Document summary

Summary

A summary is a required component of a report. It clearly states the key points of the report— including the problem under investigation, the principal results and conclusions, and a recommended course of action for decision makers. The summary differs from the abstract (see 5.1.6) in purpose, audience, and length. Because the summary restates key points, material not included in the text does not appear in the summary. Introductory material

(purpose, scope, and organization), descriptive material (nature and method of investigation), and the most important results and conclusions are summarized, with emphasis on the findings of the research and recommendations.

Although a summary depends on the content in that it introduces no new information, it is independent from the user’s point of view; therefore, all symbols, abbreviations, and acronyms are defined, and unusual terms are explained. A summary does not contain references or cross-references to other sections of the report.

If a print report exceeds 50 pages, a separate executive summary is often prepared for a management-level audience. An Executive Summary is a non-technical presentation that provides an adequate level of detail for decision makers needing a basic understanding of a research problem and the major findings but who do not plan to read the report in its entirety. Some Executive Summaries contain fiscal and political implications of the recommendations or results; such indications are frequently not a part of the report. Some organizations may opt to place the summary as the last component of the front matter instead of the first component of the text.