Today, self-citation is an acceptable practice in scientific publications. However, it is important to remember that excessive use of it can easily cross the line of scientific ethics. In this article, we will consider when self-citation can be considered acceptable and when it can cause problems for a scientist and damage their professional reputation.
Self-citation: what is it?
Self-citation is an author's reference to their own previously published scientific works. Unlike self-plagiarism, which involves the outright reuse of one's own text without citing references, self-citation involves a clear reference to the previous source. The key difference lies in transparency and justification: self-citation is about honest acknowledgement of previous work, not its hidden reproduction.
Advantages of self-citation
Increased visibility of the author's work
By referring to their own previous research, scholars can draw attention to results that may have gone unnoticed or underappreciated at the time of their first publication.
Confirmation of expertise and strengthening of professional reputation
If an author regularly refers to their previous work, it demonstrates that they are not just producing individual articles, but forming a coherent scientific programme. This approach demonstrates consistency and focus in the chosen field. It helps to strengthen the scientist's authority in the professional environment and confirm their expertise.
Improvement of the scientist's indicators
Self-citation increases the total number of citations of a researcher's works, which has a positive effect on their personal indicators (citation index, h-index, etc.). Improving scientometric indicators can be of significant importance, in particular, for obtaining a grant or passing a competition for a position.
Self-citation is a useful practice which, when used ethically, contributes to the professional development of the scientist and improves their visibility as a specialist in their field.
Acceptable limits of self-citation
It should be noted that this tool can be both beneficial and harmful to a researcher. It should not be overused to manipulate scientometric indicators.
Usually, a self-citation rate of 10% to 20% is considered acceptable and even expected in many disciplines, especially in the natural sciences and medicine. However, different journals may set different values for this indicator, so it is important to find out in advance.
When is self-citation justified?
Self-citation in scientific works can be a perfectly reasonable practice in cases where:
- New research is based on previous research. By referring to their own past work, authors can show the connection between their current research and previous conclusions.
- It is necessary to explain the context or the development of an idea. In topics that are explored in depth from publication to publication, self-citation helps readers track the development of a researcher's ideas.
- It is necessary to support arguments. To support their previous arguments, authors can refer to previous works, thus providing additional evidence and justification for the conclusions presented in the new publication.
Negative aspects of self-citation
Manipulation of metrics
Excessive self-citation can create the impression of an attempt to artificially inflate the author's scientometric indicators, in particular the Hirsch index, citation index, i10-index, and others. The use of such practices constitutes a violation of publication ethics: the journal will refuse to publish articles with excessive self-citation. It may also refuse to publish subsequent scientific works by this author.
Excessive isolation of research
When an author refers too often to their own works, it creates the impression of a lack of dialogue with the scientific community. This approach demonstrates a limited perspective and disregard for the work of other researchers. Ignoring external sources may also raise doubts about the quality and completeness of the author's treatment of the chosen topic.
Overestimation of the significance of one's ideas
Frequent self-citation creates the impression that the author deliberately presents their own research as key or unique to the topic. This may appear to be excessive self-promotion that is not supported by independent evidence. For experienced reviewers and colleagues, this practice may appear to be an attempt by the author to impose their own vision as dominant.
Undermining professional reputation
Excessive self-citation can create a biased attitude towards the researcher's work. Their subsequent scientific works will be met with distrust by the scientific community, and the objectivity of their calculations and conclusions will be questioned. This will damage their authority in the field.
Therefore, moderation and expediency are important in self-citation. It should only be used when there are valid reasons for doing so and should not be turned into a means of self-promotion. Otherwise, this practice can cause real damage to a researcher's career.
Not sure if the level of self-citation in your scientific article is acceptable? Worried that it may negatively affect your academic reputation or lead to rejection for publication? Thanks to the many years of experience, the specialists at Scientific Publications will determine the optimal level of self-citation and provide recommendations in accordance with the requirements of international databases and publishers. Leave your request in the form below! Together – to new heights!
