Quoting Published Material: Reference Formats

Abstract

References in reports and journal articles serve two main purposes, namely, documentation and acknowledgment. In either case, references form a critical part of the manuscript and must therefore undergo close scrutiny by both the author(s) and editor(s). Studies show that 50–75 % of all quoted literature references contain at least one erroneous item. These errors come about by copying lists of references from previous papers or reports that are likely to contain irregularities. In this way, mistakes are carried over, and verification of the original information becomes difficult. Common deficiencies range from simple typing errors to gross misquoting of titles or author names.

“Great discoveries and improvements invariably

involve the cooperation of many minds.

I may be given credit for having blazed the trail,

but when I look at the subsequent developments

I feel the credit is due to others

rather than to myself.”

Alexander Graham Bell