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Technical Report writing. Malawi National Seminar on Census Data Analysis Blantyre, Malawi , 19 -23 July 2010 Jeremiah Banda (International Consultant). Introduction. Census (thematic) topics need to be effectively and properly communicated to users
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Technical Report writing Malawi National Seminar on Census Data Analysis Blantyre, Malawi , 19 -23 July 2010 Jeremiah Banda (International Consultant)
Introduction • Census (thematic) topics need to be effectively and properly communicated to users • The report has to address the relevant audience • Thus, report must provide sufficient explained information • The introduction of the report must be brief- leave details to the body of report
Statement of Purpose • There should be a clear statement of the need or problem including the objectives of the study (further analysis) • An indication of the ways in which the results are meant to be used is always useful • Literature relevant to the study should be reviewed to make readers aware of previous studies
Coverage & Nature of information • Description of coverage and date and duration of the Census • Eligibility • Nature of information collected
Methodology • The report should discuss the methods used in data collection • Domains of study including subject and geographical coverage • Analytical procedures may be indicating assumptions made and formulas used
Census results • Discussion of results constitutes a major portion of a good report • The results or findings tell what the census results suggest on a particular topic • Initially report the data on the topic of interest • Topics should be presented comprehensively & in a coherent manner
Census results cont’d • Tabulated data should be presented in a form of standard tables, with proper headings, well labeled rows and columns • Graphs and charts may be included to assist readers to easily comprehend some of the results • Assessment of quality of data should be part of the report
Objectivity of the report • The report should present balanced and honest findings based on the census information • The researchers should always stick to statistical ethics anchored on honesty and objectivity( see UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, 1994) • Judgment values should not be allowed to dictate out come results and the analysis of the census topic in question
Summary • It is always good to give a summary and interpretation of the main points raised in the report • Summaries should be brief and to the point • Some very technical report give an abstract