In my opinion, if it were only a reviewer who gave the "compulsory" direction to cite a reference-or take any action (and not the editor who has final say based on her/his appointed position as to what is published in the journal), I would recommend you review the reference and decide for yourself if it were relevant, needed in your manuscript before acting on the directive. Following that action, in your letter to the editor detailing changes you made for the resubmission I would suggest you add a comment on how you found that reviewer to be acting beyond his/her role as a reviewer to review a study for a journal by directing you to cite that reference (rather than bringing it to your attention, only). Requesting a different reviewer for this submission would also be something I would do based on how that heavy handed reviewer conducted herself/himself, but that is for you to decide knowing more about the journal, editor, norms of that publication, and your preference of how to proceed professionally.
There are two options: If you comply, there is high probability that your manuscript will be accepted. If the reverse is the case, then you are at the mercy of such reviewers. In my candid opinion, if such citations are relevant to your work and will add more value, fine; otherwise decline and let such reviewers know the reason you are declining. We should always promote ethical conduct in our research activities.
If the paper is relevant to your article you can cite it. Otherwise you can ignore, it is not compulsory.
On a second thought, how did you know the reviewers? Because reviewers are unknown to authors.
We are all researchers and equally smart. When the reviewer is asking or suggesting several references with a particular name, then that could be suggestive. It is better we allow ethics even at every stage of research.
Paul Odeniran your guess might be right or wrong. Remember some people are authorities in some fields. Hence, a reviewer may emphasize that you read articles from such people. This might not necessarily mean such articles are authored by the reviewer. Regardless, some reviewers may have personal interest, which is also a possibility.
@Alhassan, I understood you perfectly. You seems to be digressing my thought a bit. What you are saying is not new to me. But, those reading the question must have encountered what I am saying at a point. The increase of this "compulsory citation" in recent time is worrisome especially with regional journals.
In my opinion, if it were only a reviewer who gave the "compulsory" direction to cite a reference-or take any action (and not the editor who has final say based on her/his appointed position as to what is published in the journal), I would recommend you review the reference and decide for yourself if it were relevant, needed in your manuscript before acting on the directive. Following that action, in your letter to the editor detailing changes you made for the resubmission I would suggest you add a comment on how you found that reviewer to be acting beyond his/her role as a reviewer to review a study for a journal by directing you to cite that reference (rather than bringing it to your attention, only). Requesting a different reviewer for this submission would also be something I would do based on how that heavy handed reviewer conducted herself/himself, but that is for you to decide knowing more about the journal, editor, norms of that publication, and your preference of how to proceed professionally.
That there are reviewers who want to be cited in manuscripts for potential publication could be true. However, my advice is that colleagues who review manuscripts should be objective in their responses and not attach sentiments.
It's important to know the ethical approach. So many researchers might have done similar work and cited in the work under review. I am aware some researchers use it to boost their work, either for relevance or promotion, which doesn't seem ethical @Muhammad Ismail
It happened to me only once and unfortunately what they wanted me to cite was not relevant to my work so i did not cite them.
If the citation in question is relevant to research you may cite but if not ignore.
Indeed if they are the pioneers and renown scientists in that area and their articles are relevant to your work cite them. This because whenever we make references first and foremost you must understand the guys who have worked extensively in that area.
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