PREPARATION AND PRESENTATION OF LEGAL RESEARCH REPORT (By -Anjali M)
A footnote s a reference, explanation, or comment placed below the main text on a printed
page at the bottom or foot of
the respective page. In research papers and reports, footnotes commonly acknowledge the sources of facts
and quotations that appear in the text.
It is a part of the reference section and performs the following function:
Ø
Do acknowledge the source of the quotation, paraphrases or idea borrowed
by the author
Ø To present explanatory statements, quotations, or supplementary materials which though
important may interfere with the flow of
the textual material is included in the main body.
Format of footnotes: There are different types of formats like ILI
format, API format, MLA format, and Bluebook format for footnoting. It should be written in a consistent
pattern.
Use of Abbreviations in Footnotes: footnotes can be shortened if
the source has already been given in
the full form in a previous footnote. In preparing the notes several
abbreviations are commonly used when referring
to materials that have been previously referred
to. These abbreviations originated either from
English or Latin. These abbreviations are to be typed in italics. Some of these include ibid,
id, supra, infra, loc. cit, op. cit, et al, Ed, pp.
One of the main reasons for carrying out research is to add to the
existing body of knowledge. Therefore
when conducting research you need to document your processes and findings in a research report. With a research report,
it is easy to outline the findings of your research and investigation.
Report writing is an art that is learned by practice and experience, rather than by mere doctrinarian. The main aim behind the preparation of the research
report is to convey the message
to the reader. The research report includes the purpose, importance of
conducting the research, the procedure, the limitation and, the conclusion
of the study.