Hi!

Yes, valuable if very gloomy information, and, ironically, in this age of
computerization with its ease of copying/pasting, checking and e-mailing
citations, these errors in citations are still with us.  I know that once upon
a time, scientists cut and pasted references, literally, on actual little
pieces of paper (my family has always been in the scientific
writing/publishing business, and I remember watching them at work) in order to
compose a bibliography, so if mistakes occurred then, it seemed more
understandable.  But now?  This process has become so easy with our current
technology. I just don't understand the reasons for so many mistakes.

Best!

Anna Ercoli Schnitzer
Information Services
Taubman Medical Library
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
[log in to unmask]

James Beaton wrote:

> I am quite interested in citing generally, and citation accuracy (or
> inaccuracy) is a subject which arouses my ire. There are a number of other
> studies in the medical literature (I haven't looked at the LIS literature
> on the subject) which suggest high rates of inaccuracy. An error rate of
> 37.5%, of which 11.9% were major errors has been described in
> otolaryngological journals. In major obstetrical and gynaecological
> journals error rates of between 55.6% and 66.7% were found, and in the
> Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery errors were found in 60% of
> citations. I could go on, but I append a short bibliography (accurately
> cited!!) for your interest.
>
> Fenton JE et al
> The accuracy of citation and quotation in otolaryngological/head and neck
> surgery journals
> Clinical Otolaryngology 2000 25(1) 40-4
>
> Roach VJ et al
> The quality of citations in major international obstetrics and gynecology
> journals
> American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1997 177(4) 973-5
>
> Ngan Kee WD et al
> How accurate are references in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of
> Surgery?
> Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery 1997 67(7) 417-9
>
> Asano M et al
> The accuracy of references in Anaesthesia
> Anaesthesia 1995 50(12) 1080-2
>
> George PM and Robbins K
> Reference accuracy in the dermatologic literature
> Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1994 31(1) 61-4
>
> The general message is depressingly similar.
>
> James Beaton
> Librarian
> The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
> 232-242 St Vincent Street
> Glasgow
> G2 5RJ
> Tel 0141 227 3204
> Fax 0141 221 1804
> Email [log in to unmask]
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:   Brad Long [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent:   Thursday, August 16, 2001 09:00
> To:     [log in to unmask]
> Subject:        Re: article of possible interest
>
> It's amazing that some publishers can be so strict on making sure that the
> bibliographies fit their format standards, but there is no real concern
> about the accuracy of the citations.  I guess that they don't really see
> this as an important enough issue to have someone verify the accuracy of
> the
> citation.
>
> Bradley A. Long, MSLS
> Senior Information Services Librarian
> Scott Memorial Library
> Thomas Jefferson University
> 1020 Walnut Street
> Philadelphia, PA 19107
> Phone: 215-503-7676
> [log in to unmask]
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Gardner, Beverly" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2001 1:26 PM
> Subject: Re: article of possible interest
>
> Years ago, I worked in the Ed-Psych library at UCLA.  It was a recurring
> assignment for the grad students in Education to verify 10 consecutive
> references in a specific book.  I remember we finally were able to verify
> ten starting with one on page 106 (or there abouts.)
>
> Beverly Gardner MLS ([log in to unmask])
> Providence Holy Cross Medical Center
> Strazzeri Medical Library
> 15031 Rinaldi St.  P.O. Box 9600
> Mission Hills, CA 91346-9600
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Julie Stielstra [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2001 10:12 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: article of possible interest
>
> Now WHY didn't *I* think of writing this article??  I'd bet large amounts
> of
> money that no one on THIS list is surprised by the findings!  My favorite
> example of such: some years ago, an MSN student handed me a photocopied
> reference page from the esteemed Sr. Callista Roy's classic "An
> Introduction
> to Nursing: an adaptation model."  She wanted all twelve of the
> references...SIX were so wrong we could barely figure them out.  Authors,
> titles, journal enumeration... yikes.
>
> Julie Stielstra MLS                      ph 708-763-6472
> Director, Professional Library           fx 708-383-8783
> West Suburban Hospital Medical Center
> 3 Erie Court
> Oak Park, IL 60302
> [log in to unmask]
>
> >From: "Jordan, Cathryn M" <[log in to unmask]>
> >Reply-To: "Jordan, Cathryn M" <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: article of possible interest
> >Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2001 11:59:13 -0400
> >
> >Thought you might be interested in the following article:
> >
> >Oermann MH. Accuracy of references in four pediatric nursing journals.
> >Journal of Pediatric Nursing 2001 Aug; 16(4): 263-8.
> >(Conclusion: Errors in the titles of articles, chapters, and books were
> the
> >most common type of mistake followed by errors in authors' names. Major
> >errors, which prevent the rapid retrieval of information, occured in 28.9%
> >of the references.)
> >
> >
> >Cathy Jordan
> >Medical Librarian
> >National Naval Medical Center
> >8901 Wisconsin Ave
> >Bethesda MD 20889
> >(301) 295-1185
> >(301) 295-6001 fax
> >[log in to unmask]
>
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