How to cite unpublished papers or reports?

Citing unpublished papers or reports is feasible but necessitates distinct methods compared to published works due to their lack of formal publication and peer review. Clarity about their preliminary status is paramount. These sources fall under "grey literature." Essential practices include explicitly labelling the work as "unpublished manuscript," "unpublished report," or similar descriptors within the citation. Include all available authorship information, the work's full title, date of creation (e.g., year or specific date), and identifying project numbers or institutional affiliations. Crucially, ensure you have the author's permission to cite their work, as this material is not publicly archived. Acknowledge that such citations carry inherent limitations regarding accessibility and verifiability for readers. To implement such citations: 1) Employ an "Author, Year" style for in-text references. 2) Structure the reference list entry as follows: Author(s). (Year). *Title of work* [Unpublished manuscript / Unpublished report]. Affiliation/Location (if applicable). 3) Add explanatory descriptors in brackets immediately after the title. 4) Optionally note availability if an accessible copy exists ("Available from [Contact or URL]"). This procedure ensures transparency regarding the source's status while enabling traceability, particularly vital in grey literature and internal project documentation contexts.