This introduction provides a concise overview of self-citation research. A
discussion on definition and taxonomy will illustrate the current position of the concept
of self-citation in citation analysis. The rate in different fields of science will be
examined and compared. Also, self-citations are tied to bibliometric measures: both
direct and indirect influences will be covered, using the h-index and the Journal Impact
Factor as examples. Providing grounds for a self-citation study on the field of
Psychology, this overview will list and explain the possible motives for citing one’s
own research. Finally, I’ll present the relevant literature allowing for the inclusion of
future qualitative analysis of self-citations