1. “References: Priority Became the Prize”
Roberto Romero, MD, D.Med.Sci.
Editor-in-Chief for Obstetrics
American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH
University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Roberto Romero, AJOG, 2016.

2. “Priority Became the Prize”…in Science
Boorstin DJ. 1983

3. wikipedia.org
Boorstin DJ. 1983

4. Why Use References - Why Cite?
To acknowledge the source(s) of information used to write the article
To demonstrate that authors have knowledge of the subject matter and context
To give credit to the work of others
Roberto Romero, AJOG, 2016.

5. How to Cite: Determine the Reference Style Required by the Journal
Journals have different requirements
Check the “Instructions for Authors” section of each journal
Roberto Romero, AJOG, 2016.

6. Two Main Styles of References
Harvard Style – author’s name and year in the text of the manuscript
Vancouver System – uses consecutive numbers
Roberto Romero, AJOG, 2016.

7. Harvard Style of References
Cadwell K. 2015; 42:805

8. Vancouver System Style of References
Murth AM, Menon R. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2015; 213:447

9. Reference Styles Reference style is Journal specific
Cell uses Harvard style
International Committee of Medical Journal Editors recommends Vancouver style
AJOG uses the Vancouver style (i.e. consecutive numbering)
Roberto Romero, AJOG, 2016.

10. Most Frequently Used Reference Systems
EndNote
Reference Manager
Mendeley
Qiqqa
Sente 6 for Mac
Roberto Romero, AJOG, 2016.

11. How to Organize References: Use a Software System!

12. In the Digital Era, each Publication Has:
A Digital Object Identifier (DOI) which is unique to each document
The DOI is permanent, while its location or URL (Uniform Resource Locator) may change
In PubMed, each document has a specific number which is the PMID
Roberto Romero, AJOG, 2016.

13. PubMed Search

14. A Practical Demonstration
PMID Number Allows You to Enter References Without Using the Entire Citation
A Practical Demonstration
Roberto Romero, AJOG, 2016.

15. endnote.com

16. endnote.com

17. endnote.com

18. endnote.com

19. endnote.com

20. And…….you don’t have to type
All reference information has been automatically entered by the system and the possibility of error is decreased
And…….you don’t have to type
endnote.com

21. What to Cite ?
Original publication or article which reported the discovery
Original publications vs. reviews
Verify the reference against the original document (not another paper’s reference list)
Correct any inadvertent errors and ensure you are not misrepresenting the original authors’ intent
Roberto Romero, AJOG, 2016.

22. Deciding Who to Cite Preferred:
Earliest reference (scientific priority)
Highest hierarchy of evidence
Open Access articles
Published in the target journal
Recommendations by Cals JW, Kotz D. J Clin Epidemiol 2013; 66:1198

23. Citations in the Manuscript Text and References Must Match
Every citation in the text must have a reference, and every reference must be cited
Citation/reference mismatches: a common error identified during peer review
Roberto Romero, AJOG, 2016.

24. How Many References? Some journals have a limit (e.g. 40-50)
AJOG does not have a limit (within reason)
Our view is that it may be unscholarly to omit or deny credit
Roberto Romero, AJOG, 2016.

25. Closing Advice
Verify the references carefully before submitting an article
Despite use of reference software, errors may still occur (check, check, check)
References are an important part of manuscripts, and are critically assessed by reviewers
Reviewers are often authors
Roberto Romero, AJOG, 2016.

26. Reading Material
Cals JW, Kotz D. J Clin Epidemiol 2013; 66:1198

27. Thank You