MEDLINE citation tool accuracy: an analysis in two platforms

Abstract

Background: Libraries provide access to databases with auto-cite features embedded into the services; however, the accuracy of these auto-cite buttons is not very high in humanities and social sciences databases. Case Presentation: This case compares two biomedical databases, Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed, to see if either is reliable enough to confidently recommend to students for use when writing papers. A total of 60 citations were assessed, 30 citations from each citation generator, based on the top 30 articles in PubMed from 2010 to 2020. Conclusions: Error rates were higher in Ovid MEDLINE than PubMed but neither database platform provided error free references.The auto-cite tools were not reliable. Zero of the sixty citations examined were 100% correct. Librarians should continue to advise students not to rely solely upon citation generators in these biomedical databases.

Keywords

• Auto-citation generator
• librarians
• information literacy
• citation on demand
• biomedical databases
• PubMed