REPORT WRTING-II

Results or findings

• Present your findings in as simple a way as possible.
• The more complicated the information looks, the more difficult it will be to interpret. There are a number of ways in which results can be presented.

Here are a few :

• Tables

• Graphs

• Pie charts

• Bar charts

• Diagrams

• Discussion

• Outline any problems encountered and try and present a balanced view.
• The information which you have collected, explaining its significance.

• Conclusion and recommendations

• This is the section of the report which draws together the main issues.
• It should be expressed clearly and should not present any new information.
• You may wish to list your recommendations in separate section or include them with the conclusions.

• References

It is important that you give precise details of all the work by other authors which has been referred to within the report.

Details should include :

• author’s name and initials

• date of publication

• title of the book, paper or journal

• publisher

• place of publication

• page numbers

• details of the journal volume in which the

article has appeared.

• Appendices

An appendix contains additional information related to the report but which is not essential to the main findings.

• Style of writing

Your tutor will be able to advise whether the report should be written in the ‘active’ or ‘passive’ voice.

The active voice reads as follows:

‘I recommend ...’

The passive voice reads:

‘It is recommended that ...’

The active voice allows you to write short, punchy sentences.

The passive appears more formal and considered.

Be aware of these differences and avoid mixing the two voices.

Layout

Most reports have a progressive numbering system.

The most common system is the decimal notation system.

The main sections are given single arabic numbers -1, 2, 3 and so on.

Sub-sections are given a decimal number - 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and so on.

Sub-sections can be further divided into - 1.11, 1.12,1.13 and so on.

An example structure would look as follows;

1. Introduction

1.1 ———————-

1.11 ———————-

1.2 ———————-

1.21 ———————-

2. Methodology

2.1 ———————-

2.11 ———————-

2.12 ———————-