Technical Reports 2

8/21/2019 Technical Reports 2

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Technical Reports


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Attributes of a good Technical Report

1. Brief and Accurate

2. Clear and Logical

3. Relevant and

Appropriate

4. Organized

5. Rational

facts and figures

Indicate where ideas

are leadingNo irrelevant or

misleading ideas

Systematic

presentation of facts

Specific analysis and

recommendation


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Attributes of a good Technical Report

6. Comprehensible

7. All inclusive

8. Highly objective9. Written in good

English

10. Appropriate layout

and style

11. Neat and Attractive

in appearance

Covers details Answer who, when, where,

what, why and how

no prejudices,personal opinions

Sentence/Grammar/

Spelling


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Types of Technical Reports

1. Presentation

2. Length

3. Nature

4. Purpose

5. Time Duration

Oral and Written

Short and Long

Informal andFormal

Informational and

AnalyticalRoutine/Periodic

and Special Reports


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Nature of Technical Reports

Informal Reports

business reports

more frequent

same function as

formal reports

brief and no more

than five pages

conversational

Formal Reports

Thorough

investigation of a

problem

Detailed and

elaborate

Fixed format

Informational/

Analytical


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Purpose of Technical Reports

Informational

Reports

Presents facts,

situations or problems

required for decision-

making

Records events such

as conferences,seminars,

client/supplier details

Analytical Reports

Presents analysis of

data

Evaluate, make

recommendations, and

conclude

Recommendation

/Feasibility/ MarketSearch reports


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Analytical Reports

Recommendation Reports

Analyze a problem or situation

Present possible solutionsProvide recommendations

Conduct on short investigations

Focus on goods, machinery requirementsBring an important issue in the limelight


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Analytical Reports

Feasibility Reports

Determine the difficulty in carrying out a plan

Develop criteria for assessing solutionsShow the best solutions

Involve testing demographics

Submit to authorities who approve permitapplications


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Analytical Reports

Market Search

Contain guidelines for promoters of a new

product or policyOrganized effort to gather information about

markets or customers


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Key Elements to Include in a Report

I. Front-End Materials

Transmittal document

Executive summary Title Page and Table of Contents

II. Body of the Report

III. Back-End Materials Bibliography

Appendices


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Front-End Materials

1. Transmittal document

Write directly to the reader

Use pronouns such as we or you Set the tone for the report

For internal use: memo

For client/supplier: letter Focus on purpose of report and building

goodwill


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Front-End Materials

2. Executive Summary

window into the body of the report

for those involved in decision-making andpolicy-setting activities

-1 page long

last section you write in a report

Contains key conclusions andrecommendations

Optional: Project description or methodology


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Front-End Materials

3. Title and Table of Contents

Report Title (centered, all caps)

Presented To (name, position, organization) Presented By

Date (date of delivery/submission)


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Body of the Report

I. Introduction

A. Purpose

Reason for report

Begin with phrases like: to inform, to identify, toanalyze,

Example: This report aims to analyze variousnetworking options and to recommend a system

that will best meet current and future needs of

XYZ.


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B. Problem

Context and Project Requirements

C. Scope and Limitation

Areas covered and those not considered in thereport


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II. Background

A. Theory

Anchor report on theory/principle (justify)

B. Research

Review of related literature/previous research


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III. Test and Evaluation

A. Apparatus

Device used to accomplish the task

B. Procedure

Steps used to accomplish the task


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IV.Findings

A. Data

Present the results of the test and evaluation

Describe: direct observation

changes in results based on variables

Discuss differences between theory and results

B. Interpretation

Discuss assumptions and idealizations

Focus on your contribution to this project


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V. Conclusion

A. Assessment

Recap problem, approach, and results

State conclusions based on interpretations

State implication of results to your field

B. Recommendations

Suggestions on how the project can be improved Recommendations for further work


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Back-End Materials

Appendices

Supplement the body of the report

Labeled using letters of the alphabet

Bibliography

List of References

Style:Moden Language Association of America (MLA)

American Psychological Association (APA)


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Project Ideas

Choose a scientific or technical subject

Identify problems/issued related with subject

Recommend a product/technology/programComparative data on three to four products in

the same category then recommend one

Recommend a model/process/service ofdoing things

Address a problem in a school, workplace or

community setting


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Midterm Coverage: Written Exam

Characteristics of Technical Reports

Brevity

Passive to Active Types of Audiences

Levels of Decision-Making

Case Studies

Technical Reports


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Midterm Coverage: Analytical Report

Oral Presentation

3-5 minutes

can use ppt

Written Report

10 pages

this includes front-end materials, body of thereport (4-5pages), back-end materials


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End of Discussion

Technical Reports 2

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