Transcript
Page 1: Report Writing Guidance for Your Research Project

Report WritingReport Writing

Guidance for Your Research ProjectGuidance for Your Research Project

Page 2: Report Writing Guidance for Your Research Project

A recommended formatA recommended format

Title pageTitle page AbstractAbstract Table of contentsTable of contents IntroductionIntroduction Literature SurveyLiterature Survey MethodologyMethodology Results & DiscussionResults & Discussion ConclusionsConclusions Recommendations for further workRecommendations for further work AppendicesAppendices References/ bibliographyReferences/ bibliography

Page 3: Report Writing Guidance for Your Research Project

Title pageTitle page

TitleTitleImageImage

(Optional)(Optional)

AuthorAuthorSupervisorSupervisor

DateDate

Clear title appropriate to Clear title appropriate to purpose of reportpurpose of report

Make it attractive butMake it attractive but Avoid unnecessary Avoid unnecessary

decorationdecoration Only use an image if itOnly use an image if it

is relevantis relevant adds to the projectadds to the project

Page 4: Report Writing Guidance for Your Research Project

AbstractAbstract

The purpose of the abstract is to provide those The purpose of the abstract is to provide those with little time the opportunity to quickly grasp with little time the opportunity to quickly grasp the main pointsthe main points

Should be a miniature of the main report with Should be a miniature of the main report with AimsAims MethodologyMethodology Results/ConclusionResults/Conclusion

Must only consider points contained in the reportMust only consider points contained in the report Make it short – ½ page maximumMake it short – ½ page maximum

Page 5: Report Writing Guidance for Your Research Project

Table of ContentsTable of Contents

ContentsContents

PagePage

11 IntroductionIntroduction 11

1.11.1 BackgroundBackground 11

1.21.2 AimsAims 11

1.31.3 ObjectivesObjectives 22

22 Literature SearchLiterature Search 33

33 Materials and MethodsMaterials and Methods 44

44 Etc.Etc.

Decide on appropriate level Decide on appropriate level of headings & sub-headingsof headings & sub-headings

Use “Insert” functionUse “Insert” function

in Word to build Contentsin Word to build Contents

Page 6: Report Writing Guidance for Your Research Project

IntroductionIntroduction

Why Undertake the research?Why Undertake the research? Set the sceneSet the scene Include aims and/or objectivesInclude aims and/or objectives What hypothesis are you testing?What hypothesis are you testing? State State valuevalue of the report of the report How is the report structured?How is the report structured? Keep it briefKeep it brief

Page 7: Report Writing Guidance for Your Research Project

Literature reviewLiterature review

A summary of previous research as reported in A summary of previous research as reported in books, journals and other mediabooks, journals and other media

Critical summary of current and recent research Critical summary of current and recent research What is the current state of knowledge?What is the current state of knowledge? What are the strengths & weaknesses of existing What are the strengths & weaknesses of existing

research?research? Where does your project fit in?Where does your project fit in?

Should also provide an account of the theoretical Should also provide an account of the theoretical background to the projectbackground to the project

Page 8: Report Writing Guidance for Your Research Project

MethodologyMethodology

How, when, where, (why?) did you collect the How, when, where, (why?) did you collect the data/ information, e.g.data/ information, e.g. Laboratory testingLaboratory testing SurveySurvey Literature searchLiterature search

You should try to give clear reasons for your You should try to give clear reasons for your choice of methodolgychoice of methodolgy This may include choice of equipmentThis may include choice of equipment

Page 9: Report Writing Guidance for Your Research Project

Results & DiscussionResults & Discussion

The bulk of the report.The bulk of the report. Provide a logical flow, for example;Provide a logical flow, for example;

3.3. Results and Discussion Results and Discussion

3.13.1 Analytical ResultsAnalytical Results

3.1.13.1.1 ProteinProtein

3.1.23.1.2 AshAsh

3.1.33.1.3 MoistureMoisture

3.1.43.1.4 FatFat

3.23.2 Preference testingPreference testing

3.33.3 Statistical analysisStatistical analysis

Page 10: Report Writing Guidance for Your Research Project

Results & DiscussionResults & Discussion

Use a “Storyboard” for preparation and logical Use a “Storyboard” for preparation and logical structurestructure

Allocate word count at planning stage; most Allocate word count at planning stage; most important section gets largest shareimportant section gets largest share

Present your information, but also analyse it; Present your information, but also analyse it; give possible explanations for your findingsgive possible explanations for your findings How do your findings relate to theory?How do your findings relate to theory?

Page 11: Report Writing Guidance for Your Research Project

Recommendations & Recommendations & ConclusionsConclusions

ConclusionsConclusions Draws your findings togetherDraws your findings together Refer to your aims and objectives when writing Refer to your aims and objectives when writing

this section (i.e. aims and objectives considered this section (i.e. aims and objectives considered as questions, conclusion the answer)as questions, conclusion the answer)

Recommendations:Recommendations: Now that all important issues have been Now that all important issues have been

considered, what do you think should happen considered, what do you think should happen now?now?

Page 12: Report Writing Guidance for Your Research Project

AppendicesAppendices

Contains essential information but could be a Contains essential information but could be a distraction to the reader, e.g. copy of questionnaire distraction to the reader, e.g. copy of questionnaire usedused

Allows the reader to decide if they should refer to Allows the reader to decide if they should refer to this informationthis information

Page 13: Report Writing Guidance for Your Research Project

ReferencesReferences

Difference between reference and bibliography?Difference between reference and bibliography? References have been directly used and References have been directly used and citedcited in in

the body of the textthe body of the text Bibliography includes sources that have been Bibliography includes sources that have been

consulted, but have not been directly used or consulted, but have not been directly used or cited – often a guide to further readingcited – often a guide to further reading

Your report should contain a list of Your report should contain a list of referencesreferences

Page 14: Report Writing Guidance for Your Research Project

References/ References/ BibliographyBibliography

A full list – in proper format should be provided – A full list – in proper format should be provided – see DISSC website (Below)see DISSC website (Below) Use the Harvard System unless your supervisor Use the Harvard System unless your supervisor

says otherwisesays otherwise Information on referencing atInformation on referencing at http://dissc.tees.ac.uk/references/Content.htmhttp://dissc.tees.ac.uk/references/Content.htm

Page 15: Report Writing Guidance for Your Research Project

General PointsGeneral Points

Headings & numberingHeadings & numbering Use third personUse third person Never introduce new material in conclusionNever introduce new material in conclusion ABC; Accurate, brief, conciseABC; Accurate, brief, concise Proof read (use English spellchecker)Proof read (use English spellchecker) Editing and printing takes timeEditing and printing takes time

Computer failure Computer failure notnot an excuse for late an excuse for late submissionsubmission

Page 16: Report Writing Guidance for Your Research Project

General PointsGeneral Points

Adopt a consistent style.Adopt a consistent style. Write in the third person.Write in the third person.

Label all diagrams, photographs, data presentation Label all diagrams, photographs, data presentation & refer to them in the text!& refer to them in the text!

Source all photographs etc. And so avoid Source all photographs etc. And so avoid accusation of plagiarismaccusation of plagiarism

Word process, 1.5 or doubleWord process, 1.5 or double line spacingline spacing Adequate margins all roundAdequate margins all round

Min. 3.2 cm all round.Min. 3.2 cm all round.


Top Related