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:
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Reproducibility: Other researchers need to know exactly which tools were used so they can replicate your methodology. Mentioning Avicenna by name along with its version allows others to reconstruct your data collection setup.
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Transparency: Reviewers and readers want to understand how data was gathered, especially when your study involves experience sampling, sensor integration, or real-time assessments.
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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. 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 Avicenna’s role in your study clearly and concisely within the Methods section. Include the platform name, the company, and its location. If relevant, add the software version and any 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 (Avicenna Research Services, Inc., Toronto, Canada), which supports experience sampling, passive sensor data collection, wearable device integration, and secure data management. [Version X.X was used.]
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 (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 (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 (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. If you know the specific software version you used, include it after the platform name (e.g., Avicenna Research platform (Version 4.2) [Software]).
Adapting the Citation to Your Study
Note that not every study uses Avicenna in the same way. Here is a quick guide for tailoring your citation based on your use case:
| 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:
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The platform is referred to as Avicenna Research (not “Avicenna app” or just “Avicenna”) in the Methods section.
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The role of the platform in your study is clearly described.
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An in-text citation is included, matching your journal’s style.
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A full reference entry is included in your reference list.
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The official website (https://avicennaresearch.com) is provided.
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The software version is noted, if applicable.
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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, you should still mention Avicenna by name in the Methods section. This ensures readers understand how your data was collected. Adding a reference entry is still recommended as good practice.
Should I include the Avicenna version number?
Whenever possible, yes. Including the version helps other researchers understand the exact tool configuration you used, which supports reproducibility.
Can I use “Ethica” instead of “Avicenna Research”?
No. The platform was rebranded from Ethica to Avicenna Research. Please use the current name in all new publications.
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.
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.