THE RELEVANCE OF THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF SELF-CITATION IN SCIENCE AND ART

The issue of self-citation in science and art is topical in the modern scientific and creative community. Self-citation is when authors refer to their own works in new publications. This issue has both positive and negative aspects. On the one hand, self-citation can help authors establish their scientific identity, demonstrate the continuity of their research, and highlight significant discoveries, which is important in the search for funding and in raising the prestige of the scientific field. On the other hand, excessive self-citation can distort the true picture of a scientist’s contribution and lead to the imposition of certain ideas or theories without taking into account new achievements and alternative opinions. It can also affect citation rates and indices, forcing scientists to cite their own work even if this is not justified in terms of content. Self-citation in art can be both a manifestation of self-reflection and the development of an individual style, as well as an attempt at commercialisation. However, excessive reference to the same content inevitably creates a sense of stagnation and lack of creativity. The relevance of the problem of self-citation lies in the need to find a balance between its potential benefits and negative consequences. The discussion of this topic is important for the formation of ethical standards in both scientific and creative environment, as well as for ensuring the quality and innovation of research.