Typing a research report requires following specific formatting guidelines to ensure clarity, uniformity, and professional presentation.
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The major elements involved in typing a research report are described below:
- Paper
- Chapter number
- Margin
- Spacing
- Page number
- Pagination
- Font and size
- Proof-reading
1. Paper
A research report should be typed on standard A4-size white paper. The paper must be clean, good-quality, and free from creases to maintain a professional appearance.
2. Chapter Number
Each chapter must be clearly numbered using standard numbering (Chapter 1, Chapter 2, etc.). Chapter numbers should be placed at the top of the chapter title page, ensuring proper organization and easy navigation.
3. Margin
The page should have uniform margins, typically:
- Left margin: 3.5 cm
- Top margin: 2.5 cm
- Right and bottom: 2 cm
These margins ensure sufficient space for binding and readability.
4. Spacing
The text of the research report should be typed using double spacing (1.5 spaced) throughout the main body to improve readability. However, single spacing may be used in long quotations, tables, footnotes, and references.
5. Page Number
All pages should be numbered in a consistent manner. Preliminary pages (like acknowledgments, abstract, and table of contents) may use Roman numerals, while the main text uses Arabic numerals starting from Chapter 1.
6. Pagination
Pagination must follow a clear and systematic order. Page numbers should be placed either at the bottom center or top right corner, depending on institutional guidelines, and must be continuous throughout the report.
7. Font and Size
The research report should be typed in a readable and professional font, such as:
- Times New Roman
- Arial
- Calibri
The standard font size for the main text is 12-point, while headings may use 14-point bold for emphasis.
8. Proof-Reading
Proof-reading is the final and essential step in typing a research report. The entire document must be checked carefully for spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, formatting inconsistencies, and missing content. This ensures the report is polished and error-free before submission.