Citing a prior work by one's self

By Anonymous on Fri, 07/11/2014 - 08:04

Forums

What's the consensus regarding citation of a prior work by ones self? For instance, if you have previously made a particular case, or a reasoned argument, and you wish to make reference to it in a new work.

In scientific and mathematical works, there would be no difference, but I wanted to confirm this in the specific realm of genealogy and historical research because the subjectiveness of an authored work rates less highly than more objective sources, and for fear it sounds like the I-disease.

Would the reference be treated identically to similar sources by other authors, or is there some convention that makes it clear that the source is by the same author?

Submitted byEEon Fri, 07/11/2014 - 18:20

Dear ACProctor,

This is another one of those situations for which the answer must begin: It depends. In history-related fields there are appropriate situations and inappropriate one. Let's take four scenarios, here:

  1. The topic is a general one on which multiple people have published, including ourselves, and the opinions are compatible, although each will naturally have varying nuances. If we cite ourselves, our readers might well chalk it up to self-promotion. So we cite others and not ourselves. You'll find an example of this in QuickLesson 16, at nn. 18 and 44.
  2. The topic is a reasonably general on one which multiple people have published, including ourselves, and our findings disagree with one or more significant publications. Assuming that our own prior publication went into considerably more depth than the current piece of writing allows, then it would be reasonable to cite our prior work for a more indepth discussion—but then cite others who hold a counter view, to offer a balanced perspective. You'll find an example of this in QL16, at n. 2.
  3. The topic is a highly specialized one that no one else has addressed—say, a quantitative analysis of a community or an intricately solved identity issue, or a reference work that is not otherwise available. Given that there is no one else to cite, then a reference to our own work would be totally appropriate. Again, using QL 16 as a case at point, you'll find examples of this at nn. 4, 6, 12, and 40.
  4. Or, as in the case at hand, we want to provide reasonably quick examples for a Q&A and we don't have three days to spend combing the works of others to avoid "self-promotion," so we use an example of our own that's easily accessible to everybody.  Here, we'll let our readers decide whether our citation of ourselves is appropriate. :)