Citation Errors in Scientific Research and Publications: Causes, Consequences, and Remedies

CAPSULE: Data collected throughout the world through serious scientific research can in fact be considered a sort of "sanctuary" where Science, like a secular deity, bestows its gifts on those who honor it.

Therefore, the construction of this "sanctuary" requires strictly controlled, indisputable and up-to-date information (knowledge is constantly evolving).
This article covers key issues about the imperative of proper citations of scientific sources for every claim underlying any new research, and unequivocally demonstrates GAF's dedication to the "sanctity" of Science.

The Authors summarize the causes of all possible citation errors when a paper is in preparation: transcribing statements quoted in later documents omitting the original source, or quoted in older documents omitting more recent statements; self-citations that overlook more relevant statements by other Authors; unintentional distortion of the cited results or conclusions; referring only to abstracts or secondary sources in order to save time, or due to inaccessibility of the primary source; poor compliance with existing guidelines on Best Citation Practice, etc.

Of course, diagnosing citation errors is followed by an extensive list of remedies: a careful review of the manuscript, verifying that every single statement is supported by an adequate citation; an in-depth analysis of the full text of the original source; a systematic literature review with appropriate tools and software packages; express any personal opinion in an unambiguous form, etc.

Finally, the Authors remind readers that the technical guidelines for correct citation are available in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, and that even the smallest citation errors can spread inaccuracies and half-truths that could even lead to a Chinese Whisper Game!

Acknowledgment: Giovanni M Colpi, MD (Lugano, Switzerland) contributed to this week’s management special.