Report WritingReport Writing
Guidance for Your Research ProjectGuidance 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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?
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
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
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
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
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.