3. Identifying the Problem, Defining the Purpose, and Collecting Data Business reports require planning. Before you begin writing a report, you should define the project and gather data. The first step in writing a report is determining the problem What are the typical sources for gathering factual data for informal reports? Check all that apply. Company records Surveys and questionnaires O Printed material O Interviews What types of electronic resources can be used to gather data for informal reports? Personal e-mail messages iPhones and smart phones O Blogs, discussion boards, and electronic databases If you wanted to develop a comprehensive policy on the use of social media, which research tool might be most effective? Company records Printed material Observation O Indexes