Lecture 5 Academic Integrity (2) Report Writing

By the end of this topic you should : By the end of this topic (Academic Integrity) you will be able to: Apply correct referencing techniques List and explain the key elements a business report In addition, you will be able to understand and explain They key steps in effective essay writing. Useful Reading: See links in Moodle under Topic 3, Additional Resources in particular: ‘How to Write a Business Report’

Assessment related to Topic 1-3 Write a Business Report (1,200 words) (25% of CA) DUE DATE: Monday, 24th April Maintain your learning log to support your SELF REVIEW at the end of the module. (10% CA). Due date: Monday, 15th May Continue to develop your Personal Development Plan (25% of CA). DUE DATE: Monday, 27th February

Academic Integrity Schedule Lecture One (one hour) What is referencing and how to do it. The basics of essay writing Lecture Two (one hour) next week How to write a business report

Parts of a report

PARTS OF A REPORT Title Page Table of Contents Executive Summary Introduction Findings & Discussion Conclusions Recommendations Bibliography/References Appendices Write this first before the rest of the report Body of report

Answer as follows 1 = A, 2 = D, etc. in the chat area. Activity 1: (3 minutes) Go to next slide Match the different parts of the report with their respective descriptions. Answer as follows 1 = A, 2 = D, etc. in the chat area.

Activity: Match the Part to the Description Appendices a. Title, Author’s name, Date of submission 2. Table of Contents b. List of sections, sub-sections, appendices, etc. Introduction c. Summary of entire report 4. Executive Summary d. Purpose, Background, Methods of Investigation, Scope Findings & Discussion e. Reporting Analysis of facts obtained 6. Title Page f. Deductions based on findings Conclusions g. Suggestions and advice based on conclusions 9. Recommendations h. List of references 10.Bibliography/References i. Supplementary materials e.g. other supporting data

Activity ANSWER: Match the Part to the Description Appendices a. Title, Author’s name, Date of submission 2. Table of Contents b. List of sections, sub-sections, appendices, etc. Introduction c. Summary of entire report 4. Executive Summary d. Purpose, Background, Methods of Investigation, Scope Findings & Discussion e. Reporting & Analysis of facts obtained 6. Title Page f. Deductions based on findings Conclusions g. Suggestions and advice based on conclusions 9. Recommendations h. List of references 10.Bibliography/References i. Supplementary materials e.g. other supporting data

ANSWER: PARTS OF A REPORT Description Title Page Title, Author’s name, Date of submission Table of Contents List of sections, sub-sections, appendices, etc. Executive Summary Summary of entire report Introduction Purpose, Background, Methods of Investigation, Scope Findings & Discussion Reporting & Analysis of facts obtained Conclusions Deductions based on findings Recommendations Suggestions and advice based on conclusions Bibliography/References List of references Appendices Supplementary materials e.g. other supporting data

Executive Summary

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Provides overview of report Includes summary of: purpose scope method of investigation findings conclusions recommendations Use transitional words and phrases to link one idea / paragraph to the next – e.g. in addition, therefore Although it is the first item of the report, you need to complete the body of the report before you can provide a comprehensive summary In other words, the executive summary will be written last.

Other Parts of a Report

OTHER PARTS OF REPORT Title Page or Cover Page Table of Contents title name of person who requested the report name of the author(s) name and address of the institution or company issuing the report (if applicable) date Table of Contents lists preliminary pages such as the executive summary includes all headings and subheadings used in the report exactly as they appear in the report includes page numbers for all parts use lower case Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc.) for all preliminary pages and Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.) for all pages in the body of the report, starting with page 1 for the Introduction section

OTHER PARTS OF REPORT Bibliography (see lecture 1, Academic Integrity) list of references for sources cited in the report Appendices clean copy of the survey questionnaire (if applicable) manual collation (if applicable) list of interview questions (if applicable)

BODY OF REPORT Introduction Findings & Discussion Conclusions Recommendations

Introduction

INTRODUCTION 4 possible sections: (all four aren’t always necessary) Purpose, Background, Method of Investigation, Scope Take note of language conventions (i.e. typical words and phrases that are used) Uses present and past tense Format – numbered headings

INTRODUCTION 1.1 Purpose States the purpose of the report Includes what the report will recommend Example 1 The purpose of this report is to investigate the reasons behind the rise in computer gaming addiction among teenagers. The report will also recommend preventive measures for computer gaming addiction.

INTRODUCTION (1.1 Purpose) Example 2 This report looks into the factors influencing students’ behavior in lecture theatres and suggests ways to promote positive learning behavior among students. Example 3 This report studies the causes of unhealthy eating among teenagers and recommends ways to promote more healthy eating habits.

Past tense What tense is the Purpose section written in? Present tense Activity 2: (3 minutes) What tense is the Purpose section written in? Past tense Present tense Present and past tense

Past tense Present tense Present and past tense ANSWER What tense is the Purpose section written in? Past tense Present tense Present and past tense

INTRODUCTION 1.2 Background Provides information on the problem or situation that gave rise to the investigation May refer to secondary data, e.g. newspaper report (i.e. data that was discovered by someone else)

INTRODUCTION (1.2 Background) Example A recent study on game technology (Tan, 2010) shows that nearly 75% of teenagers in Singapore play computer games regularly and the majority of them show signs of addiction. The rise in computer gaming addiction among teenagers is a growing concern and the Ministry of Media Development (MMD) would like to find out the reasons behind this trend. The report was commissioned by the Director of Corporate Communications, Ms Julie Sim, on 31 May 2010.

Past tense Present tense Present and past tense Activity 3: (3 minutes) What tense is the Background section written in? Past tense Present tense Present and past tense

Past tense Present tense Present and past tense ANSWER What tense is the Background section written in? Past tense Present tense Present and past tense

INTRODUCTION 1.3 Method of Investigation States how investigation was carried out, e.g. questionnaires issued to [how many people] for [how long] This is called primary data (i.e. data that is discovered by you, the writer of the report) May include references to secondary data

INTRODUCTION (1.3 Method of Investigation) Example Questionnaires were issued to 100 teenagers from 25 educational institutions on 25 June 2010. Three teenagers who were former addicts were also interviewed to get more in-depth views. References were also made to books and newspaper articles.

Activity 4: (3 minutes) Type your answer in the chat area. There are four sources of data. Which is primary data? Which is secondary data? Questionnaires were issued to 100 teenagers from 25 educational institutions on 25 June 2010. Three teenagers who were former addicts were also interviewed to get more in-depth views. References were also made to books and newspaper articles.

ANSWER Questionnaires were issued to 100 teenagers from 25 educational institutions on 25 June 2010. Three teenagers who were former addicts were also interviewed to get more in-depth views. References were also made to books and newspaper articles. PRIMARY DATA SECONDARY DATA

INTRODUCTION 1.4 Scope (if applicable) Example States the areas of investigation, e.g. reasons, consequences, etc., i.e. what information you need in order to meet your purpose First scope item is respondents’ profile There should be at least 3 other scope items if applicable. Example Besides respondents’ profile, this report looks into four possible reasons for the rise in gaming addiction among teenagers: boredom, stress, societal influence and addictive game features.

A Report on the Rise in Computer Gaming Addiction Among Teenagers 1. Introduction 1.1 Purpose The purpose of this report is to investigate the reasons behind the rise in computer gaming addiction among teenagers. The report will also recommend preventive measures for computer gaming addiction. 1.2 Background A recent study on game technology (Tan, 2010) shows that nearly 75% of teenagers in Singapore play computer games regularly and the majority of them show signs of addiction. The rise in computer gaming addiction among teenagers is a growing concern and the Ministry of Media Development (MDD) would like to find out the reasons behind this trend. The report was commissioned by the Director of Corporate Communications, Ms Julie Sim, on 31 May 2010. 1.3 Method of Investigation Questionnaires were issued to 100 teenagers from 25 educational institutions on 25 June 2010. Three teenagers who were former addicts were also interviewed to get more in-depth views. References were also made to books and newspaper articles. 1.4 Scope Besides respondents’ profile, this report looks into four possible reasons for the rise in gaming addiction among teenagers: boredom, stress, societal influence and addictive game features.

A Report on the Rise in Computer Gaming Addiction Among Teenagers 1. Introduction 1.1 Purpose The purpose of this report is to investigate the reasons behind the rise in computer gaming addiction among teenagers. The report will also recommend preventive measures for computer gaming addiction. 1.2 Background A recent study on game technology (Tan, 2010) shows that nearly 75% of teenagers in Singapore play computer games regularly and the majority of them show signs of addiction. The rise in computer gaming addiction among teenagers is a growing concern and the Ministry of Media Development (MDD) would like to find out the reasons behind this trend. The report was commissioned by the Director of Corporate Communications, Ms Julie Sim, on 31 May 2010. 1.3 Method of Investigation Questionnaires were issued to 100 teenagers from 25 educational institutions on 25 June 2010. Three teenagers who were former addicts were also interviewed to get more in-depth views. References were also made to books and newspaper articles. 1.4 Scope Besides respondents’ profile, this report looks into four possible reasons for the rise in gaming addiction among teenagers: boredom, stress, societal influence and addictive game features. Numbered heading – whole number Numbered sub-heading – numerical-decimal

BODY OF REPORT Introduction Findings & Discussion Conclusions Recommendations

Findings & Discussion

FINDINGS & DISCUSSION How to analyse data Describe Compare Evaluate Format of Findings section

Format of Findings Section Explain your data in a manner that is thorough but understandable The discussion of your results is one of the most important parts of your thesis.  The discussion should help unify the theoretical part of your thesis to its practical application. Write in a clear and direct tone You can use ‘I’ (if you are presenting your own data) or the third person

Findings Example When referring to figures, numbers or tables always refer to the title of the figure—don’t reiterate what the tables contain unless absolutely needed. For example: When discussing the results in Table 7.3, we say: The positive outcome of the fertilization experiment as seen in Table 7.3 implies that cleanliness of water does affect the reproductive health of Amphibians. *notice that the sentence is clear and concise We don’t say: Our table for fertilization experiments shows that of the three groups, group 2 or the frog group which was dipped in clean water had a significantly higher rate at 50% more than the frogs dipped in dirty water. We were able to statistically prove this by using Statistical to run a single regression for each of the frog populations. *notice that the paragraph repeats a lot of the data which is already presumed to be listed in the Table—the sentences are also very long and convoluted, making it more difficult to understand

BODY OF REPORT Introduction Findings & Discussion Conclusions Recommendations

Conclusion

CONCLUSIONS Conclusions are logical deductions based on the data in the Findings & Discussion section Usually includes a comprehensive summary of the findings Ends with a statement which will lead to the Recommendations section Don’t be repetitive Highlight important points Important because they allow us to tie all the different parts of our thesis together Should be written in a way that’s short but memorable.

Example part of a conclusion Correct: In conclusion, we can say that it’s difficult for pretty people to stay unemployed. Attractive people are more likely to get good jobs and to succeed in their respective fields. *notice that the sentences are kept short and are written in the active voice—it also mentions the key findings of the paper right away Incorrect: In conclusion, we can say employment, education and the ability to succeed in one’s respective fields are things which often come to attractive people. *notice that the sentence is long and convoluted and that it’s written in the passive voice—it also doesn’t mention the study’s key findings until the last part of the sentence

BODY OF REPORT Introduction Findings & Discussion Conclusions Recommendations

Recommendations

RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendations should be: Logical – should flow logically from the conclusions Relevant – must meet the purpose and the scope as stated in the Introduction section Feasible – must be practical and workable How to write recommendations: Brief – write concisely; any reason for recommendation should only be given if necessary Clear – do not be ambiguous as to how the suggestion should be implemented Precise – vague recommendations usually result from insufficient research / analysis

ACTIVITY Skim Read page 25-38 in the additional resource “How to write a business report”. The format of this report is different to what has been recommended in this lecture – can you spot the difference?

Choose ONE of the following topics: Write a Business Report (1,200 words) (25% of CA) DUE DATE: Monday, 24th April Choose ONE of the following topics: Stress and the three most effective stress management techniques Resilience and how to build it The Habits of Successful Students Creativity and how to achieve it The challenges facing graduates in modern workplace

Write a Business Report (1,200 words) (25% of CA) DUE DATE: Monday, 24th April The report should include: Title Page; Glossary; Abstract\ Executive Summary; Table of Contents; Introduction; Findings; Conclusions; Recommendations; References; Appendices. Guide Word Count for the key sections of the report Introduction: 200 words Findings & Discussion:   600 words Conclusions: 200 words Recommendations: 200 words

DUE DATE: Monday, 24th April Write a Business Report (1,200 words) (25% of CA) DUE DATE: Monday, 24th April You should ensure that: The report is typed, font 12, Calibri, 1.5 line spacing. Sections and headings are numbered and labelled appropriately At least three relevant references are used (in text citation and reference section) DUE DATE: Monday, 24th April