The Layout of your Report

Below is a (very strong) suggestion for the layout and structure of your assessment 1 report,
which will be in effect a ‘project plan’.

1) Introduction:

1.1 Report aims

This report aims to….

Introduction to the topic area you have chosen.

1.2 Topic Area

Background information on the topic you have chosen.

State the reason you have chosen this topic area in this section of the text.

State what it is you hope to find out (not the actual research question, that comes later)

Why will the results and conclusions be useful (ie justify your project).

2) Literature Review

Introduction to your literature review

2.1 Source 1 (title of source)

Summary of your first source. Include a summary of the nature of the research under
review, the results and conclusions, how it compares in style to the project you are
undertaking.

Criticise it if you can.

2.2 Source 2 (title of source)

See instructions above for your first source.

2.3 Source 3 (title of source)

See instructions above for your first source.

2.4 Source 4 (title of source)

See instructions above for your first source.

2.5 Contrasts and Comparisons

Compare and contrast the nature of the four projects you have reviewed, pointing out
similarities to your own project

3) The Approach to be taken by the current Project

3.1 State your research question

3.2 Hypothesis

What do you expect the results will show and why? Explain in detail.

3.4 Research Methodology

Explain in detail how you are going to carry out the research. Will you use primary or
secondary research techniques or both? Why?

3.5 Project time-line

A project timeline is a tool that helps the reader understand the project schedule from the
starting point to the finish. Put in chronological order all the tasks and events from start to
finish, covering 12 weeks after the submission of the research proposal, for example from
13th of May to 15th of August.

References

A reference list covering the four sources you have reviewed and any other reading you
have done which has contributed to your project so far.

Resource Review

Your report must contain information from at least four different sources that you have
evaluated using the literature review grid below (Resource review form). This needs to be
placed after the reference list.
Source Review:

Source (and type of source) How reliable is this source? Is it primary or

secondary material?