Writing a Report

Throughout your time at Southern Cross University you'll complete a number of assessments that will contribute to your final outcome. One type of assessment is an report. Discover what you need to know about writing reports.

Report writing at university

University students write reports for a variety of purposes. Some reasons for writing a report are to:

  • Report on a research study or project that you have undertaken. This is referred to as a research report.
  • Report on a research study or project you plan to undertake. This is called a research proposal and has much the same structure as a research report except that you are reporting on what you are going to do rather than on what you have done.
  • Report on what you have found out by reading about a topic. This type of report is called a research by reading report.
  • Report on and evaluate something, for example a workplace practice or behaviour. This type of report is called an evaluative report.
Icon showing paper and a pen

3 types of reports

If you don’t have any specific guidelines from your lecturer, it is the purpose of the report that generally dictates the particular structure you use to present your ideas. All reports have sections with headings and, usually, subheadings. Often these are numbered in larger reports. The number of sections varies according to the type of report and according to what the assignment specifically requires.

A research report (and research proposal)

The structure of this type of report typically includes the sections and headings (and subheadings). Often the headings are also numbered. If you have sub-sections within each of the major sections you can indent and number accordingly. A research report might be structured like this:

Letter of transmittal

Abstract (also often called Executive Summary or Summary)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Methods, Procedures or Methodology

2.2 Example sub-section

2.2.1 Example sub-section

2.2.2 Example of sub-section

3. Results (Expected Results in a research proposal)

4. Discussion or interpreation of Results

5. Conclusion

6. Recommendations

References

Appendix/Appendices (may include photographs, illustrations, etc.)

Quick Guide:Writing reports

A research by reading report

This report structure is often used when you have to present a report based on the findings of research by reading. It is a variation of the traditional formal report format. It may contain all or some of the following sections depending on the length of assignment and the instructions you are given:

Letter of transmittal (generally ONLY requested in Business and Tourism)

Title

Abstract (also often called Executive Summary or Summary)

Table of Contents

Introduction

Body (the body of this type of report is often structured with headings and subheadings relevant to the topic/s researched)

Conclusion

Recommendations (if relevant)

References

Appendix/Appendices (may include photographs, illustrations, etc.)

Quick Guide:Writing reports

An evaluative report

This report structure is often used when you have to research theory and apply it to a practical or real situation. It is a variation of the traditional formal report format. It may contain all or some of the following sections and headings (and necessary and relevant subheadings) depending on the length of the assignment and of course the instructions given in your assignment task. An evaluative report might be structured like this:

Letter of transmittal (generally ONLY requested in Business and Tourism)

Title

Abstract (also often called Executive Summary or Summary)

Table of Contents

Introduction

Body (generally not used as a heading)

The body of this type of report is often structured with headings and subheadings relevant to:

provide a factual description of the workplace/situation (‘to set the scene’ for the subsequent findings (analysis and/or evaluation) conclusions and recommendations).

present the theory, results or findings and interpretations (evaluation/s) of these observations. There are several options for presenting the body section (see below)

Conclusion

Recommendations (if relevant)

References

Appendix/Appendices (may include photographs, illustrations, etc.)

Quick Guide:Writing reports

Parts of a report

You will most likely have to write a report for one of your courses. Reports are required for a variety of reasons and have a formal structure with sections, headings and subheadings. Examples of report types are: a research report which is based on research study you have undertaken or an evaluative report which evaluates a practice or behaviour. The purpose of the report will indicate the structure you will be required to use and information for suggested structures is below.

Quick Guide:Writing reports

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