There was a time when authors read every paper cited, when editors scrutinized references and demanded complete and accurate citations. In earlier times, those researchers had to search the literature by hand and master the contents without the photocopier, the computer, or electronic databases. It is puzzling that many of today's researchers fail to take advantage of these resources.
These resources are easy to access, and skilled librarians are ready to assist in identifying and verifying citations and in searching the literature.
Perhaps it will take Garfield's "science court," sitting in judgment on transgressions by researchers, to bring a new level of quality to scientific scholarship.
LUCRETIA McCLURE
Medical Librarian
University of Rochester
Medical Centre
Edward G. Miner Library
Rochester, N.Y.
