When you publish findings from a study conducted with Avicenna, properly citing the platform ensures your methodology is transparent and reproducible. It also helps other researchers discover Avicenna when reading your work. This guide walks you through how and where to cite Avicenna in your manuscript, with ready-to-use templates for major citation styles.
Why Citing Avicenna Matters
Scientific publications require authors to report the specific tools and software used during their research. Citing the platforms you rely on serves several purposes:
- Reproducibility: Other researchers need to know exactly which tools were used so they can replicate your methodology. Naming the Avicenna Research platform along with its version allows others to reconstruct your data collection setup.
- Transparency: Reviewers and readers want to understand how data was gathered, especially when your study involves experience sampling, sensor integration, or real-time assessments.
- Attribution: Just as you cite statistical software or survey instruments, citing your data collection platform acknowledges the infrastructure that supports your research.
[!note]
Many journals now explicitly require that all software used in a study be cited in the reference list, not just mentioned in the text. Most also expect a persistent identifier such as a DOI. Check your target journal’s guidelines before submission.
Where to Cite Avicenna in Your Manuscript
You can reference Avicenna in two places: the Methods section (in-text) and the Reference list.
Methods Section
Describe the platform’s role in your study clearly and concisely within the Methods section. Include the platform name, the company, its location, the software version, and the dates your data was collected. If relevant, add the specific features you used, for example experience sampling, geofencing, or wearable device integration.
Recommended wording:
Data collection and real-time ecological momentary assessments were conducted using the Avicenna Research platform (Version X.X; Avicenna Research Services, Inc., Toronto, Canada), which supports experience sampling, passive sensor data collection, wearable device integration, and secure data management. Data were collected between [start date] and [end date].
Why the dates matter: The platform is updated regularly. Stating the window in which your data was collected lets readers match your study against the platform’s release history and understand exactly how the software behaved for your participants. If you do not know which version you used, the date window serves the same purpose.
You can adjust this depending on how you used Avicenna. Here are a few examples for different study designs:
Experience sampling study:
Participants received scheduled and event-triggered surveys delivered via the Avicenna Research platform (Version X.X; Avicenna Research Services, Inc., Toronto, Canada). The platform managed survey scheduling, push notifications, and automated data uploads throughout the study period.
Passive sensing study:
Continuous sensor data, including GPS, accelerometer, and screen state, were collected passively using the Avicenna Research platform (Version X.X; Avicenna Research Services, Inc., Toronto, Canada).
Wearable integration study:
Physiological data from Garmin [or Fitbit, Polar, etc.] wearable devices were collected and synchronized through the Avicenna Research platform (Version X.X; Avicenna Research Services, Inc., Toronto, Canada), which managed device pairing, data retrieval, and storage.
[!note]
If your study uses specific Avicenna features such as Criteria, Triggering Logics, or Televisit, consider briefly mentioning them in your description so readers understand the level of automation and customization involved.
In-Text Citation
In addition to the Methods description, include a formal in-text citation. The exact format depends on your journal’s citation style:
Author–date styles (e.g., APA, Chicago):
Data were collected using the Avicenna Research platform (Avicenna Research, 2026).
Numbered styles (e.g., Vancouver, IEEE):
Data were collected using the Avicenna Research platform [1].
Reference List Entries
Include a full reference entry formatted according to your target journal’s citation style. Below are ready-to-use templates for the most common styles.
APA (7th Edition)
Avicenna Research. (2026). Avicenna Research platform [Software]. Avicenna Research Services, Inc. https://avicennaresearch.com
Vancouver
Avicenna Research. Avicenna Research platform [software]. Toronto: Avicenna Research Services, Inc.; 2026. Available from: https://avicennaresearch.com
AMA (American Medical Association)
Avicenna Research. Avicenna Research platform. Avicenna Research Services, Inc; 2026. https://avicennaresearch.com. Accessed Month Day, Year.
IEEE
Avicenna Research, “Avicenna Research platform,” Toronto, Canada: Avicenna Research Services, Inc., 2026. [Online]. Available: https://avicennaresearch.com
Chicago (Author-Date)
Avicenna Research. 2026. Avicenna Research platform. Software. Toronto, Canada: Avicenna Research Services, Inc. https://avicennaresearch.com.
Harvard
Avicenna Research (2026) Avicenna Research platform [Software]. Toronto, Canada: Avicenna Research Services, Inc. Available at: https://avicennaresearch.com (Accessed: Day Month Year).
[!note]
Replace “2026” with the year you accessed or used the platform. Replace “Month Day, Year” with the actual access date where required.
Adapting the Citation to Your Study
Not every study uses the platform in the same way. Use this guide to tailor what you describe in your Methods section.
| How You Used Avicenna | What to Mention in Methods |
|---|---|
| Survey delivery and scheduling | Survey creation process, triggering logic, notification templates |
| Passive sensor data collection | Specific data sources (e.g., GPS, accelerometer, screen state) |
| Wearable device integration | Device type (e.g., Garmin, Fitbit, Polar) and collected metrics |
| Experience sampling (ESM/EMA) | Sampling strategy, notification schedule, expiry settings |
| Cognitive tasks (e.g., Stroop) | Task type and configuration details |
| Participant communication | Televisit procedures, chat features |
| Multi-site or multi-arm studies | Study structure and how Avicenna supported randomization or site management |
For all cases, mention the platform name, version (if known), and the official URL.
Pre-Submission Checklist
Before submitting your manuscript, review the following:
- The platform is referred to as the Avicenna Research platform in the Methods section, not “Avicenna app”, “Avicenna Research”, or “Avicenna” alone.
- The role of the platform in your study is clearly described.
- The software version is stated.
- The data collection window ([start date] to [end date]) is stated.
- An in-text citation is included, matching your journal’s style.
- A full reference entry is included in your reference list.
- The official website (https://avicennaresearch.com) is provided.
- Any specific features or data sources used are mentioned where relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to cite Avicenna if I only used it for survey delivery?
Yes. Any software that played a role in data collection should be cited. This is consistent with best practices for research software citation and helps ensure reproducibility of your work.
What if my journal does not require software citations in the reference list?
Even if your journal does not mandate a formal reference entry, mention the Avicenna Research platform by name in the Methods section so readers understand how your data was collected. Adding a reference entry is still recommended as good practice.
Should I include the Avicenna version number?
Yes, wherever possible. The version tells other researchers the exact tool configuration you used, which supports reproducibility.
Where can I find the version of Avicenna I used?
You can find the app version in the participant app settings, or contact us at support@avicennaresearch.com and we will provide the version details for your study period.
My study collected data under the old name, Ethica. Which name should I use?
Cite it as the Avicenna Research platform (formerly Ethica Data). This keeps your Methods section accurate about the software you actually used, while linking your work to the platform’s current publication record. For studies beginning now, use the current name alone.
Need Help?
If you have questions about how to cite Avicenna in your specific publication, or if your journal requires a format not listed above, reach out to us at support@avicennaresearch.com or ask on our Community Forum. We are happy to help you get it right.