Report on my research

Studies and Research

Stage 1

Reports on Studies

1. Read the following report. Notice, in particular, the verb forms that are used. The report was written in December, at the end of the first term

A report on my studies this term

I am studying for the Diploma in Economic Development in the Department of Economics. It is a one-year course which consists of lectures, seminars, the writing of essays, and an examination at the end. I started the course at the beginning of October this year; it will finish in June next year.

So far, I have enjoyed the course. However, I have had two kinds of difficulties: one is following some of the lecturers – they speak quickly and not very clearly; the other difficulty is caused by the use of mathematics in economics. I have difficulty in understanding and using some of the equations.

This term I have finished two essays: they were quite long, and required a lot of reading in the library. Although I found it rather difficult to write the essays, I learned a lot, and received good marks for them. Next term I shall have to write another two essays.

2. Now read through the following report. It is similar to the one you have just read, but some changes have been made. Complete the report by writing one or two words in each space.

A report on my studies

I am (1) _________________ for an M.A. in (2) _________________ in the Department of (3) _________________. It is a one-year course which (4) _________________ of lectures, seminars, essays, an examination, and a (5) _________________. I (6) _________________ the course at the (7) _________________ of October last year; the examination will be in June this year, and the dissertation must be (8) _________________ in September this year.

Generally, I have enjoyed the course and I feel that I (9) _________________ a lot, especially from the reading that I have (10) _________________ to do. At (11) _________________ I had some difficulties in (12) _________________ some of the (13) _________________: they spoke quickly and not (14) _________________ clearly. The main difficulty that I have this term is (15) _________________ my essays on time. There is so (16) _________________ reading to do for them and I still read (17) _________________.

I am not looking (18) _________________ to the examination as I have difficulty in writing quickly and (19) _________________ all the necessary facts. (20) _________________ I do not mind doing this dissertation (21) _________________ I have already (22) _________________ a subject that interests me.

Stage 2

Reports on Research

1. Read through the following report, then complete it by writing one word in each space.

Report on my research

I arrived at the university (1) __________________ the beginning of October last year to (2) __________________ my studies. I am (3) __________________ for a Master’s degree in Economics – M.A. (Econ.) – by research. It will take me (4) __________________ one and two years to complete.

At the beginning of last term I discussed my research with my (5) __________________, Dr. M. Jones, in the Department of Economics. He (6) __________________ me to draw up a research outline in the area I had (7) __________________ for my research – ‘A case study in foreign aid to developing countries’. After further (8) __________________ with Dr. Jones my outline was approved and accepted by the Faculty of Economics.

My next (9) __________________ was to begin reading appropriate books, journals and reports (10) __________________ the background section of the research ‘A Study of the Literature’. My supervisor’s (11) __________________ was to keep a set of index cards and write the details of each (12) __________________ I read on a card. Thus I have started making a (13) __________________ which will be very useful for future reference. It will also (14) __________________ me a lot of time when I need to provide one at the (15) __________________ of my thesis.

This term I have (16) __________________ reading and have also made a draft of the first section of the (17) __________________ summarizing views on foreign aid to developing countries. I have also started to read (18) __________________ on the country I have chosen for my case study – Utopia. I have (19) __________________ that many of the World Bank and UN publications are (20) __________________ to my research.

I am quite pleased with the (21) __________________ I have made so far, although the reading is taking me longer than I (22) __________________. My supervisor asked me to present a paper on my research findings up to the present, to a small (23) __________________ of research students in economics. He was (24) __________________ with the paper and said that it was a good seminar as it had (25) __________________ a number of questions and a lot of discussion.

2. Now write a report on your own studies or research. Refer to the Structure and Vocabulary Aid for help in the structure of the report, and verb tenses that you may need to use.