Front matter structures and dates the report with a title page and a table of contents. A list of illustrations and an acknowledgements page can also be included. An executive summary follows, providing a summary of the entire report.
Introductions define the purpose of the study, including the scope, the objectives and the background research completed. The introduction also states the hypothesis for the study.
Materials and methods sections define the tools and practices used to test the hypothesis while justifying these methods. Next, a results section objectively recounts discovered results. The CQ University's Communications Learning Center stipulates that data analyses should include charts or graphs; these should be similarly formatted.
A discussion section indicates whether the data supported the hypothesis, implications of the findings and an analysis of the testing limitations. A conclusion section comes after the discussion, including recommendations based on findings. Appendices and bibliographical information end the report when required.