ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC

AND PROFESSIONAL
PURPOSES
Quarter 2 – Module 4
 DETERMINES THE
OBJECTIVES AND
STRUCTURES OF VARIOUS
KINDS OF REPORTS
OBJECTIVE

Determines the objectives and structures of

various kinds of reports.
VOCABULARY LIST
▪ Scholar - a specialist in a particular branch of study,
especially the humanities; a distinguished academic.
▪ Essay - a short piece of writing on a particular subject.
▪ Hard sciences - any of the natural or physical sciences, as
chemistry, biology, physics, or astronomy, in which aspects
of the universe are investigated by means of hypotheses and
experiments.
PRE-TEST
Instructions: On the first column, list the things you already
know about various kinds of reports, their structures and
specific application. Then, on the second column, you need
to list down the things you want to know about reports.
Lastly, on the third column, list the things that you have
learned (after you have gone through the different learning
activities) about various kinds of reports, their structures
and specific application. (You may use extra sheet if
necessary)
What I know about various What I want to know about various What I learned about various
kinds of reports, their kinds of reports, their structures kinds of reports, their
structures and specific and specific application structures and specific
application application
Many scholars have defined report as any
informational work made with an intention to
relay information or recounting certain events in
a presentable manner. These are often conveyed
in writing, speech, television, or film.
A key feature of report is that it is formally structured
in sections. Hence, the use of sections makes it easy
for the reader to jump straight to the information they
need. Unlike an essay which is written in a single
narrative style from start to finish, each section of a
report has its own purpose and will need to be written
in an appropriate style to suit – for example, the
methods and results sections are mainly descriptive,
whereas the discussion section needs to be analytical.
Reports communicate information which has been
compiled as a result of research and analysis of
data and of issues. Please note however that
reports can cover a wide range of topics, but
usually focus on transmitting information with a
clear purpose, to a specific audience.
Good reports are documents that are
accurate, objective and complete. They
should also be well-written, clearly
structured and expressed in a way that holds
the reader's attention and meets their
expectations.
GUIDE QUESTIONS
[Link] are the different types of report writing?
[Link] are its purposes?
[Link] are its target audience?
[Link] is a particular type of report being written?
[1]TECHNICAL AND BUSINESS disciplines with
an applied focus such as Engineering, Information
Technology, Commerce, Accounting and Finance,
will set report writing assignments that simulate the
process of report writing in industry. Assignments are
set in the form of a problem or a case study. The
students research the problem, and present the results
of the research in a report format
Technical writing is form of writing technical
communication or documentation in science and
technology or applied science that helps people
understand a product or service. The main purpose of
technical writing is to inform and to trigger the
person into action such as purchasing a product or
service. Its purpose may also be instruct persuade,
but never to entertain. The content is factual and
straightforward. It is expressed in formal, standard or
academic language.
[2]FIELD REPORTS are common in
disciplines such as Law, Industrial
Relations, Psychology, Nursing, History and
Education. These types of reports require
the student to analyse his or her
observations of phenomena or events in the
real world in light of theories studied in the
course.
The purpose of a field report in the social sciences is to describe
the observation of people, places, and/or events and to analyze
that observation data in order to identify What are the different
types of report writing? What are its purposes? Who are its target
audience? How is a particular type of report being written? Guide
Questions [Link] 6 and categorize common
themes in relation to the research problem underpinning the
study. The content represents the researcher's interpretation of
meaning found in data that has been gathered during one or more
observational events.
 When writing a field report you need
to:
●Systematically observe and accurately record the
varying aspects of a situation. Always approach your
field study with a detailed protocol about what you
will observe, where you should conduct your
observations, and the method by which you will
collect and record your data.
● Continuously analyze your observations.
Always look for the meaning underlying the
actions you observe. Ask yourself: What's going
on here? What does this observed activity
mean? What else does this relate to? Note that
this is an on-going process of reflection and
analysis taking place for the duration of your
field research.
●Keep the report’s aims in mind while you
are observing. Recording what you observe
should not be done randomly or
haphazardly; you must be focused and pay
attention to details.
● Consciously observe, record, and analyze what you
hear and see in the context of a theoretical framework.
This is what separates data gatherings from reporting.
The theoretical framework guiding your field research
should determine what, when, and
[Link] 7 how you observe and act as
the foundation from which you interpret your findings in
relation to the underlying assumptions embedded in the
theoretical framework.
Techniques to record your observations:
Although there is no limit to the type of data
gathering techniques you can use, these are the
most frequently used methods:
Note taking
This is the most common and easiest method of recording
your observations. Tips for taking notes include:
organizing some shorthand symbols beforehand so that
recording basic or repeated actions does not impede your
ability to observe, using many small paragraphs, which
reflect changes in activities, who is talking, etc., and,
leaving space on the page so you can write down
additional thoughts and ideas about what’s being observed,
any theoretical insights, and notes to yourself that are set
aside for further investigation.
Photography With the advent of smart phones, an
almost unlimited number of high quality photographs can
be taken of the objects, events, and people observed
during a field study. Photographs can help capture an
important moment in time as well as document details
about the space where your observation takes place.
Taking a photograph can save you time in documenting
the details of a space that would otherwise require
extensive note taking.
Video & Audio Recordings
Video or audio recording your observations has the
positive effect of giving you an unfiltered record of
the observation event. It also facilitates repeated
analysis of your observations. This can be
particularly helpful as you gather additional
information or insights during your research.
Illustrations
This does not refer to an artistic endeavor but,
rather, refers to the possible need, for example, to
draw a map of the observation setting or illustrating
objects in relation to people's behavior.
REMEMBER
Please note that techniques of deliberate observation and
data gathering are not innate skills; they are skills that must
be learned and practiced in order to achieve proficiency.
[3]SCIENTIFIC REPORTS are another kind of report.
They are common in all the Sciences and Social Sciences.
These reports use a standard scientific report format
describing methods, results and conclusions to report upon
an empirical investigation. The purpose of a science report
is to clearly communicate your key message about why
your scientific findings are meaningful.
REMEMBER
The scope and style of reports varies
widely. It depends on three key factors: the
report's intended audience, the report's
purpose and the type of
information/subject to be communicated.
Although the exact nature will vary
according to the discipline you are
studying, the general structure is broadly
similar for all disciplines. Now, one good
example of report that you should know
which is commonly used in the field of
hard sciences is referred as Research
Report.
The different parts of the research report include the following:
1. Introductory Phase
2. Review of Literature
3. Research Methodology
4. Body of the Report
5. Conclusion
6. Recommendation
Introductory Phase Introduction is as important as the main
parts of a research report. It contextualizes and sets the tone
and direction of research writing. It is like a road map that
guides you in your research journey. According to Reidman
(2001), it answers the following questions:
● What was I was studying?
● What did we know about this topic before we study?
● And, how this study advance new knowledge or new
ways of understanding?
Research Title
A research title has to get the attention of the readers. In other
words, it must be “catchy.” Being catchy does not mean
sacrificing the main message or idea of your report. Hence,
according to Silverman (2006, 339) choose “a title that catches the
reader’s attention while properly informing them about the main
focus on your research.” Siverman (2006, 206) is suggesting a
“two-part title” containing a stimulating title applying a present
participle signifying action and a subtitle which is more
descriptive. Example: Stimulating title: Have you ever experience
being bullied? Descriptive title: A study on the perception of the
victims of bullying in the primary schools.
Research Abstract A research abstract is a vital component of a report
as it provides the readers with a snap view of what you will expect
from it. The abstract gives a synopsis of the objectives and results of
the report to be described in detailed from in the body of the report.
Silverman (2006) identified what an abstract should contain:
1. research problem
2. significance and value of the problem
3. data and methods utilized
4. main findings
5. implication in the light of other research
A research abstract has a word limit. The
most common word limit is 100. This is a
challenging part of writing a report because
it is difficult to write the many things that
you want to impart in just a few words
List of Contents
A list of contents is a useful component of a report as
it guides the readers to find their way through the
different parts of the report. Hence, the consistency of
the page numbers with the parts of the report is vital.
Inconsistent page numbering would result to the
reader’s confusion.
Introduction
The introduction acquaints the readers with the what, why and
how of the report. According to Murcott (1997, p. 1) as cited in
Silverman (2006), answering the questions below would lead
you to the development of the introduction:
1. What is the research all about?
2. Why have you chosen this topic rather than the other topics?
3. Why are you interested in this topic?
4. How will you undertake the research?
5. What kind of research approach will you utilize?
6. What are your research questions or problems?
Review of Literature
The Review of Related Literature (RRL) provides
study background and environment. The intention of
the RRL is to locate the study in its area of discipline
and reveal its relevance and significance in the
environment. The RRL would indicate if your topic is
building on previous researchers or if it is a new area
of inquiry. The RRL should make one realize that a
study is worth pursuing or not.
According to Silverman (2006), RRL is not a “litany” of all
studies done related to the topic. It is also not an inventory of the
accomplishments of other authors on the same topic nor it is a
map of projects similar to the area of study. Rather, it is an
environmental or disciplinal context that leads one to locate one’s
study. Hence, Silverman (2008) recommends the following
points:
●Focus only on studies that are vital and relevant in defining
your research problem.
●Organize what you say in the form of an argument rather than a
simple description of other studies.
Research Methodology In research, the research process is as
important as the research content. Thus, a research report must
also contain a description of the research strategy. The readers will
be interested in finding how you arrived at a particular study
result. Siverman (2008) pointed out that the readers would be
interested to know the following:
[Link] topic
[Link] (s) you have studied
[Link] methods you have chosen to use
[Link] 12
[Link] you have analyzed the data
This part of the research report is sensitive hence must be dealt with
caution. In order for you to answer questions such as: Is your methodology
appropriate for the research problem? How did you reach that conclusion?
Silverman suggested that to be able to answer methodological questions,
you have to be familiar with and knowledgeable about the following:
● Data you have studied
● How you obtained those data
● What claims you are making about the data
● Methods you have used to gather the data
● Why you have chosen this methods
● How you have analyzed your data
Writing Your Data
The most essential part of the report is writing about the data
collected through your research. There are two important areas of
consideration in the writing up of the data, namely, data analysis,
and data presentation. In the data analysis, there is no right or
wrong way. Creswell (1994, 153) only requires the researcher to:
1.“be comfortable with developing categories and making
comparisons and contrast”
2.“be open to possibilities and see contrary or alternative
explanations for the findings
To assist the researcher in the data analysis,
attention must be given to
(a)sorting information into categories,
(b)formatting the information into a story or
picture,
(c)actual data analysis and write up.
Writing the Conclusion
How do you characterize conclusions?
Conclusion are inferences, deductions, abstraction,
implications, interpretations, general statements, and/or
generalizations based on findings. An example of which
is: “All the teachers were qualified to teach in the high
school but the majority of them were not qualified to
teach science. ” (Khemer, 2009).
Writing The Recommendation
The research recommendation is a part of the
paper where you make suggestions about some
resolutions as a response to the research problem.
It must be consistent part of the conclusion. It
proposes specific solutions connected with the
findings and must be supported by relevant data
and specific data from the findings.
Below are some tips from Teljlingen (2011) on how to write
recommendations:
● “You should not recommend anything that you have not
previously discussed in the discussion. The rule ‘no new material’
in your conclusion is also applicable to your
‘Recommendations.’”
● “Recommendations are not the same as conclusions. Consider
recommendations go one step further than conclusions as
(a)‘something’;
(b)‘someone; and
(c)‘needs to do.’’”
● There may be different levels within your set
recommendations: for (a) academic (i.e., research is
needed into…),
(b) for policy-makers (e,g., data protection act needs to
change to accommodate…); for
(c) practitioners (i.e., managers in local government
need to consider the mental well-being of their staff); or
recommendation for
(d) training/education.
PRACTICE TASKS
If you are reading this now, it means that you have
advanced yourself from the basics of writing report.
This part of the module focus on different activities
that would help strengthen your understanding about
the topic. Your answers from the activities will be
rated based from the below listed rubrics.
Instructions: The key factors of writing report are
identified as to the intended audience, report’s
purpose and type of information/subject to be
communicated. Using the matrix drafted below,
identify the concepts for technical, field and scientific
reports. (You may use extra sheet if necessary
PERFORMANCE TASK
Instructions: Compare and contrast the three (3) types of
report using Venn diagram drafted below. (You may use
extra sheet if necessary)
Audience Purpose Subject

Technical Report

Field Report

Scientific Report
PERFORMANCE TASK
Instructions: How is research report different
from laboratory report? Discuss your answer
using the space provided.
(You may use extra sheet if necessary) You will
be rated based from the given rubrics.
A. TRUE OR FALSE
Instructions: Carefully read through the following
statement/s. Write the word TRUE if the statement is
correct, otherwise, FALSE. Write your answer on the
space provided. (You may use another sheet of paper
if necessary)
__________ 1. Report is written in a single
narrative style from start to finish, each
section of a report has its own purpose and
will need to be written in an appropriate style
to suit.
__________ 2. The purpose of a scientific
report is to clearly communicate your key
message about why your scientific findings
are meaningful.
__________ 3. Laboratory reports are assigned with
the intention of improving your understanding of
key theoretical concepts by applying methods of
careful and structured observation of and reflection
about, people, places, or phenomena existing in their
natural settings.
__________ 4. Technical writing is a form of
writing technical communication or documentation
in science and technology or applied science that
helps people understand a product or service
__________ 5. The main purpose of technical
writing is to inform and to trigger the person into
action such as purchasing a product or service. Its
purpose may also be instruct persuade, but never to
entertain.
__________ 6. The research abstract provides study
background and environment. The intention of the
research abstract is to locate the study in its area of
discipline and reveal its relevance and significance
in the environment
__________ 7. A research abstract is a vital
component of a report as it provides the readers
with a snap view of what you will expect from
it.
__________ 8. Field reports facilitate the
development of data collection techniques and
observation skills and they help you to
understand how theory applies to real world
situations.
__________ 9. Field reports use a standard
scientific report format describing methods,
results and conclusions to report upon an
empirical investigation.
__________ 10. Field reports require the
student to analyze his or her observations of
phenomena or events in the real world in light
of theories studied in the course.
ASSIGNMENT
Below is an example of report lifted from
[Link]
_AssessmentTasks/assess_tuts/reports_L
L/[Link]. Go over the link and read through
the said report and answer the given questions.