Research Report Scope Document Template

Primary or secondary research with a written output — free scope template with deliverable definitions, revision limits, and out-of-scope triggers.

Typical duration: 3–6 weeksFixed fee

Perfect for: Independent researchers and analysts producing market studies, user research reports, or evidence reviews for clients.

Scope Document Template

Research ReportFree template

Deliverables

  • Research report (20–35 pages) covering methodology, findings, and recommendations, structured around the {number} research questions agreed at kickoff
  • Up to {number} expert or stakeholder interviews (45 minutes each), recorded and summarised
  • Secondary research drawing on up to {number} named sources, cited in an appendix
  • Executive summary (2 pages) suitable for circulation beyond the project team
  • One 45-minute readout call to walk through the findings

Revision limits

One round of consolidated revisions included, covering factual corrections, clarifications, and restructuring of existing material. Feedback must be submitted as a single collected set within 5 business days of delivery. New research questions, additional interviews, or analysis of new data sources are not revisions and will be scoped separately.

Out of scope

  • Interviews beyond the agreed number, or rescheduling no-show participants more than once
  • Survey design, distribution, or quantitative panel recruitment
  • Statistical analysis beyond descriptive summaries of collected data
  • Additional research questions introduced after kickoff
  • Slide deck or infographic versions of the report
  • Press-ready or designed layouts (delivery is a formatted document, not design work)
  • Follow-up research sprints or quarterly updates to the findings

Communication protocol

Weekly progress note via email every {day of week}. All scope or direction changes confirmed in writing before being actioned. Interview scheduling handled through one nominated client contact.

Placeholders in {curly braces} should be replaced with your specific project details.

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Common scope creep risks for research report projects

What typically goes out of scope for this engagement type — and how to prevent it.

“While you're talking to them, could you also ask...” additions to the interview guide

New research questions surfacing midway through fieldwork

Requests to turn the report into presentation decks for different audiences

Stakeholders requesting individual readout sessions beyond the included call