Data reporting is the final stage of any research study. All reports need to be clear and concise in order to convey the significance, methodology and results of the study. Most park, recreation and leisure services research reports use the American Psychological Association (APA) format. See Owl On-line Writing Lab.
Report Organization
executive summary, this is the first section and includes a concise description of the important points of the study. It should not contain too much technical aspects. | |
body, the body of the report describes the complete
study and usually has four sections. | |
results (trends), describes the significance (if any) of the results. | |
recommendations, describes how the results can be applied to the agency or issue studied. |
Using Graphics
Graphics are used to illustrate or summarize important information in the report.
Types of Graphics
figures, according to the APA, any type of
illustration other than a table is referred to as a figure. |
Example of Graphs
|
|
tables, present a large amount of data in a small amount of space. They usually show numerical values. |
Example of a Table
Issue
|
1 Not Important |
2 Somewhat Important |
3 Important |
4 Very Important |
Developing
additional parkland (49) |
24.4 |
38.7 |
24.4 |
12.2 |
Improving
existing facilities. (41) |
0 |
24.3 |
48.7 |
51.2 |
Modifying
existing recreation facilities to meet the interests and needs of
residents. (42) |
2.3 |
21.4 |
52.3 |
47.6 |
Providing
more recreation programming for children. (51) |
1.9 |
13.4 |
49 |
35.2 |
Providing
after school programs for children. (52) |
3.8 |
19.2 |
40.3 |
36.5 |
Providing
recreation opportunities for tourists. (50) |
14 |
44 |
28 |
14 |
Providing
bicycle paths and trails. (50) |
12 |
46 |
28 |
14 |
Providing
special events and programs. (51) |
7.8 |
37.2 |
37.2 |
17.6 |
Protecting
open space from development. (50) |
18 |
26 |
22 |
34 |
Making
neighborhoods more attractive places. (44) |
2.2 |
18.1 |
34.0 |
45.4 |
Preserving
environmentally and historically sensitive places. (51) |
3.9 |
17.6 |
33.3 |
45 |
Providing
play areas for young children. (49) |
2.0 |
14.2 |
40.8 |
42.8 |
Providing
sports facilities. (52) |
5.7 |
25.0 |
44.2 |
25.0 |
Providing
cultural facilities and programs. (50) |
6.0 |
30.0 |
46.0 |
18.0 |
Providing
facilities for senior citizens. (51) |
3.8 |
31.3 |
39.2 |
25.4 |
Providing
recreation facilities for teenagers. (53) |
1.8 |
13.2 |
45.2 |
39.6 |
Providing
well-maintained buildings and grounds. (51) |
1.9 |
9.8 |
41.1 |
47.0 |
Providing
safe park and recreation areas. (43) |
0 |
4.6 |
39.5 |
55.8 |
The use of graphics are important to create an informative and compelling research report.
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