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Baffling bibliometics

March 30, 2017
 - Tim Hardman
The prestige of publication has been based on traditional citation metrics, most commonly journal impact factor. However, over the last decade a new field of study has exploded onto the scientific landscape – that of bibliometrics – a set of quantitative tools used to measure and analyze various aspects of academic publications, including clinical publications. For clinical research, bibliometrics helps in evaluating research impact, dissemination, and trends. Qualitative analysis of the scientific literature is changing rapidly with the creation of new evaluation tools, parameters and normative data. The Internet has radically changed the speed, flow, and sharing of medical information. In addition, the exploitation of social media, along with development of popular professional and scientific websites and blogs, has resulted in some suggesting new and alternative metrics, known as altmetrics - what value does this currently have in actual scientific research (beyond researchers promoting themselves).
Below are five key features of bibliometrics for clinical publications summarised in our recent Insider's Insight [1]:
Citation Analysis
  • Definition: Measures the number of times a clinical publication is cited by other researchers. Citations are seen as indicators of the impact or influence of a research work within the academic community.
  • Importance in Clinical Research: High citation counts can indicate the relevance and importance of clinical studies to ongoing research or practice, signaling that the work contributes significantly to advancements in clinical knowledge.
Impact Factor (Journal-Level Metric)
  • Definition: The average number of citations received per paper published in a journal during a specific period, often used as a proxy for the quality or influence of a journal.
  • Importance in Clinical Research: Clinical researchers often strive to publish in high-impact factor journals as this can enhance the visibility and perceived credibility of their research.
H-Index (Author-Level Metric)
  • Definition: A metric that attempts to measure both the productivity and citation impact of an individual researcher’s publications. It is calculated by identifying the maximum number h where the researcher has published h papers, each of which has been cited at least h times.
  • Importance in Clinical Research: The H-index is widely used to assess the career impact of a clinical researcher, and high H-index values are often seen as indicators of a researcher’s influence in the field.
Altmetrics (Alternative Metrics)
  • Definition: Non-traditional metrics that measure the online impact of clinical publications, including social media mentions, news coverage, blog discussions, and policy document citations.
  • Importance in Clinical Research: Altmetrics provide a broader view of the immediate impact of clinical research on public discussions, policymaking, and practice beyond just academic citations. They highlight how research is shared and discussed in public spheres.
Co-Authorship and Collaboration Networks
  • Definition: Analysis of the relationships between authors and institutions based on co-authorship pa
A recent article in the journal Clinical Spine Surgery explored the evolution of current research impact metrics and examine the evolving role of altmetrics in measuring the wider impact of research [2]. The authors suggest that altmetrics should now form part of an informed peer-review process such as traditional metrics. Does this open the opportunity to have your mum tell the world how wonderful your research is - or is it a a valid tool for assessing the quality of publications? Should we be concerned in a post truth era?
References
  1. Bibliometrics Breakdown: An Insider’s Insight. Niche Science & Technology Ltd. 2016
  2. Butler JS, et L. The Evolution of Current Research Impact Metrics: From Bibliometrics to Altmetrics? Clin Spine Surg. 2017 Jun;30(5):226-228. doi: 10.1097/BSD.0000000000000531.

About the author

Tim Hardman
Managing Director
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Dr Tim Hardman is Managing Director of Niche Science & Technology Ltd., a bespoke services CRO based in the UK. He also serves as Managing Director at Thromboserin Ltd., an early-stage biotechnology company. Dr Hardman is a keen scientist and an occasional commentator on all aspects of medicine, business and the process of drug development.

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