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Analytical Reports

Component

Score

Professional Value

·         The problems addressed are of importance to the success of an IT organization, directly or indirectly, and the reader learns why.

·         The reader learns key findings about what is known of the root causes of the problems.

·         Potential solutions to the problems are presented and evaluated for effectiveness and possible side-effects.

·         A set of recommended solutions is proposed.

·         How these solutions might best be accomplished is put forth.

·         The resulting paper has sufficient value to be published.

·         The resulting paper has sufficient content to be valued – usually between 4 and 8 pages.

15

Title Page

·         Include the title of the report.

·         Provide full identification of authority for report (the person for whom the report was prepared).

·         Provide full identification of preparer of the report.

·         Provide the report completion date.

·         Assure an attractive layout.

3

·         Use appropriate title(s) for page(s) (e.g., Contents or Figures).

·         Use indentation to indicate the heading degrees used in the report.

·         List numerous figures separately.

·         Center the entire contents outline horizontally. Allow 1½ top margin.

3

Executive Summary

·         Use a one-word title (Executive Summary, Abstract, Synopsis).

·         Condense the major sections of the report.

·         Use effective, generalized statements that avoid detail available in the report. Tell what was done, how it was done, and what conclusions were reached.

5

·         The rules of proper English grammar, spelling, and punctuation are followed.

·         The words are chosen to have appropriate meaning.

·         Other rules of effective expression, as given for example in the ADMG 385 reference book, are adhered to.

15

·         Include headings that are descriptive of the contents of the sections; use talking headings appropriately.

·         Maintain consistency in the placement of headings of the same level.

·         Use parallel construction in headings at the same level.

·         Use picture-frame layout and proper margins for all pages.

·         Number pages appropriately.

15

Graphic/Tabular Support

·         Number figures consecutively.

·         Give each graphic a descriptive title.

·         Introduce each graphic within the text that precedes it.

·         Place each graphic as close to the textual reference as possible; analysis is more than repetition of ideas that can be seen in the graphic.

·         Use adequate graphic support to clarify information.

25

Introduction

·         Provides a clear statement of the problem/purpose.

·         Describe the scope or limits of the study.

·         Gives the method of research, with justification.

·         Include a definition of terms section, if necessary.

Report of Findings

·         Question each statement for its contribution to the solution of the problem. Is each statement either descriptive or evaluative?

·         Reduce large, unwieldy numbers to understandable ones through common language, such as units, percentages, or ratios.

·         Use objective reporting style rather than persuasive language; avoid emotional terms. Identify assumptions and opinions. Avoid unwarranted judgments and inference.

·         Tabulate or enumerate when it will simplify the reading or add emphasis.

·         Use primary and/or secondary data appropriately.

Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations

·         State briefly the major information in the findings section.

·         State conclusions carefully and clearly and assure that they are a logical out­growth of findings.

·         Assure that recommendations grow naturally from conclusions.

Citations/Referencing

Citations

·         Include a citation (in-text reference, footnote, or endnote) for material used from another source.

·         Adhere to an acceptable authoritative style or company policy.

·         Present consistent citations, including adequate information for readers to locate the source in the reference list.

References List

·         Include an entry in the reference list for every reference cited in the text.

·         Include more information than might be necessary in cases of doubt about what to include in an entry.

·         Present in alphabetic sequence by author’s surname.

15

Appendix

·         Include items that are useful but not important enough to be in the body of the report (e.g., cover letter for survey instrument, maps, explanations of formulas used, etc.).

·         Label each item beginning with Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.

·         Identified each item with an appropriate title.