The Use of Citations in Literary Research: A Preliminary Classification of Citation Functions

Abstract

Citation studies have been concerned primarily with the properties of cited workds. The analysis of citation functions is undoubtedly more complex than this, but it can reveal information about research processes. A key problem in such an analysis is the design of categories to be used to classify citation functions. A few schemes have been created for the classification of citation functions in scientific publications. This article examines these schemes and considers differences in research methods between scientific and humanistic disciplines which might have an influence on citation practices. A scheme for the classification of citations in literary research is proposed as a preliminary model. Findings are presented from the results of the application of this scheme to a sample of publications in German literary research.

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