AS Level Maths Mechanics

In the formula F = ma,
if I calculate F to be, for example, -1078N,
should i state my final answer as 1078, or should i include the negative?
I feel like i remember hearing somewhere before "F" and "a" in the equation represents the magnitude of "F" and "a", meaning my final answers should never be negative but I'm not sure.

It should not matter as long as you are clear about the direction of the force. For example if you calculate a deceleration (negative a) then your force will be negative. But that just means it's acting in the opposite direction to what you have assigned as the positive direction.

So your saying it is always best to say the magnitude of my answer (ignoring the negative symbol) and then the direction that it is going in?
e.g. i take left to be negative and i get a force of -100N,
I should state my final answer as F = 100N to the left

That would indeed be the safest option and ensures you get the marks.