Guidelines

Report design

Structure

1. The information should be presented in a logical sequence. Each section should have a logical progression and support a central message. Each item should lead to the next.
2. A standard hierarchy of headings and subheadings should be adopted to structure the report.
3. The chapters, main sections and subsections should be numbered sequentially. Thus Section 3.5.5 refers to the fifth subsection in section 5 of Chapter
4. Three is normally considered to be the maximum number of subdivisions. Therefore it is usual to divide the report into chapters which contain a number of main sections and, in turn, these are divided into subsections. As a general rule, paragraphs should not be numbered.
5. Titles and headings used for tables, graphs and other illustrations should also be standardized and numbered sequentially. The first digit should refer to the chapter number and the second digit to the table/chart number. Thus, Table 3.5 refers to the fifth table in Chapter 3.

1. There should be consistency of style in terms of margins, page numbers, paragraphs, bulleted lists, numbered lists, fonts used in hierarchical headings and so on.
2. A reasonable sized font, say 10 or 12 point, should be used to ensure legibility.
3. The layout should aid communication.
4. Colour or space should be used to attract the reader’s attention to key information.
5. Use dark colours for text and figures since light colours are less legible.
6. Do not distract the reader by using more than four or five colours in any diagrams or charts you generate. Avoid the combination of red and green for adjacent data, which is a problem for readers who are colour-deficient.

1. Tables, graphs and other illustrations should relate to the text so that the information is supported by the different representations.
2. To maintain the interest of the reader, a variety of presentations should be used, as dictated by the type of data (for example interval or continuous) and the purpose (for example for comparison).
3. It is usual to divide the research report into numbered chapters which contain several numbered main sections, which in turn can be divided into subsections if required. For example section 3.5.2 refers to the second subsection in section 5 of Chapter 3. Three is normally considered to be the maximum number of divisions (chapter, main section and subsection).
4. It is not usual to number the paragraphs in a dissertation or thesis. However, this may be required if you are designing a report for a non-academic sponsor, such as a government department or professional body. In such cases, we advise that you seek guidance on your sponsor’s preferred style.
5. Titles and headings used for tables, graphs and other illustrations should also be standardized and numbered sequentially. The first digit should refer to the chapter number and the second digit to the table/figure number. Thus, Table 3.5 refers to the fifth table in Chapter 3. It is helpful to the reader if the title is shown above or below the table or figure and the source of the data is shown below.
6. The pages should be numbered sequentially. It is usual to show the page number in the footer.

1. Throughout the document there should be consistency of style in terms of page size, layout, headings, fonts, colour, justification and so on.
2. A reasonable sized font, say 10 or 12 point, should be used to ensure legibility.
3. The design and layout should be attractive; colour and/or white space should be used to complement the layout.
4. If available, colour should be used to attract the reader’s attention to key information.
5. Different colours may be useful for highlighting key variables throughout a report.
6. Avoid the combination of red and green for adjacent data, which we have already mentioned is a problem for people who are colour-deficient.
7. Do not distract the reader by using more than four or five colours (except for illustrations and photographs).
8. Use dark colours for text and figures, since light colours are less legible.

1. Tables, graphs and other illustrations should relate to the text so that the information is supported by the different representations.
2. To maintain the interest of the reader, a variety of presentations should be used, as appropriate to level of measurement and purpose (for example comparison).

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