CRP Research Reporting & Dissemination 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which section of a research report typically contains the study's limitations and suggestions for future research?
- Literature Review
- Methodology
- Discussion (Correct answer)
- Abstract
Correct answer: Discussion
The Discussion section interprets findings, acknowledges limitations, and proposes directions for future research.
Question 2: An executive summary in a research report is best described as:
- A detailed methods section for senior management
- A condensed overview covering key findings, conclusions, and recommendations (Correct answer)
- A bibliography of sources consulted
- A glossary of technical terms used
Correct answer: A condensed overview covering key findings, conclusions, and recommendations
An executive summary provides a concise synopsis of the full report so decision-makers can grasp key points without reading the entire document.
Question 3: When a researcher presents findings at a professional conference, this is an example of which dissemination channel?
- Grey literature publication
- Formal peer review
- Oral presentation or poster session (Correct answer)
- Mass media outreach
Correct answer: Oral presentation or poster session
Conference presentations—whether oral or poster format—are a primary academic dissemination channel for sharing preliminary and completed research.
Question 4: Which element is most critical to include in the methodology section of a research report?
- Funding acknowledgments
- Sufficient detail to allow replication of the study (Correct answer)
- A list of all conference presentations
- Personal reflections of the research team
Correct answer: Sufficient detail to allow replication of the study
The methodology must provide enough procedural detail that another qualified researcher could replicate the study to verify or build on the findings.
Question 5: A researcher submits findings to a government agency without formal peer review. This type of document is known as:
- A meta-analysis
- Grey literature (Correct answer)
- A systematic review
- A white paper index
Correct answer: Grey literature
Grey literature includes reports, technical documents, and policy briefs produced outside of traditional commercial or academic publishing channels.
Question 6: When tailoring a research report for a lay audience, the researcher should primarily:
- Include all raw statistical outputs and p-values
- Use technical jargon to demonstrate expertise
- Simplify language and translate findings into practical implications (Correct answer)
- Omit the methods section entirely
Correct answer: Simplify language and translate findings into practical implications
Lay audiences need clear, jargon-free language with findings connected to real-world relevance rather than technical minutiae.
Question 7: In academic publishing, 'open access' dissemination means:
- The research is available only to paying subscribers
- The full text of the research is freely available online to all readers (Correct answer)
- The data is shared only with peer reviewers
- The study is published without any copyright protection
Correct answer: The full text of the research is freely available online to all readers
Open access publishing removes paywalls so that anyone with internet access can read, download, and often reuse the research.
CRP Research Reporting & Dissemination 2
Which section of a research report typically contains the study's limitations and suggestions for future research?