Overview
This lecture introduces the semester-long Recommendation Report project, outlining the process of investigating a local problem, researching solutions, and creating a detailed report with actionable recommendations.
Project Description and Goals
- The project is a long-term research assignment culminating in a final recommendation report.
- Students must choose a real, local problem and client (decision maker/organization) to study.
- The report should analyze the problem in depth and propose feasible, detailed solutions.
- Solutions must consider the client's constraints, such as time, money, and resources.
- Both short-term and long-term recommendations may be provided.
Stages of the Project
- Identify your local client and a specific, solvable problem.
- Write a clear, in-depth problem description.
- Develop a research plan outlining what information is needed and how to obtain it.
- Conduct primary research: direct observation, interviews, and surveys from at least three perspectives.
- Consult secondary sources (articles, books, company documents) to inform your recommendations.
- Analyze research findings and write a report recommending detailed, actionable solutions.
User-Centered and Reader-Centered Approaches
- Research must be user-centered: focus on the needs and perspectives of people affected by the problem.
- Gather information from at least three different stakeholder groups (e.g., students, staff, management).
- The report should be reader-centered, tailored to the decision maker’s preferences for information and detail.
Constraints and Feasibility
- Choose problems that are manageable and local—not large-scale construction projects or generic topics.
- Recommendations should be realistic and tailored to the client's resources and context.
- Avoid starting with a pre-determined solution; research should guide your recommendations.
Examples of Suitable Topics
- Improving campus recycling (addressing signage, placement, awareness).
- Increasing club member retention or engagement through specific events.
- Enhancing a specific local organization, business, or club’s operations in a tangible, realistic way.
Report Structure
- The final report will include: Introduction (background/problem description), Methods (research plan and process), Results (findings), and Solution (detailed recommendations).
- The research plan transitions into the Methods section (change from future to past tense as you update it).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Client — The real decision maker or organization for whom the report is written.
- User-centered — Research focused on the actual needs and views of those affected by the problem.
- Reader-centered — Writing tailored to the preferences and expectations of the report’s audience.
- Primary research — Firsthand data collection through observation, interviews, and surveys.
- Secondary sources — Published materials or company documents used for background and context.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Choose and propose a local client, decision maker, or workplace and define a specific problem.
- Write a preliminary, detailed problem description.
- Draft a research plan explaining how and when you will collect information and who you will consult.