, Greens) for hiking, skiing, climbing, etc. Union College employment includes an attractive benefits program with health, generous retirement package, free gym, paid breaks, paid holidays, tuition remission program, and other benefits. 

Please see the full job advertisement and application portal at: https://jobs.union.edu/en-us/job/493360/geosciences-technician

We will review applications starting April 15th

wyoming state geological survey is hiring for the following positions

Contract Geologist

The Wyoming State Geological Survey is hiring one  contract geologist position to work with staff geologists to characterize the critical mineral resource potential of the Medicine Bow Mountains in southeastern Wyoming. Interested applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and include a completed  job questionnaire .

Geology Manager

The Wyoming State Geological Survey is hiring one geology manager position to lead a team of 4–6 staff geologists, as well as conduct independent field and laboratory geologic research in support of agency goals. For more information on essential functions, qualifications, and how to apply, click  here .

The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Click  here to view federal guidelines for Equal Employment Opportunity  policies .

INTERNSHIP, RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP, FELLOWSHIP, & GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Geology Member - American Conservation Experience - Las Cruces, New Mexico

$45,600 Per Year - Internship

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Cruces District Office, is seeking two Geology Members to contribute to a variety of geological projects alongside BLM Las Cruces District Office Staff. The members will work on geological investigations pertaining to various mining and geothermal exploration and operations and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org .

Start Date: July/August 2024 *pending federal background check*

Estimated End Date: 50 weeks after the start date.*a 50 week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Las Cruces, NM

Position Overview: The BLM Las Cruces District Office is providing an opportunity for two members to gain hands-on experience in the fields of geology and natural resource management to help uphold state and federal environmental regulations in New Mexico. Under the guidance of BLM Staff, the members will contribute to the collection, analysis, and reporting of geologic data on BLM lands. The members will also assist in the development of NEPA documents, ArcGIS data and products, record keeping systems, and data/information entry into the various automated minerals and reporting systems. Those participating in this program will have the opportunity to learn about BLM land-management challenges and responsibilities, gain an understanding of the ins-and-outs of environmental regulation and compliance, and get boots on the ground experience with geologic methods. This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Mon-Fri, between the hours of 8:00am - 5:00pm MST.

Qualifications

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements .
• Knowledge of geologic processes, data collection and analysis, and duties related to this position.
• Ability and willingness to participate in both fieldwork and office work.
• Deep interest in environmental compliance and government procedures.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1079793 Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Recruitment and Member Support Coordinator, Sheana Ward, at [email protected]

Green Corps Organizer Program - The Field School for Environmental Organizing

Green Corps is looking for college graduates who are ready to take on the biggest environmental challenges of our day. 

Learn more and apply on our website!

The planet needs all the help it can get. To win now and build a strong foundation for lasting progress, we need people who know how to organize: to run organizations and campaigns that will inspire the support and action we need to save our environment. Our program starts with intensive classroom training. You learn about issues and campaigns, organizing theory and principles, and skills from recruiting volunteers to staging a media event. Then, you move to a more hands-on experience. You make a difference on important campaigns to transition our country to clean energy, protect wildlife, and more. For example, Lauren Karpinski, an organizer from the Green Corps Class of 2019, brought together a coalition of 40 groups that helped win a landmark solar energy bill in Arkansas.

We’re accepting the top 20 candidates for our 2024-2025 program. Graduates will join our more than 400 alumni who are leading environmental campaigns and organizations across the country. If you’re passionate about the environment and ready to learn and practice the craft of organizing after graduation,  apply today!

Not a graduating senior?  Add your name to our list  to receive updates about Green Corps including summer internships and jobs in the environmental and broader social change field!

New Mexico State University - grad student opportunities

As a result of the funding of a recent Department of Energy (DOE) grant, is looking for two motivated MS students who are interested using U-series isotopes to address the ages of crystals and melts in young volcanic eruptions. The students will have the option to participate in a program in which to prepare for potential careers at DOE funded national labs (e.g., Los Alamos and Savannah River National Labs). In addition, a colleague (Dr. Brian Hampton) is looking for students interested in undertaking research associated with tectonics and sedimentary basins. We currently have TA funding for up to three positions for the fall 2024 graduate class. The MS program at New Mexico State University is focused on undertaking a range of scientific investigations using cutting-edge technologies and is located in the Rio Grande rift of southern New Mexico. 

For more information, please email graduate advisor, Dr. Frank C. Ramos at  [email protected] or apply at  https://gradschool.nmsu.edu/future-students/ .

Postdoctoral Research Scholar in Planetary Field Geology

Employer: Arizona State University, School of Earth and Space Exploration

Location: Tempe, Arizona (US)

Closing date: Apr 19, 2024

The Dreamscape Discovery Initiative (DDI) and the School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) at Arizona State University invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Scholar in Planetary Field Geology as enabled by virtual reality.

Applications are invited for one postdoctoral position to work in collaboration with DDI Director Kip Hodges.

The Dreamscape Discovery Initiative (DDI) at Arizona State University is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join an active and growing research cohort with a focus on developing extremely high-resolution digital replications of natural planetary landscapes, enhancing them with handheld or embedded geochemical sensor data, rendering the enhanced models as virtual environments such that planetary scientists can conduct field geologic research within them, and exploring the efficacy of this approach to observational field geology as compared to established field science methodology. While collaborating on established DDI projects involving lunar, Martian, and terrestrial analog datasets, the appointee will have ample opportunity to develop and lead original immersive reality research of their own design.

Essential Duties

Developing extremely high-resolution digital replications of natural planetary landscapes, enhancing them with handheld or embedded geochemical sensor data, rendering the enhanced models as virtual environments such that planetary scientists can conduct field geologic research within them, and exploring the efficacy of this approach to observational field geology as compared to established field science methodology.

Although DDI is a pan-university initiative, this appointment will be based in the School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE), an interdisciplinary academic unit bringing together all of Earth and space science including astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, and geology. Read more about SESE at  https://sese.asu.edu .

The initial appointment is for one year and is eligible for subsequent annual renewal for up to one additional year contingent upon satisfactory performance, the needs of the university, and availability of funding resources. The estimated start date is September 1, 2024. This position comes with a competitive salary and benefits.

About Arizona State University

ASU is a large, comprehensive, research university and for nearly two decades, has transformed into the “ New American University ,” one dedicated to the simultaneous pursuit of excellence, broad access to quality education, and meaningful societal impact. By our Charter and Design Aspirations, we center inclusion and success as values that drive the enterprise; adopt inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning as ways to address society’s greatest challenges; and develop innovative partnerships to produce master learners across the lifespan. To learn more about ASU, visit  http://www.asu.edu .

Minimum qualifications include:

• A Ph.D. or DSc in geological sciences, natural sciences, or earth and space sciences, or closely related field by the start date. Candidates must be within five years from receipt of the doctoral degree.
• A background in either observational field geoscience or field planetary science.
• Commitment to working with faculty, staff, students, and communities, to advance the principles of the ASU Charter.

Desired qualifications include:

• Familiarity with the use of photogrammetric methods to develop 3D models of outcrops or landscapes on Earth or other planetary surfaces.
• A growing publication record in major international journals.
• Strong computational skills and a willingness to expand those skills into the realm of 3D visualization.
• Experience in research management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, multi-task, allocate resources, and meet deadlines.
• Experience in problem-solving and decision-making, evidence of organizational skills and flexibility, and proactively anticipating requirements and potential challenges.
• Willingness to collaborate on the development of new projects and assist in writing proposals to garner external support for those projects.

To apply, please submit to http://apply.interfolio.com/143048 to include the following:

• A cover letter
• Contact information (name, address, email address) for three references familiar with the candidate’s work.
• A curriculum vitae with a publication list.
• A 1-2-page statement of why this particular opportunity is of interest.
• A statement of past research accomplishments and future research goals (Three pages or less).

The deadline for the initial review of complete applications will be April 18, 2024. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is closed.

Postdoctoral benefits can be found at:  https://cfo.asu.edu/new-employee-orientation   https://graduate.asu.edu/postdocs/welcome-postdocs

A background check is required for employment. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

USGS Arctic Rivers Project Research Internship

Employer: Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Oak Ridge Participation Programs (OPP) Outreach Team

Location: can report remotely; preference will be given to candidates in CO & AK

Salary: Stipend rates vary based opportunity, location, education, and experience

Two research opportunities are available with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) regional Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center. The selected research assistant can report remotely; however, preference will be given to participants located in Colorado and Alaska. 

The USGS mission is to monitor, analyze, and predict current and evolving dynamics of complex human and natural Earth-system interactions and to deliver actionable intelligence at scales and timeframes relevant to decision makers. As the Nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides science about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems. Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers support and produce science to inform on-the-ground climate adaptation planning by natural and cultural resource managers. 

Research Project:  The Arctic Rivers Project is an NSF-Navigating the New Arctic funded project that is a collaboration between scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder, USGS, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council, and the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals. This interdisciplinary project seeks to develop useful and useable climate information to assist Indigenous communities throughout Alaska in adapting to the impacts of climate change particularly as it relates to fish, rivers, and extreme events. (See:  https://geonarrative.usgs.gov/arcticriversproject/ for more information). To that end researchers will work directly with community members from at least three Alaska Native Villages to weave their knowledge of and experiences with climate change impacts together with climate projections from a newly developed regional climate model for the state of Alaska. 

Under the guidance of a mentor, specific activities include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting in workshops to be held in Alaska Native Communities.
• Developing interview questions and assisting with interviews of Alaska Native Knowledge Holders, Elders, and Decision makers.
• Analyzing interview transcripts.
• Assisting in the development of products to share the results of interviews such as manuscripts, storymaps, and community reports.
• Attending project meetings (Depending on the participant’s location these may be held outside of regular participation hours).
• Communicating regularly with community project partners.

Learning Objectives: The participant will receive training, coaching, and mentoring from the team leads and project managers to effectively accomplish appointment goals. Selected participants will receive an hourly rate; rates are based on the candidate’s academic and professional background. Participants will receive a travel/research allowance to cover travel-related expenses to scientific and professional development activities. 

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Nicole Herman-Mercer ( [email protected] ). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: May 2024. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of CDC and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation: The appointment is part time.

Participant Stipend: Stipend rates may vary based on numerous factors, including opportunity, location, education, and experience. If you are interviewed, you can inquire about the exact stipend rate at that time and if selected, your appointment offer will include the monthly stipend rate.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and USGS. Participants do not become employees of USGS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

Questions: If you have questions about the application process please email  [email protected] and include the reference code for this opportunity.

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in the one of the relevant fields. The participants should be enrolled in upper-level course work as an undergraduate or be a first-year Master's student majoring in one of the relevant fields listed in the eligibility requirements section.

Preferred skills:

• Ability to collaborate with a diverse and remote project team.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience collaborating across cultures.
• Attention to detail and good organizational skills.
• Experience conducting interviews and analyzing transcripts with qualitative analysis software (e.g., NVIVO) a plus.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree.
• Communications and Graphics Design 
• Environmental and Marine Sciences 
• Life Health and Medical Sciences 
• Other Non-Science & Engineering 
• Social and Behavioral Sciences 
• Age: Must be 18 years of age

Two Graduate Assistantships (Ph.D.)

Employer: Department of Earth and Spatial Sciences, University of Idaho

Location: Moscow, Idaho

Salary: Up to ~$30,000/year with health insurance and full tuition

Closing date: Apr 18, 2024

The Department of Earth and Spatial Sciences at the University of Idaho (Moscow, ID) is recruiting two Geography Ph.D. students to conduct research related to human adaptation to, and perceptions of, climate change. The successful applicants will work with a team of scientists from Idaho, Nevada, and South Carolina as part of a National Science Foundation funded 4-year project focuses on Local and Place Based Adaptation to Climate Change in Undeserved Rural Communities. One PhD student will focus on remote sensing and spatial analysis of environments under change and the second will focus on climate science, modeling, and visualizations. Please submit inquiries directly to Dr. Alistair Smith (alistair at uidaho dot edu) and Dr. Erich Seamon (erichs at uidaho dot edu). Positions include a competitive research assistantship (~$30,000/year), health insurance, and full tuition covered, with an anticipated start of August 12, 2024.

UPCOMING EVENTS

CAMPUS EVENTS

The  Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative (HELI) at the University of Iowa College of Law is hosting a series of events this spring semester that will explore the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act in Iowa, climate resilience and justice, international environmental enforcement, and land conservation in Iowa and the Midwest region after Sackett v. EPA.

Registration is available for each event at the links below. Each event has a virtual and in person attendance option. All events are free and open to the public.

With questions, contact the HELI team at  [email protected] .

April 5 (all day event):  "Wetlands Preservation after Sackett v. EPA: Land Conservation and What it Means for Iowa" Panel Series

• In April 2024, HELI will convene partners from the national, regional, and local scales for a series of panels discussing land conservation in Iowa and the Midwest region after Sackett v. EPA. The exact date is TBA, but will be announced soon.
• Food and beverages will be provided for those who register in advance. Registration for this event is open  here

Campus and Local Community Spaces as Collaborative Lab for Environmental Research—Inspiration from Leaders at Other Campuses

April 5, 1:30 - 3:00PM - Iowa City Public Library (123 S Linn St.)

Around the country, visionary faculty members and administrators are finding inspiring ways to engage students, artists, researchers, staff, and community partners in learning about and responding to climate change and its environmental effects through the very landscapes in which they live and work. As part of this year’s Obermann series, “Envisioning Interdisciplinary, Experiential Environmental Research,” we are thrilled to welcome two leaders whose brilliant cross-sectoral, cross-disciplinary collaborations offer inspiring ways to conduct research, teach classes, and connect campuses with their communities. Their work promises that through expansive, intentional collaborations here at the University of Iowa, we can leap over the usual obstacles to working together and design projects that will not only change hearts and minds, but directly address the impacts of climate change and environmental challenges.

Kathleen Socolofsky, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Director, UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden. AVC Socolofsky is the co-developer of three initiatives that are being used as models for universities and public gardens across the United States and beyond: (1) the UCD GATEways (Gardens, Arts, and The Environment) Project; (2) the UC Davis Living Landscape Adaptation Plan for climate change; and (3) the Learning by Leading™ Program Model for student experiential leadership for the environment.

Lecture: "The UCD Arboretum and Public Garden as Interdisciplinary, Learning Laboratory—Connecting the Campus and Community Through Experiential Teaching, Learning, and Research on and in the Environment"

Bethany Wiggin, Founding Director of the Penn Program in Environmental Humanities and the My Climate Story and Ecotopian Toolkit projects and Professor of German at the University of Pennsylvania with affiliations in Comparative Literature, English, and International Studies. Wiggin’s collaborations include research across the arts and sciences and public engagement in the environmental humanities: including Timescales and An Ecotopian Toolkit. After the 2016 election, she played a pivotal role in launching #Datarefuge to address concerns about federal climate and environmental data. With Johns Hopkins engineering professor Peter DeCarlo, she researches and teaches summer research seminars to educate the public about the pollution of the Schuylkill River.

Lecture: "Humanists at Work in the World: Campus-Community Partnerships for Environmental Justice"

This event is free and open to all.

Hosted by the UI Obermann Center for Advanced Studies, with generous support from the Office of the Vice President for Research and Humanities for the Public Good.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Erin Hackathorn in advance at 319-335-4034 or [email protected]

OFF-CAMPUS EVENTS

filmscene presents “The Martian” - March 28, 2024 6:30PM

A Science on Screen® Presentation: including a pre-show presentation: “Life on Mars? Soil, Plants, and Climate on the Red Planet” presented by Drs. Valerie Payré (EES) and Matthew Dannenberg (GSS)

An initiative of the Coolidge Corner Theatre, with major support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Tickets are $10, available  here  

Geological Society of America 2024 Joint North-Central and South-Central Section Meeting

21 - 23 April 2024 - Springfield, Missouri - Oasis Hotel & Convention Center

Registration  here

58th Annual Meeting of the North-Central Section

Meet in the Mid-Continent!

We are excited to have the opportunity to host the joint meeting of the North-Central and South-Central Sections. We have built a diverse technical program that spans the geology of the Ozarks (Paleozoic units and abundant karst) to Precambrian basement outcrops both east and west of the Ozarks, to the structural features of the southern margin. This geology includes world-class Lead-Zinc deposits, paleontological finds, and fascinating environmental challenges. Beyond the rocks, we also invite you to join us as we explore recent changes in our profession and their implications for educational preparation of the next generation of earth scientists. The program has many opportunities for students—our greatest resource for the future—to develop and build their career paths. We look forward to seeing you at the joint meeting!

The meeting will be held in Springfield, Missouri, USA. Situated near the heart of the Ozarks physiographic province, Springfield is a mid-size town which provides a great launching point to examine mid-continent geology. The Oasis Hotel and Convention Center offer quality meeting rooms along with many relaxing places to sit and connect with your colleagues to continue discussions of geo-topics. Conveniently located near I-44 and US-65, the hotel has in-house and nearby restaurants, an indoor pool with relaxing tropical poolside lounge, and is only steps away from parts of historic US Route 66. Take a field trip to see interesting geology from Paleozoic sediments to the basement; see interactions between geology, society and historical development, or just enjoy one of Missouri’s 7000+ caves! We invite you to join us at Springfield 2024!

Registration

Early registration deadline: 18 Mar. 2024

Cancelation deadline: 25 Mar. 2024

4TH ANNUAL RESILIENT SUPPLY OF CRITICAL MINERALS WORKSHOP - AUGUST 7 - 8, 2024, MISSOURI S&T

Missouri S&T is excited to host the fourth annual workshop on “Resilient Supply of Critical Minerals.” The workshop series brings together interdisciplinary stakeholders from academia, industry, and government. Our goal is to provide a long-term collaborative platform to help implement action and disseminate research on critical minerals.

Registration opens April 2024

2024 Topical Sessions including: 

• The Critical Mineral Potential of the US: Evaluation of existing and exploration for new resources
• Critical Minerals Workforce Development: How to grow the US critical minerals workforce
• Mineral Processing & Recycling: Maximizing critical mineral recovery from existing production streams
• Policy & Supply Chain Economics: Reshoring critical mineral production

Workshop sponsor: National Science Foundation

Iowa Groundwater Association Spring Meeting - APRIL 30TH - INDIAN CREEK NATURE CENTER – CEDAR RAPIDS

Click  here to view calendar event, full agenda, and to register

Registration Opens March 5 at 6AM

When: April 30, 2024 8:00am - 5:00pm

Where: Indian Creek Nature Center - 5300 Otis Rd SE - Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

Topics: Drought, Groundwater Levels, and Groundwater Contamination

CEUs for Well Contractors, Water Operators, and Groundwater Professionals will be offered, amount is TBD and will be updated ASAP.

iowa project aware - 21st annual volunteer river cleanup - skunk river - july 7 - 12, 2024

• Volunteer to clean up a river for a day, the whole week, or anywhere in between
• Navigate down a river up to 20 miles a day, loading trash into your canoe as you paddle
• Daily registration fees include catered meals, canoes, and paddles
• Tent camping areas provided each night of the journey

Register online: www.iowaprojectaware.org

Pre-sale deadline: April 15 - $50/day

Early bird deadline: May 15 - $55/day

Regular deadline: June 15 - $65/day

Late deadline: after June 15 - $75/day

Space may be limited, early registration is recommended

For more information, visit www.iowaprojectaware.org , or contact Charlie at [email protected]

WANT TO SHARE SOMETHING IN THE WEEKLY EES NEWSLETTER?

The EES Department newsletter is published every Tuesday during the academic year, outside of semester breaks. If you would like to add an event, club meeting, or other item of interest, please submit an email to [email protected] , with the subject heading "Newsletter Item," on Fridays by noon, and your submission will be added to the following Tuesday's newsletter. 

NOTICE: The University of Iowa Center for Advancement is an operational name for the State University of Iowa Foundation, an independent, Iowa nonprofit corporation organized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, publicly supported charitable entity working to advance the University of Iowa. Please review its full disclosure statement.