How to cite reports that are only published locally?
Locally published reports are citable sources when documented comprehensively to ensure verifiability. Feasibility relies on including sufficient retrieval information for readers to locate the specific document.
Key principles mandate adhering to a consistent academic style guide (e.g., APA, Chicago, MLA). Verify the report's authoritativeness and publication status. Essential elements include author(s), report title, publishing organization, specific publication date, and a unique identifier (e.g., report number). Crucially, provide detailed retrieval information: the full physical location (e.g., university archive, municipal office) or a direct URL if hosted online by the issuing body. Explicitly state the report is "locally published" or "available locally" for context. Always prioritize accessibility details enabling reader retrieval.
For citation, follow standard formatting but include the physical location or archive name alongside publisher details. Example structure: Author(s). (Year). *Report Title* (Report Number [if any]). Publisher/Local Institution Name. [Specify location, e.g., City Archives, Municipal Office, or URL if publicly accessible online repository]. Cite for unique data, policy specifics, or institutional findings unavailable elsewhere, highlighting context-specific research value within scholarly work.
