Trip/Research Report
General Description
Reports can come in many kinds of formats--memo, organization-specific form, letter, or even a short email. They also serve different kinds of purposes:
- information reports provide data for the reader (such as status or summary)
- analytical reports interpret the data but do not necessarily recommend a course of action
- recommendation reports offer a suggested course of action
Regardless of the form or purpose, writing a report requires that you perform five tasks:
- Define the problem/situation - what is the context and current situation that you are researching and writing about?
- Do the research and gather information - how will you gather the information that you need?
- Interpret the information - what does the information indicate about the subject you are analyzing and what responses does the information suggest?
- Organize the information - what is the best way to present the information?
- Produce the final report - who needs to see this report? Is there a deadline?
In writing any report, careful planning before you begin will help you accomplish these five steps.
Reports are important documents because they are often the primary tool that people in organizations use to make decisions--as you are writing a report, imagine how it will be used by the people who will read it.
This assignment asks you to write a trip or research report to your instructor to provide an overview of the research you have been conducting for your project proposal. The report should provide information regarding
- the letter of inquiry that you sent,
- your interactions (or planned meetings) with research contacts,
- your "research question" (i.e., the primary issue that you are investigating, with background on the issue and its significance),
- summaries and interpretations of that research,
- what ideas you have or are working through in terms of your project based on this research,
- what you expect your next steps will be.
This information report will be part of the preliminary research that you conduct in formulating a proposal for work on your major project. The questions you ask and the information you gain may significantly influence the direction that your project takes, so think carefully about how this assignment can help you focus in on a topic that is of significance for you.
Required Documents for this Assignment
- project assessment memo
- trip/research report (typical length: 3-5 pages, report format)
Resources
Hubbel, Pamela. "Business Reports." Clarement Graduate Univesrity Writing Center Student Resources. http://writecenter.cgu.edu/students/busrpt.html
Business Correspondence Resources (Resource Index)