Unit Three Research Report
Write a report that analyzes a community or workplace-related issue and proposes a viable solution. Your analysis should identify the problem and its cause, analyze its negative impact using specific examples and research, and recommend a solution. The report must be at least 1200 words, and it should be formatted in a way most appropriate for your audience. Use of pictures. graphs, and other visual aids is encouraged.
Topic Selection: When considering what kinds of problems you want to analyze, think about these general kinds of problems.
- workplace procedural problems
- customer service issues
- quality of life issues
- maintenance or functional problems
- safety issues
- funding or budgetary issues
Then, narrow your topic to a specific, relevant problem.
Audience and Purpose:
Write for an audience that would be comprised of individuals who have the authority to make decisions and to approve your recommendations; therefore, the purpose of your report is to convince this audience to take action.
Research:
While you may rely on information that you have obtained through your own observations, you will still need to use at least five sources to support your ideas. Your research can include online research, case studies, and/or personal interviews of those familiar with the topic. You must document each source according to MLA or APA guidelines.
When searching for sources online, try to find credible sources that have been peer reviewed. (Wikipedia can be an interesting place to start, but you should never use it as a source in an academic paper since anyone can post information on Wikipedia.) In addition, if you want to interview an expert (a person who has knowledge about the problem and/or solution), make sure you document your interview as a “personal interview.”
Formatting Guidelines:
- Use headings, subheadings, and visuals (pictures, graphs, charts, etc.).
- Use clear, concise wording and make sure your grammar and mechanics are correct. (Grammar always counts in professional writing.)
- Format your papers according to MLA style formatting. This includes having one-inch margins, double-spaced lines, reasonable font style and size, and page numbers with your last name in the heading.
- Document your sources using either MLA or APA formatting guidelines. This includes the mandatory use of in-text citations and a works cited page.