TYPES OF REPORTS

Informational

Analytical

Inform or instruct present information

Written to solve problems

Reader sees the details of events, activities or

Information is analyzed

conditions

No analysis on the situation, no conclusion, no

Conclusions are drawn and

recommendations.

recommendations are made.

Examples:

Examples:

Decision making reports

Problem solving report

Policy report
Compliance report
Status report

Points of
Diff.

Informational Report

Analytical Report

Definition

The report prepared from, the

information gathered from
investigation is known as
informational report.

The report prepared after analyzing

the investigated information is
known- as analytical report

Writing
structure

Report writing structure is not

followed here.

Report writing structure is

followed here, strictly.

Size

It is comparatively, small in size.

It is comparatively large in size

with quantitative and qualitative
analysis.

Personal
pinion

Here reporter doesnt have the

scope to add his opinion.

Here reporter can add his opinion

to the report.

WHY DO WE NEED
INFORMATIONAL REPORT?
Reports to monitor and control operations
Reports to implement policy and

procedure
Report to demonstrate compliance
Reports to document progress

Points of Diff.

Informational
Report

Analytical Report

Recommendation

In such a report, there is no

recommendation from the
reporter.

Recommendation is essentially
required here from the
reporter.

Decision making

Decision is not helpful

Making because
there is no
recommendation in such
report.

As there is analysis and

recommendation exists in such
report, executives can take
decision from such report.

Experience

Reporter must be experienced

Reporter may not requireand efficient to draft such a
vast to prepare such report. report.

Conclusion

There is no conclusion in such

report.

Conclusion is a part of such

report.

FIELD TRIP REPORT

The purpose of a field report in the social sciences is to describe the

observation of people, places, and/or events and to analyze that

observation data in order to identify and categorize common themes in
relation to the research problem underpinning the study. The content
represents the researcher's interpretation of meaning found in data that
has been gathered during one or more observational events.

Describe of what you did, when you did it, where you went, why you went,

who was with you and how you went there.

Field trips provide you with an opportunity to learn issues in the real world,

so make the most of them.

what you should do doing the trip

1. Identify the main issue

2. Take notes in the field

HOW?
We are all observers of people, their interactions, places, and events; however, your responsibility when writing

a field report is to create a research study based on data generated by the act of designing a specific study,
deliberate observation, a synthesis of key findings, and an interpretation of their meaning. When writing a field
report you need to:

Systematically observe and accurately record the varying aspects of a situation. Always approach your field
study with a detailed plan about what you will observe, where you should conduct your observations, and the
method by which you will collect and record your data.

Continuously analyze your observations. Always look for the meaning underlying the actions you observe. Ask
yourself: What's going on here? What does this observed activity mean? What else does this relate to? Note that
this is an on-going process of reflection and analysis taking place for the duration of your field research.

Keep the reports aims in mind while you are observing. Recording what you observe should not be done
randomly or haphazardly; you must be focused and pay attention to details. Enter the observation site [i.e.,
"field"] with a clear plan about what you are intending to observe and record while, at the same time, being
prepared to adapt to changing circumstances as they may arise.

Consciously observe, record, and analyze what you hear and see in the context of a theoretical framework.
This is what separates data gatherings from simple reporting. The theoretical framework guiding your field
research should determine what, when, and how you observe and act as the foundation from which you interpret
your findings.

REPORT FORMAT
Experimental field work can be written up in the introduction-methods-results-

discussion format. For observational data, the format can be varied to help the
reader find the information and make a logical "story" leading to your conclusions.

There will still be an introduction, setting out the purpose of the field work and

usually containing sub-sections which give relevant background information

(location of area, geology, topography, vegetation, climate, geological history,
recent history etc).

It will also be necessary to review relevant literature on the topic. If particular

methods were used to collect the data, then these will be described next, followed
by presentation of the data and then interpretation and discussion. For trips
involving many locations, it may be easiest to organise the background
information, data, and interpretation by site, but then draw all the sites together
in a general discussion at the end.

Do whichever involves least repetition of information and makes the report easiest

for the reader to understand and follow. Use descriptive subheadings to make the
information easy to find.

COMPONENTS OF FIELD
TRIP REPORT
Introduction

Include a brief account of where the fieldwork took place, the overall aims of the

fieldwork, and what you were investigating.

Field Observations
Include a detailed account of what you observed and, if required, some comment

on its significance. Include photographs and field sketches and refer to other
relevant research that has been done. Do not provide a day by day account but
try to arrange the material to show your understanding of what youve studied. To
help with this, look out for any recurring themes.

Conclusions
Tie together the report with a concise account; draw together the key issues as a

series of bullet points.

Notes and diagrams made whilst on the field trip will prove invaluable when you

get home and have to write up the field trip report.