Step 6: Reporting Findings

A summary of your data and analysis usually can suffice as the human or social dimensions section of your watershed management plan. Be sure to include all information that your funding agency specifically requires and follow formatting guidelines. Generally, the most effective way to present the social profile is through the use of appropriate tables and figures accompanied by a narrative. The narrative should describe the information depicted in the tables, graphs, and figures of the social profile and should relate the meaning of this data to the social issues that you identified in Step 1. This part of the narrative should be objective and factual in tone and interpretation. If the management plan will be your long-term recording or "storage" device for this data, you will need to be as thorough as possible and include all raw data in tables or charts. This information can later serve as benchmark or baseline data against which you can compare future conditions.

Organization of a Written Report (cite)

1. An Executive Summary: a brief, interesting summary of the report's highlights.
2. A statement of the purpose or objective of the report.
3. A description of the data collection process, sample size, types, sources, and related information.
4. The data, presented in a simple tabular format, organized by issue.
5. A description and interpretation of the most relevant or significant findings, drawn from both primary and secondary data. Interpretations are provided by issue.
6. Recommendations for the planning committee to consider, issue by issue.
7. Acknowledgments and recognition of persons who assisted with the profile. Include volunteers; individuals and organizations that contributed financially, provided publicity, recruited volunteers, or otherwise participated; and members of the Social Profile or Watershed Planning Committee. Include names and organizational affiliations of all persons who contributed.

van Es, J., and A. Heinze Silvis. 1995. Assessing needs and resources in your community. Laboratory for Community and Economic Development. University of Illinois.