How to Cite a Government Report in MLA

Navigating the complexities of academic research often leads scholars to rely on authoritative sources like government reports. These documents, published by various federal, state, and local agencies, offer invaluable data, research findings, and policy analyses. However, citing them correctly in MLA style can be particularly challenging due to their often unique authorship, publication details, and diverse formats (print, online, database).

This guide will demystify the process of citing government reports in MLA 9th edition, providing clear rules, practical examples, and essential tips to ensure your academic work is both accurate and credible.

Understanding MLA 9th Edition for Government Documents

The MLA Handbook, 9th edition, emphasizes the "container" concept, which is incredibly useful when dealing with government publications. Instead of rigid templates, MLA 9 focuses on a flexible system of core elements that you assemble based on the information available for your specific source.

For government reports, the primary challenge often lies in identifying the "author." While many sources have a clear individual author, government reports are typically authored by agencies, departments, committees, or even specific legislative bodies. MLA treats these governmental entities as corporate authors.

The core elements you'll be looking for, in order, are:

1. Author: The government agency, department, or committee responsible for the report.
2. Title of source: The full title of the report, including any subtitle.
3. Title of container: If the report is part of a larger publication (e.g., a website, a database).
4. Other contributors: Editors, translators (less common for reports).
5. Version: Edition or report number, if applicable.
6. Number: Volume or issue number (less common for reports).
7. Publisher: The entity that produced or distributed the report (often the same as the author, or the Government Publishing Office).
8. Publication date: The date the report was published.
9. Location: URL for online sources, or page numbers for in-text citations.

General Format for a Government Report in Works Cited

When citing a government report, the structure generally follows this pattern:

Government Agency Name. Title of Report. Version/Number (if applicable), Publisher, Publication Date. Website Name, URL.

Let's break down specific scenarios with examples.

Citing Specific Types of Government Reports

1. Online Report by a Government Agency

This is perhaps the most common scenario. Many government agencies publish their reports directly on their official websites.

Key Information to Locate:

• Author: The full name of the agency (e.g., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).
• Title: The specific title of the report.
• Publisher: Often the same agency as the author, or a parent department.
• Date: Publication date.
• Website Name: The name of the website hosting the report (e.g., EPA.gov).
• URL: The direct link to the report.

Works Cited Entry Example: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Benefits and Costs of the Clean Air Act from 1990 to 2020. Office of Air and Radiation, 2011. EPA.gov, www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/benefits-and-costs-clean-air-act-1990-2020.

In-text Citation Example: (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 15) (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) – if no page numbers are available.

2. Print Report by a Government Agency

Less common now, but historical documents or specific publications may still be in print.

Key Information to Locate:

• Author: The government agency.
• Title: The specific title of the report.
• Publisher: Often the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) or the agency itself.
• Date: Publication date.
• Location: City of publication (optional in MLA 9, but can be included).

Works Cited Entry Example: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2020: An Overview. U.S. Government Publishing Office, 2010.

In-text Citation Example: (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services 23)

3. Congressional Document (e.g., Committee Report, Hearing)

Citing legislative documents requires careful attention to the specific type of document (bill, resolution, hearing, report) and its identifying numbers.

Key Information to Locate:

• Author: The specific committee or chamber (e.g., U.S. Congress. House. Committee on Ways and Means).
• Title: The title of the document.
• Document Type and Number: (e.g., H. Rpt. 104-563, S. Hrg. 105-231).
• Congress and Session: (e.g., 104th Congress, 2nd Session).
• Publisher: U.S. Government Publishing Office.
• Date: Publication date.
• Container: Congress.gov or another database if accessed online.
• URL: If online.

Works Cited Entry Example (House Report): U.S. Congress. House. Committee on the Judiciary. Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. H. Rpt. 103-324, 103rd Congress, 2nd Session, U.S. Government Publishing Office, 1994. ProQuest Congressional, search.proquest.com/congressional/docview/3476231.

In-text Citation Example: (U.S. Congress, House, Committee on the Judiciary 7)

4. Report with an Individual Author and Government Agency

Sometimes, a specific individual is credited as the author of a report commissioned or published by a government agency.

Key Information to Locate:

• Author: The individual's name.
• Title: The specific title of the report.
• Publisher: The government agency.
• Date: Publication date.
• Container: Website Name, URL (if online).

Works Cited Entry Example: Jones, Sarah L. The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Communities. U.S. Department of the Interior, 2021. DOI.gov, www.doi.gov/climate-report-coastal-communities.

In-text Citation Example: (Jones 45)

5. Report from a Database (e.g., EBSCOHost, ProQuest)

Many academic databases host government documents. When citing these, you need to include the database as a container.

Key Information to Locate:

• Author: Government agency.
• Title: The specific title of the report.
• Publisher: The original publisher (e.g., U.S. Government Publishing Office).
• Date: Publication date.
• Database Name: (e.g., ProQuest Congressional, EBSCOHost).
• URL/DOI: If provided and stable, or the URL of the database's homepage if a direct link is not stable.

Works Cited Entry Example: National Research Council (U.S.). Science and Decisions: Advancing Risk Assessment. National Academies Press, 2009. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=294246&site=ehost-live.

In-text Citation Example: (National Research Council 112)

6. Executive Branch Document (e.g., Presidential Report, White House Brief)

Documents from the Executive Branch, such as reports from the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) or White House briefs, follow similar rules.

Key Information to Locate:

• Author: The specific office or council (e.g., President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology).
• Title: The title of the document.
• Publisher: Often the White House or a specific department.
• Date: Publication date.
• Container: WhiteHouse.gov, URL (if online).

Works Cited Entry Example: President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Report to the President on Ensuring American Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing. The White House, 2014. WhiteHouse.gov, obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/pcast_advanced_manufacturing_report_sept_2014.pdf.

In-text Citation Example: (President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology) – if no page number.

In-text Citations for Government Reports

In-text citations in MLA style typically include the author's last name and a page number. For government reports, the "author" is usually the government agency or department.

• When a page number is available:

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 28) (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services 15)

• When no page number is available (common for online reports):

Simply use the author's name in parentheses, or integrate it into your sentence. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "..."

• Shortening long agency names:

If an agency name is particularly long and appears frequently, you can use a shortened version in subsequent citations, provided it is clear which agency you are referring to. For instance, after the first full citation, "U.S. Environmental Protection Agency" could become "(EPA)" in subsequent in-text citations, but you must ensure this abbreviation is either commonly understood or introduced clearly earlier in your paper. For the Works Cited entry, always use the full name.

Tips for Success

1. Be Thorough in Locating Information: Government reports can be dense. Carefully examine the title page, copyright page, and the beginning/end of the document for the authoring agency, specific title, publication date, and any report numbers.
2. Prioritize Clarity: If you're unsure about a specific element, err on the side of providing more information rather than less, as long as it adheres to the MLA core elements principle. The goal is always to help your reader locate the source.
3. Use Official Sources: Whenever possible, try to access the report from the official government website rather than a third-party site, as this often provides the most accurate publication details and a stable URL.
4. Consistency is Key: Once you decide on a format for a particular type of government report, stick to it throughout your Works Cited page.
5. Utilize Online Tools and Guides: Many university writing centers and reputable citation websites offer excellent MLA guides. If you find navigating these specific rules challenging, platforms like Humanize offer professional writing and editing services to ensure your citations are perfectly formatted and your academic work shines.

Citing government reports accurately is a testament to your meticulous research and commitment to academic integrity. By understanding the core principles of MLA 9th edition and applying the specific examples provided, you can confidently integrate these valuable sources into your work.

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