Writing Engineering Reports Presentation Transcript:
1.Writing Engineering Reports
2.Overview
This presentation will cover:
Report purpose and planning
Report format and organization
Headings and language
Visual design
Source documentation
Finishing touches
3.Report Purpose
Describe research
Explain problem or issue studied
Discuss research method
Describe data collected
Describe research findings
Explain implications
4.Inform readers of research results precisely, concisely, and specifically
They shouldn’t have to read whole report to get essential points
5.Report Planning
Before writing, consider:
Why you are writing
What you hope to achieve
Who you are writing for
6.Report Format and Organization
Reports generally include these sections in this order:
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Methodology
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
7.Report Format and Organization
But be aware that order is flexible in that sections can be combined
Some journals combine introduction and literature review
Others have the results and discussion combined
8.Abstract
Always comes first
Microcosm of entire paper – contains key info from each section
Contains essential information only – it is brief!
Covers research highlights
Gives the research problem and/or main objective of the research
Indicates the methodology used
Presents the main findings and conclusions
9.A nonlinear finite element procedure for the pre- and postbuckling analysis of
thin-walled box-section beam-columns is presented. The influence of local plate
buckling upon the overall ultimate buckling behavior of the member is
incorporated in the analysis by adopting a set of modified-stress – versus – strain
curves for axially loaded plates. Factors such as residual stresses, associated
with hot-rolled and cold-formed sections, and initial geometrical imperfections are
Accounted for in the analysis. A number of examples are presented to
demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the method.
From “Elasto-Plastic Analysis of Box-Beam-Columns Including Local Buckling
Effects” in Journal of Structural Engineering.
10.Background/Introduction
Explains the research problem and its context
Explains importance of the problem (Why does it matter? Why is more information needed?)
Explains reason and goals for study
Explains the limitations of the research performed
11.Literature Review
Summarizes and evaluates the literature that you have used in your study by considering:
How that literature has contributed to your area of research
The strengths and weaknesses of previous studies How that literature informs your own research and understanding of the research problem
12.Methodology
Explains how data was gathered/generated
Explains how data was analyzed
Assumes reader understands material
Does not include explanatory material
Is in past tense and passive voice
“A 1” piece of coil was cut”
The research has been carried out
It is the research, and not your activities, that are of interest
13.Results
Visually and textually represents research findings
Visual representation of results:
Graphs, tables, diagrams, charts
Explanatory text:
Text points out the most significant portions of research findings
Indicates key trends or relationships
Highlights expected and/or unexpected findings
14.Discussion
Assesses and comments on research results
Includes:
Explanation for Results
Comments on unexpected results, offering hypothesis for them
Comparison to literature
Does your research confirm previous studies? Deviate from them?
Explanation for how info can be applied in broader context
15.Summary
Discusses:
What was learned through research
What remains to be learned
Weaknesses and shortcomings of study
Strengths of study
Possible applications of study (how it can be used)
Recommendations
Source: Power Point Presentations
1.Writing Engineering Reports
2.Overview
This presentation will cover:
Report purpose and planning
Report format and organization
Headings and language
Visual design
Source documentation
Finishing touches
3.Report Purpose
Describe research
Explain problem or issue studied
Discuss research method
Describe data collected
Describe research findings
Explain implications
4.Inform readers of research results precisely, concisely, and specifically
They shouldn’t have to read whole report to get essential points
5.Report Planning
Before writing, consider:
Why you are writing
What you hope to achieve
Who you are writing for
6.Report Format and Organization
Reports generally include these sections in this order:
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Methodology
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
7.Report Format and Organization
But be aware that order is flexible in that sections can be combined
Some journals combine introduction and literature review
Others have the results and discussion combined
8.Abstract
Always comes first
Microcosm of entire paper – contains key info from each section
Contains essential information only – it is brief!
Covers research highlights
Gives the research problem and/or main objective of the research
Indicates the methodology used
Presents the main findings and conclusions
9.A nonlinear finite element procedure for the pre- and postbuckling analysis of
thin-walled box-section beam-columns is presented. The influence of local plate
buckling upon the overall ultimate buckling behavior of the member is
incorporated in the analysis by adopting a set of modified-stress – versus – strain
curves for axially loaded plates. Factors such as residual stresses, associated
with hot-rolled and cold-formed sections, and initial geometrical imperfections are
Accounted for in the analysis. A number of examples are presented to
demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the method.
From “Elasto-Plastic Analysis of Box-Beam-Columns Including Local Buckling
Effects” in Journal of Structural Engineering.
10.Background/Introduction
Explains the research problem and its context
Explains importance of the problem (Why does it matter? Why is more information needed?)
Explains reason and goals for study
Explains the limitations of the research performed
11.Literature Review
Summarizes and evaluates the literature that you have used in your study by considering:
How that literature has contributed to your area of research
The strengths and weaknesses of previous studies How that literature informs your own research and understanding of the research problem
12.Methodology
Explains how data was gathered/generated
Explains how data was analyzed
Assumes reader understands material
Does not include explanatory material
Is in past tense and passive voice
“A 1” piece of coil was cut”
The research has been carried out
It is the research, and not your activities, that are of interest
13.Results
Visually and textually represents research findings
Visual representation of results:
Graphs, tables, diagrams, charts
Explanatory text:
Text points out the most significant portions of research findings
Indicates key trends or relationships
Highlights expected and/or unexpected findings
14.Discussion
Assesses and comments on research results
Includes:
Explanation for Results
Comments on unexpected results, offering hypothesis for them
Comparison to literature
Does your research confirm previous studies? Deviate from them?
Explanation for how info can be applied in broader context
15.Summary
Discusses:
What was learned through research
What remains to be learned
Weaknesses and shortcomings of study
Strengths of study
Possible applications of study (how it can be used)
Recommendations
Source: Power Point Presentations
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