How to Cite a Government Accountability Office

• Explaining the importance of properly citing GAO reports
• Highlighting the format and key elements required for a GAO report citation

1. Format for Citing a GAO Report:

• Describing the essential components of a GAO report citation
• Emphasizing the need to include author, publication date, title, publication number, and retrieval information

2. Author:

• Identifying the author of GAO reports as the U.S. Government Accountability Office

3. Publication Date:

• Instructing to include the publication date of the report
• Providing guidance on using the year of publication if a specific date is unavailable

4. Title:

• Advising to include the title of the report
• Indicating that the title is usually located on the cover or the first page of the report

5. Publication Number:

• Noting that GAO reports are often assigned a publication number
• Recommending the inclusion of the publication number if available

6. Retrieval Information:

• Explaining the importance of providing retrieval information in a citation
• Clarifying that retrieval information can be a database, website, or URL

Example Citation:

• Providing an example of a properly formatted GAO report citation
• Using the information mentioned above to construct the citation

Conclusion

• Summarizing the key points of the article
• Reinforcing the significance of accurate citation for GAO reports

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Sources:

• University of Colorado Boulder. “Government Sources – Citing Business Information – Research Guides.” URL: https://libguides.colorado.edu/c.php?g=372804&p=2519940
• University of Wyoming. “Online Federal Documents – Citing Government Documents: American Psychological Association – LibGuides.” URL: https://uwyo.libguides.com/c.php?g=67884&p=455416
• University of South Carolina School of Medicine. “Government Publication – APA Citation Style Guide (6th Ed.) – SOM Library.” URL: https://uscmed.sc.libguides.com/c.php?g=477787&p=3285747

FAQs

How to Cite a Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report

Why is it important to properly cite GAO reports?

Properly citing GAO reports is essential for providing credit to the original source of information and maintaining academic integrity. It allows readers to access and verify the information presented, and it demonstrates your commitment to ethical research practices.

What are the key elements required for a GAO report citation?

A proper GAO report citation should include the author, publication date, title, publication number, and retrieval information.

How should I format a GAO report citation?

When citing a GAO report, treat it as a book, technical/research report, or brochure. Include the necessary elements in the appropriate format according to the citation style you are using (e.g., APA, MLA).

Who is considered the author of GAO reports?

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is considered the author of GAO reports. Use “U.S. Government Accountability Office” as the author in your citation.

What should I do if the specific publication date of a GAO report is unavailable?

If the specific publication date is not provided, use the year of publication instead. It is important to include as much information as possible to accurately identify the report.

Where can I find the title of a GAO report?

The title of a GAO report is usually located on the cover or the first page of the report. Include the exact title in your citation.

Are GAO reports assigned publication numbers?

Yes, GAO reports are often assigned publication numbers. If a publication number is available, it is recommended to include it in your citation to provide additional information for identification purposes.

What should I include as retrieval information in a GAO report citation?

Retrieval information in a GAO report citation can include the name of the database, website, or URL where the report is accessed from. This information helps readers locate the report for further reference.