Inappropriate referencing in research

doi:10.1136/bmj.b2049

Published 21 July 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b2049
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b2049

Editorials

Inappropriate referencing in research

Has serious consequences, and the research community needs toact

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

During the preparation and writing of manuscripts, protocols,grant submissions, technical reports, and conference abstracts,authors must consider carefully the selection, completeness,and appropriateness of the articles referenced. Improper citationis not a benign practice; adequate and accurate citation isa necessity of scientifically and methodologically sound research.Rather than treating citation errors in a particular journalarticle as isolated incidents, we must appreciate that sucherrors can be replicated in further articles and, therefore,cause considerable damage over time. Incorrect information canbe promoted, alternative evidence ignored, and redundant researchundertaken following inappropriate use of references, impairingscientific progress and affecting patient care.

In the linked study (doi:10.1136/bmj.b2680), Greenberg illustratesa number of serious consequences of inappropriate or inaccuratecitation of published scientific work. Greenberg tracks thecitation history of the hypothesis that amyloid β is "producedby and injures skeletal muscle fibres of patients with inclusion. . . [Full text of this article]

Dean Fergusson, senior scientist

¹ Clinical Epidemiology Program, General Campus, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Box 201, 501 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada

dafergusson@ohri.ca

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Relevant Article

How citation distortions create unfounded authority: analysis of a citation network: Steven A Greenberg
BMJ 2009 339: b2680. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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