Planning to write is not writing. Outlining, researching, talking to people about what you're doing, none of that is writing. Writing is writing.
- E. L. Doctorow
The various sections of a report don't need to be in the order suggested, although logically some parts need to come before others. Use headings that are appropriate for your report and that suit your writing style. Formal terms like data collection, analysis and findings may not be familiar for readers who haven't been involved in research. Other headings may be more inviting for some.
Like the setting for a story, this part can tell about the program or other context of your research. If the context is a program, you could describe the program, who comes to the program, and your role. Include whatever other information readers might need as background to your research. Decide whether to use the actual name of the program. (Consult program participants and anyone else who needs to have a say about this decision.)
This might be the place to include information about what led you to do the research, including what you know about the topic.
State the focus or question(s) you wanted to address through your research. Include why the research is important and who you hope will benefit from it.
Refer to Chapter 4 for a reminder about locating ourselves. In one report (Norton, 2008), I used a family photograph to identify my White (Irish/ English), age, family and gender locations.
Did you look for others' reports on the topic, or talk to people in your field? What did you find and how did you use this? For instance, did someone else's work help you focus your research or choose methods? Acknowledge the source of quotes or paraphrased information and include bibliographic information for reports or other sources you refer to (see Chapter 7).