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Reports and Other Textual Sources

Contents

Reports

Reports are commissioned by organizations, charities, agencies, etc., not for commercial publication but to communicate the findings. They may not have an ISBN and are usually single items produced for a reason at a particular point in time.

  • Authorship
  • (Year)
  • Title.
  • Edition.
  • Place of publication:
  • Publisher.

Examples:

Harvey, S., McMahon, L. and Liddell, A. (2007) Windmill 2007: The future of health care reforms in England. London: The King's Fund.

Underwood, J., Baguley, T. S., Banyard, P., Coyne, E., Farrington-Flint, L. and Selwood, I. (2007) Impact 2007: Personalising learning with technology. Final report. Coventry: British Educational Communication and Technology Agency.

For online reports, omit the place of publication and publisher details if these are not supplied and only include an edition where it is not the first.

  • Authorship
  • (Year)
  • Title.
  • Edition.
  • Place of Publication:
  • Publisher.
  • Available at: URL
  • [Accessed date].

Examples:

Fautley, M. and Whittaker, A. (2017) Key Data on Music Education Hubs 2016. Report for Arts Council England. Birmingham: Birmingham City University. Available at: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/sites/default/files/download-file/key_data_music_report.pdf [Accessed 30 August 2018].

Marsden, S., Rogers, J., Ryder, M and Obia, V. (2022) Beyond Black to Front: Accessing Channel 4’s Black to Front project and new diversity and inclusion challenges. Birmingham: Birmingham City University, Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity. Available at: https://bcuassets.blob.core.windows.net/docs/beyond-black-to-front-report-133003778635110536.pdf [Accessed 12 September 2022].

Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018) Future Nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses. Available at: https://www.nmc.org.uk/globalassets/sitedocuments/education-standards/future-nurse-proficiencies.pdf [Accessed 30 June 2018].

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Reports as Part of a Series

Technical reports are often produced for sponsors of commercial projects. They are published as part of a series by an organization.

  • Authorship
  • (Year)
  • Title.
  • Edition.
  • Place of publication:
  • Publisher
  • (Reference number).

Only include an edition where it is not the first.

Publications available through the Construction Information Service by CIRIA, BSRIA, RIBA etc. usually have an author which you should use. If there is no clear author, use the name of the organization from the title page.

Examples:

Berry, C. and McCarthy, S. (2011) Guide to Sustainable Procurement in Construction. London: CIRIA (CIRIA C695).

Concrete Society (2016) Concrete Industrial Ground Floors: A guide to design and construction. 4th edn. Camberley: Concrete Society (Technical Report 34).

Wegmann, E. (2009) Relation between Compressibility and Viscoelastic Material Properties of a Brake Pad. Warrendale, PA: SAE International (SAE Paper 2009-01-3017).

For online reports which form part of a series, use the format:

  • Authorship
  • (Year)
  • Title.
  • Edition.
  • Place of Publication:
  • Publisher
  • (Reference number).
  • Available at: URL
  • [Accessed date].

Examples:

Allen, G., Kirk-Wade, E. and Arthur, R. (2020) Police Service Strength. (House of Commons Library Briefing Paper SN-00634, 14 October). Available at: https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN00634/SN00634.pdf [Accessed 20 January 2021].

Ministry of Defence (2015) Defence Engagement. Swindon: Development, Concept and Doctrine Centre (Joint Doctrine Note 1/15). Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/570579/20160104-Defence_engagement_jdn_1_15.pdf [Accessed 21 November 2017].

Murphy, A., Weir, B., Waddell, M. and Khokhar, R. (2019) 5G for Broadcasters – New opportunities for distribution and content. (BBC Research & Development Department White Paper WHP 360). Available at: http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/rd/pubs/whp/whp-pdf-files/WHP360.pdf [Accessed 30 January 2020].

Some reports are available through a password-protected database and are available in a series or as part of a regular publication, such as stockbroker reports. Include the following elements:

  • Authorship
  • (Year)
  • Article title
  • Series Title,
  • Day and month.
  • Date updated (if applicable).
  • Available at: URL
  • [Accessed date].

Example:

Johanan, G. (2021) Associated British Foods: Encouraging outlook for Primark: continue to prefer ABF within traditional UK retail. J. P. Morgan Equities Research Reports, Europe Equity Research, 23 April. Available at: https://www-proquest-com.bcu.idm.oclc.org/docview/2519878476/fulltextPDF/A13EF9D6DCF84738PQ/1?accountid=10749 [Accessed 30 June 2022].

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NICE Guidelines

  • Authorship
  • (Year)
  • Title
  • (NICE reference number).
  • Date updated (if applicable).
  • Available at: URL
  • [Accessed date].

Example:

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2018) Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (NICE Guideline 116). Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng116 [Accessed 16 August 2019].

For some NICE guidelines there is a difference between the published date and the date the guidance was last updated. In this case, use the below format.

Example:

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2016) Sepsis: Recognition, diagnosis and early management (NICE Guideline 51). Updated January 2024. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng51 [Accessed 16 March 2020].

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Clinical trials

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the regulatory authority responsible for clinical trial approvals, oversight, and inspections in the UK. Their guidance on clinical trials for medicines, updated in November 2022, advises that the summary results of the clinical trial should be published within one year in the public register (or registers) where the clinical trial was registered. The guidance on applying for authorisation of clinical trials advises that, from 1 January 2022, the Health Research Authority (HRA) will automatically register clinical trials with ISRCTN Registry as one of the steps to ensure research transparency. For any submissions submitted up to 31 December 2021, clinical trials should be registered on an established international register such as ISRCTN Registry or ClinicalTrials.gov. There is a full list of the primary registries (currently 18) on the World Health Organization's International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). None of these pages give advice on citing clinical trials nor does the Cochrane Training web page which gives advice to systematic reviewers on searching clinical trials registers.

Based on advice from specific journals, for example, the advice to authors in Trends in Molecular Medicine which states: “Please indicate where the trial is registered; e.g. WHO’s International Clinical Trial Registry Platform or in ClinicalTrials.gov, etc. Please add the identifier number”, use the format:

  • Author
  • (Year)
  • Title.
  • Clinical trial registry
  • (Identifer number).
  • Available at: URL (Accessed date)
  • Or Available at: DOI.

Examples:

McIntyre, H. (2019) Facilitating skin-to-skin contact in the postnatal period. Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02998463). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02998463 [Accessed 2 March 2023].

MolecuLight Inc. (2020) Presence of fluorescence signature to predict graft failure using MolecuLight i:X. Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04185636). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04185636 [Accessed 2 March 2023].

Morel, J. (2022) Efficacy of a sequential treatment strategy in rheumatoid arthritis. A randomized controlled trial with an independent efficacy assessor. EU Clinical Trials (EUCT 2022-500234-29-00). Available at https://euclinicaltrials.eu/app/#/view/2022-500234-29-00 [Accessed 2 March 2023].

Soundy, A. A. (2021) The feasibility of student physiotherapists delivering a brief psychological intervention to stroke patients. ISRCTN Registry (ISRCTN14244302). https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14244302.

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Market Research Reports

Where reports are accessed through a password-protected site:

  • Authorship
  • (Year)
  • Title.
  • Available through: URL
  • [Accessed date].

Examples:

Croner-i Navigate (2023) Fashion Retail: Business sector update, February 2023. Available through: https://library.croneri.co.uk/cobweb-sec/cobweb-SEC-13025 [Accessed 29 August 2023].

MarketLine (2023) Real Estate in the United Kingdom, August 2023. London: MarketLine. Available through: http://advantage.marketline.com [Accessed 29 August 2023].

Mintel (2023) Connected Living and Device Ecosystems - UK. Available through: https://reports.mintel.com/display/1155141/ [Accessed 29 August 2023].

Passport (2023) Footwear in China: Euromonitor International, January 2023. Available through: https://www.portal.euromonitor.com [Accessed 29 August 2023].

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Dissertations and theses

Dissertations and theses are treated in a similar way to printed books but instead of giving information about the publisher you need to give the name of the institution where the dissertation was undertaken and the type of degree for which it was written.

  • Authorship
  • (Year)
  • Title.
  • Level.
  • University.

Example:

Abdelhalim, K. M. (2002) An Alternative Approach for Housing the Urban Poor in Egypt: Prospects and constraints. Ph.D. Thesis. University of Central England in Birmingham.

If the thesis is available online, the URL and accessed date should also be provided.

  • Authorship
  • (Year) 
  • Title.
  • Level.
  • University.
  • Available at: URL
  • [Accessed date].

Example:

Zhao, T. (2018) Contemporary Fashion Illustration in China and Its Application in the Chinese Fashion Market with Special Reference to Chinese Elements. Ph.D. Thesis. Birmingham City University. Available at: http://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/7279/ [Accessed 8 August 2019].

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Interviews

1. Personal interviews

A transcript of your interview must be included in an appendix in your piece of work (check your guidelines for more information about this). The citation for this interview in your work should then refer to Appendix A as, for example:

You may also use '(see Appendix A)', but remember that you should be consistent throughout your work.

You should always check with the interviewee that they are in agreement with a transcript of the interview being made.

An interview will normally be with a named person on a particular date and conducted by a specific person but you will need to provide a title. It is useful to give the venue or the medium if the interview was held online.

In your reference list you must provide the following details for interviews you have conducted yourself:

  • Interviewee
  • (Year)
  • Title (optional).
  • Interviewed by Interviewer(s)
  • at Location/online via Zoom/Skype,
  • Day and Month.

Examples:

Gavigan, M. (2014) Interviewed by John Doe (use your name here) at Birmingham City University (the location you interviewed them), 4 July.

Laghi, L. (2020) Interviewed by John Doe (use your name here) online via Zoom (the medium for the interview), 2 October.

For interviews in printed sources, from broadcasts, or from sources that feature as part of additional material on DVD, use the referencing guidance for that particular format:

Downey, A. (2016) Future imperfect: focus on visual culture in the Middle East. Interviewed by Alan Cruikshank. Di'Van | A Journal of Accounts, 1, pp. 110-119.

Grange, K. (2011) Interview with Kenneth Grange. Interviewed by Mark Lawson for Front Row. [radio programme] BBC, UK, 19:15, 18 July, BBC Radio 4, 35 mins.

Morgan S. (1996) Beyond control: an interview with Susan Hiller. In: Susan Hiller [exhibition catalogue] Exhibition held at Tate Gallery, Liverpool, 20 January – 17 March. London: Tate Gallery Publishing, pp. 15-21.

Interview with Wim Wenders, Land of Plenty. [documentary extra, DVD] Directed by Wim Wenders. Interviewed by Mark Cousins. Axiom Studios, USA/Germany/Canada, 2004 [Axiom Studios, AXM555, 2008] 6 mins.

Whitburn, V. (2010) I’m steeped in the countryside: interview with Vanessa Whitburn. Interviewed by Elisabeth Mahoney for The Guardian: Media supplement, 13 December, p. 5.

2. Recorded interviews available online

  • Interviewee
  • (Year)
  • Title.
  • [video]
  • Interviewed by Interviewer(s)
  • Day and Month.
  • Available at: URL
  • [Accessed date].

Examples:

Hunter, K. (2016) Shakespeare for Inclusive Audiences. [video] Interviewed by Michael Dobson. Available through: https://www.digitaltheatreplus.com/ [Accessed 03 August 2017]. [in this example use Available through: as Digital Theatre Plus is a subscription site]

Yuzna, B. (2015) ScratchTVBCU Brian Yuzna Interview. [video] Interviewed by Chrissy Hall, 4 November. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhUWxkGEdNg&list=PLpQuPYCyuS5pgNidr4yx-CZ2hY5i8PqDn&index=12 [Accessed 31 May 2016].

For interviews available as audio files only, use the referencing guide for podcasts.

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National Curriculum

1. Current national curriculum (2014)

  • Department
  • (Year)
  • Title.
  • Available at: URL
  • [Accessed date].

Current version:

Department for Education (2014) The National Curriculum in England: Framework document. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/381344/Master_final_national_curriculum_28_Nov.pdf [Accessed 18 June 2019].

For specific subjects use the same format, for example, for English:

Department for Education (2014) National Curriculum in England: English programmes of study. Statutory guidance. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study [Accessed 31 July 2015].

In-text:

2. Former national curricula

Printed:

  • Department
  • (Year)
  • Title.
  • Place of publication:
  • Publisher.

Online:

  • Department
  • (Year)
  • Title.
  • Place of publication (optional):
  • Publisher (optional).
  • Available at: URL
  • [Accessed date].

Examples:

Department for Education and Employment (1999) The National Curriculum for England: English key stages 1-4. London: Department for Education and Employment.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) (2007) English: Programme of study for key stage 4. Available at: Gov.uk website [Accessed 8 August 2014].

If you are referencing several former curricula or sections of curricula produced by the same department then you can abbreviate the name of the department in brackets when you first cite it. Subsequent references can then use the abbreviation.

For example, first citation in text: Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) (1999)...

Subsequent citations in text: DfEE (1999)...

The abbreviation should then appear after the full name in your reference as:

Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) (1999) The National Curriculum for England: English key stages 1-4. London: DfEE.

For specific subjects, in this case, English:

These would then be cited in your reference list as:

Department for Education (DfE) (1995) English in the National Curriculum. London: HMSO.

Department for Education (2014) National Curriculum in England: English programmes of study. Statutory Guidance. Available at: Gov.uk website [Accessed 8 August 2014].

Department of Education and Science (DES) (1990) English in the National Curriculum. London: HMSO.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) (2007) English: Programme of study for key stage 4. Available at: http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/p/english%202007%20programme%20of%20study%20for%20key%20stage%204.pdf [Accessed 8 August 2014].

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Patents

  • Inventor
  • (Year)
  • Title.
  • Patent country and number,
  • Day and Month.

Examples:

Aftelak, A. J. (2001) Frequency Tracking Loop and Method of Frequency Tracking. UK Patent GB2347286, 18 April.

Zurek, R. A., Aftelak, A. J. and Maracas, G. N. (2011) Multi-device Coordinated Audio Playback. US Patent US7894511 B2, 22 February.

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Standards

1. Printed

You will largely find standards through web-based subscription sites such as British Standards Online but academic practice is to cite the standards as if they are in a printed form.

  • Organisation
  • (Year)
  • Standard number:
  • Title.
  • Edition (if not first).
  • Place of publication:
  • Publisher.

Example:

British Standards Institution (2021) BS 31100: 2021. Risk management — Code of practice and guidance for the implementation of BS ISO 31000:2018. London: BSI Standards Limited.

In-text:

2. Online

  • Organisation
  • (Year)
  • Standard number:
  • Title.
  • Edition (if not first).
  • Place of publication:
  • Publisher.
  • Available at: URL
  • [Accessed date].

Examples:

International Telecommunications Union (ITU) (2014) Recommendation X.1211: Techniques for preventing web-based attacks. Geneva: ITU. Available at: http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-X.1211-201409-I [Accessed 23 December 2014].

Mrugalski, T., Siodelski, M., Volz, B., Yourtchenko, A., Richardson, M., Jiang, S., Lemon, T. and Winters, T. (2018) Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv6 (DHCPv6). (IETF RFC 8415). Available at: https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8415 [Accessed 29 August 2023].

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Working papers or briefing papers

Working papers are now all available online and are published as part of a series. The paper may be a prelude to a journal article or conference paper as the author seeks to obtain feedback on their ideas before publication in a peer-reviewed source. They are available on the websites of organizations or universities. Some working papers are published as part of research networks such as SSRN and these can be cited as preprint servers (see preprints under "legal and governmental sources").

  • Authorship
  • (Year)
  • Title.
  • Place of Publication:
  • Publisher
  • (Reference number).
  • Available at: URL
  • [Accessed date].

Example:

Ganguly, A. and Spinola, D. (2022) Growth and Distribution Regimes Under Global Value Chains: Diversification, integration and uneven development. Birmingham: Birmingham City University (Birmingham City Business School, Centre for Applied Finance and Economics (CAFE) Working Paper No. 17). Available at: http://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/12775/ [Accessed 12 September 2022].

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Press releases

  • Authorship
  • (Year)
  • Title.
  • [press release]
  • Day and Month.
  • Available at: URL
  • [Accessed date].

Examples:

Birmingham City University (2022) New Second Series of Hit BBC Show Puts University’s School of Jewellery Centre Stage. [press release] 17 August. Available at: https://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/new-second-series-of-hit-bbc-show-puts-universitys-school-of-jewellery-centre-stage [Accessed 12 September 2022].

Ofsted and HM Inspectorate of Prisons (2022) Failing to Teach Prisoners to Read is 'Huge Missed Opportunity'. [press release] 22 March. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/failing-to-teach-prisoners-to-read-is-huge-missed-opportunity [Accessed 29 August 2023].

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Speech transcripts

  • Speaker
  • (Year)
  • Title,
  • Location,
  • Day and month.
  • Available at: URL
  • [Accessed date].

Examples:

Cameron, D. (2015) PM on Plans for a Seven-day NHS, London, 18 May. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-on-plans-for-a-seven-day-nhs [Accessed 31 July 2015].

Lawton, R. (2014) Impact: Lots of Questions Some Answers, Birmingham, 2 April. Keynote address at the Higher Education Academy (HEA) Enhancing holistic healthcare employability for successful student transition seminar series. Available at: http://www.bcu.ac.uk/Download/Asset/318b1f55-3000-e411-83a8-0025b3ab12a4 [Accessed 11 August 2017].

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