Writing a Project Report

A Guide for Diploma Students

Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)

By

Azli Nawawi

Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, UTHM

Why do you write a report?

• Explain: In simple words

• Proof of your work

• Project completion

• Guide for future works

Questions

What you did?

Why did it?

How you did it?

What you got?

What that means?

Questions Chapter covered in report

What you did? INTRO

Why did it?

How you did it?

What you got?

What that means?

Questions Chapter covered in report

What you did? INTRO

Why did it? INTRO & LITERATURE REVIEW

How you did it?

What you got?

What that means?

Questions Chapter covered in report

What you did? INTRO

Why did it? INTRO & LITERATURE REVIEW

How you did it? METHODOLOGY

What you got?

What that means?

Questions Chapter covered in report

What you did? INTRO

Why did it? INTRO & LITERATURE REVIEW

How you did it? METHODOLOGY

What you got? RESULT AND DISCUSSION

What that means?

Questions Chapter covered in report

What you did? INTRO

Why did it? INTRO & LITERATURE REVIEW

How you did it? METHODOLOGY

What you got? RESULT AND DISCUSSION

What that means? CONCLUSION

What to include?

• Title

• Acknowledgement

• Abstract

• Content

• Introduction

• Literature Review

• Research Methodology

• Results and Discussion

• Conclusion and Recommendation

• Reference • Appendix

What to include?

• Title

• Acknowledgement

• Abstract

• Content

• Introduction

• Literature Review

• Research Methodology

• Results and Discussion

• Conclusion and Recommendation

• Reference • Appendix

What to include?

• Title

• Acknowledgement

• Abstract

• Content

• Introduction

• Literature Review

• Research Methodology

• Results and Discussion

• Conclusion and Recommendation

• Reference • Appendix

Abstract

• Project background (1-2 sentences)

• What you did? (1-2 sentences)

• Why it is important? (1-2 sentences)

• How did you do it? (1-2 sentences)

• What you got? (1-2 sentences)

• What that means? (1 sentence)

What to include?

• Title

• Acknowledgement

• Abstract

• Content

• Introduction

• Literature Review

• Research Methodology

• Results and Discussion

• Conclusion and Recommendation

• Reference • Appendix

Introduction

• Background of study: Brief intro

• Problem statement: What are the problems?

• Project objectives: Steps to reach goal

• Project scopes: Put some limits

• Significance of project: The benefits of the project

Project Objectives

• Define the goal

• What are the steps needed to reach it?

• Example: Develop a water pump

– To design a water pump

– To evaluate the feasibility of the pump using simulation

– To fabricate the water pump

– To measure the actual performance of the pump

Project Scopes

• Example: Water pump development

– The max pressure is XX bar

– The design is constructed in Solidworks software

– The simulation is completed using Ansys software

• Why?

– To shield you from out-of-scope questions

– Improve the success rate of the project

– Controlled environment

What to include?

• Title

• Acknowledgement

• Abstract

• Content

• Introduction

• Literature Review

• Research Methodology

• Results and Discussion

• Conclusion and Recommendation

• Reference • Appendix

Literature Review

• 2 main sections

–1st: Knowledge, Theories, Models, Trends etc

–2nd: Related works

• Useful to build the methodology

• Put them in a table

• End: Summary

What to include?

• Title

• Acknowledgement

• Abstract

• Content

• Introduction

• Literature Review

• Research Methodology

• Results and Discussion

• Conclusion and Recommendation

• Reference • Appendix

Research Methodology

• Present the model from related works

• Present your model (research design)

• Flowchart • Explain the

important steps in the flowchart

• End: Summary

What to include?

• Title

• Acknowledgement

• Abstract

• Content

• Introduction

• Literature Review

• Research Methodology

• Results and Discussion

• Conclusion and

Recommendation

• Reference • Appendix

Results & Discussion

• Key: Project objectives

• Present the results that fulfill the objectives

• Discussion:

– Explain the results

– Identify trends (if any)

• End: Summary

What to include?

• Title

• Acknowledgement

• Abstract

• Content

• Introduction

• Literature Review

• Research Methodology

• Results and Discussion

• Conclusion and Recommendation

• Reference • Appendix

Conclusion and Recommendation

• Do your project fulfills the objectives?

• Compilation of summaries from previous chapters

• Any new things to be tried in the future? Recommendation for future works

The report format

1 Abstract

2 Introduction

3 Literature Review

4 Research Methodology

5 Results and Discussion

6 Conclusion and Recommendation

The report format The actual flow

1 Abstract Literature Review

2 Introduction

3 Literature Review

4 Research Methodology

5 Results and Discussion

6 Conclusion and Recommendation

The report format The actual flow

1 Abstract Literature Review

2 Introduction Research Methodology

3 Literature Review

4 Research Methodology

5 Results and Discussion

6 Conclusion and Recommendation

The report format The actual flow

1 Abstract Literature Review

2 Introduction Research Methodology

3 Literature Review Results and Discussion

4 Research Methodology

5 Results and Discussion

6 Conclusion and Recommendation

The report format The actual flow

1 Abstract Literature Review

2 Introduction Research Methodology

3 Literature Review Results and Discussion

4 Research Methodology Conclusion and Recommendation

5 Results and Discussion

6 Conclusion and Recommendation

The report format The actual flow

1 Abstract Literature Review

2 Introduction Research Methodology

3 Literature Review Results and Discussion

4 Research Methodology Conclusion and Recommendation

5 Results and Discussion Introduction

6 Conclusion and Recommendation

The report format The actual flow

1 Abstract Literature Review

2 Introduction Research Methodology

3 Literature Review Results and Discussion

4 Research Methodology Conclusion and Recommendation

5 Results and Discussion Introduction

6 Conclusion and Recommendation

Abstract

Tips

• 3 levels of writing process

• Cornell method

• UTHM Thesis Writing Guide

• Cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, OneDrive etc)

Tips

• 3 levels of writing process

• Cornell method

• UTHM Thesis Writing Guide

• Cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, OneDrive etc)

1st level

• Titles and subsections

• Brainstorm bullet points

• Missing points? read more, gather more data

2nd level

• ‘Fattening’ process

• Add more points

• Arrange them into sequence

• Ready to transform them into sentences

3rd level

• Turn the points into sentences

• Add more points if needed

• Put them in paragraphs

• Refine

Next..

• Editing process -check grammar, typo, sentence structure etc

• Proofread if needed

• Submit to your supervisor

Dos and Don'ts

Dos Don’ts

Own words Plagiarism

Formal writing style & simple words

Blurry figures & tables

Grammar Double spacing

Cite your claims/justifications

Conversation style

Conclusion

• Put the best explanation

• Follow the format

• Be formal but simple

• No plagiarism!

• Enjoy the writing process

• Writing is an ART

Thank you

Contact?

Google: “Azli Nawawi”