How do you give the citation for a report? What way should you report citations? In this article, you will be learning how to cite a research report and report citation. So, keep reading.
How to Cite a Report/How to Reference a Report
- Write Out the Name of the Author
The author of a report could be an individual, two or more individuals, or an organization. If you want to reference one individual, write out their name as you have cited in the report starting with their surname. Then, add a comma and write only the initials of their first name and other names. For example, Andrew Terence Lightbottom becomes Lightbottom, A. T. when you reference.
Now, if they are two or three authors, you follow the same method. For example, Andrew Terence Lightbottom, Sarah Tina Sheepbottom, and Nina Kathryn Friedrice become Lightbottom, A. T., Sheepbottom, S. T., and Friedrice, N. K.
If the authors were four or more, all you have to do is write out the name of the first individual and write “et al” to represent the rest. For example, Andrew Terence Lightbottom, Sarah Tina Sheepbottom, Nina Kathryn Friedrice, Joey Kangarooey Pouch becomes Lightbottom, A. T. et al.
Now, if you were to cite an organization, you should simply cite like this for example the U. K. University.
- Write Out the Year of Publication in Parentheses
When referencing reports, even the report contains a complete date, only reference the year of publication. After writing out the author'(s) or organization’s name, type a space and then write out the year of publication in parentheses. For example, Lightbottom, A. T. (2021), Lightbottom, A. T. et al (2021), or U. K. University (2021).
- Write Out the Title of the Report
After writing the author'(s) or organization’s name and their year of publication, the next thing to do is to write out the title of the report. Start with a capital letter and then follow with small letters in italics or quotes, depending on how the report title is written. If the first letters of the report title are capitalized, then you have to capitalize as well. If the report title is written in small letters, then do the same. For example, Lightbottom, A. T. (2021) How to site a report; or Lightbottom, A. T. et al (2021) How To Site A Report; or U. K. University (2021) “How To Site A Report”.
Now, if the report comes with any report numbers, make sure you attach them. For example, Lightbottom, A. T. (2021) How to site a report (2216).
- Write out the Name and Place of Publication
After writing out the title of the report in italics or quotes, the next thing to do is to write out the name and place of publication. Write out the state first, put a comma and then follow it with a colon and the name of the publisher. For example, Lightbottom, A. T. (2021) How to site a report. San Diego, California: Publishing Park.
Another example is Lightbottom, A. T., et al (2021) “How to site a report”. San Diego, California: Publishing Park or U. K. University (2021) “How To Site A Report”. Covent Garden and Strand, London: House Publisher.
- Write About The Specific Preparation
In most cases, reports are specifically prepared for organizations and are stated so. If the report has the name(s) of (an) author(s), the author may be an expert in that field and written that report specifically for the organization that needs it. If you are writing such a report, always use the phrase “Report prepared for” and write out the organization to show this detail. For example, Lightbottom, A. T. (2021) How to site a report. Report prepared for Coloda Spring Schools, San Diego, California: Publishing Park.
- Type out the DOI of the Report
A DOI means digital object identifier and it is the URL (Uniform Resource Locator), the address of the report. Now, this only applies to that its author(s) or organization published online that is open for public viewing. It shows that the reader can access it. If an author or organization publishes their report online but restricts access to subscribers, then do not put the DOI. Instead, put the database name there. Always remember to add “Retrieved from” before typing out the DOI. For example, Lightbottom, A. T. (2021) How to site a report. Report prepared for Coloda Spring Schools, San Diego, California: Publishing Park. Retrieved from http://www.howtociteareport.com. If it does not have access, you can write U. K. University (2021) “How To Site A Report”. Covent Garden and Strand, London: House Publisher. Retrieved from UKUniversityOnline database.
How to Cite a Report: Conclusion
Now you know how to cite a report from an organization or (an) author(s). Referencing report is easy, all you have to do is follow the report reference format. With these guidelines, you should be able to cite report.