The effect of self-citations — defined as references to articles from the same journal — on anesthesia journals' impact factor declined overall from 2005-2010, according to a study published in Anesthesiology.
The researchers hypothesized there were differences among anesthesiology journals in the total number of self-citations and the proportion of self-citations to the total number of references in each manuscript from 2005-2010. The researchers conducted a review of manuscripts from 2005-2010 to examine the number and rate of self-citations.
As a secondary analysis, the researchers analyzed impact factor, a measure reflecting the average number of citations to articles published in a journal. Impact factor is often used as a proxy for the importance of a journal within its field. The researchers also analyzed rate of self-referencing and contribution of self-citations to impact factor in the population of manuscripts published in eight anesthesia journals between 2000 and 2009.
Although the number and rate of self-citations differed amount anesthesia journals, the contribution of self-citation to impact factor has declined over time for most journals. The results suggest periodic reassessment may be important to ensure the publication process remains transparent and free from bias.
Read the abstract on the study published in Anesthesiology.
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The researchers hypothesized there were differences among anesthesiology journals in the total number of self-citations and the proportion of self-citations to the total number of references in each manuscript from 2005-2010. The researchers conducted a review of manuscripts from 2005-2010 to examine the number and rate of self-citations.
As a secondary analysis, the researchers analyzed impact factor, a measure reflecting the average number of citations to articles published in a journal. Impact factor is often used as a proxy for the importance of a journal within its field. The researchers also analyzed rate of self-referencing and contribution of self-citations to impact factor in the population of manuscripts published in eight anesthesia journals between 2000 and 2009.
Although the number and rate of self-citations differed amount anesthesia journals, the contribution of self-citation to impact factor has declined over time for most journals. The results suggest periodic reassessment may be important to ensure the publication process remains transparent and free from bias.
Read the abstract on the study published in Anesthesiology.
Related Articles on Anesthesia:
Study Assesses Risk Factors for Perioperative Stroke
Researchers Pair Pulse Oximeter With Mobile Phone to Improve Anesthesia Safety
Patients Preparing for Hip Joint Replacement Display More Cognitive Impairment