The primary distinction between a technical report and a general report is that technical reports are intended to be technical, whereas general reports are intended for everyone. The basic goal of every report is to have a good reading level. Make content more understandable by using photos, screenshots, and illustrations. Include simple explanations for new concepts.
Technical reports are usually short (one to four pages) and cover a single topic. They are written for people who need to understand the details of a subject. Technical reports are used by companies to communicate important information about their products and services. They are written so that experts in the field can read them and understand the topics covered. These reports are often used by staff members at research institutions to share findings from studies they conduct.
General reports are usually longer (five or six pages) and cover a series of topics. They are useful for communicating information about a variety of subjects. General reports are designed to provide an overview without getting into too much detail about specific topics. These reports are often used by staff members at institutions such as museums or universities to communicate important information about events or programs they are involved with.
That depends on what you want to say and how much time you have to produce it. If you have only a few minutes to describe your idea then you should write a technical report. A technical report provides detailed information about a single topic.
Format in general Because the bulk of your audience may not read the full report in one sitting, technical reports have an orderly framework. This structure enables readers to rapidly access the information they want. The sections listed below are common in most technical reports. You may be needed, however, to include or remove particular areas.
The first page usually has a cover sheet with the title of the report and the name of the author(s) at the bottom. Then follows a table of contents with a list of all chapters and topics included in the report. There should be a clear separation between these two elements; including their use of color helps to make this clear.
Each chapter or topic is divided into paragraphs or sentences that are clearly defined and structured. These make up the body of the report. Usually, the last paragraph of each chapter concludes it. Only then does the next chapter begin. There should be a clear transition from one chapter to the next to avoid confusing the reader.
Chapters often include references for additional information. These may be cited using numbers or letters before going further down the page. So, for example, Chapter 3 refers to page 31 of a book by Jones et al.
Finally, each section of the report has a header which includes a title above the text. This makes it easy for readers to find specific information quickly.
Definition A technical report (also known as a scientific report) is a written document that details the method, progress, or outcomes of technical or scientific study. It may also incorporate research-based suggestions and findings. Technical reports are often written to address a specific research requirement. They can be published by academic institutions or companies.
There are two main types of technical reports: 1 Methodology papers which describe a methodology for conducting an investigation or solving a problem; and 2 Research articles which present original evidence on a topic related to science or technology.
A methodology paper should not be considered a research article. A methodology paper describes an investigative process for determining facts or making conclusions. The results are usually presented in the form of recommendations or opinions. As such, it does not meet the criteria for publication as a research article.
Research articles are written to share new insights about topics that are important to scientists. They typically report results from experiments or studies conducted by other researchers. These articles may discuss different methods used to investigate a single concept or they may report on different concepts investigated using the same method. In either case, research articles need to comply with the same rigorous standards for data analysis and presentation that are required of scientific papers.
Technical reports fall between methodology papers and research articles. Technical reports are usually prepared after reviewing the literature to identify areas where more information is needed or existing techniques could be improved.