C L A S S I F I C AT I O N

OF TECHNICAL
R E P O RT S
Objectives:
At the end of the discussion, the class will be able to:

• Define each type of technical reports;

• Distinguish the categories of technical reports; and
• Use different concepts in writing technical reports.
In the workplace, the report plays an important role, whether you are
preparing one for your supervisor, the executive staff, board of directors,
or clients. It may be short and simple, in the form of a memorandum or
email, or it may be more several pages long. Whatever its length, content,
or destinatio is the end result is the same: a report must be informative,
factual, understandable, and neatly presented.
Basic Classifications of Written Report
 Article report

A simple report which aims to inform the masses. This

report focuses on any general interest.
Laboratory report

A comprehensive report written to communicate laboratory

works and observations to the management. It also focuses on
the question, "How did we do it?"
Common Parts of a Laboratory Report
a. Abstract
b. Introduction
c. Procedures
d. Results and Discussion
e. References
f. Conclusion
g. Appendices
Information
report
The main function of this report is based from the title itself, to
inform. This report includes periodic and annual report.
a. Periodic Report

A type of information report written by the employees or

subordinates which they submit daily, weekly or monthly to
their superiors to note information of interest to the
organization to show comparison and tendencies.
b. Annual Report

A type of information report which includes the listing of

activities, projects, and events of an organization during the
whole year round to show progress, financial status, and
general state of affairs. This report can be classified as public
or private.
Special Information
report
Composed of three subcategories which are preliminary report,
progress report and final report.
a. Preliminary Report

A type of special information report that collects information

about a proposed project which includes the costing, designs,
and other elements.
b. Progress Report

A type of special information report that records the history of

an activity from the time it has started up to the present date of
writing.
c. Final Report

A type of special information report submitted after completing

a project to show how plans were delivered.
Research report

A common report which generates data either in a laboratory or

in the field. The contents and organization of this type of report
have a basic logic: you present your data and conclusions, but
also present information on how you went about the
experiment or survey.
The following are the contents of a research report:

a. Introduction
b. Problem
c. Purpose, Objectives and Scope
d. Review of Literature
e. Materials, Equipment and Facilities
f. Theory, Methods and Procedures
g. Results, Findings and Data
h. Discussions, Conclusion and Recommendation
i. Bibliography
Field report

Field report is intended to improve student course through

observation and reflection of real life understanding of key
theoretical concepts of practice.
When writing a field report, you need to consider two things:

a. Systematically observed and accurately record the details

and information of a certain aspect of a situation; constantly
analyze your observation for meaning.
b. keep the report's aims in mind while you are observing,
consciously observe, record and analyze what you hear and see
in the context of a theoretical framework (Glesne & Peshkin,
1992).
Recommendation report

Recommendation Report is written to answer questions which

are somehow critical to decide on. It shows options or choices
so that a good decision can be drafted.
The following elements are the typical content of a
recommendation report:
a. Introduction
b. Technical Background
c. Make Comparisons
d. Critical Requirements
e. Conclusion
f. Recommendations
Incidental report

Incidental Report is written to narrate incidents prior to, during,

and after a situation suddenly occurred. The presentation of
ideas in an incident report is systematically arranged and
organized using appropriate language.
There are things to consider in writing incidental report:

a. The context of the incident

b. Details of the incident
c. Thoughts, feelings and concerns about the incident
d. Demands of the incident
e. Impact of the incident
Accomplishment report

Accomplishment Report is written for the purpose of

presenting the company, organization, or institution's activities
and achievements and to monitor and check if the plans were
successfully carried out.
The following are some steps in writing accomplishment
report:

a. Use the prescribed template of your company;

b. Create table or charts with the following columns; number,
action or activity, initiator person responsible, remarks (target
time, comments);
c. Add risk factor if needed; and
d. Include a list of who will be receiving this report.
THANK YOU!

Prepared by: Shara Mae Lape

Louise Jean Tajanlangit