Safer, MA (Safer, Martin A.); Tang, R (Tang, Rong) The Psychology of Referencing in Psychology Journal Articles PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE, 4 (1): 51-53 JAN 2009

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Address: safer at cua.edu 

Author(s): Safer, MA (Safer, Martin A.); Tang, R (Tang, Rong) 

Title: The Psychology of Referencing in Psychology Journal Articles 

Source: PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE, 4 (1): 51-53 JAN 2009 

Language: English 

Document Type: Article 

KeyWords Plus: CITATIONS 

Abstract: Citation statistics can affect major professional decisions, but 
little is known about how important a particular reference is to the 
citing document. We asked 49 psychologists to rate the importance of every 
reference in their own empirical paper and to indicate the primary 
citation reason. References cited for conceptual ideas or to justify 
methods and data analyses were regarded as more important than references 
cited for general background, limitations, or future research. The 
location, frequency, and length of a citation predicted its importance, 
but such relationships were weaker for self-citations. We make suggestions 
about referencing for authors, editors, and bibliographic database 
designers. 

Addresses: [Safer, Martin A.] Catholic Univ Amer, Dept Psychol, 
Washington, DC 20064 USA 

Reprint Address: Safer, MA, Catholic Univ Amer, Dept Psychol, Washington, 
DC 20064 USA. 

E-mail Address: safer at cua.edu 

Cited Reference Count: 9 

Times Cited: 0 

Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC 

Publisher Address: COMMERCE PLACE, 350 MAIN ST, MALDEN 02148, MA USA 

ISSN: 1745-6916 

DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-6924.2009.01104.x 

29-char Source Abbrev.: PERSPECT PSYCHOL SCI 

ISO Source Abbrev.: Perspect. Psychol. Sci. 

Source Item Page Count: 3 

ISI Document Delivery No.: 399WT 

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