When looking at cited work or citation metrics, we assume that the work is being cited because the paper was read, used, and important. However, citations are a form of documentation and reasons for citations can vary.
Here are some examples of reasons work is cited:
| 1. Paying homage to pioneers | 9. Alerting others to forthcoming work |
| 2. Giving credit to related work (homage to peers) | 10. Providing leads to poorly disseminated, poorly indexed or uncited work |
| 3. Identifying methodology, equipment, etc. | 11. Authenticating data and classes of fact--physical constants, etc. |
| 4. Providing background reading | 12. Identifying original publications in which an idea or concept was discussed |
| 5. Correcting one's own work | 13. Identifying original publications or work describing an eponymic concept or term, e.g. Hodgkin's Disease |
| 6. Correcting the work of others | 14. Disclaiming the work of others (negative claims) |
| 7. Criticizing previous work | 15. Disputing the priority claims of others (nagative homage) |
| 8. Substantiating claims | From Eugene Garfield (1965) "Can Citation Indexing be Automated?" |
