This short course is designed to develop a range of research and report writing skills, enabling students to improve their written communication skills and produce effective and professional formal reports. The course examines different types of reports and the reasons reports may be written, and looks at different sources of information and how and when they may be used. Methods for researching, collecting and analysing data are introduced, and the structure, layout and conventions of formal reports are explained enabling the student to communicate a range of information in a concise and professional manner.