Databases - Setting Report Titles

Objective

Be able to set report titles.

Why are Report Titles Important?

Clear and informative report titles are crucial for:

• Quickly identifying the content of a report.
• Ensuring the report is easily understood by the intended audience.
• Maintaining professionalism and a good impression.
• Facilitating efficient searching and retrieval of reports.

Key Principles for Setting Report Titles

1. Be Specific: The title should accurately reflect the main topic of the report. Avoid vague or general titles.
2. Be Concise: Keep the title brief and to the point. Aim for clarity over length.
3. Use Keywords: Include relevant keywords that will help people find the report later.
4. Use Capitalization: Follow standard capitalization rules (e.g., title case).
5. Avoid Jargon: Use language that the intended audience will understand.

Examples of Good Report Titles

Good Title	Why it's good
Customer Database Analysis - Sales Performance (2023)	Clearly states the database type, analysis performed, and time period.
Inventory Management System - Stock Level Report	Identifies the system and the specific information contained within the report.
Student Records Database - Enrollment Statistics	Specifies the database and the type of statistical information presented.
Employee Database - Training Records Summary	Indicates the database and the summary of training records.

Examples of Poor Report Titles

Poor Title	Why it's poor
Database Report	Too vague; doesn't tell you anything about the content.
Information	Extremely general and unhelpful.
Data Analysis	Lacks specificity; doesn't indicate the type of data or analysis.

Report Title Format

A common format for report titles is:

[Database Name] - [Report Type] - [Time Period/Specific Focus]

For example: Student Records Database - Attendance Report - January 2024

Practical Exercise

Consider the following scenarios and suggest appropriate report titles:

1. A report summarizing the number of active users in a library database.
2. A report detailing the product sales from an online store database for the last quarter.
3. A report showing the current status of employee qualifications in a human resources database.

Suggested Diagram