Short guide to writing an HE-level Business report

1. www.derby.ac.uk
Writing a Business Report

2. Business Report Structure
 Title page
 Executive summary
 Table of contents
 Introduction
 Method (brief and sometimes not included in business reports)
 Results/findings
 Discussion
 Conclusion
 Recommendations
 References
 Appendices
http://www.derby.ac.uk/studyskills/

3. Title Page
 First Impression
 Clear format
 Gives information
required
http://www.derby.ac.uk/studyskills/

4. Executive summary
 Key problem
 Objective of the report
 Main findings and conclusions
 Crucial recommendations
http://www.derby.ac.uk/studyskills/

5. Table of contents
 Easy to read
 Leads the audience to the correct
information
http://www.derby.ac.uk/studyskills/

6. Introduction
 Describe what you have been asked to investigate
 Why is it important?
 Who is your audience?
 What is the purpose?
 What research is out there already?
 How are you going to carry out your investigation?
 What are you going to write in your report?
http://www.derby.ac.uk/studyskills/

7. Method
 How did you collect your data?
 Qualitative or quantitative?
 Describe your method
 Refer to appendices (for example with a questionnaire)
http://www.derby.ac.uk/studyskills/

8. Results
 Present your results in the same order collected
 Not all data can be presented – what is most relevant to
your brief?
 Describe in words
 Present in one format e.g. graphs, tables or diagrams
http://www.derby.ac.uk/studyskills/

9. Discussion
 Interpret your findings
 Offer explanations
 Provide evidence
http://www.derby.ac.uk/studyskills/
Language
This seems to support…
It appears that…
This may be due to…
Research suggests …
Prior studies have noted…
The results show/indicate …
… can be compared to ….
Previous
research

10. Conclusion – so what? Recommendations
 What do my findings show?
 Are there any limitations in
the research?
 What does this mean for my
readers?
http://www.derby.ac.uk/studyskills/
 Suggest actions that should
be taken as a result of your
investigation
 What can be done with the
findings?

11. References
 In text
According to Bell (2010, p. 23), the most important part of the research
process is ...
Burton (2012) provided information for…
 Reference page
Bell, J. (2010). Doing your research project, 5th ed. Maidenhead: Open
University Press.
Burton, P.A. (2012). Castles of Spain. Available at:
http://www.castlesofspain.co.uk, [Accessed 14 October 2012].
http://www.derby.ac.uk/studyskills/

12. Appendices
Additional information that would disrupt the reader if included
in the main report, but is useful to understand context
 Questionnaires
 Data
 Interview transcripts
 Observation notes
http://www.derby.ac.uk/studyskills/

13. Where can I get further help?
Course Resources
Sections on each area students ask for support in
Study Skills webpages
www.derby.ac.uk/studyskills
Study Advisor Scheme
Study Skills Office, Kedleston Road Library
01332 591369
studyadvisors@derby.ac.uk
http://www.derby.ac.uk/studyskills/