Literature review number of citations requirment năm 2024
There is no universal standard or rule for the number of references that should appear in a research paper. The number of references depends on several factors, chiefly the study discipline and specific topic, the article type and the target journal’s preferences. Show
Reference number by study discipline and niche
Reference number by article type
Reference number by journalSome journals might have restrictions on the maximum number of references, further contingent on article type and total word count. For example, references might be capped at three (e.g. for a ‘Disease Note’ article in the Journal of Plant Pathology) or could be as high as 100 (e.g. for reviews in PLOS Pathogens). In Nature, original articles typically have 30–50 references. Our recommendation: Always consult the journal’s author guidelines for specific limits, if any. Where not specified, skim recently published articles in that journal for a rough estimate. Tips to help you optimise your reference listNot every paper you might have read during the literature review needs to be included. To strike the right balance between too many or too few, keep the following key points in mind when compiling your references. 1. Scan academic journals in your fieldStudy the trends of journals in your discipline, with a focus on the article type you have in mind. Get a rough idea of the number of references typically listed by checking how many references other authors have included in their papers. 2. Strike a balance between retaining and removingAre some of your statements supported by a long list of references? Try to sift through the noise and retain only those that strongly support the statement and are not repetitive. For example, among several studies that have used the same genetic analysis approach in different species, choose the one most relevant to your study. ‘Responsible citation’ requires that you consult and understand the content of a paper before choosing to cite it, rather than including it just because others have cited it. In short…
SummaryThere is no standard number of references for an article. However, the following pointers should help you work towards an optimal number.
With practice, you will learn to strike the perfect balance of not too many and not too few! Charlesworth Author Services, a trusted brand supporting the world’s leading academic publishers, institutions and authors since 1928. To know more about our services, visit: Our Services Visit our new Researcher Education Portal that offers articles and webinars covering all aspects of your research to publication journey! And sign up for our newsletter on the Portal to stay updated on all essential researcher knowledge and information! Junior researchers frequently wonder how many references should be included in their research papers. The common response? “As many as you need.” What exactly does that mean? While we admit there are very few hard-set rules regarding this issue, in this article, we will try to provide more concrete guidelines that will help you assess whether you have enough references in your paper. Before we do so, let us briefly explain why references matter and whether the number of references you include can project certain perceptions about the quality of your work. There is such a thing as having too many or too few. Why are research paper references and citations necessary?References show that you have carefully reviewed the relevant literature and are now contributing something novel to the academic community. You establish authority and credibility when you can critically assess other literature and distinguish your findings from previous works (if any exist). We emphasize “critically assess” in the last sentence because references are only as good as you apply them to your research. Therefore, the famous adage “quality over quantity” is the key to deciding how many references are sufficient. Likewise, citing your references within the research paper itself (in the form of academic citations) is crucial in any academic work that makes assertations based on external studies. Failing to cite your sources can result in plagiarism, which even if accidental can still have some devastating consequences for academic researchers hoping to publish their work or finish graduate school. Number of Sources Used Can Impact Perceptions of QualityWe would be remiss if we didn’t tell you that being at either extreme (having too few or too many references) can reflect poorly on your intellectual aptitude and your study’s validity. Here’s why:
Additionally, let us highlight the difference between the number of references versus citations. References are the source materials; therefore, each reference should be listed only once in your references section. Citations are meant to identify the source of the information you use in your paper. You can cite a reference multiple times. Therefore, the number of citations you have is typically larger than the number of references an average paper includes. The opposite situation should never happen! Key Factors Influencing the Number of References You UseThe following are some of the many factors that may influence the number of references you use:
So how many references should be included?Below, we provide tips on how to decide if you have enough resources. We also provide some general reminders on how to effectively use references. After all, references are meant to enhance your paper while still maintaining your research as the focal point. Use academic journals as a guide
Statistics regarding the number of references and citationsTo give you a general idea, the following are some estimates from a couple of studies that examined the citation characteristics of articles published in various disciplines. According to Milojević’s study encompassing research in the fields of astronomy, mathematics, robotics, ecology, and economics, the highest and average number of references per article page were as follows:
The above findings were based on data compiled from the first 20 years of the author’s research. Since then some fields have increased the number of references. Thus, make sure to examine your target journal’s most recent and relevant publications for a better idea of how many references to include based on the specific type of article you plan to write. In another study by Falagas et al. (2013), medical journals averaged 29 references for articles that were 7.88 pages long (as printed in journals). Finally, although the sample size was small (63 journals), Gali Halevi observed the following citation trends of a broader range of disciplines.
Note that the Halevi study is limited in size, fails to factor in article type and does little to account for variances across different fields and journals. For example, it is possible that more review articles could have been reviewed for certain fields than others. With that said, we provide the above information to provide a rough estimate. At the end of the day, please keep in mind the requirements of your institution or target journal and the general trends for your specific article type (by examining the most recent relevant publications). For additional information regarding journal restrictions on the number of references, read this article on ways to grow your publication list. Some Dos and Don’ts for Reference Citation
Wordvice Academic ResourcesIf you need help with paraphrasing text from the sources you cite to avoid plagiarism, with different citation styles, or with finding the perfect journal to submit your paper to, then have a look at our collection of articles on the Wordvice academic resources website. We also recommend our professional English editing and proofreading services, including paper editing and academic editing services to ensure that your writing is free of errors before submitting your manuscript to a journal. How many citations should a literature review have?Undergraduate review: 5-20 titles depending on level. Honours dissertation: 20+ titles. Master's thesis: 40+ titles. Doctoral thesis: 50+ titles. How many references for a 2000 word literature review?Therefore, in an essay of two thousand words, students can write (2 X 3 = 6) about six to eight references. What is the minimum number of references in a review paper?Typically, at least 8-10 references are required. Click here for how to handle citing sources. What are the requirements for a literature review?Consider organization. Just like most academic papers, literature reviews also must contain at least three basic elements: an introduction or background information section; the body of the review containing the discussion of sources; and, finally, a conclusion and/or recommendations section to end the paper. |