PROGRESS REPORT SAMPLE Phil Druker/Dept. of English/ UI

Here is a sample progress report on secondary research (library research) that a student wrote for English 317.  This is a student example so there might be some mistakes here, but generally this is a very good example of the first progress report for the class.

Note: do not use boilerplate; use your own words when you write the progress report.

Check the notes below in green. Also check the progress report 1outline in the course pamphlet.

Here's another good progress report sample.

Be sure to check the difference between a good summary and a weak one.

Memorandum

TO: Phil Druker
FROM: C   R
DA TE: October 2, 1999
SUBJECT: Progress report on Comparison of Body Fat Testing  -- make the subject line specific

 Introduction:

My project will compare and contrast four types of body fat testing. These tests include hydrostatic weighing, near-infrared spectrophotometry, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and seven-site skinfolds. I prepared this progress report to show the headway I have made on this topic. -- introduce by stating the purpose of your project and this progress report

 Secondary Research Completed: -- list at least 3 sources

The following is a sample of the research I have completed.

1.Eaton, A W. (1993). Comparison of Four Methods to Assess Body Composition in Women. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 47(5): 353-360. --use correct bibliographic form

This article's purpose was to compare the accuracy of four methods to assess body composition.  The test was performed on 77 Caucasian women.  They where each tested with the hydrostatic weighing, near-infrared spectrophotometry, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and seven-site skinfold test. The article concluded that the mean percent body fat differences were small.
--summarize the article briefly:  main point, main ideas/results, conclusions  Note: this summary could be more specific.  See this example

 I think that this article will allow me to show the subtle differences of the tests. It has also aided me in providing me with ideas on what practical research to use myself (i.e. my own studies and experiments). I plan to use this article in the comparison section.of my report. --evaluate in terms of your project; make the evaluaton as specific as possible

  2. Heyward, VH. (1992). Predictive Accuracy of Three Field Methods for Estimating Relative Body Fatness of Non-obese and Obese Women. International Journal of Sports Nutrition. 2(1 ): 75-86.

  This article compared three ways of testing obese and non-obese women. The subjects were tested through the skinfold test, the near-infrared spectrophotometry, and the bioelectrical impedance. The article concluded that all three tests accurately estimated body fat percentage for non-obese women, but none of the three methods were useful for estimating correct body fat percentage in obese women.

The article will allow me to show that variance is a problem when body fat testing in obese women. I will use this article in my comparison section of my report.

 3. Jackson, AS. (1998). Reliability and Validity of Bioelectrical Impedance in Determining Body Composition. Journal of Applied Physiology. 64(2): 529-534.

 This study was done to examine the reliability and validity of the bioelectrical impedance and compare the findings with the skin fold test, and hydrostatic measurements. Forty-four women and twenty-four male subjects were used.  Each subject was tested four times by two different testers on two days. All three tests were found to be reliable; however to cross-validate them an additional 26 men were tested. The percentage was two percent higher .in the skinfold than in the bioelectrical impedance test.

 This will help me with my initial objective, stating which test is the most accurate.  I plan to use this information in my comparison section.

 4. Vansant, G. (1994). Assessment of Body Composition by Skinfold Anthropometry and Bioelectrical Impedance Technique: A Comparative Study.  Journal of Nutrition. 18(5): 427-429.

 This article compared the skinfold test with the bioelectrical impedance test. In this Study 449 subjects were tested.  One finding of this Study was that the skinfold test overestimated fat mass in the lower weight range and underestimated it in obese subjects. The study also concluded that the result of the two tests could not be compared.

 This will give a good discussion piece on the accuracy of the skinfold test.  It will also allow me to examine if some tests are not comparable.  This article might be used in my comparison section of my report.

 Other Work: --list other work you have completed

I have spoken with Dennis Dolny, Ph.D., Professor of Sport Science and Exercise Physiology, on this topic, and he has provided me with useful information, as well as ideas on where to get other information.

 Conclusion: --discuss how the project is going and whether you're on schedule or not

The research I have completed has allowed me to question my topic further. It also heightened my awareness that further research is necessary. I plan to finish this extra research and do more background research before completing my proposal on October 16.