What is a report? - Monash University
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Quick study guide 14
Features of reports
This is an introductory guide to report writing. It provides some general advice on the content and structure of a report. It is recommended that you consult your Faculty Guidelines and/or Unit Guide for advice on the required report format for a particular unit.
Differences between the report and the essay
| |Report |Essay |
|Topic |often a problem or case study which sets up a hypothetical |responds to a question or a proposition |
| |situation |is based on research |
| |based on reading, field work or practical work | |
|Purpose |to investigate, analyse and present information |to articulate a well-argued response to a question or |
| |usually to make recommendations to solve a problem |proposition |
|Audience |established in the topic and is often a client or manager |an academic audience |
|Format |contains an executive summary or abstract |does not typically include sections or headings |
| |comprises sections with headings |does not typically include use bullet points, tables, graphs|
| |may use bullet points, tables, graphs to convey information.| |
|Style |third person |third or first person |
| |formal language |formal language |
|Assessment |Success depends on: |Success depends on: |
| |the demonstration of good research skills |the demonstration of good research skills |
| |the quality of the recommendations to respond to an issue |the identification of a cogent argument |
| |the presentation and analysis of relevant information |the quality of reasoning and evidence |
| | |how well it analyses and evaluates the issue |
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Features of reports
1. Referencing and quotations in reports follow the same guidelines required for essays.
2. A system of numbered sections with headings is typically used. Check the Faculty or Departmental Guidelines for an appropriate example for your discipline.
3. Reports contain a title page, contents page, an executive summary or abstract, an introduction, a body, a conclusion and recommendations.
4. Just as in the essay, a good report will describe, analyse and evaluate a problem or issue. Unlike an essay it will describe the method used to investigate the problem, and formulate a set of recommendations based on the findings of the report.
Typical report structures
Different types of reports typically include sections. The table below illustrates the section headings which may be included in different types of reports.
| | | |
|Business and technical reports |Laboratory reports |Technical reports |
| | | |
|Title page |Title page |Title page |
|[Memos of Authorisation and Transmittal] |Abstract |Summary |
|Executive summary |Introduction |Table of contents |
|Table of contents |Theoretical background |Introduction |
|Introduction |Aim of present research |Purpose |
|Purpose |Method |Problem description |
|Methodology |Materials |Aim |
|Limitations |Procedure | |
|Findings and Discussion |Results and Discussion |Review of previous research |
|Conclusions |References |Presentation of solution |
|Recommendations |Appendices |Discussion |
|References | |Conclusions and |
|Appendices | |Recommendations |
| | |References |
| | |Appendices |
Note: Different types of reports are used in different subject areas. Check with your lecturers to clarify exactly what type of structure you are expected to follow.
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