Preparing to write reports
- 1. Jan-20 1Gauge CapabilityPreparing to write reports
- 2. Jan-20 2Gauge Capability How do you prepare for effective reports • Understanding the brief • Identifying your theoretical framework • Gathering your material • Organising your material • Analysing the material
- 3. Jan-20 3Gauge Capability Understand your brief • The report brief provides the instructions for the work. It should include: • The purpose: What is the purpose of the report? • Audience: Who will read the report? How will it be used? • Key questions: What are the key questions the report should address? • Data and information: What data and information should be used to answer these questions? Is this available? • Parameters: What are the key parameters for the report such as time frames, budget etc? https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185919
- 4. Jan-20 4Gauge Capability Identify your theoretical/reference framework • A theoretical framework consists of standards, definitions, theories and methodologies used in the field of the report. • This strengthens the reports by: • Connecting the report to existing knowledge and provides the basis for your choice of methodology. • Providing a statement of theoretical assumptions that enable these to be evaluated critically. • Articulating theoretical assumptions enabling reports to move from simply describing data to analysing and discussing this with reference to a wider field. https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185919
- 5. Jan-20 5Gauge Capability Examples of theoretical/reference frameworks https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185919 Field Examples Municipal strategic development National Development Plan Policy on municipal systems. Disability The Social Model of Disability. Carbon emissions reporting Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Corporate sustainability performance reporting Global Reporting Initiative. Energy efficiency in buildings South African of Bureau of Standards SANS 204. Green building performance Green building rating systems.
- 6. Jan-20 6Gauge Capability Gathering your material Type of report Material Examples Report evaluating the sustainability performance of different house types. Theoretical framework Green building rating system Sustainable building research papers industry reports, Journal articles Energy, water, efficiency benchmarks targets Project documentation Project brief, site plans, building plans, specifications Site information Site plans, climatic data, Field data Logged energy, water and temperature data Occupant comfort surveys Indoor environmental quality surveys
- 7. Jan-20 7Gauge Capability Analysing your material • Review key questions that need to be addressed by the report then, analyse your material and ask: • Do you have sufficient material? • Is it of the right amount and quality to meet required standards? • Are there gaps or anomalies in the data? • If it is insufficient, or if there are gaps, can this be addressed? • Present the data clearly (tables, graphs) • Standardise / format for comparability / analysis • Analyse data for patterns and compare to benchmarks • Review data in terms of theoretical framework • What are initial trends, issues?
- 8. Jan-20 8Gauge Capability For more information and to access the full online course on effective reports go to www.gaugecapability.co.za