Ask yourself basic questions: What is the reason for writing the report? What type of report is required? Who is the intended audience? What are the specific writing guidelines of the intended publication? Note answers to your questions as these will inform you on how to develop your journal report.
Outline the report with appropriate headings. Basic headings include an introduction, background, methodology, results, data analysis, conclusion and implications and recommendations. Fill in the sections as you find/develop relative information. Keep the most important points at the top in each section with the information of lesser importance below.
Write an introduction. Include a summary of the important points. In this section, briefly cover the purpose of the report, the problem/issue explored, and how and when it was explored. Include why the journal report is important. What does the particular research add to the already existing body of knowledge?
Write the body of the report. Include a section on the methodology used to gather data. Another section should cover the data gathered and analyzed supported by appropriate visuals such as tables, graphs and charts. Keep it as simple or complex as the anticipated level of intended audience and publication guidelines permit.
Include a section on the limitations experienced. What was included and what was excluded. What were challenges that could not be overcome?
A section on prospects for future considerations may be included. This should include questions still unanswered or revealed by current research and suggestions on how they may be explored.
Include an abstract containing a summary of the main elements of the report. Although this section is placed at the beginning of the report, it should be written after all other aspects are completed. Do not include new information not contained in the body of the report.
Include a reference list of all articles, books, or other resources cited. Do not add any reference not cited. Use the reference style used by the publication for which you are writing the journal report. Style guides can be from the American Psychological Association (APA) or Modern Language Association (MLA), for example.
Add an appendix. Include any lengthy data sets and analysis. Details of any pertinent subject content mentioned but not detailed in the actual report can be included here.
Review what you have written. Look for grammatical errors as well as inaccuracies. Ensure that information is under appropriate headings.