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The report that you have to write for your course can be referred to as the IMRD (Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion) report. This type of report is a standard format to present information that is the result of some kind of research. This approach is used to find out about a topic and discuss the significance of what was discovered, i.e your research project started out with some kind of question that you investigated. You found information and you explain that the information is important in various ways. Below is one way how you can organize the information that you have and your report:

INTRODUCTION

The report introduction orient your readers to the contents of your document.

There are various ways in which you can write the introduction:

1.Provide the objective- a one-sentence statement of the purpose or main point of the project or report, sometimes of both. This type of introduction is appropriate for all types of readers. When you use this type of introduction, usually you talk about the question you investigated (the goal of the project) and the point of the paper. You can start by answering these questions:

• What is the goal of the project?
• What is the goal of this report?

If this statement is sufficient for your readers go on to the discussion, if not add context.

2.Provide context- this means to explain the situation that made you write the report. This type of introduction is especially helpful for readers unfamiliar with the project. Follow these guidelines:

• tell what caused you to write - are you reporting on an assignment? have you discovered something that the recipient/ reader needs to know?
•  explain your credibility to talk about the situation - you are credible because of your actions or position?
• State the report's purpose in one-sentence.
• Preview the contents of the report. 

 The problem context - you can provide a problem as the context by pointing out the significance of the problem or the solution through:

• contrasting a general truth (+ve) with the problem (-ve)
• contrasting the problem (+ve) with a proposed solution (-ve)

3. Provide an expanded context - this can be in the form of abstract or executive summary. You can include information about purpose or objective, a summary of the background, methodology, conclusion/ recommendation. 

 METHODOLOGY

You can write a process description of your actions and why you performed those actions. The description in this section should be clear and allow a reader to replicate your actions. Consider these questions:

• what steps or actions dis you take to achieve the goal or answer the questions? (Tell about all our actions and arrange them in sequence if necessary).
• why did you perform those actions.
• include charts and diagrams where necessary.
•  

RESULTS

You can tell your readers what you discovered. You can use a chart or graph to present your findings. Consider these questions:

• what are the results of each action or sequence?
• can you present all your findings in one visual aid?

DISCUSSION

You explain the significance of what you found out. Either interpret it by relating to some important concept or suggest its causes and effects. Relate the results to the problem or concerns you mentionned in the introduction. If  the method affect the results, tell how and suggest changes. Often you can suggest or recommend further action at the end of this section. Consider these questions:

• did you achieve your goal?
• what are the implications of your results? for you and your goals? for other people and their goals?
• what new questions do your results cause?

Taken from Riordan & Pauley, 2002 (Full Reference)

Now compare these notes with your courseguidelines for PSM 1.  

IMRD Worksheet    

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