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Arts & Science Guide to Research

Scholarship as Conversation and Information has Value

Proper citation is about more than just avoiding plagiarism.

Academic scholarship is a conversation in which proper citation shows our reader where we got our information. We give credit to the writers who put a lot of time and sometimes money into producing the materials we use in our research. Further we facilitate the experience for our readers by showing them the important works that are part of this ongoing conversation so that they can further develop on the topic in the same way that we did.

Citation Chaining

This video provides an overview of the research tool citation chaining, including its benefits and limitations. (2:40)

Transcript (PDF) | Transcript (.docx)

Backward citation chaining is the process of looking at a published work's references in order to find related works. This is done in order to: 

  • Learn about what has previously been said on this topic
  • Identify the central works related to a particular theory or topic

These resources will be:

  • Older than your article
  • Help you find past resources on this topic

Take a look:

  • At your article's reference list
  • Web of Science

Forward citation chaining is the process of looking at works that have cited your resource. This is done in order to: 

  • Find recent materials covering similar topics
  • Identify new findings and ideas on a topic

These resources will be:

  • Newer than your article
  • Help you find more current resources on this topic

Take a look:

  • Google Scholar
  • Web of Science
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