What is a technical report?

Technical reports describe unpublished results of scientific or technical research. They are usually produced in response to a specific request or research need, and serve as a report of accountability to the funding organization.

Technical reports usually fall into two categories:

• Government sponsored research reports (Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency)
• Privately funded research reports (Hewlett-Packard Labs)

Another type of technical report is an open-file report (OFR) -- an informal releases that allow immediate public access to geologic data.Open-File Reports should not be used as final reports of major scientific investigations.

How do I find a technical report?

Technical reports may be found online in full text, but many are still available only in print or as microfiche, microcards, maps, or bound volumes. They can be hard to track down. Ask a librarian if you have trouble.

Each technical report is identified by an individual number such as an EPA document: EPA/456/R-99/002. That number consists of a series of letters and numbers called the report series code which identifies the:

• agency, society, or company
• year published
• specific number for each report