Table 8:

Options journal editors can consider to encourage good citation practices

Options for Journals	Rationale
The Instructions for Authors should include detailed guidelines, with recommendations for citing literature (for example, see “Recommendations for Authors” table)	Citation skills are rarely taught. Many authors are unaware of best practices.
Consider new policies and practices
1When submitting, ask authors to declare that they have checked all references for accuracy and have used primary references instead of indirect or secondary references	Emphasizes the need for good citation practices (26)
2Restrict the number of references	May make it easier for authors to maintain an overview of what they cite (14,27,28)
3Encourage editors and reviewers to check selected references	Random checks by editorial staff may remind authors about the importance of citation accuracy. Editors: (13,27); Reviewers: (17,29)
4Inform authors that citation accuracy is expected and checked	Shows that the editorial staff is committed to good citation practices (26)
5Institute a misquotations column to present cases of citation errors	Raise awareness of the consequences of inaccurate citations (28,30)
6Editors may consider whether certain statements really need one or more than one reference, particularly in discussion sections	Pressure to have a citation for every statement may increase the risk that authors include unnecessary or inappropriate citations (31)