meaning of trip report

What Is A Business Trip Report And How To Prepare One?

Home » B2B » What Is A Business Trip Report And How To Prepare One?

Business trip report is a post-trip activity essential to know the outcome of the business trip vis-à-vis its objectives. Employees can use the trip report to highlight their achievements and enhance their reputation in the eyes of the management. Additionally, the report will help the management to analyze the outcome of the business trip. Let us discuss the tips for writing a business trip report.

What is a Business Trip (or Business Travel) Report?

A business trip report, or a business travel report, summarizes the business trip to justify travel expenses. It reviews activities to fulfill pre-defined business objectives, such as finalizing a business deal, providing technical service to a customer, or representing the organization at a trade fair.

• Travel managers can review business reports based on the following criteria:
• Improving networking and customer relationships
• Fulfillment of the training objectives, such as deals, services, certifications, etc.
• Identifying and attracting prospects for new business opportunities
• Knowing new business trends
• Attending company conferences or review meetings
• Imparting training to business associates
• Providing customer business travel support
• Assessing the competition

Business travel reporting activity helps understand to what extent the employee met the trip objectives. It enables travel managers to change policies and improve the efficiency of the future business trips.

Suggested Read: All You Need To Know About Corporate Travel Management

Importance of a corporate trip report

A corporate trip report is necessary to justify the cost of business travel. It is a critical summary to enable reporting, auditing, and business travel budgeting. Business trip reporting helps travel managers monitor, track, and control travel costs. They can leverage the knowledge to enhance the effectiveness of future business trips.

An ideal trip report provides a detailed review of the particular business travel report and is a vital instrument for understanding the justification of the trip expenses. The business trip report comprises many details, such as graphs, tables, photographs, and other documents supporting the claim by justifying the travel expenditure.

How to write a business report?

1. Preparations

Preparations for writing a comprehensive business trip report begin before proceeding on a business trip. You should note down the core corporate of the business trip you expect to meet. The entire trip itinerary will focus on accomplishing this goal. The measure of the trip’s success will depend upon the details and supportive documents you provide while submitting the trip report. Continue noting down all details about your achievements as your business trip progresses. Collecting bills or receipts is an essential prerequisite to facilitate expense reporting. Platforms like Paxes can help you with planning, booking, and producing the necessary travel data and invoices needed to back your report. Remember to get snaps and video clips of important events besides documentary evidence of your achievements, like feedback forms to justify your accomplishments.

2. Headings and essential details

The heading section should provide a quick introduction to the trip report with the total cost of the business trip. Mention the core purpose in the first section of a business trip report. Include the cities and places you covered with dates. Write down the names of colleagues if they accompanied you on the trip. List the names of prospects, customers, and business associates you met on the business trip.

3. Introduction of the report

A general overview of the business trip is an essential feature of the introduction. Let the introduction outline the goal and the results of the business trip. Mention the places you covered and the people you met with the outcome. One should briefly describe the activities such as attending the exhibition stall, highlighting product benefits, meeting prospects, or attending seminars. Focus on how you accomplished the trip’s aim without providing data or supportive documents.

4. Business trip report’s body

The main section of the business report is the body. You should provide details of the activities that helped you meet your business objectives. By providing reasons, you should also reveal the goals you missed to achieve. One should add any other achievements, not part of the trip’s original objectives, in the body. You should explain how the achievement can benefit the organization.

5. Summary of the report

The summary justifies the consumption of resources to cover the trip. Share your observations by mentioning how the business trip can help the organization win more customers, increase sales revenues, or improve the company’s brand awareness. The summary should focus on the expected rise in the business to help travel managers know the ROI from the business trip. The report should include attachments like data, snaps, and customer feedback reports that will help support your accomplishments.

Business trip report template

Here is a simple template for you to get started with your business trip report:

Trip information

Trip itinerary: Insert summary of trip itinerary

Purpose of trip: Define the purpose of the trip with a clear objective

Activities and meetings conducted: Write about the activities and meetings conducted

Site visits and events attended: Write details of site visits and events attended

Key accomplishments: Summary of key achievements during trip

Business opportunities: New opportunities found during the trip

Challenges encountered

Logistics issues: Were there any issues with the transportation

Communication issues: Any language barrier encountered

Other issues: Other issues occurred during the trip

Expenses incurred

Travel and accommodation expenses: Enter airfare, transfers, mileage, hotel rooms charges

Meal and other expenses: Meal expenses, stationary costs and others

Recommendations for future trips

Improvements: Tips on how to get better results

[End of Business Trip Report Template]

Organizations use the business trip report to know the return on travel costs. Business travel reporting is the art of presenting your achievements systematically. Providing details and supporting these with data or documents is the key to writing a perfect business report. The business report should be crisp and clear, presenting the trip’s purpose, activities, learnings, and recommendations.

Travel and expense management platforms such as Paxes offer easy and quick booking of flights and hotels. Additionally, the expenditure data provided in these platforms can help one in preparing a comprehensive business trip report.

Business Trip Report FAQs

Who should receive the corporate trip report of the employee.

Employees submit a corporate trip report to line managers, or corporate travel managers, depending upon the corporate policy.

What is excluded from a business trip report?

The business trip report should not include personal experiences, like visiting a tourist spot, having dinner with colleagues, or detailed notes. Avoid lengthy descriptions of the event or venue.

Is there a standard format for writing a corporate trip report?

The ideal format is the headline, introduction, body, and summary. However, some organizations expect employees to write a corporate trip report in a particular fashion.

Is the expense report part of the corporate trip report?

Many organizations mandate attaching expense reports to the business trip report. In such cases, one can add receipts and bills to the expense report.

What is the focus of a corporate trip report?

A corporate trip report aims to explain how the investment in the business trip will benefit the organization.

What should be included in a business trip report?

A business trip report should consist of trip details, itinerary, expenses, results, challenges, and recommendations.

What is called as trip report?

A document detailing the various aspects of a business trip for analysis and betterment of next trips is called business trip report.

What is an example of a business trip?

Sales trips, brand awareness trips, VIP trips are some of the examples of business trips.

What is the purpose of business trip report?

A business trip report is used to highlight the key findings of the trip and analyze the same to better the following trips.

How do I create an effective business trip report?

What information should be included in a business trip report.

Pratyush is a traveling enthusiast who always looks for innovations in business travel management. He has 5 years of experience writing content on corporate travel management and working closely with expert business travel facilitators.

Leave a Reply

Related posts.

Corporate Travel

Guide to different types of tourism and their features.

Since the beginning of time, travel has been an indispensable part of human life. In the modern world, the various aspects of travel have been accommodated into an organized word ‘Tourism’. With the ease of Read more…

Top Tips On Corporate Hotel Booking In Dubai

Dubai is a city of wonders and one of the biggest business centers in the Gulf. It has numerous corporate offices, tourist destinations, and shopping complexes. The continuous influx of professionals and tourists have offered Read more…

4 Grand Business Hotels In Pune, Maharashtra

Pune, a city renowned for its thriving business environment, is home to a selection of top-tier hotels that cater to the discerning needs of business travelers. These establishments seamlessly blend modern amenities, strategic locations, and Read more…

Let's get started!

Thanks for submitting your details.

We'll get back to you shortly.

What should a business travel report include? self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R15ajm:",1)

Your business trip is over, and now it’s time to draft up a travel report. Why does your manager ask for a business trip report? And what should a good report include? Scroll down to learn everything you need to know about how to write a travel report.

What is a business trip report? self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R2tajm:",1)

A business trip report, or business travel report , is a document about a business trip, usually written for a manager. It’s like a memo of the trip, its purpose, learnings, and outcomes.

The meaning of a business trip report is to give an overview of the trip and justify the expenses. 

With a travel report, you tell your manager (or other relevant people in the company) what your trip was about: purpose, goals, achievements, learnings, and recommendations. The purpose of a business trip can be, for example, to solidify business partnerships, prospect for new clients, or learn about the latest industry trends.

A business trip report also justifies the investment the company makes. If your employer sends you on a business trip and pays for the costs, how will it benefit from your travel? 

What should a travel report include? self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":Rctajm:",1)

There isn’t one set format for a travel report. You can check if your company has a template for reporting business trips or if there are some conventions or requirements the report should follow. If not, you can find a simple business trip report template in this article. 

Unless you work in a traditional industry, a travel report doesn’t have to be too formal. Your manager probably doesn't want to scan through a 20-page report. 

It’s okay to keep the report brief and concise. You can skip the table of contents and executive summary and focus on the goals, outcomes, and learnings of the trip – the part that matters the most. 

A simple outline for a business trip report  self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":Rktajm:",1)

If you want to keep your travel report short and sweet, you can follow this simple structure. 

Basics : Your name, participants (your colleagues), travel period, and destination.

Purpose of trip : Why did you go on this trip? What were the goals? 

Overview : What events did you attend? Who did you meet? What learnings did you gain? 

Summary and Conclusions : A brief summary of the trip and recommendations or action points.

Expenses : You can list your expenses here or deliver your expense claim separately. 

Attachments : If you claim expenses, attach receipts and invoices as proof of travel costs.

Claim travel expenses with an expense report self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":Rqtajm:",1)

If you’ve paid travel expenses from your own pocket, you can claim expense reimbursement from your employer. Depending on your company’s conventions, you can either attach the expense claim to the report or deliver it separately. 

More and more companies use digital tools to manage travel expenses, which means that you don’t need to claim back travel costs with a paper document (and not even with a PDF). For example, Pliant features an integration to Circula , a software designed to streamline and automate claiming and managing travel costs and allowances.

Use a business travel report template  self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R10tajm:",1)

If your company doesn’t have a fixed structure for a business travel report and you’re not sure how to go about it, here’s a template to help you get started. 

You can use this template to summarize your trip and its expenses in a simple and easy-to-skim format. 

Bear in mind that this isn’t an official travel report template – if there is such a thing. Feel free to edit and customize it for your needs. You can skip or add sections that you see useful. If you want to highlight something particular, add new sections, like Goals or Learnings. 

How to write a travel report?  self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R18tajm:",1)

Following the structure of the template above, here’s how you write a travel report. 

Start with the basics self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R1ctajm:",1)

First things first. In addition to your own name, mention any colleagues that were with you on the trip. Include the travel period and destination.

Focus on the benefits for the company  self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R1gtajm:",1)

The body is the most important part of your report. You can use a structure that works best for you, but if you’re not sure what to include, here are some ideas.

You can start with the purpose . Why did you go on this trip? What were the goals? This could be, for example, to keep up with the industry trends at a conference. 

Provide an overview of the trip. Who did you meet? What events did you attend? What did you learn? This is your chance to shine. Stress how the trip was beneficial for the company. Not only did you pick up new skills at a seminar, but now you can put them to use in your work for the company. You’ll want to show how sending you on this trip was a good investment. 

Close with a summary and conclusions . Write a summary and revisit the key points, like your learnings, how the goals were met (or why they weren’t), and recommendations and an action plan for the next steps.

Attach a cost summary and receipts (if necessary) self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R1qtajm:",1)

Depending on your company’s travel expense policy, you can attach a cost summary of your reimbursable expenses and relevant attachments to the travel report. Attachments include receipts and invoices as proof of incurred expenses during the trip.

If you deliver an expense claim with an app or in another way established in your workplace, you don’t have to include it in the travel report.  

What is an example of business travel? self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R20tajm:",1)

There are many types of business travel, ranging from conferences to trade shows to visiting international branches of the same company. 

What qualifies as business travel in the eyes of the tax office varies from country to country. But usually, there’s some kind of requirement for temporary travel for work purposes.

Examples of business travel include:

Conferences and seminars

Trade shows and fairs

Travel to meet business partners, like suppliers or clients

Internal visits and meetings at different locations  

Company retreats and events

Not every type of business travel requires a travel report. If you’re traveling to a company retreat or summer party to unwind and bond with your colleagues, you can skip the report. 

When does a business trip require a travel report? self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R2ctajm:",1)

Whether a business trip report is required depends on the organization and its travel policy. A travel report isn’t always necessary, so it’s best to ask your manager. 

But if you claim reimbursement for business-related travel expenses, you do need to submit an expense report and receipts. This is usually required by the tax office to provide a clear audit trail of why your employer is making a (tax-exempt) payment to you. But this doesn’t mean you have to write a report on the whole trip. 

Depending on the policy of your company, you might either submit an expense claim with an app or software or in another fashion that is established in your organization. 

In summary self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R2ktajm:",1)

Business travel report policies vary from company to company. While a travel expense claim may be required by the tax office, a business trip report is usually just used for internal purposes. 

In some companies or industries, lengthy reports may be the norm. But just the same, there may not be a culture of writing travel reports at all. When in doubt, ask your manager.

Modern corporate credit card for SMEs

Cards with minimum effort and maximum savings

We will send you more information.

Please try again.

Latest articles self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R5ijm:",1)

What is embedded finance and how could it benefit your business.

As TechCrunch so aptly put it, embedded finance is having a moment: banking, payments, and more are being continually integrated into the apps and platforms you already use. You’d be forgiven for thinking that controlling the means of payment would be a goldmine because, well… it is. In fact, more companies than ever are aiming to blur the lines between product and payment, and if you’ve found this post, yours might be among them.

Could Your Company Issue Credit Cards? 3 Industries That Could Benefit from Cards-as-a-Service

If you’re looking to expand your profit margins, and your customer base, by adding financial services to your portfolio, a credit card issued and branded by your company is certainly a goal to aspire to. However, without any experience of offering financial services, you might be wondering about the best way to issue credit cards and bolster your revenue streams. Fortunately, Cards-as-a-Service (CaaS) is the simple, effective option that brings your own card program within reach. Let’s look at the industries best suited to issue credit cards and whether your company could benefit too.

"Intertours Pay": An Innovative Solution for Business Travel Payments

Pliant and Intertours announce a strategic partnership to streamline business travel payments with "Intertours Pay."

White Label Credit Cards: Is it Time to Think About an Embedded Payment Solution Instead?

If you’re looking to capitalize on the ongoing embedded finance boom, a white label credit card is likely near the top of your wishlist. However, there's more than one way to expand your horizons – and grow your profit margins – by adding a payment solution to your products and services. In fact, the big question is probably one you haven’t thought of yet: do you need a white label credit card or an embedded payment solution?

How to Launch a Credit Card: 5 Steps to Starting Your Card Program

They call it “the future of finance” – the ability of non-financial companies to offer financial products and maximize their profits – and a popular way to make the most of the embedded finance boom is to launch a credit card. It’s a big step, but starting the journey to a credit card program is simpler than you think. So, how do you launch a credit card? And is it a worthwhile step for your company?

Implementing a Design System into Pliant: Enhancing Product Consistency, Scalability, and Flexibility

Hello, I'm Niko, the Principal Product Designer at Pliant. In my role, I spearhead the product design, constantly striving to elevate our product to the next level. My primary focus is on ensuring that our product remains scalable, flexible, and consistent, key qualities that are essential in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

• Get the Job
• Resumes and CVs
• Applications
• Cover Letters
• Professional References

Professional Licenses and Exams

• Get a Promotion
• Negotiation
• Professional Ethics
• Professionalism
• Dealing with Coworkers
• Dealing with Bosses

Communication Skills

Managing the office, disabilities, harassment and discrimination, unemployment.

• Career Paths
• Compare Careers
• Switching Careers
• Training and Certifications
• Start a Company
• Internships and Apprenticeships
• Entry Level Jobs
• College Degrees

Growth Trends for Related Jobs

How to write a travel report.

A travel report is also referred to as a trip report and is used to describe the background, observations, and conclusions related to a trip or excursion you have taken. Many times employers will request that traveling employees write up travel reports to relate the knowledge and experience they have gained as a result of their travels. Using the correct format, style, and tone is necessary to create a travel report that is useful and appropriate.

Create the heading of your document. Travel reports can be written in a variety of formats, such as memo or letter format, but most formats use a common heading. The first line of the heading should contain the date, while the name and title of the addressee should be written on the second line, your name and title on the third line, and the subject of the report on the fourth line.

Write the "Introduction" section of your travel report. The introduction of a typical travel report relates the background of the trip and contains background about the people and places that you have visited. This section of the report should be approximately a quarter of the entire length of the report.

Compose the "Discussion" section of your travel report. This is the main section of your report and the bulk of the length should be here. This section should relate your observations and analysis of the situations and events you encountered during your travels. Common subheadings for this section include "Trends," "Main Issues," and "Ethical Dilemmas."

Write the "Conclusion" section of your travel report. The conclusion should not only wrap up your report, but should also explain to the reader what you learned or gained from your travels. Be sure to explain how you have achieved the purpose that you described in the introduction. The last part of the conclusion should include any recommendations you have as a result of your trip.

Finish your trip report. If your report is in memo format, write your initials next to your name in the heading section. If your report is in letter format, use a closing statement such as "Sincerely" or "Best regards" and sign your name. Many employers also require traveling employees to include a list of travel expenses incurred during your trip. Do not forget to include a reference list or works cited page that notes any sources you have used in writing your report.

Related Articles

How to write an effective report →, how to incorporate travel into your resume →.

Cover Letter for the Purpose of Explaining Travel →

How to Write a Memo on a Presentation →

How to Write a Survey Report →

How to Type Up an Itinerary →

• Writing.org: Travel Writing for Pleasure and Profit
• Microsoft: Travel Report Templates

Alexander Abbott has more than seven years of experience in digital marketing. He has been a featured blogger for several media companies in Los Angeles and brings expertise in emerging technological trends, as well as international politics. Abbott is a graduate of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.

Manuel Breva Colmeiro/Moment/GettyImages

• Job Descriptions
• Law Enforcement Job Descriptions
• Administrative Job Descriptions
• Healthcare Job Descriptions
• Sales Job Descriptions
• Fashion Job Descriptions
• Education Job Descriptions
• Salary Insights
• Journalism Salaries
• Healthcare Salaries
• Military Salaries
• Engineering Salaries
• Teaching Salaries
• Accessibility
• Privacy Notice
• Cookie Notice
• Copyright Policy
• Contact Us
• Find a Job
• Manage Preferences
• California Notice of Collection
• Terms of Use

Writing a Good Conference Summary or Trip Report: DevRel Superpowers

Sharing key takeaways from an event can provide benefits for you, your readers, and your company and products.

I skipped posting last week as I attended the All-In Summit in LA . The event was fun and thought-provoking—if you listen to the All-In Podcast , you know what to expect! As I wrote up my event summary on the flight home, I thought I should share my approach to writing successful conference summaries and trip reports.

Why write a conference summary or trip report?

Early in my career, I started writing conference summaries to help clarify my learning from the event. I like to take handwritten notes and Tweet key takeaways during a conference, as this helps me lock in what I’m hearing from the speakers, but I often felt like there was an opportunity to learn more.

During my days as an academic, I found that the best way to really learn a topic was to attempt to teach it. Writing event summaries forced me to re-read my notes, “join the dots” with related topics, and dive deeper into what interested me.

If you work in developer relations, there is also the content creation perspective to writing summaries. Sharing your key takeaways from an event can provide a lot of benefits:

Demonstrates your understanding of the key topics and technologies, which can build your credibility and reputation in the industry

Hones your writing and summarization skills, and helps to develop your online content portfolio

Highlights your company’s involvement with the space and event (driving top-of-funnel awareness)

Explores interesting problems and related solutions (helping with mid-funnel consideration and decision)

Provides an opportunity for you to give a shout-out to your partners, friends, and related OSS projects

With the benefits in mind, let’s explore how to create a good trip report.

A good trip report starts before the event

As part of my conference preparation, I always review the online schedule, looking for interesting topics, technologies, and trends. Not only do I do this to determine my agenda at the event, but it also primes my thinking around writing the summary.

I’ll often note the key themes and then watch for related social media posts during the event. I’ll also bring these up in my discussions with fellow attendees throughout the conference.

Taking notes during the event

During the event, I like to centralize my notes so that I can add commentary, thoughts, and social media links via my mobile devices and laptop. I’ve used Evernote in the past, and now I’m using Onenote. I take brief notes in sessions I attend and take a picture of these to add to my online collection. I typically capture key thoughts from interesting conversations with attendees on my cellphone. I also regularly monitor social media for the event hashtag and other key themes, and add the links to my online notes.

If I’m running a sponsored booth (or on booth duty), I’ll use this opportunity to ask lots of questions about the key themes I identified before the event, and I also look for topics and themes that I may have missed. Asking questions like “What’s your current biggest pain point?” or “What’s been the most interesting thing you’ve learned at the event?” can be eye-opening.

Regarding notes, brevity is your friend here. In the past, I’ve written pages and pages of notes, and I found this tricky to summarise at the end of the event.

When writing, start with the end in mind

When writing the trip report or conference summary, I advise starting with the end in mind and defining your key takeaways upfront. I aim to summarise 5-10 key takeaways, which seem manageable for me and valuable for readers.

Taking my recent All-In Summit summary, I reviewed my notes, and the top five takeaways instantly jumped out to me (and I had identified three of them from a pre-event scan of the schedule and talk abstracts). I looked again at social media and a couple of early summaries shared by other attendees and found roughly eight additional takeaways. I didn’t want to summarize more than ten takeaways, so I merged two and dropped a couple on the cutting room floor. I was left with this:

Once I’ve found the key takeaways, I use this as a skeleton for the remainder of my report. I typically draft each takeaway sequentially and then conduct multiple passes over the entire article, adding additional details, social media links, and images. I usually conduct a final pass where I attempt to “join the dots” and add anything separate from the event that I believe the audience will find helpful.

An example of this in my All-In Summit summary is that I added a couple of links to recent articles in The Economist:

Now, let’s put all of this into practice and look at some example final reports.

Example trip reports

As with many things in life, (deliberate) practice makes perfect. I’ve been writing trip reports for several years and across various roles. Here are some examples of my most popular and successful summaries:

Key Takeaways from the 'Agile on the Beach' Conference: Day Two

microXchg Microservices Conference Day One Summary: DDD, Platforms, and Organisational Impact

KubeCon NA 2021 Key Takeaways: DevX, Security, and Community

KubeCon EU + CloudNativeCon 2023 Summary: DevEx, Debugging, and Doubling-down on Community

My Top 10 Takeaways from the All-In Summit 2023

As a guide, I aim for thousands of page views. An average summary in the cloud native space might get ~5000-10000 views, and my “bangers” have scored 25k+.

Event summary top tips: SEO and distribution

Writing an amazing event summary is no good if no one reads it. For this reason, you will need to focus on search engine optimisation (SEO) and distribution.

I’ve been lucky to work with some fantastic SEO specialists over the years, and so I have internalized (and constantly updated) many SEO best practices. Although SEO can rapidly turn into a game, my north star is to write content that people want to read and format the content in a way that is discoverable by fellow humans, i.e. create a good title, use sub-headings to illustrate the structure, write concisely, include diagrams where it makes sense, etc. Once you’ve mastered this, you can optimise for keywords, meta information, social media cards, etc.

There are several good SEO references available for DevRels—for example, Google’ SEO Starter Guide , Lauren Schaefer and Magen Grant’s SEO for DevRel , Mostafa Moradian et al.’s “ DevRel content strategies with a focus on SEO optimization for developers ”— but I always recommend searching for the latest SEO guidance. If you are creating a lot of content, I recommend hiring someone with SEO/SEM expertise. Trust me, it’s worth the investment!

Distribution is also super important. Some of my most significant bumps in page views have been due to a mention in popular newsletters and on social media, such as DevOps Weekly , What's Hot in Enterprise IT/VC , LearnK8s , etc.

Cultivating relationships with the people running these sites and accounts is key here, as is subtly highlighting the content you want to be shared. For example, I’ll tag people in social media posts and discussions where appropriate, and I’ll sometimes DM or email newsletter owners the article and ask for the share. My advice is to always focus on the win-win, not to be overly pushy, and ensure you are taking time to help these folks before asking for too much in return.

Common trip report and conference summary mistakes

Here are some of the typical conference/trip summary mistakes I encounter regularly (and note that I have made most of these at some point in my career!)

Being overly promotional and/or mentioning your company and products too much. Don’t get me wrong, most people sharing content on the Internet have an angle or agenda—and as the startup cliche goes, we all work in sales—but there is a delicate balance. In my experience, it’s okay to mention your company and products once or twice in a report, mainly if this is relevant to the discussion. Still, anything more than this will make the article look like straight-up marketing copy, and no one wants to read this type of content.

Writing an overly long event summary. I’ve made this mistake at least a few times, most recently with a two-part KubeCon summary . In my experience, readers generally want a concise overview of the takeaways and critical learning.

Creating the summary too long after the event. I get it; we’re all time-pressured, but if you wait to publish your summary more than a week after the event has finished, you may miss out on the surrounding buzz. And if you post your summary later than a month after the event, it just looks like old news.

Let me know in the comments if you have more conference summary antipatterns or trip report mistakes to share!

Want to know more about DevRel content creation?

I hope this post has helped to shed some light on how I summarize my learning and get extra value from attending conferences and technical events.

Please comment below and let me know if you want more content on writing in the role of developer relations. I also offer ad hoc advising and consultancy in this space.

And don’t forget to subscribe! I’m aiming to share a post every two weeks or so.

Leave a comment

Ready for more?

How to Write a Top Trip Report

Our eNewsletter Routefinder, sent on the first of each month to over 30,000 individuals (including our 15,000 members), is one of our most important communications. Considered a “mini magazine,” each month we sift through dozens of blogs, events, and updates to select eight to ten of the most important items for you to read. This includes heartfelt magazine stories, key organizational updates, conservation and advocacy alerts, new courses, and more. And do you know what is often the most popular item, month after month?

Trip reports.

That’s right – what some would consider to be dry, technical reading is actually top-tier content for our membership. Post holing on Mt. Si? Crowded trailheads by 9am at Colchuck Lake? Yet another batch of blowdowns in the Pasayten? The people want to know.

Trip reports are foundational to our members’ and leaders’ ability to get outside. Trail conditions, weather, new obstacles, route information, and more contribute to the feasibility and the success of any potential outing we plan. More than that, trip reports give us a taste of what’s to come. Whether you want to find the best spot to pick alpine blueberries and admire mountain goats, or you just need to know if you should bring your microspikes up McClellan Butte this week, trip reports answer the questions that we would otherwise have to ask our friends or hunt down on our own. And as a member of The Mountaineers, you now have the informational power of 15,000 friends.

For this reason we have decided to offer you top tips to create successful trip reports, and a stellar autumn backpacking trip report for you to read. Break out your waterproof notebooks, folks, because this is what The Mountaineers is all about.

The best trip reports include

Detailed trip information . The foundation of any good trip report is going to be high-quality information on the route and how your group completed it. This is what most readers come for, as it allows them to plan their own trip to maximize preparation and minimize time-drains or safety risks. Especially on highly technical trips like climbs, the more information, the better. If you’re creating a trip report, do your best to include the following:

• Trail conditions, including snow conditions (when applicable)
• Route obstacles (blowdowns, water crossings, loose rock, etc.)
• Route-finding tips, and any route-finding issues your group ran into
• Weather conditions throughout your trip
• Start and end times (include break durations)
• Water sources
• Potential campsites/natural shelters
• Any safety concerns

Group dynamics. In addition to learning about the trail itself, trip reports are an opportunity for people to learn more about what works and what doesn’t. The size of your group, their experience level, and any strategic or safety decisions you made could be valuable information for another leader or participant. For instance, if your group did not summit, why did you make that decision and what factors influenced your final outcome? These details can sometimes be just as important as the trail conditions. Other group information can also inform readers on how they want to approach their trip. For instance, including group experience and fitness levels, paired with total trip time, will help readers estimate how long their own trip may take.

High-quality photos. Although it’s helpful to have a written description of a route and any issues your party encountered, photos can quickly clarify route confusion, show trail conditions, and get folks excited about the trip. Always be sure to take photos that are clear, not backlit (facing the sun) or overexposed, and offer a full shot of the trail or obstacles you faced. Well-taken photos are much more useful to future route users, and make your trip report more appealing overall.

This image is washed out, only shows a small portion of the trail, and does not include any relevant information about the route.

This image is clear, shows the trail straight-on, and provides information on trail obstacles..

Bonus info. Half of the fun of reading a trip report is getting stoked for your upcoming excursion. If you’re putting together a trip report, always include the bonuses: wildlife sightings, top-notch views, beautifully-done stewardship work, berry picking, and stellar sunrises. At the end of the day, it’s the journey, not the summit, that we remember most. Revel in it, and others will be inspired to do the same.

Example trip report

This is a staff favorite example of a highly-detailed trip report, offering the perfect balance between technical information and outdoor stoke. Read on to learn about Golden Lakes Loop, and consider taking your own backpacking trip this season

Golden Lakes Loop, October 4-7, 2021

By Cheryl Talbert, 13-year member & backpacking leader

Photo by Cheryl Talbert.

Our group of four Mountaineers friends started at the Crater Creek trailhead (TH) with a plan to do four days around the Golden Lakes loop, including nights on the ridge near N Navarre Peak and at Sunrise Lake. The roads to the TH were very good, only a few bumpy sections, and the parking area at the TH is very large with a toilet. When we arrived at around 11AM on a Monday there were already a dozen vehicles in the lot.

The trail to Upper Eagle was dusty at the bottom but well graded (with lots of trail engineering for mountain bikes and motorbikes) and signage is good. Golden larch and aspen appeared part way up, and by the time we got to the lake the larch color was all around us and stunning! Needles are falling fast now though I project that the color will last another week, windstorms notwithstanding. We arrived first at Upper Eagle and took lovely camps by the lake; probably another 8-10 people arrived after us and there was room for everyone to disperse out of sight and hearing. There is a box toilet at this camp and the lake is gorgeous, highly recommended! We arrived there in about three hours.

On day two we set out up toward Horsehead Pass, a good trail with a few boulder-hopping sections. Great views on the way up, looking across Lower Eagle Lake to the eastern plains. From the pass the views to the west along the Chelan summit ridge are really beautiful, a mix of golden larch, dark evergreens, yellow aspen, red berry bushes, and broad golden meadows. We descended to Boiling Lake, then took the route signed 'Cub Lake,' which then requires keeping an eye on the map and taking the turn on the Summit Trail going east. Many people get confused and take the spur straight along the shore of Boiling Lake - don't do that, as that trail goes up to a ridge and stops. The Summit Trail is flat for a while through forest, then climbs and turns east through broad meadows with views. We passed by the turnoff to the Angel's Staircase (well signed) because we wanted to explore the ridges along the Summer Blossom Trail to North Navarre Peak and camp along there. It was well worth the walk along the summit trail - more lovely meadow and fall vegetation - but then there was a steep (but well graded) larch- lined climb to Horsethief Pass (much damaged by bikes). At the top of the pass we could see that the ridges above Horsethief Basin on both sides had burned out and weren't so pretty to look at, though there were still larch and spruce in the basin (you could probably find places to camp below but we didn't look). We saw a bear below as we followed the Summer Blossom Trail - narrow but pretty easy to follow with lots of ups and downs. Finally, there was a steep descent and then a climb to the ridge with N Navarre Peak ahead, where a friend had suggested a ridgetop camp. However the weather forecast was for cold wind and the ridge was burned out, plus the creek before the ridge was down to just a trickle. We decided to go back and camp under a patch of spruce in the gorgeous larch meadows on the other side of Horsethief Pass, and this was a good call – low clouds and mist/rain blew in later and we were glad for shelter under the trees.

The next morning dawned VERY cold - mid 20s. Our water filters froze sitting for a short time next to our cooking area! We bundled up in all of our clothes, treated water with aquamira drops, and set out to go up Angel's Staircase. The trail through here is just fantastic, a gentle climb to the ridgetop with dramatic views though everything was quite frosty (about an inch of heavy frost near the top covering all the rocks, though not slippery). From the top of Angel's Staircase we descended through Merchant's Basin and set out to climb up to Sunrise Lake to camp (note that most maps, including Gaia, show a turnoff well before the clump of evergreens where the Sunrise Lake trail sign is posted - but the trail is very faint and I've missed it twice! Not to worry, you can cut toward the creek and will find the trail). We got to Sunrise Lake to find a VERY cold wind blowing even at 11am, and insufficient shelter from the wind, so anticipating having to hide in our tents the whole day and night we decided instead to enjoy a chilly lunch at the lake and then go back down to Merchants Basin, where there are lots of really nice sheltered camps and protection from the wind (a very good decision, as we heard the wind roaring through the trees up in the direction of the lake through that night!). We explored along Foggy Dew creek and I read for a while in the sun before an early dinner and into our tents.

On day four we woke to another very cold morning, bundled up and headed back up the trail through the basin, over the crest and down the trail to Cooney Lake (this section is steep with poor traction in places). Cooney is beautiful with a lot of camps, but was deserted on this Thursday morning. Larch color on this side is well on the decline and the ground drifted with golden needles. We made quick work of the six miles from Cooney back out to Crater Creek TH.

Lead image of Garrett Arnold and Skye Stoury. Photo by Skye Stoury.

This article originally appeared in our fall 2022 issue of Mountaineer magazine. To view the original article in magazine form and read more stories from our publication, visit our   magazine archive . 

Add a comment

• Log in to your account
• Create an account or join

Also In the Blog...

The Mountaineers

Helping people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Mountaineer Magazine

Mountaineers Books

An independent nonprofit publisher

• Bookseller Info
• Press Inquiries

Connect with the Mountaineers Community

Connect with the mountaineers books community.

The Mountaineers®, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Tax ID: 27-3009280.

Mountaineers Books is a registered trademark of The Mountaineers®, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Tax ID: 27-3009280.

• Aviation Recruiting Services
• Talent Identification
• Compensation Consulting
• Aviation Outplacement
• Client Testimonials
• Apply with API
• Candidate Testimonials
• Meet The Team
• API in the News
• API Testimonials
• Affiliations
• Privacy Policy

CALL 1 (415) 751-3250

How to Write a Trip Report & Recap Your Company’s Investment

WRITTEN BY Jill Henning ON September 24, 2018

Before heading to your next aviation conference, you might want to consider how you’ll recap the event with a trip report.

A trip report is a communication document addressed to your aircraft owner, aviation reporting executive, director and/or members of your team.

It’s meant to review why you attended, what you learned and who you met. It will likely also include your recommendations based on your learnings. You might even include tips to prepare for next year’s event.

The Importance of a Trip Report

Why are trip reports important? For starters, your company is likely making a significant investment to send you on business travel. Whether it’s for personal or professional development reasons (or both), they’ll want to ensure that there’s a benefit.

We thought it might be helpful to share the following few tips with those planning to attend NBAA’s upcoming Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition . Hopefully, in this way, you can make the most of your company’s investment—ahead of your return. And, when you do write your trip report, you’ll have a wealth of relevant information to include.

Tips for Writing a Trip Report

Have a plan

First up, having a plan is critical to getting the most out of your event attendance. Before you go, research what sessions you’ll be attending and who you’ll be meeting with (colleagues, partners, vendors, etc.).

Be sure to ask yourself: What do I want to accomplish? To learn? Why am I attending? And how can I use my experience at the event to train/educate others when I return?

Schedule your time

If possible, use the show’s event app to schedule where you’ll be during the NBAA event. This allows you to make sure you’re using your time as wisely as possible. It also serves to let others know where you might be if they’re interested in getting hold of you.

It’s extremely helpful to use a Google Sheets app (or other recording tools) to document what you’re learning—as you learn it. You can also take notes on your iPad or laptop during sessions. Capture relevant content, products, important presentation slides or signage using your phone or iPad. Don’t forget, a picture is worth a thousand words!

Your digital documentation helps you avoid having to go back and retype everything when you return from the show.

Lastly, we recommend scanning any collected business cards into your phone using a free digital scanner. One example is the CamCard app . It’s free and will save you time retyping contact details into your Outlook, Gmail, etc.

Be specific

Try to frame what you’ve learned in terms of the benefits it provides you. Did you meet the goals you set out for yourself in your plan?

Provide specific examples of events relevant to your goals or anything that happened that will benefit your company. Discuss specifically how those benefits will help the company—for example, it might be that you are able to decrease the company’s need to hire outside vendors now that you have a particular skill you picked up at the show.

The event app is a great way to see who’s exhibiting, along with who is attending special functions. More than likely, the app will offer a messaging tool (similar to Twitter), and you maybe be able follow the official event hashtag, such as “nbaa18.” If you’re traveling solo, connecting with others online might be the perfect way to break the ice.

Use your time wisely

Be mindful of the free time you have at—and following—the event. Perhaps you can use your travel time on the trip home to document the salient points of your trip in a PowerPoint or Google doc. Doing so will ensure that you’re ready to go on the Monday after your return.

Submit expenses

An easy way to capture all your expenses is to snap photos of your receipts. Doing so will help you calculate the Return on Investment (ROI) for your attendance. List the total cost for the trip, any expected financial benefit to the company and your recommendation for the future. The more specific you can be about the benefits of your trip, the easier it is for your management team to calculate a return on their investment.

Recommendations

If the trip was worth it to you, try and list any tips for attendees who might be planning to attend the same event next year (these tips might include recommendations where to stay, how to get around, how to use the app, etc.)

As we hope these few tips will remind you, a little bit of planning and structure around your attendance at the NBAA event (or any other one, for that matter) can make a world of difference when you sit down to write a trip report. At the very least, you’ll return from the event with the satisfaction of having gotten the most out of it you can.

How about you? Do these tips spark any of your own you’d care to add? If so, we encourage you to share them

Session expired

Please log in again. The login page will open in a new tab. After logging in you can close it and return to this page.

Tips for writing a business trip report

A business trip report can be one of the simplest ways for a company to keep track of the details of such a trip. Expenses, responsibilities, fulfillment of objectives, etc. As such, such reporting becomes really important for companies with many employees to keep track of. It can also be important for small companies that need to make sure that the economic efforts invested really pay off.

For the traveler, reporting a business trip does not have to be a bad thing. Since can be a tool that shows your professionalism and how valuable you are to the company that employs you. . Just get used to writing them and it will become second nature.

First of all, start by carrying a small notepad or an app that virtualizes this task on smartphone and pc, for each business trip. This will be an important part of preparing to write a business trip report later on. Make sure it is one that you can carry in your pocket or purse. The important thing is that you can carry it with you at all times. Get in the habit of carrying a pen as well.

It is necessary to note everything that is required as part of the trip report. Although each company will have different requests. Generally, write down all the expenses even the unexpected ones. This should be done even if everything is done with the company credit card. You may not be able to access the credit card files while doing the report, so it's better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. If personal expenses are covered, write them down as well.

There are also technology platforms that can automate this task for you. to record expenses and computerize the record directly.

You may also want to record time spent actually working (e.g., in meetings or at business meals), time spent commuting, and time spent doing other business-related things along the way. If you received any gifts from the client or partner, be sure to note in the description and value of the gift (if known).

Now, once you have collected all the data from your trip, you can start writing your business trip report from the first day you are back. Your superior may give you a deadline for the report. But if we exceed the expectations of that deadline by doing it on arrival, it's always a good thing.

The report should include the following elements:

• Date of report
• Your name and the name of the company colleagues who accompanied you (if any)
• Names of clients or partners you have seen during the trip
• Exact dates of each of the events of the trip accompanied by their descriptions
• Key things you did for the company during the trip
• Victories and defeats
• Include a detailed list of expenses and earnings during the trip.
• After listing the expenses, make a bulleted list of all the reasons why the trip was successful and necessary.

Be sure to follow your particular company's policies regarding the reporting of business trips . Each company will have its own requirements and formats. Here we have provided a format for you. Trust yourself and keep a balanced record that is thorough yet clear and easily interpretable for the most effective business travel report.

Help yourself with digital tools to make your task easier

Nowadays we have many tools that can facilitate the task of preparing a business trip report.

From expense capture and collection platforms such as OkTicket o Captio to others as virtual notepads such as Google Keep , Evernote u Onenote .

We will also find useful task management tools such as Todoist o Notion .

Finally, the most important and specialized to save you work in the management of a business trip would be platforms such as our own, Vyootrip . A system that will automate many of your travel processes and allow you to offer a more direct expense report. . Discover it here .

We make it easy to manage your business trips with our smart technology.

Links Product FAQ Localsfy

Contact (+34) 648 200 516 Click and write to us

Travel Agency License 237342-3

Copyright © 2020 Vyootrip Solutions S.L. All rights reserved

Terms of use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy

We use cookies to optimize our website and our service.

Creating a Trip Report

Introduction: Creating a Trip Report

If you work for a company, small business, or federal agency, there's a great chance that you will have to travel on business trips for conferences, training, or symposiums. These trips normally are not attended by everyone that may have a need or interest in the purpose and outcome of the trip. This after action report or "trip report" often details the who, what, when, where, and why of the event. These reports can sometimes be difficult to put together and format.

This instructable will make the report easier for you to write and understand the purpose behind it.

SAFETY: Keep in mind that any official business coorespondance can be subject to public viewing. This is especially true for the military and its information security. Ensure that all communication and written reports are for official use only and you do not include sensitive or confidential information.

MATERIALS NEEDED: There is only a limited amount of materials needed for this instructable.

• Notes gathered from the trip. This should include names of attendees, dates of travel, and major items discussed.
• Laptop or desktop computer for generating report.
• Microsoft Word or any other publishing software that will need to be used.
• CD, USB, or registered Email for transferring between computers or sending to others.

Step 1: Open Document and Adjust Your Formatting

If you are using a blank template, you will need to set your margins to 1", font to Times New Roman, and font size to 12pt.

Step 2: Use the Correct Letterhead

Whenever writing a trip report, you want to use proper military letterheads. These are usually approved as the standard for all correspondence. You can either copy and paste into the header or type it in yourself. Be sure to use the proper font and size.

Step 3: Opening the Report

With formatting set and your letterhead at the top of the document, you may now begin typing your opening for the report. First, you will need to put the date on the right side of the page. Then, you will hit return two times and address who the report is for. This is done by typing MEMORANDUM FOR with two spaces after the word "FOR". If the report is going to an individual, type the entire name beginning with the appropriate prefix (Mr., Mrs., Dr. etc.). You will then hit return two times and type FROM: with two spaces after. This will be where you type you office or individual information. You will then hit return two more times and type SUBJECT: with two spaces after. The subject is critical, but to the point. Don't get long winded. Keep the subject short, but concise.

Step 4: Body of the Report

After your opening, you will need to hit return another two times and choose number formatting to organize the different parts of the report body. As illustrated in the picture, you should have an entry for purpose, travelers, itinerary, discussion, and conclusion. These titles should be capitalized with a colon and two spaces before you begin to narrate.

The purpose should articulate the main reason for the trip. This can include events leading up to a final trip, a change in a company wide process that needs to be communicated, a training conference that requires attendance by a specific career field, or an on-site inspection. The purpose should be clear.

Next, list the trip attendees. Include the business they work for as well as the position they hold. These important pieces of information could have relevance to the receiver of this report and anyone who views it.

The intinerary will tell the reader where the report took place and may include a summary of the agenda.

The discussion could be minutes or important agenda items that were discussed. Be detailed in this portion since this report will be the main source of information given about the trip.

Finally, have a conclusion that either closes on an important take away from the trip, or provide recommendations to the issues that were seen.

Step 5: Closing the Report

Lastly, the report will need to be officially closed. First, the writer should include a closing statement that directs the reader to a point of contact for any questions. In this sentence or paragraph, include your contact information. After the closing sentence, you will need to hit return four times and create a signature block to endorse the report. The easiest way to ensure the block is formatted is to center align your cursor and hit space three times. Here you will write your full name in capital letters. Lastly, hit return after your name and write your job title or position.

Your final product should appear similar to the title picture for this instructable. For additional assistance with writing official Air Force correspondence, you can look up Air Force Handbook 33-337, The Tongue and Quill. Additionally, here is a video to help you along the way.

Recommendations

All Things Pi Contest

Big and Small Contest

Making Time Contest

How to Write a Field Trip Report

How to Create a Nursing Practicum Journal

Visiting the Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., or touring the wetlands in Florida are two examples of exciting and educational field trips for middle school and high school students. You might take notes during your trip, so you can come up with an interesting thesis for your assigned field trip report. For example, you might write about a shuttle launching or an unusual creature who lives in the wetlands. Field trip reports should include a compelling introduction, a well-structured body and a strong conclusion. Discuss your favorite elements of the trip, so your assignment reads like a personal observation report or narrative essay.

Lead with Interesting Introduction

Start your introduction with information that leads up to your thesis statement, which is usually the last sentence of your introduction. You might focus on an interesting anecdote from your trip or discuss particular features that made an impression on you. Use these tidbits to develop your thesis. For example, you might create a three-point thesis, such as "The wetlands in Florida have vulnerable ecosystems, experience climate changes and endure seasonal flooding." If your teacher wants a technical field trip report, start with an abstract -- a brief summary paragraph -- that clearly explains where you went and what you learned during the field trip. Use research or literature to support your statements in your field trip report. For example, if you visited a local arboretum, you might use information from display placards to describe your favorite types of foliage and their seasonal life cycles.

Provide Facility Details

Discuss the field trip location by describing the facilities and explaining what you saw or experienced. For example, if you visited an astronomy observatory, discuss viewing areas and the telescopes you used. If you were using inside telescopes, describe the height of the domed ceilings, the different types of lighting and the approximate distance to the stars or planets. By providing extensive details, you show your teacher that you were paying close attention to the instructor, or in the observatory example, to the astronomer's explanations. You might also discuss any handouts or educational materials you received during the field trip.

Discuss Surprising Findings

Explain in your field trip report any new information or details that took you by surprise and include statistical data to support your findings. This type of data shows that you learned something during the field trip. For example, if you visited an underground cave, you might discuss a particular type of bat or an unusual plant that grows in the cave. Use outside research or information from the tour guide to support your data, and cite your references clearly, so your teacher knows where you got the information. When possible, use academic journals or magazines to support details in your observation report of the field visit.

End with Compelling Conclusion

Conclude your field trip report with a summary of your overall experience, including reasons why others might want to visit the location. You might include a brief summary of a personal discussion you had with the tour guide or field trip facilitator or cite a distinguishable fact from your research. If you participated in any hands-on activities or your class was allowed to see behind the scenes, you might end your paper by discussing those highlights. For example, if you visited a science center, you might discuss fossils you examined, electricity experiments you participated in, or hands-on experiments with wind tunnels that allowed you to examine weather patterns.

Related Articles

How to Create an Animal School Project

How to Write a Practicum Report

How to Write a Short Report on Job Shadowing

How to Write Post-Doctoral Career Goals

How to Write an Autobiography in the 7th Grade

Does APA Style Recommend Using the Present Tense?

How to Write a Timeline Report

How to Create a Life Map

• Clayton State University: Natural Sciences: Report Format
• Purdue University Online Writing Lab: Using Research and Evidence
• University of Arkansas Newswire: Research: School Field Trips Give Significant Benefits
• Common Core State Standards Initiative: English Language Arts Standards: Writing: Grade 9-10

As curriculum developer and educator, Kristine Tucker has enjoyed the plethora of English assignments she's read (and graded!) over the years. Her experiences as vice-president of an energy consulting firm have given her the opportunity to explore business writing and HR. Tucker has a BA and holds Ohio teaching credentials.

62+ SAMPLE Trip Report Templates in PDF | MS Word | Google Docs | Apple Pages

Trip report templates | ms word | google docs | apple pages, 62+ sample trip report templates, what is a trip report, the elements of a trip report, how to create a trip report, what makes a good trip report, what if i forget what happened during the trip, what are the parts of report writing.

Trip Report Template

Conference Trip Report Template

Business Trip Report Template

Sample Trip Report Template

Business Trip Summary Report Template

Trip Expense Report Template

Simple Business Trip Report Template

Sales Business Trip Report Template

Field Trip Report Template

Sample Business Trip Report Template

Basic Conference Trip Report Template

Sales Trip Report Template

Travel or Trip Report

Business Trip Report

Final Trip Report

Rotary Trip Report

Trip Report Outline

Travel Agenda and Trip Report

Daily Trip Report

Sample Field Trip Report

Project Trip Report Format

Sample Nation Trip Report

Village Trip Report

Diligence Trip Report

International JetBlue Trip Report

New Jersey Harvester Trip Report

Sample Trip Report

Event Trip Report

Sample Post Trip Report

First Trip Report

 Work Trip Report

Simple Field Trip Report

Introduction to Trip Report

Science Trip Report

Sample Volunteer Trip Report

Speaker Trip Report

Public School Trip

Program Trip Report

Standard Trip Report

Sample Fisheries Trip Report

Truck Owner Operator Trip Report

My Field Trip Report

Technical Trip Report

Engineering Trip Report

Trip Report Format

ConferenceTrip Report

Sample Trip Information Report

Trip Report in PDF

Printable Trip Report

Basic Trip Report Example

Trip Report Executive Summary

Free Trip Report

Kids Trip Report

Parents Field Trip Report

Sample Writing Trip Report

Daily Local Driver Trip Report

Faculty Ambassador Trip Report

Sample Trip Report Form

Graduate Student Travel Trip Report

Sample Educational Trip Report

Bus Trip Report

Sample Faculty Trip Report

Trip reports: why are they beneficial, to whom do you send trip reports, step 1: always carry a small notebook, step 2: decide the report mode, step 3: slowly insert the crucial elements, step 4: clean your report, step 5: end by validating the report.

• Table of contents
• Executive summary
• Introduction
• Recommendations

Share This Post on Your Network

File formats, word templates, google docs templates, excel templates, powerpoint templates, google sheets templates, google slides templates, pdf templates, publisher templates, psd templates, indesign templates, illustrator templates, pages templates, keynote templates, numbers templates, outlook templates, you may also like these articles, 12+ sample construction daily report in ms word | pdf.

Introducing our comprehensive sample Construction Daily Report the cornerstone of effective project management in the construction industry. With this easy-to-use report, you'll gain valuable insights into daily activities report,…

25+ SAMPLE Food Safety Reports in PDF | MS Word

Proper food handling ensures that the food we intake is clean and safe. If not, then we expose ourselves to illnesses and food poisoning. Which is why a thorough…

browse by categories

• Questionnaire
• Description
• Reconciliation
• Certificate
• Spreadsheet

Information

• privacy policy
• Terms & Conditions

404 Not found

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• Official Writing
• Report Writing

How to Write a Visit Report

Last Updated: March 30, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Madison Boehm . Madison Boehm is a Business Advisor and the Co-Founder of Jaxson Maximus, a men’s salon and custom clothiers based in southern Florida. She specializes in business development, operations, and finance. Additionally, she has experience in the salon, clothing, and retail sectors. Madison holds a BBA in Entrepreneurship and Marketing from The University of Houston. This article has been viewed 652,910 times.

Whether you’re a student or a professional, a visit report helps you document the procedures and processes at an industrial or corporate location. These reports are fairly straightforward. Describe the site first and explain what you did while you were there. If required, reflect on what you learned during your visit. No additional research or information is needed.

Writing a Visit Report

Explain the site's purpose, operations, and what happened during the visit. Identify the site's strengths and weaknesses, along with your recommendations for improvement. Include relevant photos or diagrams to supplement your report.

Describing the Site

• Reports are usually only 2-3 pages long, but in some cases, these reports may be much longer.
• In some cases, you may be asked to give recommendations or opinions about the site. In other cases, you will be asked only to describe the site.
• Ask your boss or instructor for models of other visit reports. If you can't get a model, look up samples online.

• If you visited a factory, explain what it is producing and what equipment it uses.
• If you visited a construction site, describe what is being constructed and how far along the construction is. You should also describe the terrain of the site and the layout.
• If you’re visiting a business, describe what the business does. State which department or part of the business you visited.
• If you’re visiting a school, identify which grades they teach. Note how many students attend the school. Name the teachers whose classes you observed.

• Who did you talk to? What did they tell you?
• What did you see at the site?
• What events took place? Did you attend a seminar, Q&A session, or interview?
• Did you see any demonstrations of equipment or techniques?

• For example, at a car factory, describe whether the cars are made by robots or humans. Describe each step of the assembly line.
• If you're visiting a business, talk about different departments within the business. Describe their corporate structure and identify what programs they use to conduct their business.

Reflecting on Your Visit

• Is there something you didn’t realize before that you learned while at the site?
• Who at the site provided helpful information?
• What was your favorite part of the visit and why?

• For example, you might state that the factory uses the latest technology but point out that employees need more training to work with the new equipment.
• If there was anything important left out of the visit, state what it was. For example, maybe you were hoping to see the main factory floor or to talk to the manager.

• Tailor your recommendations to the organization or institution that owns the site. What is practical and reasonable for them to do to improve their site?
• Be specific. Don’t just say they need to improve infrastructure. State what type of equipment they need or give advice on how to improve employee morale.

Formatting Your Report

• If you are following a certain style guideline, like APA or Chicago style, make sure to format the title page according to the rules of the handbook.

• Don’t just say “the visit was interesting” or “I was bored.” Be specific when describing what you learned or saw.

Sample Visit Report

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/471286/Site_Reports_for_Engineers_Update_051112.pdf
• ↑ https://www.examples.com/business/visit-report.html
• ↑ https://www.thepensters.com/blog/industrial-visit-report-writing/
• ↑ https://eclass.aueb.gr/modules/document/file.php/ME342/Report%20Drafting.pdf

About This Article

To write a visit report, start by including a general introduction that tells your audience where and when you visited, who your contact was, and how you got there. Once you have the introduction written out, take 1 to 2 paragraphs to describe the purpose of the site you visited, including details like the size and layout. If you visited a business, talk about what the business does and describe any specific departments you went to. Then, summarize what happened during your visit in chronological order. Make sure to include people you met and what they told you. Toward the end of your report, reflect on your visit by identifying any strengths and weaknesses in how the site operates and provide any recommendations for improvement. For more help, including how to format your report, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Betty Tarutia

Jul 9, 2020

Did this article help you?

Jayani Rathnayake

Aug 6, 2019

Jun 13, 2019

Atremedaki Phawa

Aug 19, 2019

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

Field Trip Report

Who does not like field trips? When you were a kid or when you were still attending school, you would have gone through field trips and often than not asked to write a report about it. You get to visit different places and learn from it. A lot of people who have gone through field trips often expect to have a written report about it, but it is of course different from when you were a kid or a student. There are some who do go on field trips who are tasked to make reports like those in agricultural businesses or have graduated within the field of agriculture. To get to know more about what can be expected in a field trip report, let’s check out the example templates below for more information. Check out  10+ Trip Report Examples & Templates .

[bb_toc content=”][bb_toc]

10+ Field Trip Report Examples

1. data field trip report.

Size: 567 KB

2. Field Trip Report Template

Size: 41 KB

3. Formal Field Trip Report

Size: 730 KB

4. Professional Field Trip Report

Size: 61 KB

5. Field Trip Report in PDF

Size: 96 KB

6. General Field Trip Report

Size: 50 KB

7. Temple Field Trip Report

8. Field Trip Report Form

9. Draft Field Trip Report

Size: 43 KB

10. Construction Field Trip Report

Size: 19 KB

11. Printable Field Trip Report

Size: 86 KB

What Is a Field Trip Report?

What is a field trip report? A field trip report is a document that describes , summarizes and explains the things that have been done during the field trip. Whether or not the field trip may have been done as work related, school related, or even personal or family related. There is no denying, field trips can be fun and informative. A field trip report consists of an introduction, a body and a conclusion. Basically like writing a report. In addition, the field trip report contains information and the reason for the said field trip. Working in agriculture, a field trip report is a required paperwork to explain the process of the agricultural work and any issues that may slow down the agricultural business. Lastly, when you think of field trip reports, you think of information necessary to record and explain. The document is also used as a means of record to be sure that everything is going as it should. See  13 + Business Trip Report Examples . 

How to Write a Field Trip Report

How do you write a report for a field trip? For students, they are given a template for them to follow and write down what they see and learn. On a work related or professional level, the person who went on the field trip is required to make a report of what they have observed and what they may take from the learning experience. Regardless of what the field trip may be and for who it is for, writing the report is needed. With that being said, a list of steps to take to make a field trip report. For students on a field trip see  12+ Permission Slip Templates . 

1. Make an Interesting Title and Introduction

To start making a field trip report, you must also make an interesting title and an interesting introduction. What this simply means is that, to get your audiences’ attention, you must grab it with an interesting title. The title must be about the field trip you went on. The same goes for an introduction. Avoid adding too much detail in the introduction.

2.  Tell It in Story Format

Telling your report in story format is fine, but do avoid making it sound fiction when it is supposed to be non-fiction. Writing the report can also be written in an essay format. Again as long as you avoid adding too many flimsy words that may make your report sound more fiction than non-fiction. Another way to make it is to outline your report to make it easier. Outlining helps a lot.

3. Jargon Must Be Clear and Concise

Jargon . There may be times that we are tempted to use different jargon to express what we feel and see in the field trip report. But make sure that the jargon you are using is easy enough for the audience to understand. The use of jargon must be clear and concise throughout your report. See  6+ Jargon Examples in Literature – PDF .

4. Review Your Trip Report

The last thing to do is to review the trip report. Just to be sure that you have added an introduction, the body and your conclusion. The jargon should be understandable, the details complete and of course check on your grammar and spelling throughout the report.

What is a field trip report?

When you hear the words field trip, the first thing that may come to mind is your childhood memories filled with those trips either made with family, friends or school. With school, you are asked to make a report or an essay about what you did on the field trip. A field trip  report is a document that describes , summarizes and explains the things that have been done during the field trip. Whether or not the field trip may have been done as work related, school related, or even personal or family related.

How do you make a field trip report?

To make a field trip report, you must remember to make it interesting. Capture the attention of the audience. Add in some photos if you have any, but remember the main focus is in your words or how you express it in a story.

Why do you need a field trip report?

The need for making the report may vary. For students, it is a way for them to express what they felt during the field trip. For business purposes, it is to explain the ongoing projects or the ongoing business that they have.

Who does not like field trips? A lot of people may find it useless as they may not have had the best field trips growing up, but it’s not too late for that. Field trip reports are made for varying reasons, one reason would be to describe and talk about the things they see. For a business point of view, it would be for the prospect of expanding to other places.

Report Generator

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Generate a report on the impact of technology in the classroom on student learning outcomes

Prepare a report analyzing the trends in student participation in sports and arts programs over the last five years at your school.

Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Assignments

• Annotated Bibliography
• Analyzing a Scholarly Journal Article
• Group Presentations
• Dealing with Nervousness
• Using Visual Aids
• Grading Someone Else's Paper
• Types of Structured Group Activities
• Group Project Survival Skills
• Leading a Class Discussion
• Multiple Book Review Essay
• Reviewing Collected Works
• Writing a Case Analysis Paper
• Writing a Case Study
• About Informed Consent
• Writing Field Notes
• Writing a Policy Memo
• Writing a Reflective Paper
• Writing a Research Proposal
• Generative AI and Writing
• Acknowledgments

The purpose of a field report in the social sciences is to describe the deliberate observation of people, places, and/or events and to analyze what has been observed in order to identify and categorize common themes in relation to the research problem underpinning the study. The content represents the researcher's interpretation of meaning found in data that has been gathered during one or more observational events.

Flick, Uwe. The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Data Collection . London: SAGE Publications, 2018; Lofland, John, David Snow, Leon Anderson, and Lyn H. Lofland. Analyzing Social Settings: A Guide to Qualitative Observation and Analysis. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press, 2022; Baker, Lynda. "Observation: A Complex Research Method." Library Trends 55 (Summer 2006): 171-189.; Kellehear, Allan. The Unobtrusive Researcher: A Guide to Methods . New York: Routledge, 2020.

How to Approach Writing a Field Report

How to Begin

Field reports are most often assigned in disciplines of the applied social sciences [e.g., social work, anthropology, gerontology, criminal justice, education, law, the health care services] where it is important to build a bridge of relevancy between the theoretical concepts learned in the classroom and the practice of actually doing the work you are being taught to do. Field reports are also common in certain science disciplines [e.g., geology] but these reports are organized differently and serve a different purpose than what is described below.

Professors will assign a field report with the intention of improving your understanding of key theoretical concepts by applying methods of careful and structured observation of, and reflection about, people, places, or phenomena existing in their natural settings. Field reports facilitate the development of data collection techniques and observation skills and they help you to understand how theory applies to real world situations. Field reports are also an opportunity to obtain evidence through methods of observing professional practice that contribute to or challenge existing theories.

We are all observers of people, their interactions, places, and events; however, your responsibility when writing a field report is to conduct research based on data generated by the act of designing a specific study, deliberate observation, synthesis of key findings, and interpretation of their meaning.

When writing a field report you need to:

• Systematically observe and accurately record the varying aspects of a situation . Always approach your field study with a detailed protocol about what you will observe, where you should conduct your observations, and the method by which you will collect and record your data.
• Continuously analyze your observations . Always look for the meaning underlying the actions you observe. Ask yourself: What's going on here? What does this observed activity mean? What else does this relate to? Note that this is an on-going process of reflection and analysis taking place for the duration of your field research.
• Keep the report’s aims in mind while you are observing . Recording what you observe should not be done randomly or haphazardly; you must be focused and pay attention to details. Enter the observation site [i.e., "field"] with a clear plan about what you are intending to observe and record in relation to the research problem while, at the same time, being prepared to adapt to changing circumstances as they may arise.
• Consciously observe, record, and analyze what you hear and see in the context of a theoretical framework . This is what separates data gatherings from reporting. The theoretical framework guiding your field research should determine what, when, and how you observe and act as the foundation from which you interpret your findings in relation to the underlying assumptions embedded in the theoretical framework .

Techniques to Record Your Observations Although there is no limit to the type of data gathering techniques you can use, these are the most frequently used methods:

Note Taking This is the most common and easiest method of recording your observations. Tips for taking notes include: organizing some shorthand symbols beforehand so that recording basic or repeated actions does not impede your ability to observe, using many small paragraphs, which reflect changes in activities, who is talking, etc., and, leaving space on the page so you can write down additional thoughts and ideas about what’s being observed, any theoretical insights, and notes to yourself that are set aside for further investigation. See drop-down tab for additional information about note-taking.

Photography With the advent of smart phones, an almost unlimited number of high quality photographs can be taken of the objects, events, and people observed during a field study. Photographs can help capture an important moment in time as well as document details about the space where your observation takes place. Taking a photograph can save you time in documenting the details of a space that would otherwise require extensive note taking. However, be aware that flash photography could undermine your ability to observe unobtrusively so assess the lighting in your observation space; if it's too dark, you may need to rely on taking notes. Also, you should reject the idea that photographs represent some sort of "window into the world" because this assumption creates the risk of over-interpreting what they show. As with any product of data gathering, you are the sole instrument of interpretation and meaning-making, not the object itself. Video and Audio Recordings Video or audio recording your observations has the positive effect of giving you an unfiltered record of the observation event. It also facilitates repeated analysis of your observations. This can be particularly helpful as you gather additional information or insights during your research. However, these techniques have the negative effect of increasing how intrusive you are as an observer and will often not be practical or even allowed under certain circumstances [e.g., interaction between a doctor and a patient] and in certain organizational settings [e.g., a courtroom]. Illustrations/Drawings This does not refer to an artistic endeavor but, rather, refers to the possible need, for example, to draw a map of the observation setting or illustrating objects in relation to people's behavior. This can also take the form of rough tables, charts, or graphs documenting the frequency and type of activities observed. These can be subsequently placed in a more readable format when you write your field report. To save time, draft a table [i.e., columns and rows] on a separate piece of paper before an observation if you know you will be entering data in that way.

NOTE:   You may consider using a laptop or other electronic device to record your notes as you observe, but keep in mind the possibility that the clicking of keys while you type or noises from your device can be obtrusive, whereas writing your notes on paper is relatively quiet and unobtrusive. Always assess your presence in the setting where you're gathering the data so as to minimize your impact on the subject or phenomenon being studied.

ANOTHER NOTE:   Techniques of deliberate observation and data gathering are not innate skills; they are skills that must be learned and practiced in order to achieve proficiency. Before your first observation, practice the technique you plan to use in a setting similar to your study site [e.g., take notes about how people choose to enter checkout lines at a grocery store if your research involves examining the choice patterns of unrelated people forced to queue in busy social settings]. When the act of data gathering counts, you'll be glad you practiced beforehand.

YET ANOTHER NOTE:   An issue rarely discussed in the literature about conducting field research is whether you should move around the study site while observing or remaining situated in one place. Moving around can be intrusive, but it facilitates observing people's behavior from multiple vectors. However, if you remain in one place throughout the observation [or during each observation], you will eventually blend into the background and diminish the chance of unintentionally influencing people's behavior. If the site has a complex set of interactions or interdependent activities [e.g., a play ground], consider moving around; if the study site is relatively fixed [e.g., a classroom], then consider staying in one place while observing.

Examples of Things to Document While Observing

• Physical setting . The characteristics of an occupied space and the human use of the place where the observation(s) are being conducted.
• Objects and material culture . This refers to the presence, placement, and arrangement of objects that impact the behavior or actions of those being observed. If applicable, describe the cultural artifacts representing the beliefs [i.e., the values, ideas, attitudes, and assumptions] of the individuals you are observing [e.g., the choice of particular types of clothing in the observation of family gatherings during culturally specific holidays].
• Use of language . Don't just observe but  listen to what is being said, how is it being said, and the tone of conversations among participants.
• Behavior cycles . This refers to documenting when and who performs what behavior or task and how often they occur. Record at which stage this behavior is occurring within the setting.
• The order in which events unfold . Note sequential patterns of behavior or the moment when actions or events take place and their significance. Also, be prepared to note moments that diverge from these sequential patterns of behavior or actions.
• Physical characteristics of subjects. If relevant, document personal characteristics of individuals being observed. Note that, unless this data can be verified in interviews or from documentary evidence, you should only focus on characteristics that can be clearly observed [e.g., clothing, physical appearance, body language].
• Expressive body movements . This would include things like body posture or facial expressions. Note that it may be relevant to also assess whether expressive body movements support or contradict the language used in conversation [e.g., detecting sarcasm].

Brief notes about all of these examples contextualize your observations; however, your observation notes will be guided primarily by your theoretical framework, keeping in mind that your observations will feed into and potentially modify or alter these frameworks.

Sampling Techniques

Sampling refers to the process used to select a portion of the population for study . Qualitative research, of which observation is one method of data gathering, is generally based on non-probability and purposive sampling rather than probability or random approaches characteristic of quantitatively-driven studies. Sampling in observational research is flexible and often continues until no new themes emerge from the data, a point referred to as data saturation.

All sampling decisions are made for the explicit purpose of obtaining the richest possible source of information to answer the research questions. Decisions about sampling assumes you know what you want to observe, what behaviors are important to record, and what research problem you are addressing before you begin the study. These questions determine what sampling technique you should use, so be sure you have adequately answered them before selecting a sampling method.

Ways to sample when conducting an observation include:

• Ad Libitum Sampling -- this approach is not that different from what people do at the zoo; they observe whatever seems interesting at the moment. There is no organized system of recording the observations; you just note whatever seems relevant at the time. The advantage of this method is that you are often able to observe relatively rare or unusual behaviors that might be missed by more deliberately designed sampling methods. This method is also useful for obtaining preliminary observations that can be used to develop your final field study. Problems using this method include the possibility of inherent bias toward conspicuous behaviors or individuals, thereby missing mundane or repeated patterns of behavior, and that you may miss brief interactions in social settings.
• Behavior Sampling -- this involves watching the entire group of subjects and recording each occurrence of a specific behavior of interest and with reference to which individuals were involved. The method is useful in recording rare behaviors missed by other sampling methods and is often used in conjunction with focal or scan methods [see below]. However, sampling can be biased towards particular conspicuous behaviors.
• Continuous Recording -- provides a faithful record of behavior including frequencies, durations, and latencies [the time that elapses between a stimulus and the response to it]. This is a very demanding method because you are trying to record everything within the setting and, thus, measuring reliability may be sacrificed. In addition, durations and latencies are only reliable if subjects remain present throughout the collection of data. However, this method facilitates analyzing sequences of behaviors and ensures obtaining a wealth of data about the observation site and the people within it. The use of audio or video recording is most useful with this type of sampling.
• Focal Sampling -- this involves observing one individual for a specified amount of time and recording all instances of that individual's behavior. Usually you have a set of predetermined categories or types of behaviors that you are interested in observing [e.g., when a teacher walks around the classroom] and you keep track of the duration of those behaviors. This approach doesn't tend to bias one behavior over another and provides significant detail about a individual's behavior. However, with this method, you likely have to conduct a lot of focal samples before you have a good idea about how group members interact. It can also be difficult within certain settings to keep one individual in sight for the entire period of the observation without being intrusive.
• Instantaneous Sampling -- this is where observation sessions are divided into short intervals divided by sample points. At each sample point the observer records if predetermined behaviors of interest are taking place. This method is not effective for recording discrete events of short duration and, frequently, observers will want to record novel behaviors that occur slightly before or after the point of sampling, creating a sampling error. Though not exact, this method does give you an idea of durations and is relatively easy to do. It is also good for recording behavior patterns occurring at a specific instant, such as, movement or body positions.
• One-Zero Sampling -- this is very similar to instantaneous sampling, only the observer records if the behaviors of interest have occurred at any time during an interval instead of at the instant of the sampling point. The method is useful for capturing data on behavior patterns that start and stop repeatedly and rapidly, but that last only for a brief period of time. The disadvantage of this approach is that you get a dimensionless score for an entire recording session, so you only get one one data point for each recording session.
• Scan Sampling -- this method involves taking a census of the entire observed group at predetermined time periods and recording what each individual is doing at that moment. This is useful for obtaining group behavioral data and allows for data that are evenly representative across individuals and periods of time. On the other hand, this method may be biased towards more conspicuous behaviors and you may miss a lot of what is going on between observations, especially rare or unusual behaviors. It is also difficult to record more than a few individuals in a group setting without missing what each individual is doing at each predetermined moment in time [e.g., children sitting at a table during lunch at school]. The use of audio or video recording is useful with this type of sampling.

Alderks, Peter. Data Collection. Psychology 330 Course Documents. Animal Behavior Lab. University of Washington; Emerson, Robert M. Contemporary Field Research: Perspectives and Formulations . 2nd ed. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press, 2001; Emerson, Robert M. et al. “Participant Observation and Fieldnotes.” In Handbook of Ethnography . Paul Atkinson et al., eds. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2001), 352-368; Emerson, Robert M. et al. Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes . 2nd ed. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2011; Ethnography, Observational Research, and Narrative Inquiry. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Hazel, Spencer. "The Paradox from Within: Research Participants Doing-Being-Observed." Qualitative Research 16 (August 2016): 446-457; Pace, Tonio. Writing Field Reports. Scribd Online Library; Presser, Jon and Dona Schwartz. “Photographs within the Sociological Research Process.” In Image-based Research: A Sourcebook for Qualitative Researchers . Jon Prosser, editor (London: Falmer Press, 1998), pp. 115-130; Pyrczak, Fred and Randall R. Bruce. Writing Empirical Research Reports: A Basic Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences . 5th ed. Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Publishing, 2005; Report Writing. UniLearning. University of Wollongong, Australia; Wolfinger, Nicholas H. "On Writing Fieldnotes: Collection Strategies and Background Expectancies.” Qualitative Research 2 (April 2002): 85-95; Writing Reports. Anonymous. The Higher Education Academy.

Structure and Writing Style

How you choose to format your field report is determined by the research problem, the theoretical framework that is driving your analysis, the observations that you make, and/or specific guidelines established by your professor. Since field reports do not have a standard format, it is worthwhile to determine from your professor what the preferred structure and organization should be before you begin to write. Note that field reports should be written in the past tense. With this in mind, most field reports in the social sciences include the following elements:

I.  Introduction The introduction should describe the research problem, the specific objectives of your research, and the important theories or concepts underpinning your field study. The introduction should describe the nature of the organization or setting where you are conducting the observation, what type of observations you have conducted, what your focus was, when you observed, and the methods you used for collecting the data. Collectively, this descriptive information should support reasons why you chose the observation site and the people or events within it. You should also include a review of pertinent literature related to the research problem, particularly if similar methods were used in prior studies. Conclude your introduction with a statement about how the rest of the paper is organized.

II.  Description of Activities

Your readers only knowledge and understanding of what happened will come from the description section of your report because they were not witnesses to the situation, people, or events that you are writing about. Given this, it is crucial that you provide sufficient details to place the analysis that will follow into proper context; don't make the mistake of providing a description without context. The description section of a field report is similar to a well written piece of journalism. Therefore, a useful approach to systematically describing the varying aspects of an observed situation is to answer the "Five W’s of Investigative Reporting." As Dubbels notes [p. 19], these are:

• What -- describe what you observed. Note the temporal, physical, and social boundaries you imposed to limit the observations you made. What were your general impressions of the situation you were observing. For example, as a student teacher, what is your impression of the application of iPads as a learning device in a history class; as a cultural anthropologist, what is your impression of women's participation in a Native American religious ritual?
• Where -- provide background information about the setting of your observation and, if necessary, note important material objects that are present that help contextualize the observation [e.g., arrangement of computers in relation to student engagement with the teacher].
• When -- record factual data about the day and the beginning and ending time of each observation. Note that it may also be necessary to include background information or key events which impact upon the situation you were observing [e.g., observing the ability of teachers to re-engage students after coming back from an unannounced fire drill].
• Who -- note background and demographic information about the individuals being observed e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, and/or any other variables relevant to your study]. Record who is doing what and saying what, as well as, who is not doing or saying what. If relevant, be sure to record who was missing from the observation.
• Why -- why were you doing this? Describe the reasons for selecting particular situations to observe. Note why something happened. Also note why you may have included or excluded certain information.

III.  Interpretation and Analysis

Always place the analysis and interpretations of your field observations within the larger context of the theoretical assumptions and issues you described in the introduction. Part of your responsibility in analyzing the data is to determine which observations are worthy of comment and interpretation, and which observations are more general in nature. It is your theoretical framework that allows you to make these decisions. You need to demonstrate to the reader that you are conducting the field work through the eyes of an informed viewer and from the perspective of a casual observer.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when analyzing your observations:

• What is the meaning of what you have observed?
• Why do you think what you observed happened? What evidence do you have for your reasoning?
• What events or behaviors were typical or widespread? If appropriate, what was unusual or out of the ordinary? How were they distributed among categories of people?
• Do you see any connections or patterns in what you observed?
• Why did the people you observed proceed with an action in the way that they did? What are the implications of this?
• Did the stated or implicit objectives of what you were observing match what was achieved?
• What were the relative merits of the behaviors you observed?
• What were the strengths and weaknesses of the observations you recorded?
• Do you see connections between what you observed and the findings of similar studies identified from your review of the literature?
• How do your observations fit into the larger context of professional practice? In what ways have your observations possibly changed or affirmed your perceptions of professional practice?
• Have you learned anything from what you observed?

NOTE:   Only base your interpretations on what you have actually observed. Do not speculate or manipulate your observational data to fit into your study's theoretical framework.

IV.  Conclusion and Recommendations

The conclusion should briefly recap of the entire study, reiterating the importance or significance of your observations. Avoid including any new information. You should also state any recommendations you may have based on the results of your study. Be sure to describe any unanticipated problems you encountered and note the limitations of your study. The conclusion should not be more than two or three paragraphs.

V.  Appendix

This is where you would place information that is not essential to explaining your findings, but that supports your analysis [especially repetitive or lengthy information], that validates your conclusions, or that contextualizes a related point that helps the reader understand the overall report. Examples of information that could be included in an appendix are figures/tables/charts/graphs of results, statistics, pictures, maps, drawings, or, if applicable, transcripts of interviews. There is no limit to what can be included in the appendix or its format [e.g., a DVD recording of the observation site], provided that it is relevant to the study's purpose and reference is made to it in the report. If information is placed in more than one appendix ["appendices"], the order in which they are organized is dictated by the order they were first mentioned in the text of the report.

VI.  References

List all sources that you consulted and obtained information from while writing your field report. Note that field reports generally do not include further readings or an extended bibliography. However, consult with your professor concerning what your list of sources should be included and be sure to write them in the preferred citation style of your discipline or is preferred by your professor [i.e., APA, Chicago, MLA, etc.].

Alderks, Peter. Data Collection. Psychology 330 Course Documents. Animal Behavior Lab. University of Washington; Dubbels, Brock R. Exploring the Cognitive, Social, Cultural, and Psychological Aspects of Gaming and Simulations . Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2018; Emerson, Robert M. Contemporary Field Research: Perspectives and Formulations . 2nd ed. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press, 2001; Emerson, Robert M. et al. “Participant Observation and Fieldnotes.” In Handbook of Ethnography . Paul Atkinson et al., eds. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2001), 352-368; Emerson, Robert M. et al. Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes . 2nd ed. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2011; Ethnography, Observational Research, and Narrative Inquiry. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Pace, Tonio. Writing Field Reports. Scribd Online Library; Pyrczak, Fred and Randall R. Bruce. Writing Empirical Research Reports: A Basic Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences . 5th ed. Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Publishing, 2005; Report Writing. UniLearning. University of Wollongong, Australia; Wolfinger, Nicholas H. "On Writing Fieldnotes: Collection Strategies and Background Expectancies.” Qualitative Research 2 (April 2002): 85-95; Writing Reports. Anonymous. The Higher Education Academy.

• << Previous: Writing a Case Study
• Next: About Informed Consent >>
• Last Updated: Mar 6, 2024 1:00 PM
• URL: https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/assignments

Meaning of Trip Report by The Bennies

In "Trip Report" by The Bennies, the lyrics delve into various episodes and observations from the narrator's life, infused with a mix of humor, introspection, and societal commentary.

Key Lyrics Breakdown:

The opening verse describes the narrator's drug-induced experience with shrooms, reflecting on a chance encounter with Peter and his dog Moe. This encounter prompts reflections on loyalty, friendship, and the often complex dynamics between humans and their pets.

The second verse narrates a mundane yet humorous interaction with a windshield washer and a coffee shop situation, highlighting themes of unexpected exchanges and minor frustrations in daily life.

The final verse at the airport depicts a moment of reflection on love and enduring relationships, as the narrator observes an elderly couple who still share a deep connection despite the passage of time.

Themes and Messages:

Humanity and Relationships: The song explores themes of human connections, loyalty, and the significance of relationships, whether it be between friends, strangers, or romantic partners.

Reflection and Observations: Through the narrator's experiences and encounters, the song prompts reflections on the nuances of human behavior, societal conventions, and the passage of time.

Humor and Irony: The lyrics mix humor and irony in depicting everyday interactions and situations, adding a light-hearted tone to the narrative.

Symbolism and Metaphors:

Dog Pipi and Moe: These dogs symbolize loyalty and companionship, raising questions about the nature of relationships and care between individuals.

Windshield Washer: Symbolizes unexpected encounters and the intricacies of human interactions, illustrating how simple gestures can elicit complex responses.

Airport Encounter: The elderly couple serves as a metaphor for enduring love and the resilience of relationships, emphasizing the timeless nature of love amidst the chaos of modern life.

Overall Interpretation:

"Trip Report" by The Bennies is a multifaceted song that weaves together personal anecdotes, societal observations, and reflections on human connections. Through a series of vignettes, the song explores themes of loyalty, friendship, love, and the complexities of human interactions. It invites listeners to contemplate the significance of relationships, the fleeting nature of moments, and the enduring power of love. Ultimately, the song celebrates the small but impactful moments that shape our lives and relationships, reminding us of the beauty and resilience found in human connections.

This meaning interpretation was written by AI. Help improve it with your feedback

More from this artist

Anywhere You Wanna Go

The Bennies

Auto Party Pilot

Better Off Dread

Burnout City

Trending this week

End of Beginning

Heaven Knows (The Angel Has Flown)

Orange & Lemons

Juan Martha

Banda El Limon