Citing Internal Sources

Anna Lindenmeier — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 12:51:42 +0000

Common procedure

As a general rule, only publicly accessible sources should be listed in a bibliography. Internal company sources would not usually be included. However, such sources may still be cited. You have several options:

You can simply list the sources in the bibliography and add a note in square brackets indicating that the source is only internally available, e.g.: [only available internally], [access restricted to intranet], or [not publicly accessible].

If there are more than ten, you can create a separate list of internal documents in the appendix.

You can attach the internal documents in the appendix. This should be discussed with the company if necessary.

Suggestions in case of uncertainty

If the information from non-public sources is crucial or extensive, it’s a good idea to talk to your professors about how to handle it.

You can find more on this at: Scribbr

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to cite internal sources?

For example, in the bibliography, marked with square brackets. Another option is a separate list in the appendix, or – with the company’s consent – attaching the documents in the appendix.

Who should I consult if I have further questions?

Discuss further steps with your supervisor.