Extended Project Qualification: Report Styles and Referencing

During a meeting with Steph on the 16th of October, we went through as a group about how to set about writing our reports. We were shown the mark scheme once again and were given gave about the easiest way of writing our report. After the meeting, I researched the best way for me to personally write my report as well as the best style of referencing to use:

Report Writing;

I researched information about different types of report, to see which style would best suit my report. As much of my EPQ is based around research of a topic, I decided a research report would be best, however due to conducting my own primary research I would incorporate aspects of lab based reports in, like evaluations and methodology. I would put this information in the second half of my report, as I have mainly used my primary research to back up my findings rather than use my researched information to back up my study.

I also learnt that writing style in a report was as key as the style of report written. Many factors like who I’m aiming the report at, what my report is about, and how I am to put my information across can impact my style of writing. However, different parts of the report would require different styles, for example I would be more factual and descriptive when writing about the information I have learnt whereas when evaluating both my research and my sources I would need to be more analytical.

When I write my report I will structure it in an altered IMRD style (introduction, method, results discussion.) However, before my introduction I will write and analyse the information I have found (as well as my survey) before then talking about my primary research due to the nature of my investigation. As well as this, I will include an introduction and a conclusion to my report as well as a bibliography to list my sources.

Sources; http://www.skillsyouneed.com/write/report-writing.html

https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/ScienceReport.html

http://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/get-assistance/writing/specific-types-papers/writing-lab-reports-or-research-reports

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/s3/?id=173

Referencing;

In my report I will have to reference every time I use information I found from one of my sources. If it is a direct quote I will put the information in quotation marks (“ “) and use a reference system, which I will also have to use even if I don’t directly quote the information. Using information from websites without referencing is plagiarism therefore it is a vital part of my report and has to be done correctly.

After research into different types of referencing (eg Harvard, Vancouver etc) I decided the most appropriate type of referencing for my report would be APA (American Psychological Association) referencing mainly due to the fact I am doing a psychological based EPQ.