Introduction

White papers are authoritative reports or guides that offer an in-depth understanding of a particular subject or issue. They often inform about the benefits and features of various solutions, industry trends, and possible problem-solving strategies. As a valuable source of information, white papers need to be cited correctly when incorporated into your research or academic paper.

In this article, we’ll discuss three citation styles you might use when citing a white paper – American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA), and Chicago Manual of Style (CMS). By following proper citation rules, you lend credibility to your work and enable readers to locate your sources for further research.

1.American Psychological Association (APA) Format

When citing a white paper in APA format, follow this general template:

Author(s) or group responsible for the white paper. (Publication Year). Title of the white paper (Report Number if available). Publisher. URL

Here’s an example:

International Council on Clean Transportation. (2021). The landscape of zero-emission vehicles in public transit: Accelerating the transition to a cleaner future (ICCT White Paper No. 01-2021). ICCT. https://www.theicct.org/publications/zev-public-transit-wp/>

2.Modern Language Association (MLA) Format

To cite a white paper in MLA format, use the following structure:

Author(s) or group responsible for the white paper. “Title of the White Paper.” Publication Year, Report Number if available, Publisher, URL

For example:

International Council on Clean Transportation. “The Landscape of Zero-Emission Vehicles in Public Transit: Accelerating the Transition to a Cleaner Future.” 2021, ICCT White Paper No. 01-2021, https://www.theicct.org/publications/zev-public-transit-wp/>

3.Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) Format

To cite a white paper using the CMS format, follow this guideline:

Author(s) or group responsible for the white paper. “Title of the White Paper.” Report Number if available. Publisher, Publication Year. URL

An example citation would look like:

International Council on Clean Transportation. “The Landscape of Zero-Emission Vehicles in Public Transit: Accelerating the Transition to a Cleaner Future.” ICCT White Paper No. 01-2021. ICCT, 2021. https://www.theicct.org/publications/zev-public-transit-wp/>

Conclusion

Citing a white paper accurately is vital to maintaining the credibility of your work and acknowledging the contributions of others to your research. Armed with the knowledge of APA, MLA, and CMS citation formats, you can ensure that your citations adhere to the guidelines set forth by these styles.

Reference lists and in-text citations might change with different style guides for various subjects or institutions, but being familiar with these three citation styles will definitely help you navigate through citation rules when citing a white paper in your academic journey.