A paper with many citations is often assumed to be authoritative. But citations are not all equal: some studies cite a paper because they support it, some because they contrast with it, and others only mention it in passing. Scite classifies citations by their context so you can see, at a glance, whether later research agrees with a paper or challenges it.

This guide shows you how to use Scite to research the real-world standing of a paper before you trust it in your own work.

Step 1: Find the Paper You Want to Evaluate

Open Scite and search for the article by title, author, or DOI. The results page returns the paper with its citation summary, including how many times it has been supporting by later research and how many times it has been contrasting it.

This headline number matters more than total citation count. A paper that is frequently cited but mostly in a contrasting context is not as reliable as its popularity suggests.

Step 2: Understand Smart Citations

The core of Scite is the Smart Citation, which captures how a paper is mentioned by another publication. Open the citing articles and look at each citation’s classification. Supporting citations reinforce the findings; contrasting citations cast doubt; mentioning citations simply reference the work.

Read the highlighted passage around each classified citation to understand exactly what later authors said, rather than relying on an automated label alone.

Step 3: Look for Evidence of Controversy

When a study draws meaningful numbers of contrasting citations, dig in. Use Scite to view the specific objections raised. Understanding the debate helps you weigh the paper’s conclusions instead of accepting them uncritically. Look for the publication venue and study limitations discussed by later authors as additional context.

Step 4: Use Reference Checking for Your Own Drafts

If you are writing your own article, Scite can help you verify the references you plan to cite. Run each source through the tool to confirm it supports the claim you are making. This prevents the embarrassing mistake of citing a paper that actually contradicts your point.

Review reports give an even broader view, checking an entire paper’s references and flagging any that appear unreliable or retracted.

Step 5: Set Alerts for New Research

Research stands can change as new evidence appears. Create alerts in Scite for topics or papers you follow, and you will be notified when relevant new citations are added. This is especially valuable in fast-moving fields where consensus shifts quickly.

Final Thoughts

Evaluating credibility is about context, not just volume. Scite gives you the tools to see whether research is supported, debated, or merely mentioned, so you can make confident decisions about what to trust and what to cite. Start with the citation summary, read the contrasting passages, and let context guide your judgment.