Purpose and technique

The Conduct of Business and Government   

To promulgate laws, regulations, guidelines   

To report information needed for making new decisions, laws, policies 

To argue for certain lines of action   

To request funds or propose an activity to be funded   

To keep track of funds, projects, activities; to report on accomplishments and failures; to evaluate 

activities   

To sell, advertise   

Transmission of Knowledge to a Wider Audience   

To satisfy curiosity   

To provide practical information for everyday use   

To provide an introduction to an area of knowledge   

To instruct rigorously, passing on the most recent knowledge, skill, or technique