need to do any of 3 topics.
Business report structure – key elements 1. Executive summary (summary with specifics!) 2. Introduction (context/overview & objective) 3. Methods (how did you get your information & how did you process it? Sometimes part of introduction) 4. Results/Findings (what your research has uncovered) 5. Discussion (your analysis of/reflections on results/findings) 6. Conclusion (incl. recommendations, if any) 7. References (if applicable) 8. Appendices (relevant information not included in the main body) Executive summary: · Located at the front of the report · Intended to summarise the whole report · Must include specifics so as to be useful · Intended to give a meaningful overview so that the reader does not have to read the rest of the report to understand the gist of it · This section is usually written last, as it summarises all the other sections of the report Possible Executive summary format [you must use this for your assessment]: “The main objective of this report is to… [Objective]. The data on which this report is based was obtained from… (Method). The main findings of the report are… [Results]. The report suggests that…. [Discussion] … and concludes/recommends that…. “[Conclusion/recommendations] Introduction: · Must include some background or context (“Big picture” overview) · Must include the report’s objective · Can include brief description of report structure, scope (what is included & excluded) and limitations · Can include research methodology (if there is no separate section covering this) · Can include recommendations/suggested solution (if there is no Executive summary) An example: [Background or context - necessary] “New psychotherapists often find it difficult to understand the opportunities available in their chosen industry; this report will make it easier for them to feel confident looking for work. [Objective, scope and limitations - necessary] The aim of this report is to describe the professional field of psychotherapy: its background, size and the job opportunities it offers in Australia. While the fields of counselling and psychology are different to psychotherapy, they are related to - and compete with - it and some comparisons will be made between the three vocational areas. [Report structure - optional] The report consists of sections focusing on the industry history, key facts, growth forecasts, jobs available and qualifications needed.” Methods In this section we briefly describe how and where you obtained the information for the report. Did you use primary or secondary sources of data? Did you collect quantitative or qualitative data? How did you collect the information (surveys, focus groups, online research)? What kind of questions (open, closed, multiple choice etc.) questions did you ask? How many? How did you process the collected information? Was the process anonymous? The purpose of this section is twofold: (a) to allow the reader to assess the validity and relevance of the information used for the report and thus the report’s credibility; and (b) to allow the research process to be re-created in the future if necessary and thus allow comparison of like with like. An example: “The report is based partly on (a) data obtained from three secondary online sources – specifically, data collated and published by the Psychotherapists and Counsellors Federation of Australia (PACFA), Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and Australian Psychological Association (APA); and partly on (b) a series of six semi-structured qualitative interviews of practicing psychotherapists from different backgrounds. For the questions used in the interviews, refer to Appendix A. All data has been de-identified to ensure anonymity.” Results/Findings [Choose and use one only] · Here is where you summarise the results of your research/investigation · In short reports this is usually one section made up of 2-4 paragraphs, in longer reports it can consist of a number of sub-sections with headings · Do not analyse the information in this section – simply report it · Can include tables and graphs as a way to summarise a lot of information in an efficient manner · Make sure the graphs are preceded by written text and are clearly titled An example: In relation to their education, research has shown that 18% of psychotherapists have a first degree in psychology (specializing in science, research and statistics) and after that obtained further qualifications specializing in a particular psychotherapeutic modality (specializing in emotional healing); while almost 52% obtained general counselling training before completing specialized psychotherapeutic training. Approximately 22% of psychotherapists obtained qualifications specialising in a psychotherapeutic modality at the beginning of their career without completing any other prior qualifications. As regards psychotherapists’ personal development, 62% (as opposed to 18% of psychologists and 34% of counsellors) completed at least some personal psychotherapy. The average age of a psychotherapist is 44 years of age while that of a psychologists is 31 years of age and that of counsellors is 36 years of age. Discussion · This is where you analyse your Results/Findings · Here, you set out your personal views, speculations, reflections, evaluations and predictions: What do you think the Results/Findings mean or suggest? What relationships, patterns or trends have you identified? · Specific focus of the Discussion will depend on the report’s purpose and audience · The Discussion could also highlight limitations of the report and propose further future research · Do not introduce new facts here, simply reflect on the content of Results/Findings… An example: The results suggest a number of possible differences between psychotherapists and psychologists. The most common educational pathway is to be trained as a counsellor before completing further training. It is far less likely for psychotherapists to first complete a psychology degree. This may indicate that psychotherapists generally value the humanistic more than the scientific. The research also supports the view that psychotherapists have more life experience and are more willing to work on developing their self-awareness than psychologists. This could be because psychologists’ training focusses on science and statistics while psychotherapeutic training focusses on developing an understanding of human emotional functioning and disorders, which might make psychotherapists more appreciative of the need to understand their own emotional make-up. It could also be that a higher percentage of psychotherapists have been emotionally wounded than psychologists. This area needs investigating in the future. Conclusion & recommendations · Reflecting on your Results/Findings and your Discussion, what does it all mean for the subject of your report? For the future? What do you see as the way forward? · Can include proposed solutions and/or recommendations re: specific actions to be taken and/or further research to be carried out · Often a “mirror reflection” of the introduction, but the conclusion goes deeper… it includes what you have discovered and where your thinking has taken you – it summarises the fruits of both your research and reflections An example: It is safe to conclude that there will be a continuing need for psychotherapists in the foreseeable future. While psychologists have the benefit of public and insurance company acceptance, their training is simply not adequate for treating a significant percentage of clients. Similarly, counsellors lack sufficient training to provide in-depth treatment of highly traumatized and maladapted clients. Psychotherapists generally combine in-depth training, extensive life experience and on average a higher level of personal awareness than either counsellors or psychologists. To maximise their career success, it is recommended that psychotherapists consider completing a psychology degree to ensure mainstream acceptance. Harvard style referencing As you are undoubtedly aware from your university studies, referencing is an essential part of research. Two types of citations are needed when preparing a report such as the one you are preparing in this module: In-text citations are used when directly quoting or paraphrasing a source. They are located in the body of the work (i.e.: the report) and contain a fragment of the full citation.
Depending on the source type, some Harvard Reference in-text citations may look something like this:
"After that I lived like a young rajah in all the capitals of Europe…" (Fitzgerald, 2004). Reference lists are located at the end of the work and display full citations for sources used in the assignment.
Here is an example of a full citation for a book found in a Harvard Reference list:
Fitzgerald, F. (2004). The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner. For guidance on how to fully reference various kinds of sources, refer to the Harvard referencing guidelines uploaded in Moodle. When citing a website “in-text”, use the following structure: The in-text citation includes the name of the author or authoring body, editor or compiler and the date on which the page of document was created or last updated: (Author Surname, Year); i.e.: (Beard, 2021) When citing a website in your report’s Reference list, use the following structure: When author is known: Last name, First initial (Year published). Page title. [online] Website name. Available at: URL [Accessed Day Mo. Year]. Example: Messer, L. (2015). 'Fancy Nancy' Optioned by Disney Junior. [online] ABC News. Available at: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/fancy-nancy-optioned-disney-junior-2017/story?id=29942496#.VRWbWJwmbs0.twitter [Accessed 31 Mar. 2015]. When author is not known: Website name, (Year published). Page title. [online] Available at: URL [Accessed Day Mo. Year]. Example: Mms.com, (2015). M&M'S Official Website. [online] Available at: http://www.mms.com/ [Accessed 20 Apr. 2015]. Avoiding plagiarism Direct quotes Direct quotes are excerpts taken from a source and quoted exactly, i.e.: without any change or being paraphrased. When using direct quotes in your work, make sure you observe the following requirements. Direct quotes: · MUST be enclosed in “quotation marks” · Must be referenced, including a page number where the direct quote is taken from · Should NOT account for more than 15% of the total word count Paraphrasing · Summarising someone else’s ideas in your own words – must be referenced, but quotation marks are not used · There is no explicit limit as to what percentage of your writing is allowed to be based on others’ ideas, though you must make sure to credit the original author of ideas and knowledge where you have used the same Assessment 1: Business report You have been tasked by your manager to prepare a report for a client, XYZ Pty. Ltd. (manufacturer of disability products such as wheelchairs, walking frames etc.), providing advice based on research from at least three different sources related to an area that is of operational and/or strategic interest for the client. Your advice should be shaped by an overarching focus on helping the client to optimize its operational efficiency and profitability. You must: 1. Follow exactly the report format introduced today 2. Follow the writing and style guide for the assessment 3. Complete and use a report plan (uploaded on Moodle) to help you write the report 4. Write the report on one of the topics listed in one of the following three options: Option A Review existing policies of other organisations and make recommendations as to the optimal design & content of one of the following policies to your client: 1. Information Communication Technology policy 2. Staff Professional Development policy 3. Diversity/EEO policy 4. Anti-bullying policy 5. WHS policy OR Option B Describe key elements of, and make recommendations