Rapporter

Rapporter is the plural form of rapport in several Nordic and European languages, including Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish, where it refers to reports. In many contexts it is used as the generic term for formal documents that convey information, findings, or recommendations to a specific audience. A report is typically produced to record activities, justify decisions, or monitor performance, and it can take many forms across different sectors.

A report generally includes defining the purpose and scope, describing the methods or data sources, presenting results or findings, and offering conclusions and recommendations. Most reports also feature an executive summary, a clear structure, and supporting materials such as tables, figures, and appendices. The exact format depends on the audience, purpose, and field.

Common types of reports include periodic reports (annual or quarterly summaries), technical or scientific reports, audit and compliance reports, incident or accident reports, research papers, and white papers. Financial reporting is a specialized subset governed by accounting standards such as IFRS or GAAP, while scientific and engineering reports may follow peer-review processes or industry standards from bodies such as ISO or ANSI.

The reporting process typically involves planning, data collection, analysis, drafting, internal review, approval, and publication or dissemination. High-quality reports are accurate, clear, well-sourced, and appropriately scoped, with limitations and uncertainties disclosed. Confidentiality, data protection, and accessibility considerations also influence content and distribution.

See also: report, reporting standards, audit report, research paper.