Citation in Science - Don't Quote Me on That
Allan Sudlow
Monday, 19 May 2008 15:15 UTC
Following a debate on Citation in Science on 27th May at TalkScience
We invite you to continue the discussion. Here are a few topics to get things started:
1. ‘Tools for the Job’: does use of a single citation search tool (e.g. PubMed, UKPMC, Google Scholar, Web of Science) bias the results? Is there a call for the use of mutiple tools?
2. ‘Pick n’ Mix’: selective citation to support a particular argument/hypothesis. Are people only citing portions of an article and thereby deliberately ignoring conflicting evidence elsewhere within the same article?
3. ‘Don’t Quote Me on That’: Even when the “original” paper is cited it is often misquoted. Do those citing not always fully understand the meaning behind a paper? Is this form of mis-citation more a case of misinterpretation rather than misrepresentation?
4. ‘It’s all Just Greek to Me’: is there a citation bias against non-English language papers or papers from “non-English-speaking” countries?
5. ‘Return to Nature’: is there a preference for citing known/higher impact factor paper?
6. ‘Measure for Measure’: are citations and bibliometric measures in general an accurate reflection of research excellence?
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Thanks for starting this forum, with such an interesting, pertinent set of questions. There is other discussion on the Network about these topics (of course!) so it is great to focus it here. I will try to get to the talk if I can.
best wishes
Maxine. -
Ah, good on you, Allan! And thanks to Maxine for the heads-up too.
I had blogged a bit about impact factors, and want to do a bit more.
Unfortunately, I’m stuck on the other side of Europe, so I’ll have to enjoy the talk second-hand.
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Re: number 3. Arrgh. Just happened to me.
Even when the “original” paper is cited it is often misquoted. Do those citing not always fully understand the meaning behind a paper?
Clearly this is how I take it. What is annoying but unavoidable is that the quoting paper is in a journal that is more widely read than mine had been. Read, however, by scientists not likely to have a critical eye on this particular interpretation. So it’s unlikely they will go to the original article and see the problem.
It’s just a blow to my pride, but it rankles a little.
Look forward to reading more on these interesting subjects.
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I’m trying to book for the talk, but the British Library booking system isn’t working. Is it OK just to turn up. (I see that the Beatles White Album talk at the same time/venue is sold out, but I hope there is some availablity for the citation talk. Interesting juxtaposition!).
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Yes, having the same problem with the booking system. Anyone know how draconian the bookings are? I’m coming back from Cambridge and might be able to make it/might not. I’m hesitant to block a seat on that basis.
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A “Beatles overspill” would be most unfortunate, indeed.
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Those who are interested in coming along to the event on Tuesday night can e-mail me or Allan and we’ll arrange a ticket for you. Hope to see you there!
One of the questions that I have for scientists today is – does the availability of metrics make you nervous/paranoid/obsessed? When I was publishing you had a rough idea who was quoting you but now you can check who has and hasn’t been citing your work. And then if they have at least cited you, you need to check if they’ve read your paper properly – and it sounds like many don’t, from one of the posts. Is the availability of information adding to the stress or is knowledge power?
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Thanks, Lee-Ann. Even though it is a bank holiday today, I managed to get through and book a ticket, so hope to see you there.
I am not an active scientist, but I agree that being cited without being aware of it isn’t always pleasant. I remember once accidentally discovering that someone had written a blog post deconstructing a post I’d written, drawing all kinds of completely inaccurate conclusions and getting more and more vitriolic as it went on. For some reason, my “alert” did not pick it up, so I only discovered this post by chance (someone sent me a link to it). I was therefore able to go to the comment thread and correct some of the errors. I would have preferred the author of the post to have let me know he was writing the post, though. It was kind of creepy. -
Hello everyone! Sorry for the lack of posts but I have been away enjoying the UK bank holiday thunderstorms…Maxine – look forward to seeing you at the event. Cameron – reply to me direct if you are still having problems booking.
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Everyone – check out some of the interesting comments and thoughts posted on Bob O’Hara’s blog on the Impact Factor Revolution
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