referencesrather

Referencesrather is a neologism used in information science and digital humanities to describe a practice of signaling preference among cited sources in scholarly writing. The term blends references and rather and has appeared in online discussions about how authors curate bibliographies and present the authority of sources. It is not part of formal style guides and lacks a universally accepted definition.

Definition: Referencesrather refers to a deliberate emphasis on a subset of references deemed most relevant or influential when arguing a point. This emphasis can be achieved through the order of citations, the phrasing used to discuss sources, or explicit statements that certain works are foundational while others provide peripheral context.

Usage and considerations: In practice, writers may use referencesrather to streamline argumentation and help readers locate primary sources. Critics warn that the technique can introduce bias, suppress alternative viewpoints, or misrepresent the scholarly landscape if prioritization is opaque. Proponents recommend transparent criteria and consistent application across a manuscript.

Relation to editing and tools: The growth of digital reference managers and citation networks has heightened awareness of how references are presented and discovered. Some editors encourage explicit disclosure of prioritization criteria, especially in literature reviews and methodological sections.

See also: citation bias, selective citation, bibliometrics, reference management.