B - Researchers' perception of citations

Aksnes DW, Rip A. Researchers' perception of citations. Research Policy 2009;38(6):895-905
(doi:101016/j.respol.2009.02.001)

While the use of publication and citation indicators increases, their application is controversial. Researchers perceive citations as part of the reward system of science but on the other hand they criticize them for not reflecting actual scientific contribution. Viewpoints present in the Norwegian scientific community were investigated by means of a questionnaire survey. Respondents' answers and comments related to their perceptions of citations and role of citations offered an informal sociology of citations. Even scientists who have produced higly cited papers doubt about the fairness of citations as performance measures. More information on the so-called "citation myths" should be given to the scientific community.

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