Paper| Year: | 2016 |
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| Author(s): | Marina Sanz-Martín, Kylie A. Pitt, Robert H. Condon, Cathy H. Lucas, Charles Novaes de Santana, Carlos M. Duarte |
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| Title: | Flawed citation practices facilitate the unsubstantiated perception of a global trend toward increased jellyfish blooms |
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| Journal: | GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY |
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| ISSN: | 1466-822X |
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| JCR Impact Factor: | 6.045 |
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| Volume: | 25 |
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| Issue No.: | 9 |
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| Pages: | 1039-1049 |
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| D.O.I.: | 10.1111/geb.12474 |
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| Web: | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/geb.12474/abstract |
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| Abstract: | Speculation over a global rise in jellyfish populations has become
widespread in the scientific literature, but until recently the
purported ‘global increase’ had not been tested. Here we present a
citation analysis of peer-reviewed literature to track the evolution of
the current perception of increases in jellyfish and identify key papers
involved in its establishment. Trend statements and citation threads
were reviewed and arranged in a citation network. Trend statements were
assessed according their degree of affirmation and spatial scale, and
the appropriateness of the citations used to support statements was
assessed. Analyses showed that 48.9% of publications misinterpreted the
conclusions of cited sources, with a bias towards claiming jellyfish
populations are increasing, with a single review having the most
influence on the network. Collectively, these disparities resulted in a
network based on unsubstantiated statements and citation threads. As a
community, we must ensure our statements about scientific findings in
general are accurately substantiated and carefully communicated such
that incorrect perceptions, as in the case of jellyfish blooms, do not
develop in the absence of rigorous testing. |
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Related staffAlex Novaes De SantanaRelated research groupsGlobal Change ResearchRelated filesSanz-Martin_et_al_2016_Citations.pdf
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