Report Writing Standard for B.C. Conservation Foundation Projects

Provided for:  Deborah Gibson, Executive Director, B.C.C.F., Surrey, B.C.

Provided by:  John D. Merriman, MEd, Contractor, Nanaimo, B.C.

Date:  September 21, 2006

These guidelines will assist project leaders and supervisors to:

• Write project reports with a consistent format, similar section titles and content that is appropriate for each section.
• Present project results, data and analysis in an organized manner that is appropriate to the project goals.
• Write in a clear, concise manner, using correct sentence structure and sound technical report writing methods
• Use an accepted scientific style to cite references
• Incorporate and connect tables and figures in the report
• Provide project data and analysis to the correct agency in order to fulfill project deliverables
• Establish a plan for reporting project results before starting a project. Based on project objectives, organize what data and data forms will be required for the project. This will help to ensure that data gathering is focused, efficient and useful.

What you will find on this site and how to use it

These reporting standards are presented in four parts

Part 1 – Report Format   

This part provides an outline with the title and brief description of the contents for each section of the standard report.

Part 2 – Presenting Results/Data 

In this part, you will find hints about presenting the results of your field project. Examples are used to illustrate the right amount of detail to present in your report. You will also read examples of data analysis and discussion about where to send original field data, based on which agencies are contracting out the project to the BCCF. How to present, list and incorporate figures and tables in your report, is also included.

Part 3 – Citing Literature Sources 

While several different citation styles exist, a common “name – year” system for technical writing is provided, with examples. How to cite single or multiple authors, in text and in reference lists, is illustrated.

Part 4 – Technical Report Writing Practices 

Here you will find four sections to help with sound technical writing skills:

• Writing Resources
• Using a planning checklist
• Sentence structure and Grammar
• Spelling and Proof Reading for Accuracy