As you've read in chapters 7 and 8, reports exist to solve a variety of problems. Of the types of reports described in these chapters, completion reports, scientific reports, and feasibility studies are those most relevant to the term project in our class.
Completion Reports
As its name implies, a completion report is written when a research project has come to an end. The objectives, plan of work, and other items laid out in the proposal have been completed, and the final task is to write up the results of the project. Since most research is done at the request of an organization or individual authorizing the work, the completion report responds to an implicit or explicit request for information. It explains how the plan of work was carried out and what conclusions and recommendations can be drawn from the project.
Your report can address either an academic or a nonacademic audience. See chapter 7 for specifics about addressing a nonacademic audience.
Among the parts customarily included in a completion report designed for an academic audience are the following. Parts listed in parentheses need not be included in your report for this class.
| General Audience (p. 228) | Academic Audience (p. 259) |
| Separate from the document | Separate from the document |
| Letter of transmittal | Letter of transmittal |
| (Cover) | (Cover) |
| Title Page. See p. 238 for one example | Title Page. See p. 259 for one example |
| (Acknowledgments) | (Acknowledgments) |
| Complete document | Complete document |
| Executive Summary | Abstract |
| Table of Contents | Table of Contents |
| Introduction: Purpose, Scope or Limitations, and Background | Introduction: Purpose, Scope or Limitations, and Background |
| Analysis and Discussion | Analysis and Discussion
|
| Conclusions | Summary and Conclusion |
| Recommendations | -- |
| Works Cited | Works Cited |
| Appendixes (optional, depending on your topic) | Appendixes (optional, depending on your topic) |
Scientific Reports
Scientific reports vary enough by discipline that you should become familiar with specific examples in your field, although general guidelines for reports will hold true. See p. 311.
Feasibility Reports (see p. 289)
Feasibility reports differ somewhat from completion reports in that they may lead more directly to action through their Recommendations section. These reports typically investigate the preliminary aspects of a project in order to determine whether further study is warranted. The structure will often resemble that of a completion report, although forecasting the recommendations in the introduction and executive summary is important.
Because feasibility studies examine evidence, reach conclusions, and make recommendations, they should consider all likely outcomes relevant to the project. Distinguishing between the discussion, conclusions, and recommendations sections is important.