What should be included in a technical report? Here we have an overview of the types of information, and some examples that you may wish to follow…
Content
- Introduction, including overview and objectives of the research (in brief) and glossary/nomencalture/ acronyms used in the report as well as who conducted the work. Purpose of this report (i.e. a technical report) with relevant signpositng to related reports (i.e. the findings)
- Questionnaire/ discussion guide design, development and piloting
- Sampling design and proceedure – including the sample frame and design, quotas etc
- Data collection – timetable, method employed, dates and deadlines
- Response rates (where relevant)
- data processing, editing and validation – including rounding and estimation protocols etc. and any other statisitcal techniques used (weighting, standard errors etc)
- Strengths/ limitations of the survey
- Report authors/ further information contact details
- Appendices – often include copies of research materials, such as recruitment questionnaires, discussion guide/ questionnaires, stimulus
Examples of technical reports
- https://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/method-quality/specific/business-and-energy/annual-business-survey/quality-and-methods/abs-technical-report.pdf
- https://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/about-ons/products-and-services/opn/technical-report.pdf
- https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/97008/Disability-Research-Technical-Report-2016.pdf
- https://wellcome.ac.uk/sites/default/files/wtp060032.pdf
- https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/research/financial-lives-survey-2017-technical-report.pdf
Many thanks to Liz Montgomery for this research.