Mechanical Engineering

What are Technical Reports?

Technical reports describe the progress or results of scientific or technical research and development. 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
• Privately funded research reports

Both categories may include national or international reports by university departments, institutes, private industry, or government agencies and laboratories.

Publication and dissemination of technical reports has not been centrally coordinated; therefore, they can be particularly difficult to identify and locate.

There are many technical report sites on the Internet. Many offer searching capabilities, access to full-text, ftp access, or on-line ordering.