Scope Note

This list includes sources for technical reports usually needed by Lehigh researchers.

Definition: for the purposes of this guide, a "technical report" is a document issued by a corporate entity (government agency, academic institution, private company) describing the results of a research effort.

Usually technical reports are part of numbered series, issued by specific laboratories. They vary in quality from quick summaries of activity over a short time period ("three-month periodical update") to complete works that may be published later in the "open literature" (journal articles, conference papers, or books). Although when issued they may contain the most up-to-date information on a topic, they become dated quickly. Also, except for those from major academic and government research laboratories, they are difficult to obtain and are usually sold commercially.