Decide on a topic and focus for your report. That requires conducting research using a variety of sources, such as a library, the Internet, magazines and television.
Compose the introduction providing details about the topic and any questions to be answered. Your introduction explains why your report is important.
Prepare the background section by describing previous research on the topic and including references to existing literature. If necessary, include a section defining terms. Because of the depth of information included, the background is likely to be a lengthy section that showcases the level of your investigation and planning.
Explain the methodology. Describe the research plan and provide details on the procedure, subjects and materials used. Detail assumptions made based on collected research.
Compose the results section including a summary of your findings. Report facts turned up during your research including statistics. The results section provides the reader an overview of the significance of your research sample relative to the population. Include an analysis of the results. Adding graphs and charts enhances the report and provides a visual view of the data.
Write your conclusion to include a discussion based on your findings. Explain whether or not your questions were answered or your theories proved. Provide recommendations based on your data.
Prepare a references section by citing the articles, books and research you collected. List references in alphabetical order. Documentation guidelines can be found in various academic texts. Sources can be cited using the American Psychological Association (APA) format or the Modern Language Association (MLA) format. Both formats provide a framework of rules for crediting work from other authors.