Referencing in Scientific Writing

Referencing in scientific writing has long been viewed as arcane to the uninitiated. The confusion pre-internet era was largely due highly specific format requirements that differ between types of articles and publications. new reality is much worse. ever-increasing array online resources many people able access a tremendous wealth content with ease from almost any location. It possible find what can seem be relevant material on topic remarkably small number keystrokes. rapidity finding information promote sense limitless trove knowledge, but this major hazard. does not confirm validity, let alone authority. Critical thinking remains essential weigh value piece information. established structure traditional literature aids assessment. greatest academic weight generally given well-designed primary research reports published respected, peer-reviewed journals. This work most likely reviewed by subject matter experts who help authors overcome or acknowledge perceived shortcomings. Review papers are useful syntheses, they tend have lower because rely selective interpretation other original work. Brief offer good insights, their authority limited sample sizes. Case provide extreme example size, concomitant lack Gray literature, such proceedings papers, often little no meaningful peer review. Although these works insightful, rarely accepted final class textbooks, which effectively thirdhand summaries fall anywhere continuum compelling misleading. internet confounds classic hierarchy material. can, some cases, used top-ranked formally research, it also place items next unreviewed “preprints” informally commentaries may well founded. There standard for content, checks quality, never promise stability archival access. left reader evaluate use appropriately. first step evaluating consideration validity. Finding something agrees position could reinforce an argument attractive, things do ensure Assuming validity satisfactorily established, needs determined whether appropriately referenceable. Content priority concerns referencing articles. expectation references cited paper will only valid accessible foreseeable future form generate citation. provides important guide reference selection. considered unquestionably suitable inclusion list fact written web page at point found portable document (PDF file) justify list. Formal publication requires, minimum, version date, listed author and/or publisher, stable reasonably expected available future. end easier describe. Items definitely disqualified lists general pages (eg, “landing pages”) dynamic pages. Landing contain discussion. They references. Dynamic continually updated will, nature, inconstant inappropriate reference: tell similar, stronger, completely different stories descriptive term weakness associated “reference rot.” Effectively, appear same, substantially different. debate over using informal unpublished more challenging. compelling—there author, even publisher listed, preservation assumed—but caution required. Organizations change hosts reorganize, reduce, replace content. formal makes less survive. “link rot” applies addresses longer accessing problem huge, particularly dearth rules regarding website archiving. intended stand record endeavor, incorporate elements endure. frustration among those comfortable learn lists, understand eliminate presentation sites. tiered approach referencing. publications appropriate lists. Material lesser provenance still included, text citations, independent For example, landing organization parenthetically after name. generic reference, Similarly, citation collecting data under explanation text, reliance existence site cautious its reasonable. Text citations equivalent personal communications, where held within text. caveat here steps should taken capture preserve writing. kept upon demand. Complicating current discussion standards vary Some might discretion, whereas others actively mandate Wilderness & Environmental Medicine operates latter form, accepting As case all journal guidelines, similar allowed elsewhere previously holds weight.