Make a cover sheet. All cover sheets need to include the title of the research project, the names of all researchers, the name of the college or company the research is for, the date submitted and the time the progress report covers. A picture can also be added to the cover page to enhance the report. Put your information in the same format as below unless instructed otherwise.
Name of college or company
Date: date submitted
Title: title of project
Progress report for: time report covers
Researchers: Names of assistants and researchers including yourself
Start another page and begin piecing together your report. Double space the paper with page numbers at the bottom of each page. Begin with the subtitle "Objective and Timetable." Drop down a line and write a paragraph that describes the object of the research, when you started and when the estimated end date will be. If the research has funding, list all contributors you have had in the past.
Answer all questions provided in a funding letter or the research questionnaire. Skip two lines and subtitle this section "Responses to Questionnaire." Not all research progress reports will require you to answer specific questions. From this point on, all subtitles are separated with two lines.
Start a new section entitled "Background and Accomplishments." In this section you will cover the background on the research and all major results or accomplishments the research has resulted in at the time of the report.
Create a new section called "Completed Research." In this section, list the documentation from the sources you used for research. These should be listed in AP style, and a two-sentence summary of what information was retained from the source should appear above the source.
Include information on the budget in a section entitled "Budget." Also create a section for "Contributors" or "Participants." This section will include anyone that has helped you collect or process research data. Names, titles and contact information are required for all contributors. If you do not have a budget or do not have help for the research, do not include these sections.
Conclude the report with a brief overview on what is needed to complete the research and any organizations the research has already been submitted to.
Review any information provided by the people your report is created for. Include any information that was asked for but not included above. Proofread and spell check your report. Then follow any guidelines provided on the way to package the research progress report. Some companies many ask for the report in a binder or folder.