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Writing a Business Report

Business Report Structure

Title page Executive summary Table of contents Introduction Method (brief and sometimes not included in business reports) Results/findings Discussion Conclusion Recommendations References Appendices

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Title Page

First Impression

Clear format

Gives informationrequired

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Executive summary

Key problem

Objective of the report

Main findings and conclusions

Crucial recommendations

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Table of contents

Easy to read

Leads the audience to the correct information

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Introduction

Describe what you have been asked to investigate

Why is it important? Who is your audience?

What is the purpose?

What research is out there already?

How are you going to carry out your investigation?

What are you going to write in your report?

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Method

How did you collect your data? Qualitative or quantitative?

Describe your method

Refer to appendices (for example with a questionnaire)

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Results

Present your results in the same order collected

Not all data can be presented – what is most relevant to your brief?

Describe in words

Present in one format e.g. graphs, tables or diagrams

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Discussion

Interpret your findings

Offer explanations

Provide evidence

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Language

This seems to support…

It appears that…

This may be due to…

Research suggests …

Prior studies have noted…

The results show/indicate …

… can be compared to ….

Previous research

Conclusion – so what?Recommendations

What do my findings show?

Are there any limitations in the research?

What does this mean for my readers?

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Suggest actions that should be taken as a result of your investigation

What can be done with the findings?

References

In text

According to Bell (2010, p. 23), the most important part of the research process is ...

Burton (2012) provided information for…

Reference page

Bell, J. (2010). Doing your research project, 5th ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Burton, P.A. (2012). Castles of Spain. Available at: http://www.castlesofspain.co.uk, [Accessed 14 October 2012].

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Appendices

Additional information that would disrupt the reader if included in the main report, but is useful to understand context

Questionnaires

Data

Interview transcripts

Observation notes

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Where can I get further help?

Course ResourcesSections on each area students ask for support in

Study Skills webpageswww.derby.ac.uk/studyskills

Study Advisor SchemeStudy Skills Office, Kedleston Road Library

01332 591369studyadvisors@derby.ac.uk

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