Report Writing Guidelines¶
This document provides guidelines for writing a scientific report. It outlines a general format reminiscent of traditional scientific paper structures.
Suggested Sections¶
Scientific Report¶
A typical scientific report should ideally comprise the following sections:
Abstract (optional)
A concise summary of the report.
Should be able to stand alone.
Briefly covers the problem, methodology, results, and conclusion.
Introduction
Background information.
Motivation for the study.
Relevant related works.
Summary of the problem and how it will be addressed.
Methods
Design approach
Experimental setup
Evaluation strategy
Implementation Details (if applicable)
Results
Present data in an organized manner using graphs, tables, etc.
Discussion and Reflection (optional)
Delve into the results, especially if they deviate from expectations or if there’s potential for enhancement.
Conclusion
Recap the problem, methodology, and results.
Optionally, revisit the discussion points.
Conclude with final thoughts or implications.
Depending on the type of report you are writing, you may not need to include all of these sections. For example, a progress report may not require a discussion section. A proposal may focus on the introduction and methods with optional implementation and results sections.
Project Proposal¶
A proposal is generally written to persuade the reader of the need for a project or research and to outline steps or methods to achieve the objectives.
Objective
Clearly state the goals of the proposal.
Introduction
Focus on the motivation and justification.
Methods
Most important section for a proposal.
Describe the approach to be taken.
Why is this approach suitable?
Novelty of the approach.
Budget/Resource allocation
List the resources required to complete the project.
Estimated cost breakdown if relevant.
List organizational resources such as personnel, equipment, and facilities.
Timeline
Provide a timeline for the project.
Include milestones and deliverables.
Review¶
A review examines existing literature or products in a field to provide an overview, comparison, or evaluation.
Introduction
Purpose of the review
Scope of the review
Criteria for selection of literature or products
Body
Choose a suitable structure for the review.
Chronological
Thematic
Methodological
Summarize the literature or products.
Compare and contrast the literature or products.
Conclusion
Summarize the review.
Highlight the key points.
Discuss the implications.
Identify gaps.
Suggest future work.
Common Pitfalls & Recommendations¶
Avoid an overly lengthy introduction and methods section. While these sections are vital, the essence of your report lies in the results. Prioritize accordingly.
Do not merely enumerate the results. Analyze, interpret, and discuss their implications. Concluding thoughts should be derived from these discussions.
Ensure a logical flow in presenting your data. Avoid a mere chronological arrangement, which can read like a diary. Aim for a structured and analytical presentation.
By adhering to these guidelines, you can produce a clear, concise, and impactful report.