What is it? 🤝🔄
A closed circle of authors who agree to cite each other’s work excessively, regardless of scientific relevance. “You cite me, I cite you.” No genuine contribution. Just inflation.

How is it identified? 🔍📊

· Over 60% of citations from the same small group of authors. 📈
· Forced references that add no real scientific value. 🧩
· Isolated citation networks with no external engagement. 🚫🌐
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Implications for science and careers
💔

• · Science suffers: distorted metrics, misdirected funding and eroded trust. 📉
  · Careers end: retractions, grant suspensions, ethics probes and permanent reputational damage. ❌💸⚖️ Bottom line 💡
  Short cuts in science are long cuts in the end. Build your reputation, not your stats. 🧠✨ Brought to you from the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital Health Research Ethics Committee
  
  For Educational purpose only