10+ Sample Research Investigation Report

What is a Research Investigation Report?

A research investigation report is a systematic document that demonstrates careful inspection and in-depth assessment concerning a particular problem or issue based on the evident perceptions, actual experiences, or behaviors of individuals or groups involved in the situation. This is a fundamental report which outlines the nature and dimensions of the matter being investigated. Also, it is an effective tool in uncovering hidden, secret, or obscure information which can construct a more complete picture of the issue under investigation.

According to a study, integrity is a crucial element in biomedical literature as the researchers conducted a thorough investigation in three institutions, covering 14%, 15% and 77% of potentially affected publications. Thus, all types of researchers such as business researchers, historical researchers, academic researchers, medical researchers, and many others should record and analyze their research work through an effective research investigation report for their work and other projects. 

Different Kinds of Research Investigation Reports

Outlining the varying processes, data, and findings of a systematic investigation is typically done in research investigation report writing.  In this section, you will learn and understand about the different kinds of research investigation reports because your style and method of writing is based on the kind of research investigation report you are creating. To assist you in this matter, we will introduce and explain to you about the different kinds of research investigation reports below:

1. Biology Research Investigation Report

Do you need to research and investigate certain areas in botany, ecology, anatomy, biotechnology, physiology, and other fields of biology? Perhaps you want to conduct research on plants to cater our nutritional needs. Developing an effective biology research investigation report is important in providing in-depth scientific understanding about living and nonliving organisms and giving clear insights of crucial life processes in order to create innovative products or processes.

2. Fire Research Investigation Report

This year 2021, there are many record-breaking wildfires ravaging swaths of land on three continents: North America, Europe, and Asia based on a news report. Origin of the fire or ignition source, first fuel ignited, and circumstances of the event that brought the fire incident are the basic elements of fire investigation. Through a systematic process, the fire investigator should look for more findings and opinions coming from observations and techniques, satellite imagery, and chemical tests. Writing a fire research investigation report is beneficial in documenting the fire incident and determining how the fire started and why the fire behaved the way it did.

3. Clinical Research Investigation Report

Diagnostic research, prevention research, treatment research, screening research, quality of life research, epidemiological studies, and genetic studies are the common types of clinical research. There are other kinds of clinical research such as a long-term study involving psychological test or brain scans, a genetic study involving blood tests without medication changes, and a family history study involving a discussion with family members to be informed about people’s medical needs and history. Constructing an investigation report for clinical research is useful in providing the endpoints or results of clinical studies.

4. Historical Research Investigation Report

Gaining a clear understanding of the impact of the past on the present and future events in relation to the life process through a historical research investigation is important so that we can learn from the failures and successes of the past, apply them to our modern-day problems, and create predictions. Preparing an investigation report for historical research is a great way to gather the crucial details from the past events and analyze them through surveys, interviews, and experiments.

5. Marketing Research Investigation Report

Essentials of Marketing Research: Putting Research Into Practice stated that most marketing researchers prefer to be 95% confident that the results of their research efforts are accurate. When it comes to market research, it is essential that researchers adhere to the scientific method. They should start with a thorough investigation of present knowledge, examine the present knowledge on the topic and review before research. This process usually involves examining past research studies, academic articles, news articles, and facts, figures and statistics from a wide array of sources. A marketing research investigation report is a valuable document for managers in terms of supporting marketing decisions.

Benefits of Writing a Research Investigation Report

A research investigation report writing is a crucial aspect of research governance because the report contains the necessary data which is the evidence arising from the investigation. Also, the investigation report should be well-detailed, timely, and systematic. So, what are the notable benefits of writing a comprehensive research investigation report? Below are some of the primary benefits of writing a research investigation report:

1. Transmits Knowledge

Writing a research investigation report is helpful in transmitting knowledge. The knowledge that has been acquired on the research requires transmission for the right application of the resources invested in the research project. Thus, we highly suggest that you prepare an effective investigation report in a logical manner so that it can also provide sufficient knowledge to the reader, especially in understanding different kinds of problems or issues.

2. Evaluates the Validity and Authenticity

Researchers and investigators should examine the validity and authenticity of given information. Writing a research investigation report in a structured form is essential so that the data can be evaluated and avoid any discrepancies. It is crucial for re-examining and reorganizing the facts in the report.

3. Presents Clear Findings and Results

Many people are concerned with the finished product considering the output of research which carries the input of enormous amounts of money, human resources, and valuable time. Developing a research investigation report is beneficial in presenting clear findings and results so that people may obtain proper knowledge and insight regarding the matter being researched or investigated.

3. Inspires Further Research Investigation

Forming a research investigation report is meaningful as it inspires other researchers to undertake further research in the similar line or in any other interdisciplinary areas that they desire to delve in. Plus, the investigation report is more likely to entice the interest of the social scientists, academic researchers, forensic investigators, medical researchers, or other research professionals if your written report appears to be interesting and one-of-a-kind.

Basic Elements of a Research Investigation Report

In this section, you will learn how to construct a remarkably written and well-detailed research investigation report. However, a research investigation report has different features. Include the following elements for you to create an excellent document:

Title: One of the major elements of a research investigation report is the title. It is a simple yet engaging line of the document which shows the main topic, or subject of the investigation report, as well as to invite the readers like fellow researchers and students efficiently. It is usually set in a size larger than other remaining text elements in the page.Executive Summary: This part is the gist of your research investigation report. It provides a high-level summary of the investigation. Include some subsections written in a natural language that does not have unnecessary technical details. Write the background which describes the event or incident, the objectives of investigation, as well as the one who authorized the conducted investigation. Add the summary of findings and conclusions which demonstrate credible answers to research questions. Investigative Details:What are the significant details about the investigation? While emphasizing the evidence, it should be aimed at detailing the credibility of facts as detected during the research investigation. Explain the chain or continuity of evidence, the techniques used, and other methods applied. Specify the methodologies, tools, and equipment utilized to examine evidence. Develop an analysis of evidence derived from relevant and factual findings.Accuracy and Conciseness: Highlight the integral pieces of information. Try your best writing your research investigation report accurately and concisely by applying both short words and short sentences. Divide each long sentence into two or more short sentences for clearer communication. Eliminate the use of ambiguous words that are unnecessary to your research investigation report. Simple sentences starting with I or we are now acceptable in research reports, turning your investigation report writing clearer and more readable.

How to Write a Research Investigation Report

Starting your research investigation report writing prior to your actual investigative work helps you plan and conduct the investigation because it compels you to think systematically about what you need the investigation to achieve. You can do this by writing the introductory section, method section, or the results section before finishing your research investigation. Below are some easy-to-follow tips  that indicate how to design and write a professional research investigation report:

Step 1: Conduct a Research Investigation

Spend sufficient time in conducting a research investigation through effective and organized planning so that you can complete your work without error and generate data that can be examined in an accurate manner to deliver solid conclusions. Thus, create a list of what you need in a research investigation such as materials for investigation, equipment, consumables, facilities and staff, and many others. Next, define the nature of the data through recording measurements.

Step 2: Design the Structure of the Investigation Report

There are many key areas that you need to point out in a research investigation report. However, you need to consider designing the overall structure of the investigative report. It can be a descriptive investigation report, or a comparative investigation report containing different comparisons of two or more subjects involved in a particular problem or issue. If you decide to write an experimental investigation report, include the experimental study overview, analytical methods, and many other aspects.

Step 3:  Develop a Thorough Inspection and Present Results

Analyze the results of the investigation while developing a thorough inspection and assessment. Then, present the results based on your careful analysis. Apply statistics that answer the research questions as directly as possible. It is crucial to report statistics describing the size of the effects, even if the effects are not statistically essential. Take note that the level of statistical significance is not as critical as the size of the effect or the difference that answers each research question. Use some numbers, percentages, tables, graphs, and other simple visual diagrams that showcase clear results in accord with your research investigation.

Step 4:  Write with Accuracy, Conciseness, and Discretion

Jason Saschowski wrote in Implementing Digital Forensic Readiness that all investigation reports should be structured to communicate relevant and factual information. As a research author, you need to make sure that the investigation report contains an accurate description of all event details, check if the content is clear, concise, and understandable to valuable decision-makers, and ascertain that the report contains sufficient data to set up a factual relevance of conclusions. Also, ensure that you follow a consistent approach in the layout and presentation of the facts.

Step 5:  Proofread and Check the Overall Report

Check your entire research investigation report and be sure to fully include all the critical points in your report. If you notice that you overlook some sections that require sufficient points, we recommend that you make some edits and revisions in the document.

Step 6: Prepare the Final Investigation Report

After the proofreading and revision process, you can now prepare the final research investigation report. Include some notes and other key messages you want to communicate to your readers on the last part of your document. Skim your report for final evaluation and quality check. 

FAQs

What are some examples of research investigation reports?

Some examples of research investigation reports are fire research investigation reporting, preliminary research investigation report, research group investigation report, research project clinical investigation report, research internal investigation committee final report, biology research investigation report, chemistry research investigation report, clinical research investigation report, criminal investigation research report, marine science research investigation report, marketing research investigation report, psychology research investigation report, and more.

What is the significance of a research investigation report?

The significance of a research investigation report is to search information and evidence on an accurate matter, and to recover essential documents such as specific file types, any date, and timestamps. Using a research investigation report will generally save time and minimize the cost of the examination.

What are the essential steps in writing a research investigation report?

As you start your research investigation report writing, you need to plan and conduct a research investigation. After that, design the structure of the investigation report. Develop a thorough inspection and present clear results by using numbers, percentages, tables, graphs, and other simple visual diagrams. Remember to write with accuracy, conciseness, and discretion. Proofread and check the overall report. Lastly, prepare the final investigation report.

What is the difference between an inquiry and a research investigation?

An inquiry is the method of searching for knowledge and information concerning a particular issue by asking questions and probing. On the other hand, a research investigation is a systematic process of inquiring about a particular issue through careful inspection and evaluation.

Therefore, writing a clear and systematic research investigation report is a worthwhile step in moving forward into different kinds of explorations and discoveries. Writing a research investigation report is beneficial as it transmits knowledge, evaluates the validity and authenticity, presents clear findings and results, and inspires further research investigation. Do your best in conducting an effective research investigation, designing the structure of your report, developing a thorough inspection while presenting clear results, and writing a report with accuracy, conciseness, and discretion. So, here are some of our downloadable and printable research investigation report samples available in different kinds of formats. Simply click the research investigation  report templates in this article and start downloading now!