3.4 ELEMENTS

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In reports we must back up our opinions with data, equations, drawings, etc. As a result we use a number of common items,

- figures

- tables

- equations

-

When these elements are included, there MUST be a mention of them in the written text.

These days it is common to cut and paste figures in software. Make sure

- the resolution is appropriate

- the colors print properly in the final form or print well as black and white

- the smallest features are visible

- scanned drawings are clean and cropped to size

- scanned photographs are clear and cropped to size

- digital photographs should be properly lit, and cropped to size

- screen captures are clipped to include only relevant data

3.4.1 Figures

Figures include drawings, schematics, graphs, charts, etc.

They should be labelled underneath sequentially and given a brief title to distinguish it from other graphs. For example "Figure 1 - Voltage and currents for 50 ohm resistor"

In the body of the report the reference may be shortened to `Fig. 1'

The figures do not need to immediately follow the reference, but they should be kept in sequence. We will often move figures to make the type setting work out better.

If drawing graphs by computer,

- if fitting a line/curve to the points indicate the method used (e.g. linear regression)

- try not to use more than 5 curves on the same graph

- use legends that can be seen in black and white

- clearly label units and scales

- label axes with descriptive term. For example "Hardness (RHC)" instead of "RHC"

- scale the curve to make good use of the graph

- avoid overly busy graphs

3.4.2 Tables

Tables are often treated as figures.

They allow dense information presentation, typically numerical in nature.

Table 3: A Comparison of Toy Vehicle Properties

Description	Number	Color	Shape	Material
car	3	red	rectangular	die cast
truck	6	blue	long	polyprop.
motorcycle	2	green	small	wood

Legends can be added to tables to help condense size.

3.4.3 Equations

When presenting equations, use a good equation editor, and watch to make sure subscripts, etc are visible.

Number equations that are referred to in the text.

Box in equations of great significance.

3.4.4 Experimental Data

When analyzing the results from an experiment there are a few basic methods that may be used,

Percent difference -

Mean and standard deviation -

Point by point -

Matching functions -

etc......

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3.4.5 References

References help provide direction to the sources of information when the information may be questioned, or the reader may want to get additional detail.

Reference formats vary between publication sources. But, the best rule is be consistent.

One popular method for references is to number them. The numbers are used in the body of the paper (eg, [14]), and the references are listed numerically at the end.

Another method is to list the author name and year (eg, [Yackish, 1997]) and then list the references at the end of the report.

Footnotes are not commonly used in engineering works.

3.4.6 Acknowledgments

When others have contributed to the work but are not listed as authors we may choose to recognize them.

Acknowledgments are brief statements that indicate who has contributed to a work.

3.4.7 Appendices

When we have information that is needed to support a report, but is too bulky to include, one option is to add an appendix.

Examples of appendices include,

- reviews of basic theory

- sample calculations

- long tables of materials data

- program listings

- long test results