A special report is a research paper that contains a summary of findings and results from systematic investigations. It also discusses the current state of knowledge on the topic and identifies gaps that need to be filled. Special reports are typically written in a formal language and should present first-hand verifiable information. They should be well structured and include relevant headings and sections. Graphs and other visual representations are often included in special reports.
In radio and television news programs, a special report is an in-depth coverage of breaking stories that are considered to be especially important or urgent. The program often features a ticker that displays the latest developments on the story and may replace regular commercial advertising to allow extended coverage.
The Hastings Center sometimes publishes a special report in which it presents the results of its research projects on topical bioethical issues. These special reports may consist of single-authored essays by members of project working groups or lively discussions among members who reached different moral conclusions about a particular project’s central questions. In addition to these special reports, the Hastings Center regularly publishes essay sets organized around key bioethical topics.