When people share quotes from scientific articles but refuse to link to the full article, you should immediately be suspicious.

It’s a more extreme example than you’ll encounter in real life, but absolutely captures the spirit of the argument style: let me share this quote from the Gettysburg Address.

“Now we are engaged in a great civil war. It is entirely fitting and proper that we should do this. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work… that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall… perish from the Earth.”

Lincoln (1863)

So what should you do if you encounter this in real life? Ask to see the full article – politely but firmly, and repeatedly if necessary.

Sometimes the full article is hidden behind a paywall, but my friend can get you access through his employer. Send me the reference and he will send you the article.