Final answer:
A 360-degree performance appraisal report provides a record of an employee's performance from multiple sources, beyond just the regular reporting senior. It includes feedback from supervisors, customers, direct reports, peers, and the employee themselves, offering a holistic view of performance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of report that provides a record of significant performance that was not directly observable by the regular reporting senior is known as a 360-degree performance appraisal report. This appraisal method involves collecting performance information from several sources or "raters" who interact with the employee in different capacities. These raters can include supervisors, customers, direct reports, peers, and the employee themselves. The aggregated data from this diverse group offers a comprehensive view of the employee's performance.
Such methods are commonly used within many organizations to ensure a fair and balanced review of an employee's performance and are considered part of what's called multi-source feedback or multi-rater feedback. This approach can help identify areas of strength and potential areas for development that may not be visible to the regular reporting senior alone.
Formal reports in other areas like social and natural sciences, technical fields, and business also include various forms of documentation, such as lab reports, research reports, and proposals. These are typically more structured and written for a specific audience or purpose.