21-05-2012, 11:30 AM
Writing Engineering Reports
Writing Engineering Reports.ppt (Size: 115.5 KB / Downloads: 200)
Report Purpose
Describe research
Explain problem or issue studied
Discuss research method
Describe data collected
Describe research findings
Explain implications
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
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
Methodology
Explains how data was gathered/generated
Explains how data was analyzed
Assumes reader understands material
Does not include explanatory material
Is in past tense and passive voice
“A 1” piece of coil was cut”
The research has been carried out
It is the research, and not your activities, that are of interest
Discussion
Assesses and comments on research results
Includes:
Explanation for Results
Comments on unexpected results, offering hypothesis for them
Comparison to literature
Does your research confirm previous studies? Deviate from them?
Explanation for how info can be applied in broader context