Evaluating Citations and Retractions of 71 Write a Scientific Paper Guidelines
Abstract
A citation analysis was conducted on 71 Write a Scientific Paper (WASP) best practice guidelines (BPGs) published in Elsevier’s Early Human Development (EHD) during 2018–2019, exclusively by University of Malta researchers. By 18 January 2026, the 71 WASP BPGs had accumulated a total of 555 citations, with Victor Grech and Sarah Cuschieri gaining a total of 336 and 165 citations, respectively. An editorial expression of concern, published in 2021, encompasses 48 of the WASP BPGs, and of the 71 BPGs, 30 (42%) have been retracted. Amassing independent BPGs in a single journal with poor corrective measures carries risks.
Fields of Study & Subjects
scientometrics and bibliometrics research
Academic Writing and Publishing
Publishing and Scholarly Communication
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Internet Reference Services Quarterly
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 161–171
- Publication date
- 4 February 2026
- Language
- EN