In journalism, a special report is an in-depth and thorough investigation into a specific subject. It may involve exposing wrongdoing or corruption, or it may focus on a more technical subject matter that requires extensive knowledge and expertise to understand. Special reports can be used to increase a journalist’s credibility and provide valuable insight into complex issues for their audience.
In the context of research, a special report is a summary of findings and results based on systematic investigations. It is usually written in a formal language and presents first-hand verifiable information. It is also well-structured with relevant headings and sections. Graphs are often included in research reports. Special reports are classified based on the type of research they cover as well as the intended audience. For example, a research report on a medical condition is typically presented to a general audience while one on a scientific topic would be for a more specialized group of people.
During an emergency or crisis, news organizations may produce special reports that are broadcast on television. These may be short updates or in-depth, investigative pieces that last for several hours or even days. In some cases, a news network will suspend commercial advertising to dedicate the entire broadcast to coverage of an event.
The Hastings Center Report is one venue in which the results of a research project are published. These publications can include single-authored essays by members of the project working groups or lively discussions among participants who reached different moral conclusions about the projects’ central questions.