Hawassa University

Hawassa Institute of Technology

Department of Electrical &
Computer Engineering

Research Methods and Presentation

(ECEG-4341)

Chapter Five: Part A: Reporting Research

Findings
Associated Lesson Concept

Engineers spend a great deal of time writing

technical reports to explain project information
to various audiences.

2
 The Importance of Writing
Engineers perform
technical writing to
communicate
Upper Management
pertinent information Decision
Control
that is needed by
upper management to
Detailed
make intelligent
Knowledge
decisions that will
affect a company’s Project Engineer
future. 3
 The Importance of Writing
• Many engineers spend between 1/3 and 1/2 of
their work time engaged in technical writing.

• Examples include:

• proposals • technical reports

• regulations • progress reports
• manuals • emails
• procedures • memos
• requests

4
Technical Writing
Technical writing is a type of expository writing
that is used to convey information for
technical,education or business purposes.

Technical writing is NOT used to:

• entertain
• create suspense
• invite differing interpretations

5
 Technical Reports
Engineers write technical reports (also called
engineering reports) to communicate technical
information and conclusions about projects to
customers, managers, legal authority figures, other
engineers and other scientific community.

A technical report follows a specific layout and

format as specified by the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI).

6
Layout and Format
Analogy:

Think of the layout and

format of a newspaper.

Stock market information is

found in a specific location
in a newspaper (layout),
and is presented in a table
format.
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 Front Cover

Body(Text)
Title Page

Back Matter
Front Matter
Abstract

Table of Contents

List of Tables and Figures

Summary

Introduction

Methods, Assumptions,
and Procedures

Results and Discussion

Conclusion

References
Technical Report Layout

Appendixes

List of Symbols,
Abbreviations, and Acronyms
8

Back Cover
 Front Matter
The front matter is used to help potential readers
find the report.

Once found, the front matter will help the reader

to quickly decide whether or not the material
contained within the report pertains to what they
are investigating.

9
 Front Matter
1. Cover*
2. Label*
3. Title Page
4. Abstract
5. Table of Contents
6. Lists of Figures and Tables

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*May be an optional element
Front Matter: Cover*
A cover and label are used if
the report is over 10 pages
long.

The cover (front and back)

provides physical protection
for the printed report. Plastic
spiral bindings and thick,
card-stock paper are
recommended.
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*May be an optional element
Front Matter: Label*

A label is placed on the

cover to identify:

• Report title and subtitle

(if a subtitle is
appropriate)
• Author’s name
• Publisher*
• Date of publication

12
*May be an optional element
Front Matter:
Title Page
The title page provides
descriptive information that is
used by organizations that
provide access to information
resources (i.e., library).

A title page duplicates the

information found on the front
cover (if one is used).
13
 Front Matter: Abstract
An abstract (informative style) is a short summary
that provides an overview of the purpose, scope,
and findings contained in the report.

Purpose - identifies the issue, need, or

reason for the investigation

Scope - reviews the main points, extent

and limits of the investigation

Findings - includes condensed conclusions

14
and recommendations
Front Matter: Abstract
• no more than 200 words*
• contains no undefined
symbols, abbreviations,
or acronyms
• makes no reference by
number to any references
or illustrative material

ii

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 Front Matter: Table of Contents
The table of
contents lists the title
and beginning page
number of each major
section within the

report.

iii

16
 Front Matter: List of Figures and
Tables*
A list of figures and
tables helps the
reader to locate
illustrations, drawings,
photographs, graphs,
charts, and tables of
information contained
in the report.

iv

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*May be an optional element
 Text

The text is the part of a technical report in which the

author describes the methods, assumptions, and
procedures; presents and discusses the results;
draws conclusions, and recommends actions
based on the results.

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 Text
• Introduction
• Methods, Assumptions, and Procedures
• Results and Discussion
• Conclusions
• Recommendations*
• References

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*May be an optional element
Text:
Introduction

The Introduction
prepares the reader to
read the main body of
the report.

This page focuses on

the subject, purpose,
and scope of the 3

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Text: Introduction
Subject - defines the topic and associated
terminology; may include theory,
historical background, and its significance

Purpose - indicates the reason for the

investigation, objectives

Scope - indicates the extent and limits of

the investigation
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Text: Methods, Assumptions,
and Procedures
The methods, assumptions, and procedures
used in the investigation are described so the
reader could duplicate the procedures of the
investigation.

Information in this section includes:

• System of measurement

• Types of equipment used and accuracy

• Test methods used

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Text: Methods, Assumptions, and
Procedures
Methods
How did you discover the
problem? What measuring tools
were used? What
measurement system was
used?
Assumptions
What do you think, but cannot
substantiate as fact?

Procedures
4

How did you gain a better

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Text: Results and Discussion

The results and discussion section describes

what you learned about the problem as a result of
your research, identifies the degree of accuracy
related to your findings, and gives the reader your
view of the significance of your findings.

24
 Text: Results and Discussion

Results
explain your findings
with help of graphs or
tables , simulations etc
Discussion
How accurate are your
findings? What is the
significance of the
results of the
6

25
research?
 Text: Conclusion
Restatement of Results
What are the factual
findings that resulted
from your research? What
are you implying as a
result of these findings?

Concluding Remarks
What are your opinions
based on the findings and 9

26
Text: Recommendations*
A section called recommendations is often
included in reports that are the result of tests and
experiments, field trials, specific design problems,
and feasibility studies.

The author may recommend additional areas of

study and suggest a course of action, such as
pursuing an alternate design approach.

27
*May be an optional element
 Text: Recommendations*

Additional Studies
Is there information that still needs to be
learned?

Suggested Actions
What does the author want the reader to do
with the information?

12

28
*May be an optional element
 Text: References
The references section is
the place where the author
cites all of the secondary
research sources’ that were

•used to…
develop an
understanding of the
problem

• support the information

contained in the report 14

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 Back Matter
The back matter supplements and clarifies the
body of the report, makes the body easier to
understand, and shows where additional
information can be found.

30
 Back Matter
• Appendixes*

• Bibliography*

• List of Symbols, Abbreviations, and

Acronyms

*May be an optional element

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Back Matter: Appendixes*
Anything that cannot be left out of a report, but is too
large for the main part of the report and would serve to
distract or interrupt the flow belongs in the
appendixes. Examples include:

• Large tables of data • Detailed explanations

and descriptions of test
• Flowcharts
techniques and
• Mathematical analysis
apparatus
• Large illustrations
• Technical drawings

32
*May be an optional element
 Back Matter: Appendixes*

33
*May be an optional element
 Back Matter: List of Symbols,
Abbreviations, and
Acronyms*

If more than five

symbols,
abbreviations, or
acronyms are used in
the report, they are to be
listed with their
explanation.
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*May be an optional element