Where did this come from? When (not how) to cite sources in scientific publications

Abstract

The scientific literature makes science possible. But to be useful, this literature must be organized and retrievable; activities that in turn are made possible by assigning reference information to a source. The source can then be cited in a publication, allowing readers to verify the cited information against its source document. In fact, accurate citation and reference information is the glue that holds science together. Although thousands of style manuals provide extensive details on how to format references, researchers are not always taught when to cite the literature or to appreciate the critical importance of verifying the accuracy of the cited text and its reference information. Here, I consider the when, what, and why of citing sources and review some common problems with citations and their references. In doing so, I also raise some questions that can, should, or must be raised at the “sight of a cite and its site.”