How to Cite Government Data

Learn how to properly cite government statistics, datasets, and databases in APA format.

Basic Format

Author. (Year). Title of dataset [Data set]. Publisher. URL

Author. (Year). Title of dataset [Data set]. DOI

Examples

Census Data

U.S. Census Bureau. (2020). American Community Survey 5-year estimates [Data set]. https://data.census.gov/

Federal Statistics

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Consumer Price Index Historical Data [Data set]. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/cpi/data.htm

Research Database

National Center for Education Statistics. (2019). Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System [Data set]. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Key Elements

Dataset Information

  • Include [Data set] in square brackets after the title
  • Specify the version or wave of data if applicable
  • Add any unique identifiers or accession numbers
  • Note if the data is part of a larger collection

Access Information

  • Provide direct URLs to the dataset when available
  • Include DOIs if assigned
  • Note any access restrictions or requirements
  • Add retrieval dates for dynamic databases

Date Information

  • Use the year of dataset publication
  • Include date ranges for time-series data
  • Note update frequency for ongoing collections
  • Specify the version date if multiple versions exist

Special Cases

Additional Guidelines

  • For unpublished raw data, include description of format
  • Note any data cleaning or processing steps
  • Include codebook references if available
  • Specify geographic coverage for regional data

In-Text Citations

First Citation

Use the full agency name:

According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2020)...

Subsequent Citations

Use the abbreviated form:

The census data (USCB, 2020) showed...

Data Visualization Citations

When Using Data in Figures

  • Include data source in figure notes
  • Specify which variables or measures were used
  • Note any calculations or transformations
  • Add date range for time-series visualizations

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't forget to specify the data format or type
  • Don't omit version information for updated datasets
  • Don't use unofficial source URLs when official ones exist
  • Don't mix different dataset versions without clear indication
  • Don't forget to note any data access restrictions