A research

report A report is a document that presents information in an organized format for a specific audience and purpose. Although summaries of reports may be delivered orally, complete reports are almost always in the form of written documents. Usage In ...

is a publication that reports on the findings of a research project or alternatively scientific observations on or about a subject. Research reports are produced by many sectors including industry, education, government and non-government organizations and may be disseminated internally, or made public (i.e.

published Publishing is the activity of making information, literature, music, software and other content available to the public for sale or for free. Traditionally, the term refers to the creation and distribution of printed works, such as books, newsp ...

) however they are not usually available from booksellers or through standard commercial publishing channels. Research reports are also issued by governmental and international organizations, such as

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

. There are various distribution models for research reports with the main ones being: public distribution for free or open access; limited distribution to clients and customers; or sold commercially. For example

market research Market research is an organized effort to gather information about target markets and customers: know about them, starting with who they are. It is an important component of business strategy and a major factor in maintaining competitiveness. Mark ...

reports are often produced for sale by specialist market research companies, investment companies may provide research reports to clients while government agencies and civil society organizations such as

, the

World Health Organization The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution states its main objective as "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of h ...

and many others often provide free access to organization research reports in the

public interest The public interest is "the welfare or well-being of the general public" and society. Overview Economist Lok Sang Ho in his ''Public Policy and the Public Interest'' argues that the public interest must be assessed impartially and, therefore ...

or for a range of organization requirements and objectives.

References

{{Authority control Academic publishing Technical communication Grey literature Research Written communication Public policy Government publications Research organizations

See also

References