Heads-Up: Not All AI Citations Are Real — Here's What to Watch For
Tools like ChatGPT and other AI generators can be super helpful for brainstorming and writing, but there's a catch: they sometimes make up citations that sound real but lead nowhere.
These “phantom references” might look legit—with real-sounding article titles, authors, and journal names—but often, they point to sources that don’t actually exist or don’t match what’s described.
Tips to Check If a Citation is Real:
• Look It Up: Search the article title using online resources like Google Scholar or PubMed, or check the journal’s official site.
• Check the Source: Is the journal or publisher reputable? If it sounds unfamiliar, investigate further.
• Research the Author: See if the author has published elsewhere or has an academic profile.
• Watch for Red Flags: Typos, mismatched details, or strange formatting can be signs of a fake citation.
• Get Help: Not sure? Ask a librarian—they’re pros at verifying sources.
Before using any AI-generated citation, take a few moments to verify it. It’s a small step that can make a big difference in the credibility of your work.
Questions? Contact the librarians at asc-thevirtuallibrarian@post.edu. Help is available 7 days a week.