Report requirements
The individual report comprises 40% of your Total Module Marks.
The report should be based on one of the questions above.
Your report will be marked both on the structure and format of your report and on the findings. Marks will be determined by your ability to:
• understand and interpret the question
• apply information and lessons learnt during the semester
• research information and use it to answer the questions, the whole report must use at least ten sources, three of which must be books found in Regents University Library
• express information and arguments in a logical and well structured manner
• express your own opinions but supported with theoretical discuss
Higher marks will be given to reports that:
• not only describe but analyse and evaluate the information
• present verifiable organisation
• research evidence that is up to date i.e. a statement about ‘current’ strategies
• answers that present a clear and concise strategic steps for achieving their goal
Guidelines for you report
The report is to be 2,500 words excluding the Coversheet, Contents page and References.
The format of the report is to be:
• Cover sheet including name of students, seminar tutor, date of submission, and word count
• Executive summary (Abstract)
• Contents page
• Introduction
• Findings (main body of the report)
• Conclusion & Recommendation
• References (these are to be referenced in Harvard format)
• Reports should be word processed in 12 point type and with 1.5 line spacing
• You must use at least ten sources, three of which must be books found in Regents University Library
• Run a spell check before you submit – marks will be deducted for poor spelling and unprofessional presentation
• You should write in the style of a business report, not an essay, and should address your report to your client (management of your chosen organisation)
• You are free to use bullet points, charts and graphs (where appropriate), headings and subheadingsSections Details
INTITAL PAGES • Title page (including your name, date of submission, course, title of report)
• Table of Contents
• Abstract
This is a very brief section at the beginning of the report to give the reader an overview of the contents of the report. It contains: Brief description of the research problem (including the main issues and overall purpose of the report); findings obtained; conclusion and recommendations.
INTRODUCTION A good introduction will do the followings:
• State the main topic
• Explain the aim and objectives of the study
• Explains the purpose of the study and what the report would like to achieve
• Gives an overview of the key points of the report
This section should reflect the scope of the research, outlining the nature of the problem, the rationale behind pursuing such an investigation. The purpose of the section is to introduce the reader to the work as well as give them an impression what to expect next.
FINDINGS The main body of the report should be concern with the main idea of your study i.e. the aim and objective of the study.
It is imperative that the content of this section is not seen as simple description of the study, but rather a narrative is presented that offers data analysis and critical interrogation in light of the aim and objectives of the study.
The aim of the section is to provide the reader with a critical narrative that responds to the aim and objectives of the study.
Some advice on how to present the findings:
i. The findings of a report must be presented in a logical order that is easy for the reader to follow and natural to your topic.
ii. Divide your content into sections, if necessary, and make sure that the readers can easily identify them.
Conclusion & Recommendations Conclusion
Your conclusion should summarise the major inferences that can be drawn from the information presented in the report.
It should answer the questions raised by the original topic of the report and states the conclusions reached.
You should draw some recommendations based on the conclusions. The recommendations should be practical advice on how to achieve and improve on the problem.
A good conclusion does two things:
Reminds the reader of your key issue
Reinforces the way things are done
Recommendation
Arrange recommendations in the same order as conclusions. This creates cohesion in the reader’s mind because recommendations should follow on naturally from conclusions.
Make sure your recommendations are achievable. Provide specific information about how the recommendations can be implemented
Make sure your recommendations meet professional standard. Create a professional impression. Base your recommendations on objective evidence provided in the report, rather than personal opinion.
References This part of the report lists what research sources were used.
Only sources actually used (cited) in writing the report must be listed in this section. Getting this section right indicates attention to detail and demonstrates academic rigour.
You must use at least ten sources, three of which must be books found in Regents University Library