A special report is a specialized financial report that deviates from the standard format of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. These unique reports address specific information needs while maintaining professional standards. They can be used to comply with contractual agreements or regulatory provisions and include certain sections, accounts, or items of a financial statement.
In the context of research, a special report is a summary of findings and results based on systematic investigations. It includes a description of the research methods and data collection techniques, as well as an analysis of the current state of knowledge on the topic. Special reports are typically written in a formal language and should present first-hand verifiable information. They should also be well structured with relevant headings and sections. Graphs and other visual representations are often included in research reports.
When it comes to journalism, a special report is an in-depth and thorough investigation into a particular subject. This could involve exposing wrongdoing or corruption, or it may be a more technical subject matter that requires a high level of understanding and expertise to tackle. Specialized reporting can help increase a journalist’s credibility and provide valuable insight into complex issues for their audience.
The Hastings Center’s Special Reports are venues for the publication of the results of its research projects in bioethics. They can be single-authored essays or collections of essays prepared by members of project working groups. These essays may contain lively discussions among those who reached different moral conclusions about a given project’s central questions.