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Writing and presenting your project report

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Getting started with writing

Practical hints

Create time for your writingWrite when your mind is freshFind a regular writing placeSet goals and achieve themUse word processingGenerate a plan for the reportFinish each writing session on a high pointGet friends to read and comment on your work

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Structuring your research report

Suggested structure

AbstractIntroductionLiterature reviewMethodResultsDiscussionConclusionsReferences Appendices

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Writing for different audiencesKey differences between an ‘Academic’ report and a ‘Consultancy’ or ‘Management’ report

The academic report:Tends to be longerWill be marked and gradedWill contain contextual descriptions

The consultancy report:Has less focus on the development of theoryContains recommendations relating to the organisation’s

business

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Report structure (1)

The abstract

Four short paragraphs that answer the questions:

1. What were my research questions and why were they important?

2. How did I go about answering the research questions?3. What did I find out in response to these questions?4. What conclusions can be drawn?

Adapted from Saunders et al. (2009)

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Report structure (2)Introduction - include

The research questions(s) and a clear statement of research objectives

Brief background and a guide to the storyline

Literature review - purpose

To set your study in the wider contextTo show how your study supplements existing work

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Report structure (3): Methods ChapterSetting:

What was the research setting? Why was this chosen? What ethical issues were raised?

Participants: How many? How were they selected? What were the characteristics? How were refusals / non-returns

handled?

Materials: What tests / interviews /

questionnaires etc. were used? How ere the instruments

deployed? How were the results analysed?

Procedures: What were the characteristics of

the interviews and observers and how were they trained?

How valid and reliable do you think they were?

What instructions were given to participants

How many When was it carried out?

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Report structure (4)

Results chapter(s) - purpose

To report the facts your research discoveredTo support the facts with quotes from participants

Discussion chapter- purpose

To interpret results and relate the findings to the original research goals and objectives

To indicate implications of the research

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Report structure (5)Using a matrix in the planning of the content for the results

and conclusions chapters

Saunders et al. (2009)

Figure 14.1 Using a matrix in the planning of the content for the results and conclusions chapters

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Report structure (6)

Conclusion chapter – purpose

To answer the research question(s)To meet the research objectivesTo consider the findingsTo present any contributions to the topic displayed in the

literature To reflect on any implications for future research

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Report structure (7)

References

Use a convention that is accepted by your university (e.g. Harvard, APA)

Cite all sources referred to in the textCheck all citations to prevent plagiarism

Appendices

Include only essential supporting materialInclude copies of interview schedulesKeep appendices to a minimum

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Organising the report content (2)

Main points to consider

Choosing the title

Telling a clear story

Helping the reader by-Dividing your workPreviewing and summarising chaptersUsing suitable tables and graphicsWriting in a suitable style

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Writing style

Key points:

Clarity and simplicity – avoid jargon

Checking grammar and spelling

Preserving anonymity

Regularly revising each draft

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Oral presentation

Three key stages:

Planning and preparation

Use of visual aids

Presenting

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Summary:

Writing is a creative process and a powerful way to clarifying your thinking

A project report needs a clear structure that helps to develop the storyline

All the information should be readily accessible to the reader

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Summary:

Use a clear writing style free and check for spelling and grammatical errors

Be prepared to rewrite the first draft several times

Remember to check the assessment criteria

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Summary:

Failing to prepare for your presentation is preparing to fail

Visual aids help the audience understand your presentation

Remember to –

Tell them what you're going to saySay itTell them what you said