Disref

Disref refers to a type of reference or citation that is considered flawed or invalid. The term is often used in academic and research contexts to describe sources that are not reliable, have significant errors, or are otherwise unsuitable for use.

Reasons for a reference to be considered a disref can vary. It might include citing a source that has been retracted due to scientific misconduct, referencing outdated or disproven theories as current fact, or using a source that is not peer-reviewed or has questionable authority. In some cases, a disref might be a source that is simply irrelevant to the point being made, or one that has been misinterpreted by the author.

The identification of disrefs is an important part of scholarly integrity. Researchers are expected to critically evaluate their sources and avoid relying on or propagating information from disreputable or unreliable references. Failure to do so can undermine the credibility of their work and contribute to the spread of misinformation. When a reference is identified as a disref, it should ideally be corrected or removed from the work.