How to Cite a Report (Government, NGO & Technical)

Reports come from governments, think tanks, corporations, NGOs, and research institutions. They're valuable sources but don't fit the standard journal article template. Here's how to cite different types of reports correctly.

Types of Reports

Reports vary significantly by source:

• Government reports: Agency publications, GAO reports, census data, policy analyses.
• Research institution reports: Think tanks, research centers, university institutes.
• NGO and nonprofit reports: Advocacy organizations, international bodies (WHO, UN).
• Corporate reports: Annual reports, white papers, industry analyses.
• Technical reports: Numbered documents from research laboratories or contractors.

The citation approach varies slightly by type, but core elements remain consistent.

Core Citation Elements

Most report citations include the author (individual, group, or organization), the publication year, the title in italics, a report number or series if applicable, the publisher or issuing organization, and URL or DOI if accessed online.

Quick Reference by Major Style

APA (7th Edition):

Example:

MLA (9th Edition):

Example:

Chicago (Notes-Bibliography):

Note:

Bibliography:

Government Reports

Government publications often have hierarchical authorship:

APA:

Example:

Note the report number format—different agencies use different systems (GAO uses GAO-xx-xxxxxx, for example).

For older conventions, some styles list "U.S. Government Publishing Office" as publisher:

Reports With Individual Authors

If specific authors are named on the report:

The organization becomes the publisher; individuals become the authors.

Reports With Report Numbers

Always include report numbers when available—they're how readers will find the document:

Title of report (Report No. 2024-15) Title of report (Technical Report TR-456) Title of report (Working Paper WP-2024-03)

Different organizations use different numbering systems.

Think Tank and Policy Reports

Research institutions often self-publish:

Or if authored by named researchers:

Corporate Reports

Annual reports:

White papers:

Industry reports from research firms:

Reports From International Organizations

UN agencies, World Bank, IMF, and similar bodies:

Citing Specific Sections

For large reports, you might cite specific chapters or sections:

In-text: (World Bank, 2024, Chapter 3) Or: (World Bank, 2024, pp. 45-67)

Reports in Series

Some organizations publish numbered report series:

Example:

Updated or Revised Reports

If a report has been updated, cite the version you used:

Or note the edition:

The exact formatting for report citations depends on your required citation style. Check the specific guide for your discipline below.