The document outlines the typical structure of a business report, including sections such as the title page, executive summary, introduction, method, results, discussion, conclusion, and recommendations. It provides guidance on the purpose and content of each section to ensure the report is well-organized and clearly conveys the necessary information to the intended audience. Key elements include an executive summary that states the problem, findings and conclusions, an introduction that describes the purpose and importance of the investigation, a method section explaining how data was collected, and a discussion that interprets the results and findings.

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Writing a Business Report

2. Business Report Structure
 Title page
 Executive summary
 Table of contents
 Introduction
 Method (brief and sometimes not included in business reports)
 Results/findings
 Discussion
 Conclusion
 Recommendations
 References
 Appendices
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3. Title Page
 First Impression
 Clear format
 Gives information
required
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4. Executive summary
 Key problem
 Objective of the report
 Main findings and conclusions
 Crucial recommendations
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5. Table of contents
 Easy to read
 Leads the audience to the correct
information
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6. Introduction
 Describe what you have been asked to investigate
 Why is it important?
 Who is your audience?
 What is the purpose?
 What research is out there already?
 How are you going to carry out your investigation?
 What are you going to write in your report?
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7. Method
 How did you collect your data?
 Qualitative or quantitative?
 Describe your method
 Refer to appendices (for example with a questionnaire)
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8. Results
 Present your results in the same order collected
 Not all data can be presented – what is most relevant to
your brief?
 Describe in words
 Present in one format e.g. graphs, tables or diagrams
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9. Discussion
 Interpret your findings
 Offer explanations
 Provide evidence
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Language
This seems to support…
It appears that…
This may be due to…
Research suggests …
Prior studies have noted…
The results show/indicate …
… can be compared to ….
Previous
research

10. Conclusion – so what? Recommendations
 What do my findings show?
 Are there any limitations in
the research?
 What does this mean for my
readers?
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 Suggest actions that should
be taken as a result of your
investigation
 What can be done with the
findings?

11. References
 In text
According to Bell (2010, p. 23), the most important part of the research
process is ...
Burton (2012) provided information for…
 Reference page
Bell, J. (2010). Doing your research project, 5th ed. Maidenhead: Open
University Press.
Burton, P.A. (2012). Castles of Spain. Available at:
http://www.castlesofspain.co.uk, [Accessed 14 October 2012].
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12. Appendices
Additional information that would disrupt the reader if included
in the main report, but is useful to understand context
 Questionnaires
 Data
 Interview transcripts
 Observation notes
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13. Where can I get further help?
Course Resources
Sections on each area students ask for support in
Study Skills webpages
www.derby.ac.uk/studyskills
Study Advisor Scheme
Study Skills Office, Kedleston Road Library
01332 591369
studyadvisors@derby.ac.uk
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