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- For unpublished raw data, include description of format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