A report is a document made with the specific intention of relaying information. Reports present focused, salient content to a specific audience. Reports display the results of an experiment, investigation, or inquiry. The format and contents may vary depending on purpose, audience, and goal. Regardless of type, style, purpose, or audience, reports reflect the ethos and credibility of a discipline, department, or institution.
A white paper is an authoritative report or guide that helps solve a problem. White papers are used to educate and help people make decisions by providing expert opinion or relevant research, and are often requested and used in politics, policy, business, and technical fields.