2b, or not 2b, that is the question—

Whether ’tis only in the mind we suffer

The lacks and gray zones of reference support,

Or if the refs we choose do give us troubles,

And by digging we find more? To write, to cite—

No more; and per this ref, to say we end

The debate, and the client preferences

That we’re enslaved to? ‘Tis a consternation

Deftly to be deferred. To write, to cite,

To cite, perchance to get it right; Aye, there’s the rub…

[A truly medical writer–specific dilemma! This was inspired last year when one of my scripts was fact checked and the editor pointed out an instance where the reference did not clearly support the claim that a clinical trial was in phase IIb.]