Three types of technical project types

Slide 1

Today we are going to talk about the three types of reports from which you can choose for your final project in this course: empirical research report, feasibility report or a technical manual.

Slide 2 - Similarities

Though the three projects differ in significant ways, there are some similarities:

All three have front matter, body/content, back matter, they all have a specific purpose/audience, all use concise, clear language, and all have a title page. Now let's look at each type on its own.

Slide 3- Empirical - front matter

An empirical research report reflects primary research you do on your own. Because of time constraints, you will not likely be able to begin the experiment and write the report in the same semester. You should select something you have already completed or at least is in progress.

Your title should clearly and concisely indicate what your study is about. The method employed might be indicated in the title (e.g., "A Content Analysis of Situation Comedies in Prime Time"). You must have a 250-word, double-spaced abstract that clearly summarizes the purpose of your study, your methodology, and your results/findings. You probably know from researching other people's work
that an abstract is very useful. If you are seeking information on a certain topic, the abstract lets you know if this is a report you want to read in its entirety.

Slide 4 - body of Empirical

The body of your paper will be approximately 10 to 12 pages.

The introduction should range from three to four double-spaced pages. In the introduction, you will explain why your project is worth doing and place the study in the context of pervious research and theory. You should cite and discuss about six research/theory articles and describe how your story would build on the finding of previous studies. The end will state your hypothesis. The method section should explain precisely how you tested your hypothesis .This often includes participants or samples, design and procedures. The procedures section will include a description of everything you did to collect your data.

In the results section you should tell the reader what you have learned. You report the results of your statistical analysis. Was your hypothesis confirmed? Interpret your results for your reader. In the discussion section, talk about the potential applications of your results. Also, discuss theoretical implications.

Slide 5 -Empirical - back matter

You should have a page titled references, in which you will list the articles and books you have cited in the introduction and discussion. These references should be in a style appropriate to your field.

Slide 6 - feasibility front matter

Now let's talk about the format for a feasibility study. A feasibility study examines whether something new should be implemented - whether it is a product or procedure. You should include a table of contents that lists headings and subheadings exactly as they are found in the report body; Include a list of tables and a list of figures/illustrations. Next, you will have a two-page executive summary that clearly states the problem you are addressing, summarizes the solution(s) you are proposing, summarizes the plan you wish to replace (if you are replacing a current plan), and summarizes the evidence that supports your solution(s). This is a complete wrap-up of your report findings, including your recommendations and conclusions.

Slide 7 - Body of feasibility

The body of your paper should be about 8 to 10 double-spaced pages, with around six sources. Here you will describe the problem you are fixing with your advocated plan. Describe the advocated plan in sufficient detail that a reader will have a good grasp of what you are proposing. Introduce current knowledge about the plan you are advocating. Has it worked elsewhere? How has it been implemented? Discuss your method of analysis. How did you test the feasibility of your proposal? Provide your feasibility criteria. That is, how did you decide if the proposal was feasible? Be sure to discuss technological feasibility, economic practicality, social desirability, and ecological soundness. Discuss the conclusions you have drawn from your feasibility analysis. Will the plan work? Make recommendations based on your conclusions.

Slide 8 - feasibility back matter

You should have a page titled references, in which you will list the articles and books you have cited in your report. These references should be in a style appropriate to your field. You should provide an appendix containing detailed discussions of all criteria used in judging feasibility and examples of each criterion.

Slide 9 - tech manual front matter

OK, let's move on to the technical manual. Include a table of contents that lists chapter titles, headings, and subheadings exactly as they are found in the manual body. Use Roman numerals for front matter. Also, you should include a list of tables and a list of figures/illustrations.

Slide 10 - tech report body

The body of your manual will be about 8 to 10 double-spaced pages. As with any project, you write until you are finished, but don't include more than is necessary. Your manual either will present a how-to guide to technical activities (e.g., how to flush a house waste line to prevent methane build-up) or be a user's manual that describes a technical product and how to use it (e.g., a user's guide to a  software package). You should include your credentials for doing the manual and tell what audience you are trying to reach. What level of expertise is expected to use the manual effectively. The first chapter introduces the process you are describing and its importance.  In following chapters, logically outline the process. You may use graphics to help clarify instructions.

Slide 11 - tech manual back matter

In the back matter of your manual, you should have a page titled references, in which you will list the articles and books you have used to write your manual. This will include both written materials you have consulted and the names, titles, and phone numbers of people you have interviewed/consulted for information. These references should be in a style appropriate to your field. In addition to a references page, you will provide an index to topics that users are likely to want information about (be sure to include most of the topics labeled by headings and subheadings). Also, provide a glossary of basic terms-those terms that are essential to understanding the process or product. As you can see, there are some similarities between the three types of reports - title page that clearly identifies the topic, etc., but each has unique characteristics particularly to the type of writing you are doing, the purpose of the document and the audience you are trying to reach.

Talk about which one of the three final technical paper types appeals to you and explain why.

You can get some information from the attach file.