Report writing

Definition

A testimonial or an account of some happening It discusses a particular problem in detail It is based on observation and analysis Reports give information that can be used for : making plans solving problems

Steps to be followed

• Identify the objective• Collect the required material• Examine the facts gathered• Plan the facts for the report• Draft the report• Edit the report• Get feedback

The process

Before :Be clear about the objectiveWho is the target readership/audienceComprehensive studyGather correct informationDecide the style and length of the reportOrganize the data accordingly

The process

StructureMargins and spacingStructure of sentences ( first/third person )Paragraphs – font kind and sizeHighlight important points/ headingsUse of graphs, charts, numbers, bullets

The process

After

Present the report for screening Get feedback

Make necessary changes, ( if feedback so warrants )

Planning your report

• View report as a whole Deadline for the report• Break the report into various parts Time for each part

• Set deadline for each part

Collecting information

• What information do I need ?• What are my possible sources ?• How much do I need to collect ?• What are the best methods to collect info ?• In what order should I collect info ?

• Make an action plan accordingly

Organising the data

Web structure Tree structure

Helps you to : - identify the main points - choose the best - prioratise

Structure

• Title page• Acknowledgements• Table of contents• Abstract• Introduction• Methodology

Structure

• Result / findings• Discussion• Conclusion• References• Appendices

Title page

Should include : • Subject matter, • author, • module, • course, • date

Title page EVENING PROGRAMMES IN CHRIST UNIVERSITY A Study of Pupil Perception

Prepared by

Sushil Ranjan & Arpita Goswami 3 B Com- F & A ( A )

Christ University, Bangalore 24 August, 2012

Acknowledgements

• Here you acknowledge the help you received from different quarters in your research and preparation of the report. These could include people, organizations and various establishments.

Acknowledgements

We, Sushil and Arpitha would like to express our sincere gratitude to the following people and organizations for helping us at various stages in our research and preparation of this report. First and foremost, …….

Acknowledgements

We, Sushil and Arpitha acknowledge the following for help received in the course of preparing this report.

Dr. Ranapratap Joshy for……….

Contents

Contents Acknowledgements

1. Abstract………………………………………32. Introduction…………..……………………43. Methodology……..……………………….54. Facts and Figures..………………………65. Analysis……………………………………106. Conclusion………..………………………147. References………..………………………168. Appendices………………..……………..18

Abstract

Short paragraph summarising : main contents, methods, main conclusions, and recommendations. This is independent of the report.

Abstract

• Ever since its inception in 2009, Evening Programmes in Christ University had to face a number of difficulties. An opinion poll threw up the fact that the problems faced by students varied from group to group. A further survey conducted by us revealed that there are two very fundamental problems troubling the students – a cumbersome schedule, and some outdated modules. A comparative study

Introduction

Should contain :• The context and scope• Terms of reference• Your objectives• Definition of limits• Method of enquiry• Brief general background of the subject

Introduction It was in the year 2009 that Christ University introduced B Com evening programme. This move was aimed at meeting the needs of the fast growing number of professionals who wanted to continue their studies in a regular college. Over the years this has come to attract other groups also, especially those who want to pursue two courses at the same time and those who want to earn while they learn. Since the composition of the student community changed, the problems that needed to be addressed also increased. This report is an attempt to analyse some of these issues. The main objectives of this report are :• List the main concerns of the students.• Identify group specific problems• Record percentage of students affected by various problems• Suggest measures of improvement

Methodology

State :

• How you carried out the enquiry• What were your methods of

collecting data• How did you choose your subjects

for interviews, case studies etc.

Methodology

We have employed three methods to conduct our study.• Opinion poll• General survey through a comprehensive questionnaire

( Appendix – 1 )• Personal Interviews Opinion poll was conducted at random over a period of three days, covering 840 students of the three batches of the current B Com evening programme. The questionnaire was prepared with twenty questions relating to the problematic areas in question. The respondents were given five minutes to fill in the details and hand over sheet.

Findings

Here you present the result of your research in the most simple way possible.Use : Tables Graphs Pie charts Bar charts Diagrams

Findings The data collected drew before us the following pictures :

The opinion about scheduling of the classes:

65%

35%

schedulenot convenient convenient

Findings Optimum duration of the periods

40 minutes

45 minutes

50 minutes

1 hour

Discussion

• Analyse and interpret your results• Explain its significance• Identify important issues• Suggest explanation for your findings• Outline the problems encountered• Present a balanced view

Discussion

The study conducted by us brought in a clear picture about what the students feel about the present set up of the evening programme. The majority of the students felt that the timing was inconvenient. A little over 65 % felt that time can be most effectively utilized if the periods are of 45 minutes duration. This was because most of the students are attending classes after a day long stay at various offices. Their attention level was not sustainable for such a long period as one hour.

There were also some who felt that the periods could as long as 45 minutes or 50 minutes. Those who thought that the present time was fine enough were those who were attending only this programme.

Conclusion

Draw together the main issues already discussedNo new issues to be added hereNo new informationIf there is no separate section for recommendation, include them here.

Conclusion

It is quite clear that most students want certain changes to be brought in to make the evening programme more effective and vibrant. Many of the problems raised by the students appear to be quite genuine, given the fact that most of them are either working or are doing two courses at the same time. The suggested solutions are simple enough to be implemented, and they wont affect the present set up much. The most outstanding suggestions are :• Reduce the duration of the period to 40 minutes.• Merge some of the topics so as to make them more interesting.• Introduce certain modules on personality development and

leadership initiatives.

References

Here list your sources (alphabetical order, author)

• Author’s name & initials• Date of publication• Title of the book, paper, journal• Publisher• Place of publication• Page numbers