anotherRef

anotherRef is a proposed framework for representing and linking bibliographic references and related research objects. In its most commonly described form, anotherRef envisions a centralized or federated registry of reference records, each assigned a persistent identifier. Records contain conventional citation fields (title, authors, year, venue) plus machine-actionable metadata that expresses relationships to datasets, software, code repositories, and other publications. The design aims to facilitate richer, navigable citation graphs and automated data integration across bibliographic tools and repositories.

Key features include a flexible metadata schema, support for multiple identifier schemes (such as DOIs and publisher IDs), and an API for querying and updating records. The system emphasizes interoperability, allowing export in common formats and linking to external identifiers and metadata registries. In some proposals, anotherRef also embeds provenance and version history for each reference, enabling scholars to trace changes to metadata and relationships over time.

Implementation approaches vary. Some envision a centralized registry operated by a consortium, others propose a distributed or ledger-inspired model to record transactions. Open-source reference clients and libraries are proposed to interface with the registry, enabling integration with word processors, reference managers, and data repositories.

Status and reception: anotherRef remains a concept discussed in scholarly and standards forums rather than a widely adopted standard. It is often viewed as a complementary idea to existing citation infrastructures and data citation initiatives, highlighting the importance of machine-actionable metadata and cross-resource linking in scholarly communication.