REPORTING AND PRESENTATIONS
For many people delivering reports is an important and regular part of their work. Although reports tend to be conventional in
organization and style, still they are made according to certain
patterns.
A successful report should consist of:
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an introductory paragraph which clearly states the purpose and content of the report;
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a main body in which the relevant information is presented in detail under suitable subheadings; and
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a conclusion which summarizes the information given, and may include an opinion and/or suggestion/recommendation.
Points to consider
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Give your report an appropriate title, then carefully plan the information you will present. Think of suitable subheadings, then decide on the information you will include under each subheading. The subheadings should be used to indicate the beginning of each new section. Use linking words to join your ideas.
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Before you write your report you should think who the report is addressed to.
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Reports should be written in a formal style (complex sentences, non-colloquial English, frequent use of the passive, linking words/phrases, useful formal language).
There are various types of reports, such as assessment reports, informative reports, survey reports, proposal reports, work reports, investigation reports, research reports.
Postgraduate students may eventually be asked to write a research report.
The contents and organization of the research report are predictable and include statements or information about the following:
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the problem to be studied and why this problem is of interest;
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the purpose of or rationale for the present study;
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a summary of other research that has been done;
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the design of the experiment, if there is any, including the subjects, the variables/factors tested in the experiment and how and what type of information was obtained;
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what the findings tell us about the problem;
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areas for further research.
Basic Framework for a Research Report
Preliminaries
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1.
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The title
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The fewest words possible that adequately describe the paper
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2.
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Acknowledgements
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Thanking colleagues, supervisors, sponsors, etc. for their assistance.
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3.
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List of
contents
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The sections, in sequence, included in the report.
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4.
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List of
figures/tables
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The sequence of charts or diagrams that appear in the text.
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Introduction
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5.
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The abstract
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An extremely concise summary of the contents of the report, including the conclusions. It provides an overview of the whole report for the reader.
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6.
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Statement of the problem
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A brief discussion of the nature of the research and the reasons for undertaking it. A clear declaration of proposals and hypotheses.
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Main body
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7.
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Review of the literature
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A survey of selective, relevant and appropriate reading, both of primary and secondary source materials. Evidence of original and critical thought applied to books and journals.
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8.
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Design of the investigation
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A statement and discussion of the hypotheses, and the theoretical structure in which they will be tested and examined, together with the methods used.
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9.
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Measurement techniques used
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Detailed descriptions and discussion of testing devices used. Presentation of data supporting validity and reliability. A discussion of the analysis to be applied to the results to test the hypotheses.
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10.
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Results
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The presentation in a logical order of information and data on which a decision can be made to accept or reject the hypotheses.
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Conclusion
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11.
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Discussion and conclusion
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The presentation of principles, relationships, correlations and generalizations shown by the results. Interpretation of the results and their relationship to the research problem and hypotheses. Making deductions and inferences, and the implications for the research. Making recommendations.
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12.
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Summary
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A concise account of the main findings, and the inferences drawn from them.
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Extras
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13.
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Bibliography
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An accurate listing in strict alphabetical order of all the sources cited in the text.
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14.
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Appendices
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A compilation of important data and explanatory and illustrative material, placed outside the main body of the text.
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Note:
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There may be slight variations to the above. For example, the abstract may be separate and appear at the very beginning of the report. In its place there may be a section entitled ‘Outline of the research’. 9 may be called ‘Methods and procedures’. 11 may include ‘Recommendations and suggestions for further research’.
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In abbreviated form, the traditional structure of a scientific or technical report is IMRAD = Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion.
Study the text “Science for Society”. Use additional information and deliver a report devoted to the role of science in modern
society.
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