Editor Training

Citation Manipulation

Citing the work of others is a core element of researching and writing a manuscript. Editors need to be able to check that citations in a submitted manuscript adhere to the principles of good citation practice, which can be challenging as citation practices can be deliberately or mistakenly manipulated by authors. This short course for Editors covers the signals of problematic citation practice, including how to spot them and what Editors can do if they are discovered.

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Editor Resources

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English

time

25 minutes

About this course

Citations are key components of scholarly research that allow Editors, and readers, to assess the integrity of a manuscript’s claims. As such, it is part of an Editor’s role to assess whether they are being used correctly. However, whether intentionally or accidentally, problematic citation practices can occur. This short course enables Editors to be aware of this problem and know how to spot unwanted citation practices and act on any issues that arise.

Who should take this course?

This course is written for both experienced Editors and those who are newer to the role. Problematic citation practices are evolving, and even established Editors may not have come across every type of citation integrity breach described in this course.

What will I learn in this course?

This course provides an overview of the important role citations play in research, how researchers use their citation profile and how journals are impacted by citation practices present in their manuscripts. It provides useful examples of what to look out for and how to act on problematic citations if and when they are found.