1. Lecture 5 Academic Integrity (2) Report Writing

2. 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’

3. 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

4. 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

5. Parts of a report

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Executive Summary

12. 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.

13. Other Parts of a Report

14. 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

18. 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)

20. BODY OF REPORT Introduction Findings & Discussion Conclusions
Recommendations

21. Introduction

22. 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

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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)

28. 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.

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

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

33. 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 Three teenagers who were former addicts were also interviewed to get more in-depth views. References were also made to books and newspaper articles.

34. ANSWER Questionnaires were issued to 100 teenagers from 25 educational institutions on 25 June 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

35. 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.

36. 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 Method of Investigation Questionnaires were issued to 100 teenagers from 25 educational institutions on 25 June 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.

37. 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 Method of Investigation Questionnaires were issued to 100 teenagers from 25 educational institutions on 25 June 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

38. BODY OF REPORT Introduction Findings & Discussion Conclusions
Recommendations

39. Findings & Discussion

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

41. 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

42. 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

43. BODY OF REPORT Introduction Findings & Discussion Conclusions
Recommendations

44. Conclusion

45. 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.

46. 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

47. BODY OF REPORT Introduction Findings & Discussion Conclusions
Recommendations

48. Recommendations

49. 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

50. ACTIVITY
Skim Read page 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?

51. 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

52. 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: words
Findings & Discussion:   600 words
Conclusions: words
Recommendations: 200 words

53. 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