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Citation manipulation

Last Update: 18 December, 2024 | 12:08

Manipulative citation involves practices aimed at artificially boosting citation numbers for individual benefit. This includes: frequent self-citation by authors of their own work, high levels of citation to the journal where the citing article appears, and extensive cross-citation among journals as part of a collective strategy. Instances of legitimate self-citation are acknowledged when they are included or sought for genuine requirements (link).

Legitimate Reasons for Self-Citation

  1. Self-citation by authors is recognized as both a potential method for artificially boosting citation rates and a scholarly necessity for providing context to ongoing research. It's important to differentiate between enhancing scholarly discourse and avoiding self-plagiarism versus inflating citation metrics without substantive reason.
  2. Self-Citation by editors, while their expertise and knowledge can guide relevant self-citations, any citation requests should be made without influencing the article's acceptance or rejection. In cases where their work is significantly related to the submission, editors are advised to delegate the review process to maintain objectivity.
  3. Journal self-citation should aim to enrich the article by drawing from the journal's body of work when genuinely relevant. This practice should be suggested rather than mandated, to uphold the integrity of scholarly communication.
  4. Reviewers, due to their specialized knowledge, may recommend their own work if it genuinely enhances the author's manuscript. Such suggestions, if endorsed by the editor, should stem from a comprehensive understanding of the field, ensuring that citation practices contribute constructively to the academic discourse.

Inappropriate Motivations

Should editors, board members, reviewers, or authors introduce or suggest citations purely for self-promotion, such actions contravene publication ethics and are considered unethical. Moreover, adding citations to the editor’s work with the expectation that it will boost the chances of the article's acceptance, regardless of whether such citations were requested, is improper.

Approach to Illegitimate Reasons for Self-Citations

At Brieflands, we are committed to upholding the integrity of scholarly publishing. These guidelines are essential for maintaining the balance between acknowledging prior work and preventing citation inflation. To address citation manipulation, including inappropriate self-citations, we have instituted the following policy measures:

  1. Limitations on Self-Citations in Our Journals: We urge our journals to adhere to our established policies and standards, which specify permissible limits for self-citations. In line with our internal guidelines, we maintain that self-citations should constitute less than 10% of the references in any given article, ensuring they are relevant and justified. 
  2. Penalties for Citation Manipulation: Actions taken against citation manipulation may involve the removal of reviewers or editors from their editorial positions. 
  3. Correction, retraction, or withdrawal of manuscripts: In case of proven publication misconduct, we follow the COPE flowcharts, which ‎prescribe various actions from publishing a correction to withdrawing or retracting the article. 
  4. Educational Resources: Brieflands provides educational materials and resources aimed at promoting best practices in citation and publishing ethics. These resources are designed to assist reviewers and editors in understanding the importance of ethical citation practices and are incorporated into the online peer review process.

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