6.1. IU Project Report Notes

6.1. The IU Project Report

Purpose and scope
- A project report shows that a student can plan, carry out, and document a project independently.
- Unlike a research paper, it focuses on a practical project and its results.
- The report always produces a “product”, which could be a physical object, a concept, software, process, or similar.
- It should clearly explain the work done, steps taken, methods used, and resources needed, such as data, tools, or software.
- The final product should also be documented and, if needed, shown in a realistic use scenario (IU, 2020).
Parameterization
- Parameterization refers to how tools, software, or processes are specifically set up and adjusted for the project.
- This is an important part of both practical and conceptual projects.
Structure of a Project Report
- A project report usually follows a multi-stage process, which can be adapted depending on the project.
- The main goal is to answer central questions about the project and present the work clearly.
- A typical structure is:
1. Introduction (10–20% of report)
  - Present the project idea, objectives, and context.
2. Body (70–80% of report)
  - Explain how the project was implemented step by step.
  - Describe milestones, challenges, and interim results.
  - Include details like stakeholders, risk analysis, project phases, schedule, and resources/costs.
3. Conclusion (10–20% of report)
  - Reflect on results and whether goals were met.
  - Evaluate what worked well and what could be improved.
  - Discuss resources, deadlines, and overall lessons learned.
Formal Requirements
- A project report should include the following, in order:
- Title page
- Table of contents
- List of figures/tables (if needed)
- List of abbreviations (if needed)
- Main text (Introduction, Body, Conclusion)
- Bibliography
- Appendices/materials (if needed)
- The structure can be adapted to the specific project, but clarity, completeness, and reflection on the process are essential (IU, 2020).
References and guidance
- Reference: IU (2020). Formal Document Requirements 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
- 6.1. The IU Project Report 2
Case study and tutor guidance
- For the case study, the course provides several topic options, and details about the task are given in the respective courses.
- Students can ask their tutor questions about formal requirements or general guidance, but the tutor does not review drafts or outlines, because independent work is part of the assessment (IU, 2020).
Support opportunities
- Using the available support opportunities is optional but encouraged.
- Further details and guidelines can be found in the Exam Guide and course-specific instructions on myCampus.
6.1. The IU Project Report 2

Formatting, Layout, and Submission Details

Element: Requirement
- Length: $7\text{-}10 \text{ pages of text}$
- Paper size: $\mathrm{DIN!-A4}$
- Margins: Top $2\ \mathrm{cm}$ ; Bottom $2\ \mathrm{cm}$ ; Left $2\ \mathrm{cm}$ ; Right $2\ \mathrm{cm}$
- Font: General text: $\text{Arial 11 pt.}$ ; Headings: $12\ \mathrm{pt.}$ ; justified
- Line spacing: $1.5$
- Sentences: justified, auto-hyphenation
- Footnotes: $\text{Arial 10 pt., justified}$
- Paragraph: $6\ \mathrm{pt.} \text{ space after line break}$
- Section/subsection levels: Maximum three levels: 1. Main heading, 1.1 Section, 1.1.1 Subheading
- Numbering: Only chapters numbered consecutively; other sections (figures, bibliography) are not numbered
- Text styling: Do not use underline; use italics sparingly to emphasize passages
Submission and verification
- The project report must be submitted online through the Turnitin portal, following instructions on myCampus. You cannot submit it by email or any other way.
- Before submitting the report, you must submit the required affidavit electronically via myCampus; the report cannot be submitted without this (IU, 2020).
Case study and tutor guidance
- For the case study, the course provides several topic options, and details about the task are given in the respective courses.
- Students can ask their tutor questions about formal requirements or general guidance, but the tutor does not review drafts or outlines, because independent work is part of the assessment (IU, 2020).
Support
- Using the available support opportunities is optional but encouraged.
References and guidelines
- Further details and guidelines can be found in the Exam Guide and course-specific instructions on myCampus.
6.1. The IU Project Report 2

Submission, Assessment, and Related Guidance

The IU Project Report must be submitted online via Turnitin, using the instructions on myCampus.
You cannot submit the report by email or any other method.
An affidavit must be submitted electronically via myCampus before submission; the report cannot be submitted without this (IU, 2020).
The case study allows several topic options; details are provided in the respective courses.
Tutors may be asked questions about formal requirements or general guidance, but they do not review drafts or outlines because independent work is part of the assessment (IU, 2020).
Optional but encouraged: use of available support opportunities.
Additional details and guidelines are available in the Exam Guide and course-specific instructions on myCampus.

Key terms and concepts (quick reference)

IU, 2020: Source of formal document requirements and guidelines.
Turnitin: Online submission portal used for the project report submission.
myCampus: Platform hosting instructions, affidavit submission, exam guides, and course-specific instructions.
Affidavit: Required electronic submission before report submission.
Parameterization: Setup and adjustment of tools/software/processes for the project.
Case study options: Topic choices provided by the course.
Independent work: Core assessment principle; tutor does not review drafts/outlines.

Note: All references to percentages, page ranges, and formatting specifications follow the IU guidelines as described in the transcript (IU, 2020).