EGR 105   Introduction to Engineering I

Project Reports

Overview

During your studies at URI and as a practicing engineer you will write many reports. Engineers write reports to document their ideas and experiments. Frequently the report is the only view management (or your professor) has of the work done. Well-written reports are essential for a successful career.

Reports should not be written in the first person. Do not use I or we. Be clear and concise. Use a minimum number of words. Read what you have written. Then rewrite it for clarity and brevity.

While reports differ depending on the situation, they usually have the format suggested here.

Report Components

  1. Title page
    The title page should contain the title of the report and a list of the team members with their profession,
    Mary Smart,   Civil Engineer
    Jimmy Swift,   Biomedical Engineer

  2. Abstract
    The abstract summarizes what is in the report. It should be written last. The abstract tells the purpose of the report, key findings, significance and major conclusions. The abstract should contain a few sentences stating the contribution of each team member. Sara Wise wrote the report. Joseph Quick took data and Prudence Clear checked spelling.

  3. Introduction.
    The introduction states the purpose of the project and background information obtained from class, literature and the web. This section should include a description of work done by others. You should show evidence of research. Sources of information used in the project should be cited here and listed in the references section of the report.

  4. Problem
    In this section you demonstrate an ability to identify and formulate engineering problems. The problem addressed by the project should be stated.

  5. Theory

    The engineering, science or mathematical basis of the project is discussed in this section. It will contain the theories and equations used.

  6. Experiment

    Experiments done should be described in enough detail so another person can redo the experiment and reproduce your results. Equipment and measurement instruments should be listed in a table. A diagram of the experiment should show how the experiment was done. You should demonstrate an ability to design and conduct experiments.

  7. Results

    Data taken should be given in this section. Tables can be used for numerical data. Tables should have a title describing the data at the top of the table. Figures containing plots of the data have their title at the bottom of the figure. Axes should be labeled with units ( distance (feet)). Tables and figures should be described with captions and in the body of the results section.

  8. Discussion

    In this section you demonstrate your ability to analyze and interpret data. Here you show that you understand the project. What have you found? What do the results show? Draw conclusions. What is the significance of the results? Find explanations for problems in the data. How do the results compare to what was expected? Analyze experimental error. Do the results illustrate a theory? What are the strengths and limitations of your experimental design?

  9. Conclusion
    The conclusion should be short. The issues raised in the abstract should be addressed in the conclusion. Briefly and simply state what was learned. (Don't use the first person (I or we).) The conclusion can contain weakness or limitations in the experiment or the implications of your conclusions.

  10. References
    This section is a list of references cited in the report.

  11. Appendices
    Raw data, calculations, graphs and pictures not used in the body of the report are included in the appendices. You should refer to each appendix in the body of the report.