Seminar and Report Writing Dr Fred Mugambi Mwirigi JKUAT

What is a Seminar Report? A seminar report is a product of an investigative process on a topic of interest It a document that aids the dissemination of the findings of a study on the topic chosen by the seminar presenter The seminar report must be presented to an audience as a way of disseminating findings

The Cs of Report Writing Clear Concise Correct Complete

Content of Report Must be well focused Must be conclusive on the topic Must have desirable depth Must be supported with facts Must cover desired timelines

Specific Requirements for Scientific Writing Clear focus Concise Wide and critical reading Well connected and supported arguments Scientific language Graphics used

Initial Questions What is the problem? Who is the target of the report? What level of analysis is needed? What are the anticipated solutions? Where can I get the information needed?

General Process Identification of a problem area Identification of a topic General study Specific Study Analysis Extraction of meaning from the analysis Development of arguments and illustrations Identification of recommendations Writing of draft report Revision of information and draft report design Writing of final report

Problem area Area that has alterations in work flow (efficiency Vs Effectiveness) For instance- The sales department may be loosing sales but the CEO may not be very clear what the problem is

Identification of a problem A problem is the difference between ‘what is’ and ‘what ought to be’. Study the characteristics of the problem: Problem Substance Organizational and physical location Problem ownership Absolute and relative magnitude Time perspective

Identification of a Topic Identify the combination of words that best describe the problem. Good topics should be catchy but not exaggerated Keep the topic at between five to fifteen words

Examples of good Seminar Topics…. Determinants of an Effective Staff Appraisal Process The role of Nitric Oxide in the Functioning of the Human Immune System  The Challenges of Using Teleconferencing Technologies in the Delivery of Training at University Level

Examples of Bad Seminar Topics…. Training Versus Learning: A Critical Analysis Teleconferencing as an Important Tool in Training Delivery A Scholar’s analysis of Economics and Politics in Kenya Why Teach When you can Trade: A Critical Search for Answers

General study Conduct a broad study of the problem area in terms of Scope of content Depth of content Diversity of writers Diversity of geography (knowledge source- writers from different countries)

Specific Study Find and study material specific to the topic in terms of: Scope of content (Narrower) Depth of content (Narrow and deep) Diversity of writers (Specific to the topic) Diversity of geography (geographically specific)

Analysis Quantitative (use statistics) Qualitative (Analyze thematically)

Structuring Paragraphs Studies show that the human brain can easily follow a sentence of about 16 to 20 words. (17) This sentence length will avoid tiring the reader. (8) These studies also show that, when reading for pleasure, readers can grasp paragraphs of about 100 to 125 words, but only 75 to 100 when reading documents. (27) Observing these guidelines will encourage the reader to continue reading without confusion. (12) Keep your paragraphs below 75 words otherwise they start getting boring (Paragraph total 75 words)

Finally…. Anticipate who will read report Anticipate who will criticize report Anticipate key issues and develop them logically Keep the reader informed; Motivate the reader Clarity in your writing is achieved by reducing the need for the reader to draw inferences. Make effective use of transitional sentences and paragraphs

Layout Cover page Table of contents List of figures List of tables Abstract Introduction Main body Conclusions and recommendations References Annexes

End