Technical Report Guidelines For ASET Technologist Certification

 

If you desire for ASET (The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta) certification as a technologist, then you must provide the assessment authority with a convincing and satisfactory technical report. The report you write must be in harmony with the ASET technical report guidelines. 

Here, we will provide you with the ASET guidelines and other related necessary information in brief. It will help you write a wonderful technical report. 

Remember that the technical report you provide must not be less than 3,000 words, not including executive summary, table of contents, bibliography, references, and appendices.

The subject must be related to the discipline of which you want certification. You need to have an outline of the report approved by the ASET Registrar before you write the report to make sure that the subject matter is appropriate. You need to pay heed to the following areas given below.

1.    The subject of your technical report

As told above, the report must be related to the discipline in which you wish for certification. The report needs to show engineering/applied science competency at the technologist level (elements of design and application of theory) with extensive mathematical and technical depth.

It will show that the writer has a confusion-free understanding and mastery of the subject. The report needs to discuss an engineering/applied science problem and demonstrate the following:

Critical and deep analysis of a technical problem. For example, a technical thought pattern leads from finding an issue to creating a hypothesis and ultimately to a conclusion.

Examination of a technical problem, assessment of alternate resolutions, how the recommendations were derived.

A conclusion supporting the recommendations.

Acknowledgment of sources (references, footnotes, and bibliography).

Acknowledgment of sources not only shows intellectual courtesy and honesty but also allows the examiner to confirm reference materials.

 

A technical report generally falls in any of the three typical categories:

Research report: a research report needs an extensive search of all sources of material related to the subject (manufacturing, libraries, specification sheets brochures, literature, and so on). The report includes tremendous correspondence with government agencies and industry sources. An example of a research report would be a study of the latest and ongoing investigations into Harmonics and their deleterious implications.

Analytical (Laboratory) Investigation Report: An analytical investigation report would include an examination of a process, equipment, or system. An example of this report could be a specific application for a programmable controller or studying different types of aspects of a software package to examine distribution systems.

The Construction Report: a construction project report could need the applicant to take performance tests, write specifications or explore various applications. The focus of the report has to be on the technology instead of the construction phase itself.

2.    Academics/competence and practice level

It is expected from the technical report to show not only the capability of writing a technical report but also the ability of the applicant to apply the knowledge they have gained in earlier academic studies and work experience for a successful ASET assessment. It has a direct relationship to the degree of mathematical and technical depth and appreciation and shows the report writing specialty that is expected in the report.

The technical report must be as per the technical report guidelines and show competency or academic and level of practice at the technologist level as given in the technologist profile below:

Technologist profile:

A professional having academic training and experience in applying engineering or scientific principles can assume responsibility and exercise independent judgment in the practice of engineering or applied science technology.

Performs various complex work either independently or by having general direction.

Typical activities consist of production, design, testing, marketing estimating, quality control, inspection, surveying, diagnostic assessment, supervision, management, teaching, and technical sales. These types of activities can be done in the company of other professionals.

Utilizes an applied approach that is based on a comprehensive understanding of a specific technology.

Assesses assignments, determines procedures and implements solutions, schedules work to fulfill objectives, partaking in short-and-long range planning, and can become involved in the promotion and development of conceptual change.

May assume administrative or managerial responsibility for various technical endeavors.

May supervise and collaborate with various working groups and train those having less technical and professional experience.

Technical report guidelines and format:

The technical report you write must be in harmony with the specific ASET guidelines and have the following:

·      Well documented references to current technical literature to show an up-to-date and complete subject understanding.

·      Suitable photographs, diagrams, illustrations, and tables.

·      Size in an 8.5 x 11-inch format, one-sided, double-spaced with one-inch minimum margins.

·      Appropriate technical report elements. 

·      Supporting data and calculations included in appendices and annexes to the report.

·      Footnoted statements of engineering/applied science facts to demonstrate the base of the statements.