For an advisory report, students research a specific topic and make recommendations to a person or target group based on that research. This way, students learn to analyse and interpret data or information, and clearly communicate their findings about it in the form of an advice. They learn to recognise a problem in the given situation or case and propose a solution to it. As a teacher, it is important here that you provide clear guidelines and criteria for the report, so that students know what is expected of them and how they will be assessed. Guide them throughout the process, from topic selection to completion, so that you can help them make timely adjustments.
There are several ways to use an advisory report as a form of test, some examples:
- A business case – the students write an advisory report for a company or organisation, analysing the situation and making recommendations for improvement.
- A consultancy project – the students write a consultancy report for a specific group or person, such as a city council or a non-profit organisation.
- A policy proposal – the students write an advisory report on a specific policy area, analysing and making recommendations for improvement.
- A practicum assignment – the students write an advisory report as part of a practicum assignment, in which they make recommendations for improvement of the organisation where they did their practicum.
Want to know more?
- Tekstsoorten: adviesrapport – Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
- Pilot, A. (2014). Toetsen van academische vaardigheden. In Toetsen in het hoger onderwijs (pp. 251–261). Bohn Stafleu van Loghum : Houten.
See also: Case assignment, Research project.
VU Taxonomy?
Programme specific skills in applying knowledge and understandingWritten communication
What total group size?
More than three hundredMore than one hundred
Between fifty and one hundred
Up to fifty
Up to twenty five
What activity group size?
IndividualSmall group (2-4 pers)