Page 159 - DLIS401_METHODOLOGY_OF_RESEARCH_AND_STATISTICAL_TECHNIQUES

Methodology of Research and Statistical Techniques

Notes • conclusions,

• recommendations,
Reports must always be :
• accurate,

• concise,
• clear,
• well structured.

How many different types of reports are there?
laboratory reports health and safety reports
research reports case study reports

field study reports cost-benefit analysis reports
proposals comparative advantage reports
progress reports feasibility studies
technical reports instruction manuals
financial reports And on it goes …
When would I be asked to write a report?

Engineering Reports can outline a proposal for a project; report on progress of a project;
present research and findings from a project; detail the technical aspects of innovations; present
results from a feasibility or cost-benefit analytical study.
Education and Health Science Practicum reports are based on experiences at prac. school or
hospital. Ongoing journal entries are written up into a report at the end of term. There are
field and research reports.
Science and some Social Sciences Laboratory reports outline, analyse and evaluate results
from experiments. Research or field reports are findings from the field and make recommendations
based on this. Feasibility studies report investigations into the feasibility of something and
make recommendations accordingly. Case study reports are found especially in the areas of
social welfare, social work, and psychology.
Business Report writing is frequently used in business subjects. Reports can range from short
memos to lengthy reports such as cost-benefit analysis reports; research and field reports;
financial reports; proposals; progress reports; health and safety reports; quality reports; case
study reports.
How does the structure of a report differ from the structure of an essay?
Reports are organised into separate sections according to the specific requirements of the
given task. While it is important that paragraphs are structured and there is unity, coherence
and logical development to the report, it is not a continuous piece of writing like an essay.
Each type of report serves a very specific purpose and is aimed at a very particular audience.
Report writing may seem repetitive to us, but this is because reports are not usually read from
cover-to-cover by one person. For example, a manager may read only the synopsis or abstract
and act on the advice it contains while a technical officer may read only the section that
explains how things work. On the other hand, a personnel officer may look at only the conclusions
and recommendations that directly affect his or her working area.

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