A Student’s Ultimate Guide to Writing a Research Report (APA 7th Edition Template)

 Introduction

Whether you're writing a final-year project, group assignment, or postgraduate research paper, having a clear template saves you time, stress, and sleepless nights. Many African students struggle with structuring their reports — not because they’re lazy, but because no one ever gave them a practical, easy-to-follow format.

This guide offers a ready-to-use research report template, following APA 7th Edition guidelines, specifically tailored for group assignments or individual term papers in Communication, Social Sciences, and Development Studies. We've also added simple examples and context for African scholars.

📌 Sample Research Report Template (APA 7th Edition – Group or Individual Paper)

[Insert Title of Study]
Course: Strategic Communication and Disaster Management
Department: [Mass Communication]
Institution: [Insert University Name]
Group Members: Full Names (with Matric Numbers)
Submission Date: DD/MM/YYYY
Word Count: e.g., 2,500 words

I. Abstract (150–200 words)

Think of your abstract as the blurb on the back of a book. It should summarise:

  • The background and problem

  • What your study set out to achieve

  • Theories adopted

  • The method used (e.g., survey, interview, content analysis)

  • The main findings

  • A key recommendation

📌 Tip: Write this last after completing the entire report.

II. Introduction (300–400 words)

The introduction is your opening handshake — it tells the reader why your study matters.

Include:

  • A brief background of the issue

  • Relevance to your community, country, a continent or global development goals

  • A clear research problem statement

  • The research questions and objectives

  • A short reference to the theory you plan to apply

📘 Example:

“In post-conflict societies like Sudan, media framing can either worsen ethnic tension or promote reconciliation. This study explores the role of strategic communication in peacebuilding initiatives in Juba.”

III. Literature Review (1,500–2,000 words)

Use this section to show that you’ve done your homework. You’re placing your work into a scholarly conversation. A good literature review answers the 5Ws and H:

  • What has already been written about your topic?

  • Who are the key actors or stakeholders? (e.g., NGOs, women, youth)

  • When and where have similar events occurred in Nigeria, Africa, or globally?

  • Why is this issue still relevant or controversial?

  • How does your research build on or challenge past work?

📌 Pro Tip: Avoid just summarising sources. Compare them. Show contradictions. Identify gaps.

🧠 Theoretical Framework (200–300 words)

This is where you “anchor” your study.

  • Name and explain at least one theory you’re applying

  • Justify its relevance to your research context

  • Connect it to your research questions or variables

📘 Example:

“Stakeholder Theory explains why host communities must be actively involved in communication about public health development. This study uses the theory to assess INGOs engagement strategies.”

IV. Methodology (200–300 words)

Describe HOW the study was conducted. Keep it brief and precise.

Include:

  • Type of data (e.g., interviews, survey, Twitter content analysis)

  • Population, Sampling technique and Sample size (number of participants)

  • How data was collected and analysed (e.g., SPSS, NVivo, Thematic Analysis)

📌 Bonus Tip: If you used software like SPSS or Excel, mention it here!

V. Findings and Discussion (1,500–2,000 words)

This is the heart of your paper.

  • Present your data clearly (themes, categories, or statistics)

  • Use quotes, tables, or charts where helpful

  • Discuss what your findings mean in light of previous research and your chosen theory

📘 Example:

“The findings reveal that 78% of respondents were unaware of the risk communication strategy by NAEC. This aligns with Folarin’s (2020) assertion that top-down communication often fails in rural settings.”

VI. Strategic Recommendations (300–400 words)

Don’t just report what’s wrong — offer real, practical solutions.

Answer this:

  • What should communicators, journalists, NGOs or policymakers do differently?

  • Suggest tools or models for change

  • Propose measurable actions (e.g., train 50 journalists, launch an SMS campaign, etc.)

VII. Conclusion (150–200 words)

Wrap up with:

  • A short recap of key findings

  • Restate why your study matters

  • Suggest what future researchers can explore

📘 Example:

“This study highlights the urgent need for inclusive communication in Nigeria’s health policy. Future studies should explore digital public health access as a participatory communication tool.”

VIII. References

Strictly follow APA 7th Edition format. Ensure:

  • At least 80% of your sources are academic (journals, scholarly books)

  • Your sources are recent (between 2015–2025)

  • All citations in the body appear in the reference list, and vice versa

📚 Need help formatting? Try tools like:

  • Bibcitation, Zotero or Mendeley (reference managers)

  • Purdue OWL APA 7th Guide

🧩 Final Notes for Students

✔ This format can be adapted for class assignments, term papers, capstone projects, and even journal submissions.
✔ Always confirm formatting instructions with your supervisor or department.
✔ Word counts are flexible — focus on clarity and coherence, not length alone.

📩 Need help with SPSS, literature review, or data interpretation?

📬 DM “FIX MY CHAPTER 4” on Instagram or WhatsApp @thesisprojectsng

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SAMPLE - Research Report Template (APA 7th Edition – Group Assignment)

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