What is the difference between an informational report and an analytical report
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Reports come in all shapes and sizes—from a couple of soft-copy pages shared electronically to a book-sized binder. The type of report depends on its function as expressed in the purpose statement. The function also influences the writing style and other elements such as visual content (figures) and presentation of numerical values. Reports also vary by style and tradition. Regardless of their specific function or type, however, there are two main categories of reports: informational and analytical. Show Informational reports provide facts, data, feedback, and other types of information to assist management to make decisions. Informational reports do not provide an analysis or interpretation of information and do not provide recommendations. An example of this type of “just the facts” report is a police accident report. The report will note the time, date, place, contributing factors like weather, and identification information for the drivers involved in an automobile accident. It does not establish fault or include judgmental statements. You should not see “Driver was falling down drunk” in a police accident report. Instead, you would see “Driver failed sobriety tests and breathalyzer test and was transported to the station for a blood sample.” The police officer is not a trained medical doctor licensed to make definitive diagnoses, but can collect and present relevant information that may contribute to a diagnosis. Analytical reports provides facts, data, feedback and other types of information, but they also provide analysis, interpretation, and recommendations. For instance, a field report by a Public Health Agency of Canada physician from the site of an outbreak of the H1N1 virus will note symptoms, disease progression, and steps taken to arrest the spread of the disease. It will ultimately make recommendations on the treatment and quarantine of subjects. Figure 22.1 below includes common reports that, depending on the audience needs, may be informational or analytical (Business Communication for Success, 2015; Business Communication Essentials, 2016). Analytical and Information Report PurposeEach report purpose is best suited for specific types of report. Figure 22.2 below provides an overview of the most appropriate business situations to use an informational or analytical report. Figure 22.2 Informational and Analytical Reports  ExerciseReferences Bovee, C., Thill, J., & Scribner, J. (2016). Business communication essentials (4th ed.). Toronto, ON: Pearson Canada Inc. Retrieved from http://www.pearsoncanada.ca/highered/product-showcase/new-solutions-for-core-foundations-from-pearson-canada/business-communication-essentials-fourth-canadian-edition-4e Guffey, M., Loewry, D., Rhodes, K., Rogin, P. (2016). Business communication: Process and product (5th ed.). Toronto, ON: Nelson Education. Retrieved from http://www.cengage.com/cgi-wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&product_isbn_issn=9780176531393&template=NELSON NPBComm2. (2018). Report writing. What is the type of report [Video]. Youtube. Retrived from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eu9maTxHkg. There are two main categories for reports, regardless of their specific function or type. An informational report informs or instructs and presents details of events, activities, individuals, or conditions without analysis. An example of this type of “just the facts” report is a police accident report. The report will note the time, date, place, contributing factors like weather, and identification information for the drivers involved in an automobile accident. It does not establish fault or include judgmental statements. You should not see “Driver was falling down drunk” in a police accident report. Instead, you would see “Driver failed sobriety tests and breathalyzer test and was transported to the station for a blood sample.” The police officer is not a trained medical doctor and is therefore not licensed to make definitive diagnoses, but can collect and present relevant information that may contribute to that diagnosis. The second type of report is called an analytical report. An analytical report presents information with a comprehensive analysis to solve problems, demonstrate relationships, or make recommendations. An example of this report may be a field report by a Center for Disease Control (CDC) physician from the site of an outbreak of the H1N1 virus, noting symptoms, disease progression, steps taken to arrest the spread of the disease, and to make recommendations on the treatment and quarantine of subjects. Table "Table 14.3" includes common reports that, depending on the audience needs, may be informational or analytical. Table 14.3 Types of Reports and Their Functions Type Function 1. Laboratory Report Communicate the procedures and results of laboratory activities 2. Research Report Study problems scientifically by developing hypotheses, collecting data, analyzing data, and indicating findings or conclusions 3. Field Study Report Describe one-time events, such as trips, conferences, seminars, as well as reports from branch offices, industrial and manufacturing plants 4. Progress Report Monitor and control production, sales, shipping, service, or related business process 5. Technical Report Communication process and product from a technical perspective 6. Financial Report Communication status and trends from a finance perspective 7. Case Study Represent, analyze, and present lessons learned from a specific case or example 8. Needs Assessment Report Assess the need for a service or product 9. Comparative Advantage Report Discuss competing products or services with an analysis of relative advantages and disadvantages 10. Feasibility Study Analyze problems and predict whether current solutions or alternatives will be practical, advisable, or produced the desired outcome(s) 11. Instruction Manuals Communicate step-by-step instructions on the use of a product or service 12. Compliance Report Document and indicate the extent to which a product or service is within established compliance parameters or standards 13. Cost-Benefit Analysis Report Communicate costs and benefits of products or services. 14. Decision Report Make recommendations to management and become tools to solve problems and make decisions 15. Benchmark Report Establish criteria and evaluate alternatives by measuring against the establish benchmark criteria 16. Examination Report Report or record data obtained from an examination of an item or conditions, including accidents and natural disasters What is the difference between an informational report and an analytical report quizlet?Analytical reports present data with analysis and/or recommendations; informational reports present data without analysis or recommendations.
What is the difference between information and analysis?Simply put, reporting translates data into information while analysis turns information into insights. Also, reporting should enable users to ask “What?” questions about the information, whereas analysis should answer to “Why”” and “What can we do about it?”
What is information or analytical report?An analytical report is a business document that uses data to display information that leads to a certain conclusion. Typically, companies create analytical reports to solve issues, find opportunities or support decisions.
What is an informational report?An informational report is a factual text which provides information in an organized and objective way, without analysis or recommendations. Basically, it's all about reporting facts. So, it often includes data, details, feedback, or any other type of information about any topic or event.
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