Study Tips: Report writing 1 June 2012 REPORT WRITING: PROCESS A report is a document that investigates a topic or issue. It often recommends action to solve a problem and usually makes recommendations. 1. 1. 1. 1. Analyse the Analyse the Analyse the Analyse the tasktasktasktask • Identify the purpose and the audience. • The purpose statement contains words like ‘The aim of this research is to investigate/analyse/ …’ • The audience is the person who has commissioned the research e.g. client or manager • Be clear about what the task is––it might help to rephrase the task as a question. • Decide on the sections of the report. (See the sample headings over page. You may not need all these headings or you may create your own. If you are not sure what the report requires, speak to your lecturer.) 2. Brainstorm2. Brainstorm2. Brainstorm2. Brainstorm • Bring all your ideas together on one page to: • identify what you already know • identify any gaps and the focus of your research • give you the beginnings of a plan. • Mindmaps are very useful at this stage. (See Study Tip on mindmapping for more information.) 3. Start your r3. Start your r3. Start your r3. Start your researchesearchesearchesearch • Make notes on the reading—use recommended texts and library material first. • If required, conduct any tests, surveys or other research tasks. Make notes on findings. • Organise your material into headings and topics. • Look for ways to structure the sections of the report in order to integrate your results and research. • Record all bibliographic details of texts and websites to save time, ensure accuracy and avoid plagiarism. 4. 4. 4. 4. Plan the Plan the Plan the Plan the reportreportreportreport • Organise the information—make headings and connections. Your plan should include: • findings—main points with headings to indicate the topic • discussion points—their relationship to the findings • references • brief outline of the introduction and conclusion. • A diagram or mindmap is useful here too. 5. Continue your research5. Continue your research5. Continue your research5. Continue your research • This is focused research, providing evidence from research to expand on the main points. • Use efficient reading strategies to locate the information you need. • Use search terms from your earlier research to locate precise information and evidence in databases. 6. 6. 6. 6. WriteWriteWriteWrite • Write up your findings section first and then your discussion. Review your plan and decide on a logical order for your points and evidence. Give each point a heading. • Then write the other sections: conclusion, recommendations, methodology (if applicable) and the introduction. • Remember: a paragraph must contain one main idea—stated in the topic sentence. Other sentences explain, support and give evidence from research and/or examples. Refer to diagrams etc. in the pa.

1. Study Tips: Report writing 1 June 2012
REPORT WRITING: PROCESS
A report is a document that investigates a topic or issue. It often
recommends action to solve a problem
and usually makes recommendations.
1. 1. 1. 1. Analyse the Analyse the Analyse the Analyse the
tasktasktasktask
• Identify the purpose and the audience.
• The purpose statement contains words like ‘The aim of this
research is to investigate/analyse/ …’
• The audience is the person who has commissioned the research
e.g. client or manager
• Be clear about what the task is––it might help to rephrase the
task as a question.
• Decide on the sections of the report. (See the sample headings
over page. You may not need all these
headings or you may create your own. If you are not sure what
the report requires, speak to your lecturer.)
2. Brainstorm2. Brainstorm2. Brainstorm2. Brainstorm
• Bring all your ideas together on one page to:
• identify what you already know

2. • identify any gaps and the focus of your research
• give you the beginnings of a plan.
• Mindmaps are very useful at this stage. (See Study Tip on
mindmapping for more information.)
3. Start your r3. Start your r3. Start your r3. Start your
researchesearchesearchesearch
• Make notes on the reading—use recommended texts and
library material first.
• If required, conduct any tests, surveys or other research tasks.
Make notes on findings.
• Organise your material into headings and topics.
• Look for ways to structure the sections of the report in order
to integrate your results and research.
• Record all bibliographic details of texts and websites to save
time, ensure accuracy and avoid plagiarism.
4. 4. 4. 4. Plan the Plan the Plan the Plan the
reportreportreportreport
• Organise the information—make headings and connections.
Your plan should include:
• findings—main points with headings to indicate the topic
• discussion points—their relationship to the findings
• references
• brief outline of the introduction and conclusion.

3. • A diagram or mindmap is useful here too.
5. Continue your research5. Continue your research5. Continue
your research5. Continue your research
• This is focused research, providing evidence from research to
expand on the main points.
• Use efficient reading strategies to locate the information you
need.
• Use search terms from your earlier research to locate precise
information and evidence in databases.
6. 6. 6. 6. WriteWriteWriteWrite
• Write up your findings section first and then your discussion.
Review your plan and decide on a logical
order for your points and evidence. Give each point a heading.
• Then write the other sections: conclusion, recommendations,
methodology (if applicable) and the
introduction.
• Remember: a paragraph must contain one main idea—stated in
the topic sentence. Other sentences
explain, support and give evidence from research and/or
examples. Refer to diagrams etc. in the
paragraphs. Expect to write several drafts.
• Reference carefully. You must always acknowledge your
source—whether quoting directly or paraphrasing
(content rewritten in your own words). (See Study Tip on
paraphrasing.)
7. 7. 7. 7. EditEditEditEdit

4. • Is it clear, concise, complete, coherent and correct?
• Focus on logic and coherence first. Then proof read for
spelling, punctuation and grammar errors.
• Finally check the layout, table of contents, references, title
page, headers and footers, etc.
Study Tips: Report writing 2 June 2012
SECTIONS OF A REPORT
Note: Note: Note: Note: Additional headings and sub-headings
to those listed below are content based, specific to the report.
Headings and sub-headings need to be in heading styles in order
to create a table of contents.
SectionSectionSectionSection ContentContentContentContent
Title pageTitle pageTitle pageTitle page
Title: states the purpose of the report
Details of the person(s) for whom the report was prepared
Details of the person(s) who prepared the report (student name
and ID)
Due date
Table of contentsTable of contentsTable of contentsTable of
contents

5. Shows the sections of the report
Created automatically if headings are in the correct heading
styles
ExecutivExecutivExecutivExecutive summary/ abstract e
summary/ abstract e summary/ abstract e summary/ abstract
Gives a summary of the whole report
Outlines: purpose, research method, findings, main conclusions
and
recommendations
The reader/audience can easily identify what, how, why
Written last
IntroductionIntroductionIntroductionIntroduction
Outlines purpose, context, background and rationale
Defines terms and sets limits of the research
Identifies the existing situation and refers to relevant literature
Although presented first, can be written later
MethodologyMethodologyMethodologyMethodology
Explains how research was conducted, and outlines how the data
was
collected and analysed
Results/FindingsResults/FindingsResults/FindingsResults/Findi

6. ngs
(may be combined with discussion)
Presents findings of the research in paragraphs
Facts only – no interpretation
Uses graphic forms (e.g. tables and graphs) with captions
Contains headings and sub-headings
DDDDiscussioniscussioniscussioniscussion
Presents an interpretation and evaluation of the results
Analyses results – draws together different aspects of the
findings,
findings of other studies and refers to the literature
ConclusionConclusionConclusionConclusion
(may be combined with recommendations)
Brief statement of what was found. (No new information)
RecommendationsRecommendationsRecommendationsRecomme
ndations Suggests suitable changes/solutions
AppendixAppendixAppendixAppendix Attachments of
additional information (e.g. surveys, questionnaires,
detailed statistics, a glossary etc.)
References References References References Full

7. bibliographic details of all references used in the report
BUSM3201 HRM TASK 2 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Format:
The essay should be up to 3000 words exclusive of appendices
and references
The assessment task is:
According to Bratton and Gold (2012), human resource
management (HRM) emphasises the need for human resource
(HR) plans and strategies to be formulated within the context of
overall organisational strategies and objectives, and to be
responsive to the changing nature of an organisation’s internal
and external environment. When an organisation is mapping out
its future needs, critically examine the importance of HRM in
terms of workforce planning, strategic planning, managing
talent, and recruitment and selection. (Preferably focus study on
one organisation).
Submission
Submission should be made electronically through the 'Turnitin
submission' item inside this folder (click on the folder name
above).
Student feedback (see Assessment sheet inside this folder)
The assessment of your assignment will be based on the
following criteria and will be provided on the form referred to
above:
Assessment Criteria:
· Key issues relating to the topic question have been developed
· Original and clear arguments presented
· Logical and convincing discussion
· Ideas and assertions substantiated through use of high quality
reference material and key academic perspectives/views used to
develop arguments
· Appropriate Harvard style referencing (in-text and list of
references)

8. · Essays should be no longer than 3000 words, exclusive of
appendices, references, etc. Students are required to undertake
research to locate academic references using online databases
(eg. EBSCO, Proquest, Emerald, Science Direct etc) and need to
use at least twelve (12) current peer-reviewed academic
references.
· Clear and comprehensive written style (spelling, grammar,
syntax etc.)
Student/Group Name/s:
Assessment Criteria
1. Key issues relating to the question have been identified and
addressed
Does the student demonstrate a clear understanding of: (a) the
overall role and importance of Human Resource Management
(HRM) within an organisation, (b) the need for human resource
(HR) plans and strategies to be formulated within the context of
overall organisational strategies and objectives, and to be
responsive to the changing nature of an organisation’s internal
and external environment? And (c) does the student clearly
critically examine the importance of HRM in terms of
workforce planning, strategic planning, managing talent, and
recruitment and selection?
/10 Marks
2. Original and clear arguments presented & logical and
convincing discussion
Does the student advance a logical and well-constructed
argument when discussing key issues identified in the essay
question? Does the student demonstrate additional research
beyond the course material and textbook through citing at least
twelve (12) current, relevant, peer-reviewed journal articles?

9. /10Marks
3. Ideas and assertions substantiated through use of high
quality reference material cited in the Harvard style (in-text and
list of references at the end)
Does the student provide adequate, relevant and current peer-
reviewed references to support her/his assertions? Does the
student strictly follow the RMIT Referencing Guide (i.e., the
Harvard Referencing Style)?
/5marks
4. The essay should use clear expression, proper spelling,
grammar and punctuation.
Does the student follow the appropriate essay format (as
outlined in the RMIT Referencing Guide)? Does the student
ensure that the essay is written with no spelling, grammar and
punctuation errors?
Note: A 3000-word limit has been set for this assignment. A
10% leeway on either side of the word limit will be accepted.
Word count will be measured from the first word of the
introduction to last word of the conclusion and include in-text
references. Not included in the word count are the abstract,
table of contents page and reference list.
/5 Marks
TOTAL MARKS
/30 MARKS