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by n1231231231234 2502 days ago
when self-citation is OK and when it is not OK should be part of one's academic training/phd training.

PLOS gives reasonable citation guidelines, and in this context their Rule 5 is particular relevant: https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/jo...

2 comments

I find this approach strangely condescending. For example the author says:

> Understanding the value attributed to X, Y, and Z in that particular text requires assessment of the rhetorical strategies of the author(s).

They could've just said, if you want to know why the author thinks XYZ are important, you need to look at what they are saying about it.

I'm a hardcore postmodern leftist, but I don't see how writing in such a contorted way helps practicing scientists. In fact I would argue that this kind of listing obscures a politics of its own; it is so busy prescribing citation practices that it won't examine its own politics.

That said, it's the first time I've seen this guide so maybe I need to read up on the issues; a list of do's / don'ts isn't the best way to introduce and help people understand the issues.

What is a hardcore postmodern leftist? You don’t believe in objective truth but make claims as if it exists?
Great link. Thank you. I fully agree with rule 5, which puts this article in a different perspective.