Citing Sources and Writing References in a Scientific Article
Citing sources makes it clear which ideas, data, methods, findings, and publications a scientific paper relies on. Accurate citation is more than a formatting requirement; it supports academic transparency, research integrity, and the reader's ability to trace the evidence used in the manuscript.
Which Referencing Systems Does SAER Journal Accept?
Because SAER Journal is multidisciplinary, it does not impose one referencing style on every field.
Authors may use an internationally recognised system commonly used in their discipline, provided it is applied accurately and consistently throughout the manuscript.
- APA 7: Common in social sciences, education, psychology, and related fields.
- Vancouver: Widely used in medicine, health sciences, and biomedical research.
- IEEE: Common in engineering, computer science, and technology.
- Chicago: Used in history, humanities, and some areas of the social sciences.
Another internationally established system may also be used when it is standard in the relevant field.
What Is an In-Text Citation?
An in-text citation identifies the source of information or an idea used in the manuscript.
In author-date systems, for example:
(Yılmaz, 2025)
In numbered systems:
[1] or the numbering format required by the chosen style.
When Is a Citation Required?
A citation is required when scientific information, ideas, data, or methods are drawn from work that is not the author's own original contribution.
- Reporting a finding from another study
- Explaining a theory or model
- Using another author's interpretation or argument
- Reporting institutional or statistical data
- Using a scale, method, or measurement instrument
- Quoting directly
- Adapting a table, figure, or visual from another source
How Should Direct Quotations Be Used?
When wording is reproduced exactly from a source, it is a direct quotation. It should be formatted according to the selected referencing system and should include page information where required.
In scientific articles, long quotations are usually less effective than accurately paraphrasing the source in the author's own academic language.
Does Paraphrasing Still Require a Citation?
Yes. Rewriting an idea in different words does not remove the obligation to cite its source.
Paraphrasing is not simply replacing words with synonyms. It requires understanding the source accurately and expressing that meaning in the author's own scholarly language.
In-Text Citations and the Reference List Must Match
Every source cited in the manuscript should appear in the reference list, and every item in the reference list should be cited at an appropriate point in the manuscript.
Cross-checking the two before submission prevents many avoidable errors.
How Are Different Source Types Referenced?
Journal Article
A journal article reference usually includes author names, year, article title, journal title, volume, issue, page range or article number, and DOI where available. Order and punctuation depend on the chosen style.
Book
Book references generally include the author, publication year, book title, edition information, and publisher. Edited and translated books may require additional information.
Book Chapter
Distinguish the chapter author from the book editor. The reference may include the chapter title, book title, editor information, page range, and publisher.
Thesis or Dissertation
Include the author, year, title, type of thesis or dissertation, university or institution, and access information when required.
Website
Where possible, include the author or organisation, publication or update date, page title, and link. In scholarly writing, preference should generally be given to academic publications, official documents, and primary sources.
Institutional Report
For reports issued by organisations such as the World Health Organization, public institutions, professional bodies, or research centres, the organisation itself may appear as the author.
What Is a DOI and How Is It Used?
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is a persistent identifier assigned to many scholarly publications.
Where a DOI is available, include it according to the rules of the chosen referencing system. A DOI helps readers locate the source reliably online.
How Should Sources Be Selected?
A long reference list is not automatically a strong literature base. Sources should be directly relevant to the research question, scientifically reliable, and reasonably current where the field requires it.
Classic or historical works may still be important, but a contemporary research topic should not rely exclusively on older sources.
Use the Primary Source Whenever Possible
Whenever possible, consult the original source rather than relying on how another article has quoted or summarised it. Secondary citations should be reserved for cases where the original source cannot reasonably be accessed or where there is a clear scholarly reason to use them.
Can Reference Management Software Be Used?
Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote, and similar tools can make citation and reference-list management easier.
Automatically generated entries should still be checked. Author names, DOI information, capitalisation, page details, and other bibliographic fields may contain errors.
Common Referencing Errors
- Failing to include a cited source in the reference list
- Including an item in the reference list that is never cited
- Mixing multiple referencing systems in one manuscript
- Assuming a paraphrase does not require citation
- Entering DOI or bibliographic details incorrectly
- Presenting a secondary source as though it were the original source
- Using website information without evaluating its reliability
- Failing to check records produced by reference-management software
- Copying another paper's reference list directly
- Citing work that has not actually been consulted
Which Referencing System Should I Use?
Choose the system most widely used in your field. Detailed SAER guides:
APA 7 Citation and Reference Guide
Vancouver Citation and Reference Guide
IEEE Citation and Reference Guide
Chicago Citation and Reference Guide
Before Submission, Check the Following
- Is one referencing system used consistently throughout the manuscript?
- Does every in-text citation appear in the reference list?
- Is every reference-list entry cited in the text?
- Are author names and publication years correct?
- Have journal, volume, issue, and page details been checked?
- Have available DOI details been entered correctly?
- Are direct quotations formatted appropriately?
- Are paraphrased ideas cited?
- Have the relevance, currency, and scholarly quality of sources been considered?
