Technical Report Writing

1. Define and differentiate various types of technical reports.
2. Identify and describe the key components of a technical report.
3. Plan and organize the writing of a technical report effectively.
4. Apply principles of clear and concise scientific writing.
5. Present data effectively using tables and graphs.
6. Cite and arrange references accurately and consistently.
7. Write a manuscript suitable for publication in a scientific journal.

13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1:

   • Unit 1: What is a Technical Report? · 2 hours

     Define technical report.. Identify the nature of technical reports in science and technology.. Understand the purpose and functions of technical reports..

2. Week 2Module 1:

   • Unit 2: Components of a Technical Report · 2 hours

     List and describe the components of a technical report.. Classify the components as preliminary matter, main report, or end matter.. Defend the use or non-use of any component in a technical report..

3. Week 3Module 1:

   • Unit 3: Report Writing in Science and Technology · 2 hours

     Recognize and appraise the importance of sharing and communicating science.. Defend the need to place a premium on the acquisition of effective communication skills.. Explain how doing and writing science are complementary functions..

4. Week 4Module 1:

   • Unit 4: Planning Technical Report Writing · 2 hours

     List the resources needed for writing a technical report.. Describe the envisaged setting for the report.. Organize the components of the report in a logical manner..

5. Week 5Module 1:

   • Unit 5: Selecting and Preparing the Title · 2 hours

     State the difference between a poor (lengthy) title and a good (short) one.. Construct appropriately specific titles for technical reports and scientific papers.. Recognize and apply the importance of syntax in composing titles..

6. Week 6Module 2:

   • Unit 1: Writing the Introduction · 2 hours

     List the basic things to do before writing an introduction.. Understand and appreciate the rules for writing a good introduction.. Apply the rules in writing a good Introduction..

7. Week 7Module 2:

   • Unit 2: Writing the Materials and Methods Section · 2 hours

     Describe accurately the technical specifications and quantities of research materials.. Explain your method(s) of investigation.. Show precisely how you carried out your measurements and analysis..

8. Week 8Module 2:

   • Unit 3: Presenting the Findings/ Results · 2 hours

     Describe what constitutes the content of the Findings/Results section.. Explain how to handle numbers in writing the Findings section.. Distinguish between clarity and brevity in writing the Findings..

9. Week 9Module 2:

   • Unit 4: Writing the Discussion · 2 hours

     Identify and describe the essential features of a good Discussion.. Show clearly the relationships among established facts.. Demonstrate convincingly the significance of the results..

10. Week 10Module 2:

    • Unit 5: Preparing and using Tables · 2 hours

      Recognize when not to use tables in scientific writing.. Organize efficiently and effectively the tabular material.. List and describe the characteristics of a good table..

11. Week 11Module 3:

    • Unit 1: Preparing Effective Graphs · 2 hours

      Decide accurately and consistently when to use graphs in scientific writing.. Use appropriate scales, symbols, and legends in graphs.. Arrange graphs in the text to achieve the desired effect..

12. Week 12Module 3:

    • Unit 2: Citing and Arranging References I · 2 hours

      Recognize and appreciate the main attributes of the citation and reference tradition.. Name and describe the three basic rules of citing the literature of science.. Describe the major characteristics of bibliographic and reference styles..

    • Unit 3: Citing and Arranging References II · 2 hours

      Recall and use the alphabet-number system in citations and references.. Recall and use the citation order system in citations and references.. Name and describe three other aspects of citing and referencing..

13. Week 13Module 3:

    • Unit 4: Writing for Publication in a Scientific Journal · 2 hours

      Define clearly and comprehensively what constitutes a scientific paper.. Distinguish writing a scientific paper from technical report writing.. Explain the significance of good organization in writing a scientific paper..