# Core Elements in the Process of Citing Publications: A Conceptual Overview of the Literature

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1707.02283 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/1707.02283/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 1 Jul 2017.

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [Twin Papers: A Simple Framework of Causal Inference for Citations via Coupling](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2208.09862/) (2022)
- [Generative AI and the future of scientometrics: current topics and future questions](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.00783/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

This study provides a conceptual overview of the literature dealing with the process of citing documents (focusing on the literature from the recent decade). It presents theories, which have been proposed for explaining the citation process, and studies having empirically analyzed this process. The overview is referred to as conceptual, because it is structured based on core elements in the citation process: the context of the cited document, processes from selection to citation of documents, and the context of the citing document. The core elements are presented in a schematic representation. The overview can be used to find answers on basic questions about the practice of citing documents. Besides understanding of the process of citing, it delivers basic information for the proper application of citations in research evaluation.