Recommendation Report

1. Writing Formal Reports The Recommendation Report Adapted a presentation from http://www.ais.msstate.edu/AEE/

2. Objectives Define recommendation reports. Describe the elements in a recommendation report. Write recommendation reports.

3. Definition Analyze a problem, determine the best solution, and then recommend the best solution(s), if any. Present data, draw conclusions from the data Make recommendations based on the data and conclusions.

4. Must, at Minimum, have An introduction Background to problem Explanation of Method Data and visuals An Evaluation of the data A summary of the data A conclusion(s) drawn from the data Recommendations based upon the data and the conclusions

5. Sections in a Recommendation Report Front Matter Body Back Matter

6. Possible Elements in a Recommendation Report Front Matter Letter of transmittal Cover Title page Abstract Executive Summary Table of contents List of illustrations

7. Elements in a Recommendation Report Body Introduction Methods section Results section Conclusion(s) Recommendation(s)

8. Elements in a Recommendation Report Back matter Glossary List of Symbols (if any) Appendices Reference list Index

9. Transmittal Letter Explains the purpose and content of the report Precedes the title page Acknowledges those who helped with the Report (if any) Highlights parts of the report that may be of special interest Discuss any problems Offer any personal observations

10. Cover Purpose is to protect the contents of the report Presents the Title Writer’s name Date of submission Company’s name and/or logo

11. From http ://www.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-080207-048.pdf

12. Title page Provides the Title Author(s ) Intended recipients Date the report was submitted Make the title as descriptive as possible

13. Abstract Condensed version of the writing that highlights the major points covered Concisely describes the content and scope of the writing Reviews the contents in an abbreviated form Abstracts can be descriptive or informative

14. Descriptive Abstract Provides Purpose Methods Scope Dose not provide Results Conclusions Recommendations Introduces the subject to the readers Brief (< 100 words)

15. Informative Abstracts Communicate specific information from the report Purpose Methods Scope Results Conclusions Recommendations Allow readers to decide whether they need to read the entire report Brief (no longer than 250 words)

16. Executive Summary Reviews the essential points of a report Subject Purpose Scope Methods Conclusions Recommendations Provides the reader with enough information to make an informed decision Usually 10% of the length of the report

17. Table of contents List of headings along with the page numbers Helps readers to find what they want and see the overall organization and approach of the report

18. List of Illustrations Illustrations along with page numbers Two categories List of figures List of tables

19. http://www.rrcc.edu/english/samplereport.html#Introduction

20. BODY Introduction Methods Results or Discussion Conclusion Recommendations

21. BODY: Introduction A discussion of the subject, purpose, organization and scope Strategies Concisely identify the subject Identify the aim/purpose – Tell why the report was written : why they should read the report; what benefits it will have for them Identify how the report is organized and the approach

22. Introduction Give the major sections of the report and the order in which they will be covered Give the scope and limitations of the report

23. Methods Tells what you did Tells how your research was set up and why

24. Results or Discussion Key data that were found or created Analysis of that data Must be organized and objective

25. Conclusion A concise interpretation of the facts that are covered in the body of the report Covers only what the data the body of the report will support There should be no conclusions drawn that are not derived from or built from the data in the body

26. Conclusion Must stand on its own Does not include Equations Tables Figures References Appendixes Undefined symbols Any new information

27. Recommendations Actions to be taken based on the conclusions of the report

28. Glossary & List of Symbols Glossary- alphabetical listing of key terms in the report The definitions are given in complete sentences with appropriate citations List of Symbols & Abbreviations Use standard symbols Do not create your own

29. Appendixes Additional material that is useful but not essential to understanding the body of the report Usability test plan Interview questions, etc. Presents the data from which some conclusions were drawn and recommendations made Notes taken during usability test Questionnaires filled out (if any) etc.

30. References List of sources Use the recommended style For this report APA but it may differ in the workplace

31. Index Contains more detail than the table of contents Gives specifics along with page numbers May or may not be used; depends on the requirements by client Usually for reports which are hundreds of pages long