REPORT WRITING
INTRODUCTION
&
METHODOLOGY
REPORT VS ESSAY: SIMILARITIES
 A report is similar to an essay in that both need:
 formal style
 introduction, body and conclusion
 analytical thinking
 careful proof-reading and neat presentation
REPORT VS ESSAY: DIFFERENCES
 A report differs from an essay in that a report:
 presents information, not an argument
 is meant to be scanned quickly by the reader
 uses numbered headings and sub-headings
 uses short, concise paragraphs and dot-points where
applicable
 uses graphics wherever possible (tables, graphs, illustrations)
 needs an abstract / executive summary
 does not always need references and bibliography
 is often followed by recommendations and/or appendices.
A report should generally include the
following sections.
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Title page
Acknowledgement
Table of contents
List of Figures
Terms of Reference
Abstract / Executive summary
Introduction
Literature Review (Optional)
Methodology
Findings & Discussion
Conclusion
Recommendations
References
Appendices
1.0 INTRODUCTION
 1.1 Background of the study
 1.2 Problem Statement
 1.3 Objectives of the study
 1.4 Significance of the study
 1.5 Scope & Limitations
1.0 INTRODUCTION
 First section of the report
 Prepares and provides readers with information on the
overall background of the study conducted
 Helps readers focus on the issue addressed in the study
 Presents the preview of the whole written report
1.1 Background of the study
 First element in the Introduction section
 Provides an understanding of the issue studied
 Provides the reasons for conducting the study
1.1 Background of the study
 There are three steps when writing the background of the
study:
 Step 1: General statement(s) of the fact related to the issue
 Step 2: More specific statements made in relation to the
issue
 Step 3: Statement(s) that indicate the need for more
investigation
1.2 Problem Statement
 A single statement that defines the issue investigated in the
study
 Usually accompanied by several other paragraphs that further
describe the severity and complexity of the issue.
1.3 Objectives of the study
 Contains the reasons why the study is conducted and the
overall intentions of the study
Example:
The objectives of this study are:
1. To describe …
2. To investigate …
3. To explore …
1.4 Significance of the study
 Justifies the reason for conducting the study
 Emphasizes the potential benefits that it would bring.
 Think of the following questions:
 Why is this study necessary?
 To whom is it important?
 What potential benefits may the study bring?
1.5 Scope & Limitations
 Indicates the direction of the study and maps out the
boundaries of the study
 Consider the following as the scope:
 the exact sample size
 the duration taken for the whole study to be carried out
2.0 METHODOLOGY
 2.1 Research Instrument used
(Questionnaire: give details)
 2.2 Research respondents
(who, number, gender)
 2.3 Research procedure
(how you administered the questionnaire)
 2.4 Data analysis
(The data were analysed from frequency count into
percentages.They were then transferred to suitable
tables and charts.)