LE-2503 L2B Report Structure

Summary

This lecture by Datin Rosna delves into the art of report writing, contrasting it with essay writing and emphasizing its structured nature. It outlines the purpose of reports, which include problem-solving and information provision, and covers the essential sections of a report, such as the abstract, introduction, literature review, methods, discussion, conclusion, and appendices. The lecture also provides guidance on structuring each section effectively, ensuring clarity and coherence in presenting research findings and recommendations.

Takeaways

• 📝 A report is a structured document that outlines a problem, provides relevant facts, and recommends a course of action.
• 🔍 Reports are written to show research on a specific problem, propose solutions, or present findings from experiments or projects.
• 🎯 The purpose of a report is to provide information that the audience needs or wants to know, based on their requirements.
• 📚 Different report formats exist for various academic disciplines and professional contexts, such as analytical, business, scientific, and research reports.
• 📑 The main sections of a report include the title page, table of contents, acknowledgements, abstract, introduction, literature review, methods, discussion, conclusion, recommendations, references, and appendices.
• 📖 The abstract or executive summary provides an overview of the report and should be written last, despite being read first.
• 🔑 The introduction should clearly state the purpose of the report, the research question, and the scope of the study.
• 🔬 The methods section must be detailed enough for the research to be replicated, including the techniques and equipment used.
• 📊 The data analysis or results section presents findings clearly, using appropriate formats like graphs and tables without interpretation.
• 💬 The discussion section is crucial, as it explains how the findings relate to the research problem and addresses any issues encountered during the study.
• 🔚 The conclusion summarizes the main findings and may include recommendations or suggestions for further research, adhering to the report's structure and purpose.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of writing a report?

The main purpose of writing a report is to provide information to the readers about something, such as how to solve a problem, a description of a situation or process, to propose recommendations, or to provide information about the outcomes of a project or experiment.

How does report writing differ from essay writing?

Report writing differs from essay writing because a report has a different purpose and is highly structured to make the information easily understandable. Reports use headings and subheadings, diagrams, tables, graphs, and illustrations to enhance structure, whereas essays follow a more narrative structure.

What are some common reasons for writing reports?

Reports are often written to show that a particular problem has been investigated or researched, to provide information on how to solve a problem, to describe a situation or process, to propose recommendations, or to present the outcomes of a laboratory experiment or research project.

What are the main sections of a report?

The main sections of a report typically include the title page, table of contents, acknowledgements, abstract or executive summary, introduction, literature review, methods or methodology, results or findings, discussion, conclusion, recommendations, references, and appendices.

Why is the abstract or executive summary important in a report?

The abstract or executive summary is important because it acts like a shop window for the report, providing an overview of the content, including the problem investigated, methods used, main conclusions, and recommendations. It helps the reader decide whether to read the full report.

What should be included in the introduction of a report?

The introduction should explain the rationale for undertaking the work, what has been asked or chosen to do and the reasons for doing it. It should state what the report is about, who the specific reader is if applicable, describe the background to the subject, and outline the method of inquiry.

How should the literature review in a report be structured?

The literature review should provide an understanding of what has been written about the topic, how the research fits in with existing knowledge, and explain why the research was important to do. It should include studies with direct relevance to the research, grouped according to themes, issues, trends, or patterns.

What is the purpose of the methods or methodology section in a report?

The purpose of the methods or methodology section is to provide enough detail to allow the reader to replicate the research process or experiment at another time. It should include information about the participants, equipment or software used, and a step-by-step description of how the information was collected.

What should be included in the data analysis or results section of a report?

The data analysis or results section should present the findings of the research as simply as possible using text, graphs, tables, diagrams, etc., without repeating the same information in multiple formats. It should clearly label graphs and tables and describe what they demonstrate.

What is the role of the discussion section in a report?

The discussion section brings everything together, showing how the findings respond to the brief or question outlined in the introduction. It explains why the results were obtained, how they impact the processes being examined, and mentions any problems encountered during the research.

What should be included in the conclusion of a report?

The conclusion should sum up the main points of the research, answering the original brief or question. It may include recommendations for action and suggestions for further research, but should not introduce new arguments or evidence.