one framework.
an open scientific
standard.

The German Manual of Style is an open research and standardization initiative developing a modular framework for scientific citation, writing and publishing.

Developed for the German-speaking academic community. Designed for international research.

explore the gms framework
01 / GMS ARCHITECTURE

a coherent system.
designed to grow.

GMS is the overall framework. GCS is its first proposed specialist module. Future modules will build on shared scientific principles, while remaining separately evaluated and released.

OVERARCHING FRAMEWORK

gms / german manual of style

Research-based scientific style framework
FIRST RESEARCH MODULE / IN DEVELOPMENT

gcs / german citation style

concept development

A common scientific reference core expressed through three citation modes. The concept is under investigation; no binding GCS specification has yet been released.

01 / IN-TEXTauthor–yearReferences within the running text
02 / NOTESfootnotesBibliographic reference notes
03 / NUMERICnumberedNumber-based source references
CROSS-MODE LAYERindependent annotation system

Explanatory notes and methodological remarks remain distinct from bibliographic references.

FUTURE MODULE / 01

formatting standards

Text layout, headings, typography and document structure.

planned
FUTURE MODULE / 02

tables & figures

Captions, labels, figure notes and source attribution.

planned
FUTURE MODULE / 03

scientific writing

Scholarly language, presentation logic and textual conventions.

planned
FUTURE MODULE / 04

publication guidelines

Editorial conventions and academic publication standards.

planned
02 / THE PROJECT COMPONENTS

four parts.
one research initiative.

These are the intended permanent outputs of GMS—not four independent products, and not four already completed releases.

01 / STANDARDS

scientific standards

Open, reasoned and versioned specifications. GCS is the first focus, with subsequent subject modules considered after scientific evaluation.

core framework
02 / RESEARCH

scientific research

Literature reviews, systematic comparisons, surveys and expert interviews. The planned MBA thesis provides the first substantial research contribution.

evidence base
03 / TECHNOLOGY

digital tools & open api

Future free citation applications, source checking and documented interfaces supporting integration into existing academic software.

planned
04 / EDUCATION

education & adoption

Future university resources, training, learning cards, review guidance and research-based institutional pilot activities.

planned
03 / HOW GMS WORKS

research informs
the rules.

Standards do not become scientifically valid by declaration. GMS proposes a documented cycle: investigate requirements, formulate and scrutinize rules, create open implementations and learn from real-world application.

Findings from subsequent research and pilot projects can inform revisions. Scientific review remains distinct from community popularity.

read the research approach
01

research & evidence

Theoretical groundwork, comparison and empirical investigation.

02

standards & specifications

Auditable rules, explicit decisions and reviewed releases.

03

open tools & integration

Practical use through documented software implementations.

04

academic application & evaluation

Feedback, critique and independent testing inform further research.

↺   Research findings feed back into the next review cycle.

04 / OPEN ACCESS & PUBLISHING

knowledge open.
the printed manual optional.

GMS is designed for free access to the scientific rules and essential digital resources. A future printed manual may be sold to cover production and publishing costs.

OPEN / PLANNEDonline rules & GCS specificationFree access to the documented scientific standard.
OPEN / SUBJECT TO RIGHTSresearch reports & publicationsPublic release where publication permissions allow.
FREE / PLANNEDtools, interfaces & teaching materialsAccessible implementations with documented terms of use.
PRINT / FUTUREthe german manual of style – book editionOptional paid print edition; no exclusive rules behind the purchase.

The exact open licences, API policies and publication agreements remain to be defined.

05 / CURRENT SCOPE & FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

ambition is not
the same as a release.

A transparent distinction between what is under development and what remains a longer-term objective.

public research platformin development
research journalprepared / expanding
gcs normative rulesresearch preparation
mba research projectexposé planned
open citation toolsfuture development
university programme & printed manuallong-term vision
view project milestones
06 / EXPLORE THE GMS PROJECT

the next level
of detail.

Explore why the initiative exists, follow its research history and find ways to contribute.

project briefingScientific objectives & methods milestones & versioningDevelopment history & releases research journalDocumented reasoning & findings communityOpen participation & exchange