Summary
Highlights
The module begins by introducing the project 'Diplomado en competencias y habilidades para el desarrollo social y profesional,' with a specific focus on module nine: report writing. The speaker, Alicia Reyes, head of Mechatronics Engineering at San Pedro Sola campus, outlines the agenda, which includes the cover page, index, abstract, introduction, problem statement, objectives, justification, theoretical framework, conclusions, recommendations, bibliography, and annexes.
The cover page is the first page of a written work and must contain all author-related information, including the institution's name and location, program, course, section number, instructor's name, and date. It should be simple, without excessive decorations like borders, and follow APA standards. The index, following the cover page, is crucial for outlining the report's content, including chapters, subchapters, and page numbers. It can have up to five levels of titles but ideally should be limited to two or three for clarity. Separate indices for tables, figures, and annexes are also recommended, with concise titles for each entry.
The abstract is a concise summary of the work, emphasizing its purpose, objectives, methodology, key results, and conclusions. It should be written in the past tense and typically ranges from 150 to 350 words, including at least three relevant keywords in alphabetical order. Unlike the introduction, the abstract should not use indentations. The introduction, akin to a house's facade, offers a general overview of the study. It sets the context, outlines the purpose, and briefly touches on methodology, but without revealing detailed results or conclusions. It should be written in the future tense, from general to specific, and avoid first-person language, aiming for an impersonal tone. The introduction is best drafted at the end of the report to reflect the complete work accurately.
The problem statement includes the problem's background, context, origin, and importance. It can be presented narratively or graphically, illustrating the current situation, desired improvements, and the gap between them. This section should rely on scientific research and quality information. Objectives are divided into general and specific. The general objective aligns with the report's main goal, while specific objectives are sequential activities that contribute to achieving the general objective. Verbs for objectives are categorized into knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, and synthesis, ensuring clear and measurable aims.
The justification explains the 'why' behind the research, presenting arguments and statistical evidence to highlight its necessity and relevance without resorting to sensationalism. It should address the purpose, supporting evidence, and contributions of the work. The theoretical framework analyzes the current situation from a global to a local perspective (macro-, micro-, and local environments), then delves into theories supporting the study. It explains concepts and variables related to the research topic. Information for the theoretical framework should come from reputable scientific sources, such as Google Scholar, Springer, Nature, and ITE Explore, prioritizing recent articles (within the last 5 years) and original sources over secondary reports.
The theoretical framework requires clear, concise language focused on the study object, avoiding excessive use of acronyms and maintaining an impersonal tone. It should define the object, describe its characteristics, and explain its processes, moving from the specific object outwards. When citing sources, compare different authors' contributions chronologically and integrate your analysis to add value. Conclusions summarize the most relevant findings, directly addressing the general objective and specific questions. They should be measurable, avoid value judgments without supporting data, and reflect key discoveries, implications, or identified trends. Conclusions typically avoid introducing new information and primarily serve to close the narrative presented throughout the report.
Annexes include supplementary information—calculations, extensive tables, theoretical support, manuals, catalogs, plans, simulation reports, surveys, interviews, or quotations—that is necessary but not central to the main text. Each annex must be referenced within the document. The bibliography lists all cited sources, arranged alphabetically and including dates to provide context. It's recommended to use bibliographic management tools (like Zotero or Word's built-in features) to ensure proper formatting and inclusion of dates, as sources without dates (S.F. or N.D.) diminish reference clarity.
The video concludes with best practices for presenting tables and graphics. For visual clarity, especially if a document is printed in black and white, ensure that graphics use patterns or diverse line types in addition to colors to differentiate data. Data in tables should use commas for thousands and be clearly labeled. Graphics must be self-explanatory, with clear titles for axes and overall data representation. Avoid informal or overly decorative graphic styles (e.g., strong backgrounds) that detract from readability and professionalism. Each graphic should serve a purpose and be accompanied by a brief explanation in the text.