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\title{\bf Sample Report Outline Using \LaTeX}
\author{Brian Yandell}
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\begin{abstract}
An Abstract or Summary should state the problem concisely, show what you found, and
interpret the results briefly.  In short, it should be a synopsis of your
report.  It should contain no figures, but could have a small table.
This document illustrates a sample report outline.  It is not meant to be the only form,
and strongly reflects my own stylistic preference.  However, it may be
useful to you in the major data analysis projects.  This outline is
written in LaTeX and is in
{\verb:www.stat.wisc.edu/~yandell/st998/outline.tex:}.
You may find it helpful if you want to learn the basics of using
\LaTeX. You can create a PDF by using the {\verb:pdflatex:} command; or
you can use your preferred wordprocessing language.
Include key graphs, but not too many.  Make them neat and self
contained.
They should be completely labeled so that the scientist does not have to guess or
remember treatment identification, etc.  Key graphs should be incorporated into the
body of the report when possible.
The report should flow nicely from the statement of the problem through design
considerations and analysis to results and conclusions.  Set up sections with
headings which inform the client.
The diesel reports had some shortcomings in organization.  Learn from those
mistakes.
\end{abstract}

\section{Introduction}

The Introduction should state the problem, as in the summary but with
more background information.  You can indicate here your basic method of
approach to the problem, stating in English what you plan to share with the
scientist.  {\em Do NOT simply copy the problem description from the
scientist: restate in your own words, highlighting the statistical issues
(e.g. design structure, nesting).} The introduction should state
briefly, at the end, a phrase about each section of the report.

\section{Experimental Design/Materials \& Methods}

Depending on the problem, this may a section on
Experimental Design and/or Materials \& Methods.  Here you identify
the aspects of the experiment which are key to understanding the
design. Explain briefly why the design involves subsampling, blocking
or repeated measures. Do this in plain language using the scientist's
terminology where possible--that is your primary audience. Again, do
not simply repeat what you are given--interpret.
Questions and concerns about the nature of experimental units, blocking, random
assignment and the way measurements were taken should be addressed in
this section.

\section{Data Exploration/Analysis}

This section should speak directly to the scientist.  Avoid patronizing phrases
like `obviously', `it is clear that'.  Write in English with enough depth
to let the scientist understand the spirit of what you did, but you
can refer any essential technical details to an Appendix.  Figures
(primary) and tables (secondary) should be well-annotated, self
contained, and tell a major portion of the story. Figures in such a
report should include elements of analysis (such as regression lines,
error bars, etc.).

This section should state what you found and how you found it (sometimes it is
useful to do this in two sections).  It should be organized to tell the story
you finally uncovered, {\bf not} the circuitous path you took to get
there.  ANOVA tables may or may not be important.  Think hard about
what to include and what can be left out.  {\bf Keep it simple.}

Ask yourself if you really need an Appendix (mine was taken out years ago).
Keep it neat; make it self contained.  The Appendix, if needed, you can be more
technical.

\section{Roles and Responsibilities}

[This is not a report section, but a comment on the consulting
process.]
There is no right answer to most real problems; however,
your report should have enough detail that {\bf another statistical consultant} could
figure out what you did and (largely) reproduce it.  Remember that as a
consultant one of your roles is being an educator.  Teach the scientist good
organization and reasoning skills; these are far more important than fancy
technical tools.  You are also an artist, and will learn best by practice and
apprenticeship.  Take charge of your learning; find out about the resources at
your disposal, including me, the computer and the library.  Your own mistakes
are also a fundamental part of this process.

\section{Conclusion}

The concluding section should restate the results in a concise
fashion, in different words and more depth than the summary.
Refer back to the key questions posed by the scientist and tie these to the results.
The conclusion looks back over the experiment and analysis, and can raise
questions and suggestions about future investigations.  Include here
ideas you have about future design considerations.
The scientist may not be able to collect more data, or more precise data, due to
costs and other considerations; keep this in mind when you make
recommendations.
Remember to respect the scientist throughout, but especially in the conclusions.

Interpretation of design and results can appear throughout the report. 
However, people tend to read the Summary and Conclusion first, glancing at the figures
and tables.  Later attention is given to the body of the report--provided
the parts they read caught their interest.

\end{document}
