Background

During your career, it's likely that you will be asked to provide reports to your co-workers or managers on a topic. Reports are essential communication tools in business; they share and retain information and decisions. All reports should have a clear function and purpose. When done well, they establish the writer's credibility and professional ability. This assignment will give you practice in doing this task.

Objectives

• Create a formal report
• Identify various sections used in a report
• Determine how to use and discuss research in a formal report
• Determine how to use graphs, charts, and data
• Use APA formatting to cite and reference researched materials

Research Report

Topic: Select and research a field of business in which you would like to work. Then narrow your focus to a specific job in that field. Write a short report detailing the various aspects of the job.

Research:

• *Minimum of ONE interview with a professional in your chosen career field. Can be from a primary or secondary source.
• *5 -7 secondary sources such as websites, journals, and career center resources, that are reliable, credible, and cited.

Title: Specific job title on a cover page

Headings: Appropriate short report headings

Graphics: Include one to two graphics as visual support. Use graphics to SUPPORT your ideas, not as decoration. Use APA citations (LOOK HERE FOR WRITING SUPPORT!)

Reference Page: Use APA Format

Format:

• 1500 to 2000 words
• 1" margins (top, bottom, left, and right), single-spaced
• Times New Roman font, 12-point type
• Double-space between paragraphs.
• Business writing style.
• Graphics are NOT considered part of the page count.

Process

1. Research your chosen field. Consider which jobs appeal to you, and then select one specific job that you would like to pursue for your career. You are welcome to be imaginative here. This is your chance to explore any job (as long as it is legal).
2. Interview someone within your selected field or find a written or video interview (ideally with experience in the specific job) and integrate the information you learn into your report. For personal interviews, start researching potential experts in your chosen career field as soon as possible.
3. Gather detailed information through secondary research and integrate the information as a secondary source in your report with citations.
4. Organize your data into clear, reader-friendly categories.