SummerSim 2017: The Reference Model Models ClinicalTrials.Gov - Reviewer Robert Smith?

[Jacob Barhak]

Editorial review:

The bibliography contains 16 references, of which 12 are by the author. Self-citations are sometimes unavoidable, but they should generally not constitute 75% of the literature survey! Of the remaining four, one is to google. This weakens the manuscript's weight quite significantly. The work should be situated in the academic literature, so I suggest switching citations to a more acceptable balance.

[Jacob Barhak]

Response from Robert Smith?

I find the paper acceptable; however, my outstanding concern is still around the citations. I was hoping a few non-Barhak citations could be added to bolster the connection with literature. But perhaps the field is such that there aren't any? Thus, I would say that this is optional but preferred if possible.