Unformatted Attachment Preview
1. Structure
Title
Define a short, significant title which reflects clearly the contents of your report.
Title Page
The following information is always included: report title, who the report was prepared
for, who the report was prepared by, and the date of submission. This is not a numbered
page of the report.
Abstract
Brief abstract of less than one page. This include a summary of the whole report including
important features, results and conclusions. This is not a numbered page of the report
Acknowledgements
Thank the people who have helped to successfully complete your project, like project
partners, tutors, etc. This is not a numbered page of the report
Table of content
The table of content lists all chapters (headings/subheadings) including page number. This is
not a numbered page of the report
Introduction
Explain why this work is important giving a general introduction to the subject, list the
basic knowledge needed and outline the purpose of the report.
1
Background and results to date
List relevant work by others, or preliminary results you have achieved with a detailed
and accurate explanation and interpretation. Include relevant photographs, figures or
tables to illustrate the text. This section should frame the research questions that your
subsequent research will address.
Goal
List the main question(s) you want to answer. Explain whether your work will
provide a definitive answer or simply contribute towards an answer.
Methodology
Explain the methods and techniques which will be used for your project depending on
the subject: field work, laboratory work, modeling technique, interdisciplinary
collaboration, data type, data acquisition, infrastructure, software, etc.
The sections which make up the body of the report (Procedure and Results)
Divided into numbered and headed sections. These sections separate the different main ideas
in a logical order
Discussion
Explain your results. Discuss the results and interpretation in light of the validity and
accuracy of the data, methods and theories as well as any connections to other people’s
work. Explain where your research methodology could fail and what a negative result
implies for your research question.
2
Conclusion
In this final section of the body of the report, you should briefly bring everything together. It
is similar to the abstract except that now the results are concluded upon in a quantitative way.
Therefore, the conclusion should be a concise description of the report including its purpose and
most important results providing specific quantitative information. The conclusion should not
contain figures or make reference to them. As with the abstract, the reader should be able to read
this section on its own which means that there should be no specific technical jargon,
abbreviations, or acronyms used.
Recommendations
Simply, what could be done next?
Reference & Literature (Bibliography)
List papers and publication you have already cited in your report or which you have
collected for further reading. The references should be arranged alphabetically
Appendix (if appropriate)
Any further material which is essential for full understanding of your report. Add pictures,
tables, large scale diagrams, computer code, raw data, specifications or other elements
which are relevant, but that might distract from the main flow of the proposal
3
2.
Report Layout
The appearance of the report is no less important than its content. An attractive, clearly
organized report stands a better chance of being read. Use a standard, 12pt, font, Times New
Roman, for the main text. Use different font sizes, bold, italic and underline where
appropriate but not to excess.
The following guidelines are recommended
Script
The report must be printed single sided on white A4 paper, with font “12”pt,
Times New Roman, 1.5 Line spacing
Margins
All four margins must be at least 2.54 cm
Page
Do not number the title, summary or contents pages. Number all other pages
numbers
consecutively starting at 1
4
3. Diagrams, graphs, tables and mathematics
It is often the case that technical information is most concisely and clearly conveyed by
means other than words. Imagine how you would describe an electrical circuit layout using
words rather than a circuit diagram. Here are some simple guidelines;
Diagrams
Graphs
Keep them simple. Draw them specifically for the report. Put small diagrams after the
text reference and as close as possible to it. Place large diagrams in separate pages
Should be clear with full information
Is a table the best way to present your information? Consider graphs, bar charts or pie
charts. Dependent tables (small) can be placed within the text, even as part of a
Tables
sentence. Independent tables (larger) are separated from the text with table numbers
and captions. Position them as close as possible to the text reference. Complicated
tables should go in an appendix.
Only use mathematics where it is the most efficient way to convey the information.
Mathematics
Longer mathematical arguments, if they are really necessary, should go into an
appendix. You will be provided with lecture handouts on the correct layout for
mathematics.
4. Headings
Use heading and sub-headings to break up the text and to guide the reader. They should be
based on the logical sequence which you identified at the planning stage but with enough
sub-headings to break up the material into manageable chunks. The use of numbering and
type size and style can clarify the structure as follows;
3 Methods of Decision Making
3.1 Decision making under certainty
3.2 Decision making under uncertainty
3.2.1 Maximin
3.2.2 Maximax
5
5. References to diagrams, graphs, tables and equations
a. In the main text you must always refer to any diagram, graph or table which you use.
b. Label diagrams and graphs as follows;
Figure 1.2 Graph of energy output as a function of wave height.
In this example, the second diagram in section 1 would be referred to by "...see figure
1.2..."
c. Label tables in a similar fashion;
Table 3.1 Performance specifications of a range of ……..
In this example, the first table in section 3 might be referred to by "...with reference to
the performance specifications provided in Table 3.1..."
d. Number equations as follows;
F(dB) = 10*log10(F)
(3.6)
In this example, the sixth equation in section 3 might be referred to by "...as given by
eqn (3.6)..."
6. References style
a. In the main text you must always refer to any reference you used in your report.
b. Write your reference in the Text as follows:
In 2009, Abdel-Karim …….., Ohno and Abdel-Karim (2000) discussed ……
……….., as discussed by Khan et al (2007).
c. Arrange your references at the end Alphabetically according to Author Family
Name As:
i. Abdel-Karim M., 2009. Modified kinematic hardening rules for
simulations of ratchetting. International Journal of Plasticity, 25,
1560–1587.
ii. Khan, A.S., Chen, X., Abdel-Karim, M., 2007. Cyclic multiaxial and
shear finite deformation response of OFHC: Part I, experimental results.
6
International Journal of Plasticity 23, 1285–1306.
7
iii. Ohno, N., Abdel-Karim M., 2000. Uniaxial ratchetting of 316FR steel
at room temperature, Part II – Constitutive modeling and simulation.
ASME Journal of Engineering Materials and Technology, 22, 35-41.
7. The Summary
The summary, with the title, should indicate the scope of the report and give the main
results and conclusions. It must be intelligible without the rest of the report. Many people
may read, and refer to, a report summary but only a few may read the full report, as often
happens in a professional organization.
a. Purpose - a short version of the report and a guide to the report.
b. Length - short, typically not more than 100-300 words
c. Content - provide information, not just a description of the report.
8