Automating Citation Formatting in Scientific Publications Using ChatGPT

In academic writing, the accuracy of citation formatting in scientific publications is essential for maintaining the integrity and consistency of scientific communication. However, manually formatting citations according to different styles, such as the IEEE, APA, or MLA, can be time-consuming and error-prone. This paper presents an innovative approach to automate citation formatting in scientific publications using ChatGPT. It proposes an algorithm that incorporates a sequence of instructions and guidance, combined with the capabilities of ChatGPT, and greatly simplifies the process of formatting citations according to different styles. The proposed approach involves training ChatGPT with a dataset containing citation guides and examples from different formatting styles to improve its ability to generate correctly formatted citations. This work presents a comparative characterization of the existing automated citation formatting systems and the proposed algorithm with ChatGPT. Their functionalities are analyzed and their advantages and disadvantages are highlighted. In addition, a SWOT analysis of the systems is performed, which examines their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The analysis highlights the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed solution with ChatGPT. The results show that automation using ChatGPT not only facilitates accurate citation formatting but also offers a practical tool for improving the quality and relevance of scientific publications. ChatGPT can significantly reduce formatting errors and improve the efficiency of academic writing, offering a scalable solution for researchers and institutions.