Contents Contains: - A heading
- Parts of the report and page numbers in columns
- Numbered subsections
- May be followed by a list of figures, tables or illustrations
Terms of Reference Contains: - Who requested the report and why
- The purpose of the report
- Who compiled the information and how - e.g. methods of research, what procedures were followed
- Links to other work or reports. Scientific reports may include some discussion of relevant theory
- Acknowledgement of help given. This can also be a separate page before the Contents Page
- Any limitations. What doesn't the report cover?
Along report may include a summary
of the main findings written as
concise bullet points. |
Findings Contains: - Numbered sections or headings
- Clear paragraphs of factual information - each with one key point - that are discussed or explained
Costs Contains: - Tables of data and their analysis - e.g. in scientific reports
- Graphs, charts, diagrams, maps, pictures, and flow diagrams at the appropriate point in the text or referral to the Appendices. Illustrations should be labelled Figure 1, Figure 2 etc.
- Long sections may end with a summary of the main points
Think about the order of your information.
What has to come first?
What has to follow it?
Use sufficient words to explain the detail,
but no waffle. This is your opportunity to show evidence of reading and research. |
For example: 2.7 Building Use Within a kilometre's radius of the college there is a diverse range of building use.
To the north and west the use is predominantly privately owned housing.
To the south of the college there is a large area of derelict building, which has previously been used for light industry. To the east there is a newly built business park and some long established factory units. A map of the area, with a key showing building use, is included as Appendix F. 2.7.1 Shops, cafes and pubs
Conclusions Contains: - The summing up of the main findings of the report
- If you have written summaries of each section it will draw this information together
- May contain projections of future results or consequences
- It should link the purpose of the report to the findings
The conclusion should not contain any
new material and should not be too long.
Remember, there must be enough evidence
to justify your conclusions. |
Recommendations Contains: - What should be done as a result of the findings, or may give some options
- Why it should be done and who by
There may not be any recommendations
in a report which has been compiled
to give information only.
Recommendations are usually presented
in a bulleted or numbered list. |
Appendices Contains: - Tables of information, questionnaires, examples, large diagrams, samples of letters or leaflets which have been referred to in the Findings section, but have not been included in the main body of the report
- Can include a glossary of technical terms or acronyms
- Scientific reports may include lists of formulae or apparatus
Appendices should be lettered -
e.g. Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.
or given Roman numerals. |
Bibliography or References Contains: - The author, title, publisher and date of any books, articles or reports you have used information from in alphabetical order
- Page numbers of any references used
- Underlined titles of books or journals
- Web site URLs - e.g.
Bibliography:
Jones, S. The modern day environment.
Devon Books, Devon, 2002.
Brookes, E. What you can do for your environment,
Environment Today, January 2002, p. 16 —20.
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