How to Cite White Papers

Learn how to properly cite white papers and policy documents in APA format.

Basic Format

Author(s)/Organization. (Year). Title of white paper [White paper]. Publisher/Organization.

Author(s)/Organization. (Year). Title of white paper [White paper]. URL

Examples

Corporate White Paper

IBM Corporation. (2022). The future of artificial intelligence in enterprise [White paper]. https://www.ibm.com/downloads/ai-enterprise-whitepaper.pdf

Policy White Paper

World Economic Forum. (2021). Global risks report 2021: Building resilience in healthcare systems [White paper]. https://www.weforum.org/reports/global-risks-2021

Research Organization White Paper

Pew Research Center. (2023). Digital privacy in the age of artificial intelligence [White paper]. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2023/digital-privacy

Key Elements

Document Type

  • Include [White paper] in square brackets after title
  • Use specific descriptors if provided (e.g., [Policy white paper])
  • Maintain consistent formatting across similar documents
  • Include version number if multiple versions exist

Author Information

  • List individual authors when specified
  • Use organization name for corporate authorship
  • Include department or division if relevant
  • Follow standard APA author formatting rules

Publication Details

  • Include publication or release date
  • Add publisher or sponsoring organization
  • Note any series information
  • Specify edition or revision if applicable

Special Cases

Additional Guidelines

  • For draft white papers, indicate "Draft" in square brackets
  • Include series or report numbers if part of a series
  • Note any supplementary materials or appendices
  • Specify if the white paper is part of a larger project

In-Text Citations

First Citation

Use the full organization name:

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF, 2021)...

Subsequent Citations

Use the abbreviation:

The report (WEF, 2021) suggests...

Digital Access

Online White Papers

  • Use permanent URLs or DOIs when available
  • Include access date for frequently updated papers
  • Note any registration or subscription requirements
  • Specify file format if not standard web page

Best Practices

Quality Assurance

  • Verify the authenticity of the white paper
  • Check for updated versions
  • Confirm organizational authorship
  • Document any access restrictions

Documentation

  • Save copies of cited white papers
  • Record access dates and URLs
  • Note any required permissions
  • Track version numbers and updates

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't omit [White paper] designation
  • Don't confuse white papers with technical reports
  • Don't use informal titles or subtitles
  • Don't forget to verify current versions
  • Don't ignore access restrictions or permissions