WritingEngineeringReports-OWL.ppt

Writing Engineering Reports Purdue Writing Lab Overview This presentation will cover: Report purpose and planning Report format and organization Headings and language Visual design Source documentation Finishing touches Report Purpose Describe research Explain problem or issue studied Discuss research method Describe data collected Describe research findings Explain implications Report Purpose Inform readers of research results precisely, concisely, and specifically They shouldn’t have to read whole report to get essential points Report Planning Before writing, consider: Why you are writing What you hope to achieve Who you are writing for Report Format and Organization Reports generally include these sections in this order: Abstract Introduction Literature Review Methodology Results Discussion Conclusion Report Format and Organization But be aware that order is flexible in that sections can be combined Some journals combine introduction and literature review Others have the results and discussion combined Report Format and Organization Abstract Always comes first Microcosm of entire paper – contains key info from each section Contains essential information only – it is brief! Covers research highlights Gives the research problem and/or main objective of the research Indicates the methodology used Presents the main findings and conclusions Report Format and Organization Abstract Example: Report Format and Organization Background/Introduction Explains the research problem and its context Explains importance of the problem (Why does it matter? Why is more information needed?) Explains reason and goals for study Explains the limitations of the research performed Report Format and Organization Literature Review Summarizes and evaluates the literature that you have used in your study by considering: How that literature has contributed to your area of research The strengths and weaknesses of previous studies How that literature informs your own research and u