Running head: RESEARCH REPORT 1

Business Research – 5910

Individual Work Week Twelve

Research Report

Loraine J Jackson

Everest University

RESEARCH REPORT 2

Research Report

The research report I chose to review is a research report on office ergonomics/injuries.

As an employee that works in an office for 40 hours per week, sometimes more, I feel there are

many individuals who suffer from injuries in the workplace and do not even realize they are

injured. In 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that industries with the highest

MSD rates include health care, transportation and warehousing, retail and wholesale trade and

construction (Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace, 2011). These numbers

indicate the need to research this issue further. The components of a research report include:

1. Abstract

2. Introduction

3. Background

a. Literature review

b. Hypotheses

4. Research methods

5. Results

6. Discussion

a. Implications

b. Limitations

c. Future research

7. Conclusions

8. References

9. Appendices

(Zikmund, Babin, Carr, & Griffin, 2013, p. 619).

RESEARCH REPORT 3

Did the authors include each of the components?

The author did begin with an abstract stating the issue at hand and what is to be

discussed. There was an introduction to the report which explains why the research was done and

what it intended to determine. The introduction included basic authorization and submittal data

as stated in the text (Zikmund, Babin, Carr, & Griffin, 2013, p. 618). There was also relevant

background which indicated that there may be additional data needed at a later date. The report

did include research methods as well as a thorough discussion. The conclusion and references

were also included in the report. There were no charts or graphs used in this report; however,

there were limitations listed in the report. Overall all the components were included in the report.

In what ways was the research report you identified presented differently?

I did notice that the summary I read skirted around the issues and even seemed like the

injuries were not caused by work habits and environment. Another aspect I noticed was the fact

that there were many different injuries and ailments that are present in the workplace and they

also stated that there would be further research. An excerpt from the article states: “There is little

scientific evidence on the exact causes of these disorders and the values of many commonly

prescribed interventions. Research is starting but is still very limited” (Lorenzi, 1997). They do

admit that this is a huge problem that requires further research, but the way they presented the

information was almost in a condescending manner; that the problem was not a real issue, or that

sitting at a desk for nearly 8 hours a day does not cause upper body musculoskeletal discomfort

and injuries.

RESEARCH REPORT 4

How might this impact the way the report is interpreted?

The manner the information was presented may give readers the feeling that they felt the

problem warranted further research. Additionally it is a problem that impacts many individuals

and the productivity of an organization. The way this data was presented informed readers that

there should be methods to helps lessen muscle fatigue, increases productivity and reduces the

number and severity these ailments. There was much research completed, but still there is

additional research needed in order to confirm these reports of injuries. Overall, the report

indicated to me that there is indeed the need to implement an ergonomic process that can prove

to be effective in reducing the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders in many industries as

including office workers.

RESEARCH REPORT 5

References

Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace. (2011). Retrieved October 3, 2015,

from US Department of Labor/Osha: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/

Lorenzi, N. (1997). Research report explores office ergonomics/injuries. Professional Safety,

42(3), 10. Retrieved October 3, 2015 from

http://search.proquest.com/docview/200423462?accountid=158297

Zikmund, W. G., Babin, B. J., Carr, J. C., & Griffin, M. (2013). Business research methods (9th

ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage Learning. Retrieved October 3, 2015, from

https://everest.vitalsource.com/#/books/9991133473633/pages/192658792