How should one write when citing research that has not been officially published?

Citing unpublished research requires careful adherence to transparency and ethical citation practices, typically referencing sources like preprints or conference presentations. Such sources are generally acceptable if publicly accessible through institutional or subject repositories or similar archives. The citation must accurately identify the document as unpublished and specify its source format (e.g., preprint, manuscript, conference paper). Always include the persistent location (URL or DOI), repository name, and access date. Maintain citation format consistency according to the required style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago). Critically, ensure you have permission to cite the work when possible, recognizing its preliminary nature and potential for revision. To implement this, first confirm the document's status (e.g., arXiv preprint, submitted manuscript, conference abstract). Format the citation precisely, following the relevant style guide's specifications for unpublished works or preprints. Prominently disclose the non-peer-reviewed status using labels like "Preprint" or "Unpublished manuscript" within the citation. Finally, whenever feasible, seek the author's consent to cite their unpublished work, emphasizing the provisional status when discussing its findings.