missing reference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "missing reference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a citation or source is absent or not provided in a document or discussion. Example: "The report was incomplete due to a missing reference for the data presented in the findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Due to missing reference substances, transformation products are often determined only qualitatively.

Environmental Sciences Europe

It is important to note that viral or bacterial sequences of unknown origin but highly similar to the human genome will be classified as contaminants due to the missing reference sequences in the second set of databases.

Plosone

We would like to clarify the calculation and add a missing reference.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

The counter-argument is that other preponderate problems (e.g. incomplete registration, missing reference population data) might exist, even if other data sources did not have this problem.

BMC Cancer

The authors admit and apologize for two major mistakes: the missing reference of Deuba et al; and the errors in the reference list.

HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care

Data from 24 (1.0%) patients were not evaluable because of missing reference slides or failure to record the final diagnosis or treatment.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The identification of a statistically significant similarity between two articles can be used to uncover potentially missing references.

EPJ Data Science

Some drug articles on Wikipedia were missing references (Lavsa et al. 2011) and unlike professional compendia, cited news stories as references (Koppen et al. 2015).

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

We investigate the statistical feasibility of capture recapture techniques with model selection for estimating the number of missing references in literature searches using two systematic reviews in gastroenterology and hematology.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

Our study has important implications for authors, editors and reviewers of scientific journals, as well as public preprint repositories, as it provides a procedure for recommending relevant yet missing references and properly integrating bibliographies of papers.

EPJ Data Science

For instance, the implementation of a recommendation procedure based on statistically significant overlaps between bibliographies might be useful to assist the editor of a scientific journal in suggesting a list of possibly relevant (and missing) references to the authors of a submitted paper.

EPJ Data Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When noting a "missing reference", clearly state the specific information that requires a citation to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "There's a missing reference", specify "There's a "missing reference" for the statistical data in Section 3."

Common error

Avoid vague statements about "missing references" without specifying what the reference should support. Instead of just noting the lack of a citation, mention the specific claim or data point that requires backup to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "missing reference" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it indicating the absence of a citation in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "missing reference" serves to highlight the absence of a citation within a document, often indicating a need for further support or verification. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in academic and scientific fields. While alternative phrases like "absent citation" or "lacking source" exist, maintaining clarity and specificity is crucial when addressing the lack of a reference. Proper usage involves clearly identifying the claim or data point in need of citation to avoid ambiguity and potential credibility issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absent citation

Replaces "reference" with the more specific "citation".

lacking source

Uses "lacking" to convey the absence of a "source".

unattributed source

Focuses on the lack of attribution for the source.

uncited material

Highlights that the "material" is not cited.

no reference provided

States directly that there is "no reference provided".

source not identified

Emphasizes the inability to identify the "source".

citation omitted

Uses "omitted" to indicate the absence of a "citation".

reference not included

Directly states the "reference" is "not included".

deficient reference

Implies that the reference is insufficient or lacking.

incomplete citation

Focuses on the incompleteness of the citation.

FAQs

How do I address a "missing reference" in academic writing?

Identify the specific claim, data, or idea that requires a citation and clearly state that a reference is needed. If you know the source, include it; if not, acknowledge the need for verification.

What are the consequences of having a "missing reference"?

It can undermine the credibility of your work, suggest plagiarism, and weaken your argument. Ensure all sources are properly cited to avoid these issues.

What can I say instead of "missing reference"?

You can use alternatives like "absent citation", "lacking source", or "unattributed source" depending on the context.

Is it acceptable to have a "missing reference" in a final paper?

No, it is not acceptable. All sources should be properly cited before submitting your work. Review your paper carefully to ensure all references are included.