Systemic Manipulation of Academic Citations Exposed in Social Sciences Preprints Site
Original framing: “Hallucinated citations highest in social sciences preprints site” — Nature
Citation manipulation has a long history in academic publishing, dating back to the 19th century. The rise of neoliberalism and the commercialization of academia in the 20th century created an environment in which citation manipulation could thrive. The lack of robust citation verification mechanisms and the incentives for authors to engage in citation manipulation have exacerbated this issue over time.
The issue of citation manipulation in academic publishing is a complex and multifaceted problem that requires a comprehensive and nuanced solution.
By implementing robust citation verification mechanisms, promoting transparency and accountability in academic publishing, and fostering a culture of honesty and integrity in academic publishing, academic publishers and research institutions can reduce the incentives for citation manipulation and promote greater trust and confidence in academic publishing. This will require a shift in the way that authors and researchers think about citation and authorship, and a greater emphasis on transparency and accountability. The use of machine learning and natural language processing techniques, blockchain technology, and inclusive language and citation practices can help to achieve this goal. Ultimately, the solution to citation manipulation will require a fundamental transformation of the values and norms of academic publishing, and a greater emphasis on the values of honesty, integrity, and transparency.