• Educating Professionals • Creating and Applying Knowledge • Engaging our Communities

L3 Language Literacies Learning

ENGG 1003

Sustainable Engineering Practice

Report writing & referencing

Dr Jane Kehrwald

Learning & Teaching Unit

Overview

Example sections from reports

Additional resources & support

What is a report?

Structure of a report

Referencing & academic integrity

What is a report?

Abstract or executive summary

Short concise paragraphs & dot points

Used to inform, analyse or persuade

Scanned quickly by the reader

Numbered headings & sub-headings

Use of graphs, tables, images & figures

Recommendations and/or appendices

Structure of report – see course template

• Preliminary sections • Title & authors’ details

• Table of contents

• Abstract / Executive Summary

• Disclaimer

• Main sections • Introduction

• Body sections & sub-sections

• Conclusions

• Recommendations (optional for this assignment)

• Supplementary sections • References

• Appendices (optional for this assignment)

Activity

• Divide into 5 groups

• Each group examines a different extract from sample reports

• Group 1 – table of contents & abstract

• Group 2 – introduction

• Group 3 – body section

• Group 4 – conclusion & recommendations

• Group 5 – references

• Use these guides & resources and comment on the extract:

− www.unisa.edu.au/L3ITEE (go to Engineering & open the Style Writing Guide)

− www.unisa.edu.au/Referencing (open the UniSA Harvard pdf or Roadmap to Referencing)

• Report back to the class

What is an abstract/executive summary?

• Provides an overview of the entire report.

• Helps the reader to develop a quick understanding of the report.

• Is highly structured & often includes:

Statement of the problem

Background or contextual information

Purpose of the report

Methodology

Conclusions

Findings

Recommendations

Sample abstract

Water resources management approaches around

the world are changing dramatically. A reliance on

physical solutions continues to dominate traditional

panning approaches, but these solutions are facing

increasing opposition. At the same time, new

methods are being developed to meet the demands

of growing populations without requiring major new

construction or new large-scale water transfers from

one region to another. This report discusses the

components of this ongoing shift and looks at the new

paths being explored. It evaluates the major reasons for

the change in approaches and discusses the applicability

of these new concepts in different parts of the world.

Finally, recommendations are put forward, based on

the principles of sustainability and equity, in order to

bridge the gap between diverse and competing

interests. Specifically, it is essential that … <text deleted>

Background, setting

the scene

Purpose, focus

Recommendations

(Source: Adapted from Gleick PH 2000, ‘The changing water paradigm: a look at twenty-first century water resources

development’, Water International, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 127-138.)

Table of contents

What is an introduction?

• Is highly structured & often includes:

• It DOES NOTE include findings, conclusions or recommendations

Statement of the problem

Background or contextual information

Purpose of the report

Methodology (briefly)

Outline of report

A brief review of previous work/research

Scope & limitations

Sample Introduction

1 Introduction

1.1 Background

Improving global access to clean drinking water and safe sanitation is one of the least expensive and most

effective means to improve public health and save lives. The concept of clean water and safe sanitation as

essential to health is not a novel idea. In 350 B.C., Hippocrates recommended boiling water to inactivate

“impurities”. The U.S. and Central Europe, where water and sanitation services are nearly universal,

significantly reduced water-, sanitation-, and hygiene-related diseases by the start of the 20th century by

protecting water sources and installing sewage systems. However, in developing countries, water and

sanitation services are still severely lacking.

1.2 Aims and objectives

The integration of public health into engineering problem solving is critical, but current efforts are insufficient.

It is through partnership with local communities to implement solutions which consider environmental, cultural

and economic conditions that more sustainable water and sanitation services will be improved. The aim of this

report is to discuss obstacles to improving water, sanitation and health in developing regions.

1.3 Scope and limitations

The report focuses specifically on three obstacles related to the contribution of engineers to improving water

and sanitation in developing countries. Firstly, the lack of collaboration between the fields of water and

sanitation engineering and public health are discussed. Secondly, there is a need for engineers to consider the

local environment, culture and economics. Thirdly, engineers need to consider the capabilities of local

communities to maintain services and equipment. The report concludes by making specific recommendations

on how engineers can better engage with local communities to overcome these obstacles. (Source: Adapted from Montgomery MA & Elimelech M 2007, Water and sanitation in developing countries; including

health in the equation, Environment Science & Technology, vol. 41, no. 11, pp. 17-24.)

Situate the aims in a ‘problem’

Use explicit language to

guide the reader

Start broadly, then narrow down

the focus

This guides the reader

and gives structure to

your report

Using figures, tables & graphs

The adverse health impacts attributable to lack of water and sanitation are significant. These effects are caused by exposure to pathogenic microbes through various routes, which are summarised in Table 1, below. The large number of categories is an indication of the extent to which water-, sanitation-, and hygiene-related diseases can affect populations. Many of the categories and diseases are closely associated. As we discuss later, this association complicates environmental risk analysis.

Table 1: Categories of water, sanitation and hygiene related diseases

(Adapted from Eisenberg et al. 2001, p. 231)

Category Description/disease

Waterborne Caused by the ingestion of water contaminated by human or animal excreta or urine containing

pathogenic bacteria or viruses; includes cholera, typhoid, amoebic and bacillary dysentery, and

other diarrheal diseases.

Water-based Caused by parasites found in intermediate organisms living in water; includes dracunculiasis,

schistosomiasis, and some other helminths.

Water-related Caused by microorganisms with life cycles associated with insects that live or breed in water;

includes dengue fever, lymphatic filariasis, malaria, onchocerciasis, and yellow fever.

Excreta-related Caused by direct or indirect contact with pathogens associated with excreta and/or vectors breeding

in excreta; includes trachoma and most waterborne diseases.

Water collection

and storage

Caused by contamination that occurs during or after collection, often because of poorly designed,

open containers and improper hygiene and handling.

Toxin-related Caused by toxic bacteria, such as cyanobacteria, which are linked to eutrophication of surface-water

bodies; causes gastrointestinal and hepatic illnesses.

Using figures, tables & graphs

The more common type of wind turbines are Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT), such as the

one shown in Figure 1, below.

Figure 1: Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT) (Smith 2005, p.33)

Conclusions & recommendations

Conclusions: • Clear & concise summary

• Refer back to aim/purpose of

the paper or project

• State the significance/

relevance/implications of your

findings

Recommendations: • Optional for Assignment 1

• Required for Assignment 2

• Emerge from conclusions

• Brief, persuasive statements

Strengthens your discussion or argument

Maintains academic integrity

Shows your research skills

Acknowledges exact source

Avoids plagiarism

Why reference?

Quoting

Mentioning ideas & works of others

Paraphrasing

Summarising

Copying (incl. tables, graphs, figures & images)

When to reference?

Year of publication

Reference list

In-text

Author’s family name

Page number (sometimes)

Full bibliographic details

UniSA Harvard referencing system

Information prominent- the focus is on the information

rather than the author.

• ‘The provision of local facilities and services may clearly reduce travel

distance and increase the proportion of short journeys capable of being

travelled by non-motorised modes’ (Stead & Marshall 2001, p. 123).

Author prominent – the contributor of the idea is placed at

the front of the sentence.

• As Stead and Marshall (2001, p. 123) point out, ‘the provision of local

facilities and services may clearly reduce travel distance and increase the

proportion of short journeys capable of being travelled by non-motorised

modes’.

(Source: Adapted from Zhang, M 2005 'Exploring the relationship between urban form and nonwork travel through time use

analysis', Landscape and Urban Planning, vol. 73, no. 2, pp. 244-261.)

Ways to integrate information - quotation

Information prominent – the focus is on the information

rather than the author.

• Nearly 60% of infant mortality is linked to infectious diseases, most of them

related to poor sanitation and hygiene (UNESCO 2003).

Author prominent – the contributor of the idea is placed at

the front of the sentence.

• According to UNESCO (2003), nearly 60% of infant mortality is linked to

infectious diseases, most of them related to poor sanitation and hygiene.

Ways to integrate information - paraphrase

(Source: Adapted from Montgomery MA & Elimelech M 2007, Water and sanitation in developing countries;

including health in the equation, Environment Science & Technology, vol. 41, no. 11, pp. 17-24.)

Original text:

‘Moving forward with waste minimisation in construction

requires a thorough source evaluation of design waste,

which should set out to influence a change to a waste

reduction design paradigm’ (Osmani, Glass & Price 2008,

p. 1157).

Reference

Osmani, M, Glass, J, Price, ADF 2008, 'Architects' perspectives on

construction waste reduction by design', Waste Management, vol. 28,

no. 7, pp. 1147-1158.

Paraphrase practice

Original text:

‘Moving forward with waste minimisation in construction requires a

thorough source evaluation of design waste, which should set out to

influence a change to a waste reduction design paradigm’ (Osmani,

Glass & Price 2008, p. 1157).

Paraphrase:

The future of waste minimisation in construction requires a

thorough source evaluation of design waste, which should

set out to influence a change to a waste reduction design

paradigm (Osmani, Glass & Price 2008, p. 1157).

Simply changing one word or

phrase with another word or

phrase is not sufficient.

Comment on this paraphrase

Original text:

‘Moving forward with waste minimisation in construction requires a

thorough source evaluation of design waste, which should set out to

influence a change to a waste reduction design paradigm’ (Osmani,

Glass & Price 2008, p. 1157).

Paraphrase:

For meaningful change to occur with regards to minimising

waste in the construction industry, a systematic evaluation

of waste which occurs in the design process is essential.

A more thorough paraphrase. The main

message is captured in the student’s

writing. However, no reference is

provided. This is a form of plagiarism!!

Comment on this paraphrase

Original text:

‘Moving forward with waste minimisation in construction requires a

thorough source evaluation of design waste, which should set out to

influence a change to a waste reduction design paradigm’ (Osmani,

Glass & Price 2008, p. 1157).

Paraphrase:

For meaningful change to occur with regards to minimising

waste in the construction industry, a systematic evaluation

of waste which occurs in the design process is essential

(Osmani, Glass & Price 2008, p. 1157).

Good. A more thorough

paraphrase. The main message is

captured. Appropriately referenced.

Comment on this paraphrase

Adding your voice

• Paraphrasing is not simply related to the issues of

referencing and academic integrity

• Summarise information you have learned from reading

and applying that knowledge to your question/topic

• Comments before and after your referenced paraphrases

or quotations are where you discuss the connection

between the knowledge you gained through your

readings and your response to the assignment

question/topic

• These comments are considered your voice.

Consider the example on the next slide

Adding your voice

Identify the student voice in the following paragraph.

The world is undergoing the largest wave of urban growth in

history. In 2008, for the first time more than half of the world’s

population (that is to say 3.3 billion people) lived in urban areas

(UNFPA 2007). By 2030, this number will swell to nearly 5 billion

(UNFPA 2007). Cities and towns are now known to be

responsible for the majority of green house gas emissions and

energy consumption (Robinson & Quiroga 2009). It has

become urgent to reduce the environmental impact and to

identify ways to improve urban neighbourhoods to make them

more sustainable. (Source: Adapted from Marique, A-F & Reiter, S 2011, ‘Towards more sustainable neighbourhoods: are good

practices reproducible and extensible?’, Proceedings from 27th Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture,

Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.)

Adding your voice

The comments you write before and after your referenced

paraphrases or quotations are considered your voice.

The world is undergoing the largest wave of urban growth

in history. In 2008, for the first time more than half of the

world’s population (that is to say 3.3 billion people) lived in urban

areas (UNFPA 2007). By 2030, this number will swell to nearly 5

billion (UNFPA 2007). Cities and towns are now known to be

responsible for the majority of green house gas emissions and

energy consumption (Robinson & Quiroga 2009). It has

become urgent to reduce the environmental impact and to

identify ways to improve urban neighbourhoods to make

them more sustainable.

(Source: Adapted from Marique, A-F & Reiter, S 2011, ‘Towards more sustainable neighbourhoods: are good practices

reproducible and extensible?’, Proceedings from 27th Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture,

Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.)

Appendices (optional for Assignment 1) Appendix 1: Questionnaire (Azapagic, Perdan & Shallcross 2005, p. 17)

In the body of the report:

“In order to understand

how much engineering

students understood about

sustainable engineering

practices, Azapagic,

Perdan and Shallcross

(2005) administered world-

wide a questionnaire to

250 engineering students

(see Appendix 1).”

Choosing scholarly sources

Click on the image below to watch the video. As

you are watching develop a criteria for choosing

scholarly resources.

Choosing credible sources

authority Who conducted the research? Is the author an authority in their field of

study? Check the resource or website for information about the author,

the author's qualifications and experience.

reliability Does the information come from a reliable source such as an

educational or research institution or publication? Websites, blogs and

wikis may be informative but not necessarily reliable.

Has it been peer reviewed or passed by an editorial panel? This

information is usually on the resource or the publisher's website.

accuracy Is the content accurate? Is it supported by references, evidence or by

other sources you have found?

objectivity Is there evidence of bias? If only one side of an argument or issue is

presented or criticisms are ignored, then the source lacks objectivity.

currency How recent is the publication? This is important if the topic is one that

requires current information.

relevance Is the information closely related to the topic? There is a difference

between general information about the topic and information that can

be used to develop an argument, provide evidence, or counter other

arguments.

Searching for credible sources Search for ‘sustainable engineering AND Nepal’

1 2

Make sure ….

you have followed the guidelines in your course outline re: word

length, format, layout, presentation, referencing

your writing style is appropriate

you have connected your points logically, using linking words

each paragraph contains one main idea

your claims are supported by evidence

your examples are relevant

your recommendations are logically linked to your conclusions

you have referenced appropriately

your grammar, spelling & punctuation are correct

tables, figures & diagrams are correctly & consistently labelled and

referred to in body of your paper

Any questions?

L3: Language, Literacies & Learning

www.unisa.edu.au/L3ITEE

• Report writing resources

• Other writing resources

• Drop-in schedule

• Contact a Learning Adviser

www.unisa.edu.au/Referencing

• Referencing resources

• Turnitin

• Plagiarism

• Academic integrity