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.
Feb 3, 2026
By
Joe Pacal, MSc
Search citation styles
TL;DR
Use the organization as author if no individual is named. Include report number or series if available. For government reports, include the agency hierarchy. Treat reports like books—title in italics—with the organization as publisher if self-published.
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):
Author, A. A., or Organization. (Year). Title of report (Report No. xxx). Publisher. URL
Example:
World Health Organization. (2024). Global health report 2024. https://www.who.int/publications/...
MLA (9th Edition):
Author or Organization. Title of Report. Publisher, Year, URL.
Example:
World Health Organization. Global Health Report 2024. WHO, 2024, www.who.int/publications/...
Chicago (Notes-Bibliography):
Note:
World Health Organization, Global Health Report 2024 (Geneva: WHO, 2024), 45.
Bibliography:
World Health Organization. Global Health Report 2024. Geneva: WHO, 2024.
Government Reports
Government publications often have hierarchical authorship:
APA:
Parent Agency, Sub-Agency. (Year). Title of report (Publication No. xxx). URL
Example:
U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2024). Federal student aid: Assessment of recent improvements (GAO-24-105647). https://www.gao.gov/...
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:
U.S. Department of Education. (2023). Title. U.S. Government Publishing Office.
Reports With Individual Authors
If specific authors are named on the report:
Smith, J., & Chen, L. (2024). Title of report. Organization Name. URL
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:
Brookings Institution. (2024). Title of report. https://www.brookings.edu/...
Or if authored by named researchers:
Mann, T. E. (2024). Title of report. Brookings Institution. URL
Corporate Reports
Annual reports:
Company Name. (Year). Annual report 2024. URL
White papers:
Company Name. (Year). Title of white paper [White paper]. URL
Industry reports from research firms:
McKinsey & Company. (2024). Title of report. https://www.mckinsey.com/...
Reports From International Organizations
UN agencies, World Bank, IMF, and similar bodies:
United Nations Development Programme. (2024). Human development report 2024. https://hdr.undp.org/...
World Bank. (2024). World development report 2024: Title (Report No. xxxxx). https://www.worldbank.org/...
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:
Author. (Year). Title (Series Name Report No. XX). Organization.
Example:
Peterson, M. (2024). Title of report (NBER Working Paper No. 31234). National Bureau of Economic Research.
Updated or Revised Reports
If a report has been updated, cite the version you used:
Organization. (2024, revised). Title of report. URL
Or note the edition:
Organization. (2024). Title of report (3rd ed.). URL
The exact formatting for report citations depends on your required citation style. Check the specific guide for your discipline below.
