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What CiteRefs
does not do
There are a number of things that CiteRefs does
not or cannot do. In order that you have no false expectations, we list them
below.
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We can only verify that
you've correctly cited a reference that is in your reference list. We
cannot know whether you have cited the correct reference.
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We have no way of knowing,
or checking, whether the references in your reference list
actually exist and are correct.
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We make no attempt to
correct questionable citations. Even when the cause of the problem is a
virtual certainty, we feel that it is bad editing policy to have the
software make a correction. That is left to you.
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Some valid legal
references will be colored red. The PMAPA allows legal references to be
formed following The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation, the
standard for legal references in the United States. That system differs
greatly from the APA form, and is far more complex.
CiteRefs
picks up most court decisions (e.g. Brown v. Stanley (1978)), but references to statutes, legislative,
administrative, and executive materials will probably be marked red for you to
resolve. (See Appendix D of the PMAPA for a full discussion.)
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We don't recognize that
certain dates (years only) in your text are not intended to be part of
citations. It is very difficult for CiteRefs
to know that, for instance,
"In 1492, Columbus found …"
is not an attempted citation to a work by a fellow named Columbus. It has
exactly the same form as
"In 1905, Freud found …"
which could well be a reference. CiteRefs
would color 1492 red. Humans are very
good at applying contextual clues, experience, and a body of knowledge.
Computers are not. Computers are pedantic, detail-oriented, fast, and
tireless. If your citation, for instance, was to Maclaughlin, while your reference had
MacLaughlin, you might well not notice the difference, but the computer
will.
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We do not analyze papers
that follow other standards, such as the MLA standard. The MLA standard
is very different from the APA's, and it is more difficult to produce a
benefit by automatic analysis. (However, we are actively investigating the
possibilities with that standard and may have something in the future.)
Standards in the sciences can be different from both and citation/reference
analysis of them often gives no benefit whatever.
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Our analysis deals only
with citations and references. All other errors must be handled by the
traditional editing process. However, most people have a particularly
difficult time editing citations and references. Having those errors found
for you gives you a big head start. In addition, errors in citing references reflect
poorly on your level of scholarly craftsmanship.
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Our analysis of
references is confined to the author and date portion only. The material
following the date in references is highly variable and not amenable to
computer analysis.
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