6.1.1 Report planning
Table 2 highlights the elements of a science or technology report, though the same general principles apply in other disciplines too.
| Element | Purpose | Description |
|---|---|---|
| title | attracts the reader's attention | explanatory of the content, concise and relevant |
| abstract | gives a brief summary | short paragraph clarifying the scope of the report and the main findings |
| introduction | gives the purpose of the investigation being reported | explains why the investigation was undertaken and gives essential background information |
| main text | describes how the study was conducted | the ‘meat’ of the report containing, for example (depending on the discipline): |
| gives results of the study | • method of investigation/ approach taken and why | |
| interprets results | • record of observations or measurements | |
| • references to appropriate theories | ||
| • discussion | ||
| • unique or distinctive facts and explanation of how these relate to the broader context or body of evidence | ||
| conclusions | describes what the study has shown | includes the meaning of the results of the investigation, what has been demonstrated and any recommendations for action |
You need to assemble and order your material, perhaps under a set of headings (which can be added to or sub-divided). Your plan will help you to include material that is relevant and to the point.