What information should be included when citing a government report?

Government report citations require essential bibliographic details to enable accurate source verification. Typically, this includes the authoring government body (department, agency, commission), the full title of the report, the publication year, and the report number or series identifier if available. For print reports, the publisher location and name may also be included. Key principles involve ensuring the citation is sufficiently specific to locate the exact report. Include the official name of the government entity responsible for the report. Provide the complete title and subtitle. Clearly indicate the publication date or copyright year. If a formal report number exists (e.g., "FTC Report No. 2024-C008"), it must be included. For reports accessed online, the precise URL and the date of access are mandatory elements. Proper citation of government reports underpins research credibility by allowing verification and demonstrating reliance on authoritative sources. It facilitates literature reviews and future scholarship tracking specific government findings. Crucially, it acknowledges the origin of data and policy analyses, upholding academic integrity standards like APA, MLA, or Chicago styles require these details consistently.