Sample Student Reports: Student Samples (attached)

Student Learning Objectives

Students will:

· Write a major report with a transmittal letter.

· Integrate primary and secondary sources into a major report.

· Follow the MLA documentation style and accurately format sources for quotes, paraphrased material, and visuals to avoid plagiarism.  Use both parenthetical citations and a works cited page.

· Include content that provides relevant information based on the approved proposal, organize research in a logical order, and use standard grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

· Include at least two visuals, appropriately placing and noting them within the text and documenting their source.

Discussion

The major report is the capstone of the course.  It is based on your proposal and progress letter.  You will apply almost every assignment objective in this class to the major report.  It illustrates your ability to use critical thinking to solve a problem by conducting research and synthesizing information.

Assignment 

It will be easier if you do  not write the following sequentially.  Although the front matter is at the beginning, the transmittal letter through abstract should be completed  after you have written your report.  The pagination will need to be completed prior to placing page numbers in the Table of Contents and List of Figures.

Sections of the Major Report

Transmittal Letter

The transmittal (cover) letter introduces your report to your readers. It highlights specific sections or results.  In a business situation, you might write several cover letters, for example, one for the chief executive officer, one for the business office, and one for regional managers, pointing out research and results that are unique to their areas.  The transmittal letter is a separate document that comes  before the title page.  The content of the transmittal letter may be similar to the abstract of the report.  The transmittal letter is  not counted in the pagination.

Pagination 

Count every page, beginning with the title page.  Front matter uses small Roman numerals (e.g., ii, iii, and iv) and begins being printed on the Table of Contents page.  The Table of Contents, the List of Illustrations, and Abstract should be on separate pages.  The title page is counted but is not numbered.  If you are having trouble with numbers, you may use all Arabic numbers (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc.) throughout the report or type the number on each page.

Front Matter   (put on separate pages)

· Title page

· Table of Contents (list only the first page of a section)

· List of Illustrations or List of Figures (list the title of each visual and the page on which it appears)

· Abstract (highlights research methods and overall results of the report). Write the abstract  after you complete the report, or it will sound like an introduction to the paper.

Report Content  

Content:  Remember to include your primary research in the text and document it correctly.  Primary research is  required to be in the report.  You are doing applied research unique to your situation.

Documentation:  MLA.  See Chapter 8.  You have the option to use the new MLA style with links and URLs or the previous style used in the textbook.  

Visuals

Two visuals are required.  Include the source (e.g., Source:  Phillips 79); for consistency, use your name if visuals were developed from your own data.  If you design your own chart or graph using someone else’s data, then list the data source (e.g., Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau).  Data, as well as drawings, maps, and photos, essentially all visuals, are to have the source.

Introductory Information

Organize background information, problem, purpose, and scope to not be repetitive; combine sections and headings, if necessary. The background section presents a broad or global view of the topic, followed by details in the discussion portion.  If the problem and purpose sound alike, put them into one heading instead of two, such as Purpose.  If applicable, identify a limited scope or unique group of people who participated (e.g., Troop 234 of the Houston Region Boy Scouts, the Methodist Hospital Annex Pediatric Oncology Ward in Pearland, or attendees at the February 25 meeting of the Accounting Club).  

You have completed your research, so the major report will be written in the past tense or present tense.  For example, four employees at XYZ Mart  were interviewed about product changes in the housewares, toys, electronics, and sporting goods departments.  This report  covers research completed at XYZ Mart from February 6-10.  Do  not write in future tense, which was part of the proposal (e.g., the research  will be conducted about new computers for sixth-grade students).

Discussion of Research and Results

· Headings/subheadings will vary based on the research design. 

· A  definition of terms may be needed based on your study to clarify a meaning or to eliminate wordiness, such as surfing means finding information on the Internet rather than catching a wave in the ocean.  Another example is using the word four-year institution for any of the following types of schools:  schools with undergraduate bachelor students, schools with undergraduate and graduate students, and schools with upper division and graduate students.

· Describe your  research design, so the study could be replicated.  If you conducted a survey, describe who, what, when, where, and how the information was gathered; the results will covered in the findings.

· Findings may be presented by topics studied, by comparing variables, by ascending or descending results of importance, or by alphabetizing variables.  Use parallel organization.  For example, if you are comparing Hondas and Toyotas, sections can be divided by two major headings of Hondas and Toyotas with supporting paragraphs and subheadings for variables – mileage, crash test ratings, and resale values. You can also divide the paper by variables (mileage, crash test ratings, resale values) with paragraphs and subheadings of Honda and Toyota following each variable.  Sample outlines follow:

Organized by vehicle

· Honda

· Mileage

· Crash Test Ratings

· Resale Value

· Toyota

· Mileage

· Crash Test Ratings

· Resale Value

 Organized by variables

· Mileage

· Honda

· Toyota

· Crash Test Ratings

· Honda

· Toyota

· Resale Value

· Honda

· Toyota

Conclusion

Results have been presented throughout the discussion.  In the  conclusion, you will state your decision.   For example, the 2018 Toyota was purchased over the Honda because of long-term resale value; it will be a vehicle for our family for many years to come.  The insulin pump was chosen over pricking fingers and using injections since it automatically keep glucose levels even.  Students in biology preferred printed textbooks while history students preferred online textbooks.

Recommendations (optional)

Future research that needs to be completed or suggestions can be written in a  recommendations section.  This section is optional.

Back Matter

Works Cited (required):   Using MLA, list all sources used in the report text and visuals.

Appendix:  If you completed a survey, include  a complete tabulation of the results.  You may include additional information, such as forms or brochures.   

Grading Rubric for the Major Report

Your paper will be graded on the following criteria.  Make sure to include all parts of the report. The major report is worth 20% of your grade.  Highlighted phrases will show areas that need improvement.

Overall (5 points)

Meet deadline to allow for classmates’ critiques

Completeness/Directions followed/Format/Headings/Organization

Professional Appearance/Page numbers

Documentation (15 points)

Quoted and paraphrased material must be punctuated and cited correctly; otherwise, it is considered plagiarism, and the report receives a 0.

MLA required with the addition of a List of Illustrations

Primary sources and visual sources are listed in Works Cited

Parenthetical citations are included and match Works Cited

Parenthetical citations used for both quoted and paraphrased sources

Works cited in alphabetical order/all source information/formatted correctly  

Visuals (10 points)

Two required or adequate number to support text

Design appropriate and data accurate

Visuals with figure numbers, headings, and data labels

Source or data source required on all visuals

Appropriate placement/content is explained and referenced in text

Content (50 points)

Logical organization with headings and formal writing

Letter (transmittal) (5)

Title page (1)

Table of Contents (2)/List of Illustrations (2)

Abstract that includes results (5)

Report Text

          Introduction/background (2)

           Purpose/Problem/Scope/Research Design (5)

           Applied research using collected data and relevant facts to solve business or personal problem or make a comparative analysis (10)

          Primary sources required; minimum of two cited in the text (10)   

          Show relationship between primary and secondary sources (3) 

 Results/Conclusion (5)

 Recommendations (optional)                    

Works Cited/References (required; see documentation above)

Appendix  If applicable, Appendix A – full tabulation of survey results.  Appendix B – Supplemental material may be added, such as forms or brochures.  The interview transcript is  not  required.

Grammar/Proofreading/Writing (20 points)

Commas, comma splices, fragments, run-ons, semicolons

Italics/Quotation marks/Number usage/Colon

Paragraphing

Parallel phrasing/organization

Person/Pronoun:  stay in same person/second person inappropriate; consistently use singular or plural form; usage/antecedent agreement

Phrasing: awkward wording/omitted words/repetitious/word choice/wordiness

Sentence structure/sentence sense/clarity

Spelling/apostrophe/capitalization/hyphen

Subject/verb agreement

Verb tense

Purpose

In an effort to help people make informed decisions when purchasing used vehicles, I purpose to research and write a report on the advantages and disadvantages of used vehicles.

Background

Many people find themselves having to buy used cars either from other people or from dealerships specializing in used cars. People buy used cars due to various reasons, one of them being economic reasons that limit a person’s purchasing ability. Another reason is that some people prefer old-model cars that are no longer in production. This forces them to buy the models as used cars and not brand-new cars. In the US about 79 % of people purchase a used car rather than a brand-new car( Paszkiewicz). This shows that there is demand for used cars.

When purchasing used cars, regardless of reason, people tend to ponder if they have made the right choice or if they should have instead simply bought a brand-new car. Despite the high number of people who purchase used cars, many of them do not make informed decisions when purchasing cars. They fail to consider the important factors that they ought to look out such as the car's history and its mileage. More importantly, they fail to consider the advantages and disadvantages that come with the purchase of a used car.

Questions to be investigated?

I. What are the short-term advantages of buying a used car?

II. What are the long-term advantages of buying a used car?

III. What are the short-term disadvantages of buying a used car?

IV. What are the long-term advantages of buying a used car?

Methods of Research

Primary sources

a) Interviews: Interviews will be carried out on people who bought used cars as well as used-car dealership owners

Secondary Sources

SUBJECT: Progress Letter with Enclosures

Research Sources

This is a progress letter enclosed with one completed primary source and an annotated bibliography with a minimum of seven sources, of both primary and secondary sources. It is of the research report that I need to do on the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing a used vehicle.

In the first week of the second month of the semester, I commenced collecting information and references that will support my research through interviews and survey. I interviewed both who bought used cars as well as used-car dealership owners to establish the factors that determine people to consider buying used-cars. Within the same week, I collected information from the library from secondary sources that will support my research work. I was able to collect information from seven secondary sources, both from the internet and material available at the facility. I was able to use the seven secondary sources and the interview information as the primary source of information.

Interview with Marketing Specialists

On the first week of the month, I was able to contact CarMax Inc. who offered my specialists knowledge about the sales and factors that motivate people to buy used-cars. The company gave me significant information about the sales that they make and the frequently asked questions by their customers concerning the cars they seek to buy. The company offered me an insight of the detailed checks that are usually done for the customer to approve of the purchase of the vehicles they demand. The company was important since it offers critical information of the most demanded cars, the amount of money associated with the cars and the motive that the individuals have to seek the purchases of vehicles.

Replacement Interview

I was not able to physically visit CarMax Inc. because of the location where the company is based. However, I was able to initiate an online, video interview that allowed me to engage the manager with the interview questions that would guide my research on the advantages and disadvantages of buying used cars. Inability to physically visit the company inhibited me from having an interaction with a few customers who visit the company to buy the used cars. Nonetheless, the manager was able to reveal to me various factors such as the number of customers they expect each day, the average costs of the cars they offer and what the customers wish to pay and the mechanical issues associated with the vehicles. The contact that I made was effective in supporting my research.

Date of submitting the Report

As from next week, I will begin writing my report and submit is within the second last week of the semester. As the semester progresses, I will do another progress letter that will update you on the progress that I have made towards completing the research.

Interview Transcript

Q. Which is the major technical fault common in used cars?

A. The most common technical fault is the engine and drivetrain because of overstaying before they become functional.

Q. Are used cars expensive to maintain?

A. The cost of maintain a used-car depend on the availability of the spare parts of the cars since majority of them are out of market and need to be requested directly from the manufacturer.

Q. How is the pricing of a used car determined?

A. The pricing of used cars depend on the year of manufacture, repairs made to it and the car model.

Q. Which models of used cars sell faster than others?

A. The model of cars that sells faster than the others are Mercedes, Porsche and Chevrolet because their spare [arts are easily accessible in the market.

Q. Which car model rarely develops serious technical problems when bought as used?

A. The model of care that develops serious technical problems when bought are Ford brands.

Q. What is the biggest advantage of buying a used car?

A. The biggest advantage of buying used cars is they are cost-effective, some are classic and appealing to the users and they consume low amount of fuel.

Q. What is the biggest disadvantage of buying a used car?

A. The biggest advantage of buying used car is the cost used to repair the car and technical problems that may arise when not well managed.

Annotated Bibliography

Cheng, W. (2015, June). Research on the Decision Making Model of Purchasing Second-hand Car. In 2015 International Conference on Management, Education, Information and Control (pp. 1288-1294). Atlantis Press.

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