Selecting a topic

Formulating a work plan

Collecting data through surveys and interviews

Composing a rough draft

Writing a proposal and tentative bibliography

Writing a progress report

Preparing a final report

Giving a presentation

Work plans are often written in the form of memos written by you, the researcher. Work plans include:

A statement of the problem

An analysis of the audience

A statement of the purpose of the report

A description of the research methodology

Background information necessary for the audience’s understanding

A review of planned areas of research

A brief bibliography (a minimum of 10 varied sources, current and timely)

To begin this process of collecting primary data, determine the purpose of the survey/questionnaire. That is, what is the hypothesis and what types of data do you need to prove the hypothesis? Interview people who have the information related to the report topic. Also, remember the audience for whom you are preparing the report—written and oral (instructor and classmates). Who is your intended audience besides these two audiences? Determine their needs and concerns. Are you undertaking these report for another audience such as an administrator, manager, supervisor?

In this assignment, provide a rough draft consisting only of the introduction, body, and conclusions and/or recommendations. In the introduction describe the problem, the purpose, the methodology used for research, and any background information necessary. In the body section, describe and analyze the results of the research. Don’t worry about formatting at this stage. Formatting elements are important but don’t focus heavily on mechanics at this stage. Concentrate on the report content.

The progress report should be a one page memo explaining what has been accomplished, what is currently happening, and what needs to be completed. Progress reports accomplish the following:

They provide information about the involvement of the researcher(s)

They give researchers an opportunity to fine-tune the whole process

They prepare researchers for ongoing evaluation during the report process and for self-assessment at report completion.

The purpose of progress reports in the business world is to give managers the information they need to make vital decisions. Progress reports are the equivalent of employee evaluations, which are expected to include both negative and positive assessments.

This section should include the following parts:

Preliminary Section:

Professional looking cover

Title page

Table of contents

List of tables, illustrations (if more than 3 are provided)

Synopsis (executive summary, abstract)

Letter of transmittal

Report Body:

Chapter 1--Introduction

Introduction (statement of the problem, purpose of the report, scope and limitiations, methodology, background/historical information)

Chapter 2—Body of the report (Findings)

Research findings (documented and clearly cited. Remember, one expert does not warrant an analytical report. Use multiple sources which are clearly cited.)

Chapter 3—Terminal Section of the report

Summary of the findings, conclusions, and/or recommendations

Supplementary Section:

Appendixes (copy of the survey, handouts used in the presentation, visual aids not appropriate for inclusion in the body of the report, and so on)

Bibliography ( a minimum of 10 sources from a variety of sources. Two articles from the same source will only count as one source. Strong research is conducted by exploring a multitude of sources and attempting to give all sides of an issue.

*The final report will be graded based upon an established set of criteria to be posted at a later date.