When an organisation is mapping out its future needs, critically examine the importance of HRM in terms of workforce planning, strategic planning, managing talent, and recruitment and selection. (Preferably focus study on one organisation).

Study Tips: Report writing 1 June 2012

REPORT WRITING: PROCESS A report is a document that investigates a topic or issue. It often recommends action to solve a problem

and usually makes recommendations.

1. 1. 1. 1. Analyse the Analyse the Analyse the Analyse the tasktasktasktask • Identify the purpose and the audience.

• The purpose statement contains words like ‘The aim of this research is to investigate/analyse/ …’

• The audience is the person who has commissioned the research e.g. client or manager

• Be clear about what the task is––it might help to rephrase the task as a question.

• Decide on the sections of the report. (See the sample headings over page. You may not need all these headings or you may create your own. If you are not sure what the report requires, speak to your lecturer.)

2. Brainstorm2. Brainstorm2. Brainstorm2. Brainstorm • Bring all your ideas together on one page to:

• identify what you already know

• identify any gaps and the focus of your research

• give you the beginnings of a plan.

• Mindmaps are very useful at this stage. (See Study Tip on mindmapping for more information.)

3. Start your r3. Start your r3. Start your r3. Start your researchesearchesearchesearch • Make notes on the reading—use recommended texts and library material first.

• If required, conduct any tests, surveys or other research tasks. Make notes on findings.

• Organise your material into headings and topics.

• Look for ways to structure the sections of the report in order to integrate your results and research.

• Record all bibliographic details of texts and websites to save time, ensure accuracy and avoid plagiarism.

4. 4. 4. 4. Plan the Plan the Plan the Plan the reportreportreportreport • Organise the information—make headings and connections. Your plan should include:

• findings—main points with headings to indicate the topic

• discussion points—their relationship to the findings

• references

• brief outline of the introduction and conclusion.

• A diagram or mindmap is useful here too.

5. Continue your research5. Continue your research5. Continue your research5. Continue your research • This is focused research, providing evidence from research to expand on the main points.

• Use efficient reading strategies to locate the information you need.

• Use search terms from your earlier research to locate precise information and evidence in databases.

6. 6. 6. 6. WriteWriteWriteWrite • Write up your findings section first and then your discussion. Review your plan and decide on a logical

order for your points and evidence. Give each point a heading.

• Then write the other sections: conclusion, recommendations, methodology (if applicable) and the introduction.

• Remember: a paragraph must contain one main idea—stated in the topic sentence. Other sentences explain, support and give evidence from research and/or examples. Refer to diagrams etc. in the

paragraphs. Expect to write several drafts.

• Reference carefully. You must always acknowledge your source—whether quoting directly or paraphrasing (content rewritten in your own words). (See Study Tip on paraphrasing.)

7. 7. 7. 7. EditEditEditEdit • Is it clear, concise, complete, coherent and correct?

• Focus on logic and coherence first. Then proof read for spelling, punctuation and grammar errors.

• Finally check the layout, table of contents, references, title page, headers and footers, etc.

Study Tips: Report writing 2 June 2012

SECTIONS OF A REPORT

Note: Note: Note: Note: Additional headings and sub-headings to those listed below are content based, specific to the report.

Headings and sub-headings need to be in heading styles in order to create a table of contents.

SectionSectionSectionSection ContentContentContentContent

Title pageTitle pageTitle pageTitle page

Title: states the purpose of the report

Details of the person(s) for whom the report was prepared

Details of the person(s) who prepared the report (student name and ID)

Due date

Table of contentsTable of contentsTable of contentsTable of contents Shows the sections of the report

Created automatically if headings are in the correct heading styles

ExecutivExecutivExecutivExecutive summary/ abstract e summary/ abstract e summary/ abstract e summary/ abstract

Gives a summary of the whole report

Outlines: purpose, research method, findings, main conclusions and

recommendations

The reader/audience can easily identify what, how, why

Written last

IntroductionIntroductionIntroductionIntroduction

Outlines purpose, context, background and rationale

Defines terms and sets limits of the research

Identifies the existing situation and refers to relevant literature

Although presented first, can be written later

MethodologyMethodologyMethodologyMethodology Explains how research was conducted, and outlines how the data was

collected and analysed

Results/FindingsResults/FindingsResults/FindingsResults/Findings

(may be combined with discussion)

Presents findings of the research in paragraphs

Facts only – no interpretation

Uses graphic forms (e.g. tables and graphs) with captions

Contains headings and sub-headings

DDDDiscussioniscussioniscussioniscussion

Presents an interpretation and evaluation of the results

Analyses results – draws together different aspects of the findings,

findings of other studies and refers to the literature

ConclusionConclusionConclusionConclusion

(may be combined with recommendations)

Brief statement of what was found. (No new information)

RecommendationsRecommendationsRecommendationsRecommendations Suggests suitable changes/solutions

AppendixAppendixAppendixAppendix Attachments of additional information (e.g. surveys, questionnaires,

detailed statistics, a glossary etc.)

References References References References Full bibliographic details of all references used in the report