FIELD REPORT WRITING

FIELD REPORT WRITING
AREA OF STUDY: CORE
BAC211

Year: 3
Semester: 5

________________________________________
* Continuous
** Duration: 3 hours

Course objective:
The basic objective of this course is to impart the students with the skills of systematic writing and presentation of a report on a field visit of a firm, an industry, or an institution. This course enables the students to write and present a fact-based report on their investigation of a problem area of business operations.
Description of course:
This course emphasizes the practical application of the course Research Methodology already taught in the previous semester. In this course, students are required to visit a firm, an industry, or an institution and observe the area (of the business's operation e.g., purchasing, production, marketing, finance, accounting, personnel, office, etc.) of their interest. The students can use different methods of information and data collection (e.g., interview, questionnaire, check list, etc.). The appropriate method of data collection to be used may be decided in consultation with the concerned teachers. After the relevant data have been collected, the students are required to prepare a written report on their study. Upon completion of the report, the students are required to present the report in the seminar organized by the Campus/College. The whole process of field report writing and presentation should be undertaken in consultation with the concerned teacher designated as field report supervisor by the Campus/College.
Activities required by the course:
A. Classroom activities by teacher:
1. A general introduction of field report writing, its purpose, kind of skills to be developed among students. TH1
2. Process (steps to be taken) of preparing field report writing. TH1
3. Methods and techniques of information and data collection. TH1
4. Process of conducting group discussion, interview, & preparing a questionnaire, check list TH2
5. Format of the field report TH1
B. Field visit activities:
• Before the students go for the field visit, they have to be sure of what area of business operation should be studied. The area of business operation for their study may include purchasing, production, inventory, finance, accounting, sales, marketing, human resource, industrial relations, and so on.
• They should also work out beforehand about the kind of data they would need for their study. Thereafter, they have to prepare themselves for the systematic study of that area. They can make a study plan.
• Upon their visit, they can use the appropriate method of data collection (e.g., group discussion with the managers and staff, interview, questionnaire, check list, etc.) for their study.
• The students have to take notes of everything that they think relevant for their study. If they have any query or question, they should ask about it unhesitatingly with the concerned person of the firm they visit. They can also ask for printed and published documents such as Annual Reports, promotional leaflets, brochures, and so on.
C. Report writing activities:
The report is the end product of the entire process of field visit. This is the outcome, which will be evaluated and awarded marks by the examiners. Therefore, the report should be well-organized piece of written work. It should be well-formatted and organized in the main three chapters as mentioned below:
Chapter 1: Introduction:
• Introduction
• Area of study
• Issues to be addressed/questions to be answered
• Objective of study
• Need of study
• Organization of study.
Chapter 2: Presentation and Analysis of Data
• Presentation of data/figures in tables, charts, graphs, etc.
• Analysis of data/figure by using some tools (e.g., accounting,
Financial and statistical tools)
Major findings
Chapter 3: Summary and Conclusion
• A brief Summary of the report
• Major conclusions derived from the analysis of data.
• Suggestions (if any)
The report should be written in about 3,000 words . The report shall carry 80 percent of the full marks and is awarded marks fully by the external examiners appointed by the Controller of Examinations of Purbachal University.
D. Presentation activities:
Once the writing of field report is completed, it should be properly computer-typed, bound and submitted to the Campus/College in three copies. On the date fixed by the Campus/College, the students should individually present their reports in the seminar organized by the concerned Campus/College. They can use the overhead projector (OHP) or multi-media projector whatever is available in their Campus/College for their presentation purpose. The students should also learn how to prepare transparent sheets for the OHP and use computer power point for their presentation. The students should be precise, clear, confident and effective in their presentation.
The presentation of the report shall carry 20 percent of full marks and will be awarded internally by the concerned faculty at the Campus/College.
E. Evaluation of Report:
• The evaluation of the field study report will be made internally and externally. 20 percent of full marks shall be awarded internally by the faculty of the concerned Campus/College at the presentation of report by the students
• 80 percent of full marks shall be awarded externally by examiner/s appointed by the Office of the Examinations Management, Purbanchal University.
• Two copies of written report shall reach the Office of Examinations Management, Purbanchal University, Biratnagar along with the Examination Forms of the students of the Fifth Semester together with the marks awarded internally at the presentation at their respective Campus/College.
• If any student fails to submit and present the report on time, s/he will be regarded as absentee and will be treated as chance or make-up examinee whenever s/he submits and presents it next time.