Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the citation of physics textbooks within the literature, specifically focusing on the frequency of citations for textbooks in various subfields such as thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, classical mechanics, and electromagnetism. Participants explore the relevance and context of citing textbooks in research papers.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- One participant questions the meaning of "literature," suggesting that research papers typically do not cite textbooks.
- Another participant argues that the material in physics textbooks is often considered "assumed knowledge" and not cited in research, as foundational concepts like Newton's laws or Maxwell's equations are generally known within the field.
- A different viewpoint mentions that citations may occur for more controversial topics, such as String Theory or Loop Quantum Gravity, where textbooks might be referenced due to the less universally accepted nature of the material.
- One participant shares personal experience, noting that specific textbooks have been cited infrequently in their field of volcanology, while also referencing a claim from Wikipedia about a particular thermodynamics textbook being highly cited.
- Another participant provides an example of a specific textbook, Stratton's "Electromagnetic Theory," which has been cited thousands of times according to Google Scholar, suggesting that citations do exist and can be useful for justifying results.
- This participant also raises a question about the significance of citations, emphasizing that the choice of a textbook should be based on its suitability for the intended purpose rather than its citation frequency.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the citation of textbooks in physics literature. While some believe textbooks are rarely cited due to their foundational nature, others provide examples of textbooks that have been cited, indicating a lack of consensus on the frequency and relevance of such citations.
Contextual Notes
There is uncertainty regarding the criteria for what constitutes "literature" and the contexts in which textbooks are cited. The discussion highlights the dependence on specific fields and the nature of the material being addressed.