Scientific journals and their authors' financial interests: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: The credibility of modern science is grounded on the perception of the objectivity of its scientists, but that credibility can be undermined by financial conflicts of interest. The US Public Health Service and the National Science Foundation issued regulations effective October 1, 1995, regarding the disclosure of financial interests in the submission of grant proposals. Several scientific journals have also established pertinent policies for authors and editors. The objectives of this study were: (1) to select a set of published articles and observe the degree to which a sample of authors hold a financial interest in areas related to their research that are reportable under current standards, and (2) to examine the hypothesis that significant numbers of authors of articles in life science and biomedical journals have verifiable financial interests that might be important for journal editors and readers to know. This paper measures the frequency of selected financial interests held among lead authors of certain types of scientific publications and assesses disclosure practices of authors and journals. METHOD: These objectives were applied to a pilot study of Massachusetts academic scientists who were cited as first or last author in at least one article published in 1992 in 14 leading journals of cell or molecular biology and medicine. We created a database of every original article published in 1992 by 14 leading life science and biomedical journals, supplemented by data sets consisting of (1) Massachusetts biotechnology firms, including their officers and scientific advisory boards, and (2) scientists listed as inventors on patents or patent applications registered with the World Intellectual Property Organization. RESULTS: We examined 1,105 university authors (first and last cited) from Massachusetts institutions whose 789 articles, published in 1992, appeared in 14 scientific and medical journals. Authors are said to 'possess a financial interest' if they are listed as inventors in a patent or patent application closely related to their published work; serve on a scientific advisory board of a biotechnology company; or are officers, directors, or major shareholders (beneficial owner of 10% or more of stock issued) in a firm that has commercial interests related to their research. Applying the criteria to the reference population of journals and Massachusetts academic authors, we measured the following frequencies for lead authors: 0.20 for serving on a scientific advisory board; 0.07 for being an officer, director, or major shareholder in a biotechnology firm, and 0.22 for being listed as an inventor in a related patent or patent application. The joint frequency of articles in the journals reviewed with a lead author that meets one of the three conditions is 0.34. CONCLUSIONS: One of every three articles in our sample has at least one Massachusetts-based author with a financial interest, and 15% of the authors in our sample have a financial interest relevant to one of their publications. For the year 1992, the rate of published voluntary disclosures of financial interest (as defined in our study) is virtually zero, but relatively few scientific and biomedical journals at that time required any such disclosure to journal editors and reviewers. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of mandatory disclosure requirements by some journals.     

The international distribution of biomedical publications

An investigation of the U.S. role in international biomedical publication is reported, based on counts of articles, notes and reviews in 975 biomedical journals covered by the Science Citation Index in 1973. U.S. scientists authored 42% of these biomedical papers, the U.K. 10%, West Germany and France 7% and 6%, and the U.S.S.R. 4%, a sharp change from earlier in this century when Germany and France had much more prominent roles. Overall, 94% of the papers are from OECD and Eastern European countries; only 4% are from underdeveloped regions. U.S. and U.K. papers are far more heavily cited than are papers from other countries; U.S.S.R. papers are particularly under-cited. Biomedical publication rates are shown to be highly correlated (r = 0.9) with both national wealth (GNP) and national affluence (GNP/capita). National publication rates also correlate with Nobel Prize recipients. - Frame, J. D., and F. Narin. The international distribution of biomedical publications.     

Journal evaluations: Are they really evaluations of authors?

Investigated whether particular methods of journal evaluations are biased in favor of either natural science (NSC) or social science (SSC) psychology journals by comparing the mean number of authors per article and pages per journal in 40 NSC and SSC psychology journals. There were significant differences across the 2 types of journals with regard to number of authors per article and the mean number of pages attributable to each author. The hypothesis that NSC articles have more authors than SSC articles was confirmed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bibliometric analysis of the original articles published in the Revista Espa?ola de Anesthesiología y Renimación in 10 years (1987-1996)

OBJECTIVE: To describe the original research articles published in Revista Espa?ola De Anestesiología y Reanimación (REAR) from 1987 through 1996, as well as to characterize the citations included in those articles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The 299 articles published as original research in REAR over the past 10 years (1987 through 1996) were analyzed. The bibliographic aspects examined were coauthorship (authors/paper index), citations per article, isolation in function of language of publication of references, degree of obsolescence of articles based on year of references cited ("half-life"), self-citation and degree of dispersion of citations. RESULTS: The authors/paper index was 5.16 +/- 1.62. No statistically significant difference was found in number of authors over the 10-year study period. Mean number of references cited per article was 24.05 +/- 12.02. We found statistically significant differences for 1993 and the period 1987 to 1988, and 1994 and the year 1987 (p < 0.001). The "half-life" of articles was 6 when analyzing on a year-by-year basis; this index ranged from 5.5 to 7, with no significant annual differences. REAR articles accounted for 4.02% of all citations. English was the most frequent language of cited publications, with 6,240 references (86.8%), followed by Spanish with 621 (8.64%), French with 223 (3.1%) and German with 74 (1.03%). Of the 7,191 references analyzed, 6,447 (89.65%) were of scientific journals. Books are the second most commonly cited type of document, with 623 (8.66%) citations. Analyzing journals cited 25 or more times, we found that 74.19% of the articles (4,783/6,447) had been published in 5.3% of the journals (36/678). Seven journals of anesthesia, which represented 1.03% of all journals (7/678) appeared in 52.81% of references of this type (3,405/6,447). CONCLUSIONS: The number of authors of original research articles published in REAR in the last 10 years was high. Spanish authors in anesthesiology cite mainly literature in English; use up-to-date sources of information, mainly journals; and take a large proportion of information from a small number of journals, which are those of greatest international impact in our specialty.     

Dermatology in Germany

In Germany, dermatology has a long tradition as a medical specialization. The first dermatological university departments were established about 120 years ago. From the beginning, venerology was integrated in this field. Today it also covers andrology, allergy, medical cosmetology, mycology, dermatosurgery, phlebology and photodermatology. This broad spectrum more and more gives rise to competition with other medical fields. About 77% (n = 3281) of all German dermatologists (n = 4240 in 1997) work in private practices. The others are employed in clinical departments. The official number of working physicians in Germany in 1997 was 343,556; about 1.5% of them were dermatologists. This means that one dermatologist takes care of 20,000 people. The overwhelming majority of dermatological patients directly contacts the specialist and are not referred by general practitioners (GPs) who comprise about 40% of all German physicians. This is a great advantage over those countries in which patients primarily have to consult the GP. At present, there is a discussion initiated by GPs to change this system in Germany and to reestablish the GP's role as "gatekeeper". Dermatologists together with other specialists are trying to prevent this an to maintain the traditional broad spectrum of German dermatology.     

On writing "little papers."

Journal policies have encouraged the writing of "little papers" and have discouraged longer papers and monographs. "Little paper" refers "to the four- or five-page article dealing with one or two aspects of a larger problem." "Many psychologists are troubled by the proliferation of articles and journals dealing with psychological topics." The "little papers" are likely to be of small consequence and it is unlikely that "a productive science will eventually emerge from the host of trivial and unrelated studies that fill the journals." "Little papers" should be discouraged; editors should induce some authors to forego "one-shot" papers in favor of a series of integrated and planned researches. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

United states research published in major surgical journals is decreasing

OBJECTIVE: The authors hypothesized that less research performed in the United States was reported in the five major general surgical journals in 1993 than in 1983. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Academic surgeons believe they have less time and fewer funds for research than previously. METHODS: Five journals were analyzed for the number of pages and articles devoted to basic and clinical research in 1983 and 1993 and for the country in which the research was performed. RESULTS: The number of U.S. research pages and articles decreased over the past decade, and the number of non-U.S. pages and articles increased. CONCLUSIONS: The reason(s) for the decrease in U.S. research reported in the general surgical journals should be studied, identified, and, if possible, rectified.     

Natural and experimental Helicobacter mustelae reinfection following successful antimicrobial eradication in ferrets

This is the second part of a two part review of the military experience of heat illness. It presents a synopsis of the literature from the end of the Second World War to the present day. The epidemiological evidence for the factors causing heat injuries are summarised as well as the international developments of preventive measures. Finally the current areas of uncertainty are identified and some proposals for future research will be made.     

The Nature of Social and Personality Psychology as Reflected in JPSP, 1965-2000.

A bibliometric analysis of the first 36 years (1965-2000) of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (JPSP) is presented. The authors analyzed the structure of JPSP on the basis of contents and other aspects related to productivity, such as growth in the number of articles and authors, and "invisible colleges." In 2001, JPSP articles were cited over 23,000 times. An increasing number of older, classic articles are cited, suggesting that there are an accumulating number of citations whose influence endures over time. JPSP articles have grown in length, number of studies included, number of references, and number of authors and have become more international with an increasing proportion of authors from outside the United States. The pattern of findings suggests an increasingly complex and mature science. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

化学与材料测试分析领域能力验证文献大数据分析

基于Web of Science数据库中有关能力验证的文献数据,客观地分析了国内外能力验证研究现状。根据数据库中类别,选取化学与材料的测试分析领域文献数据,利用文献计量学方法与工具,根据发文作者、发文期刊、引文频次等指标,分析本领域研究的发展态势、前沿热点以及国际合作状况等。分析结果表明,在国内外能力验证的全领域研究中,美国发文数最多,影响力最大,我国发文数位列第9。在化学与材料的测试分析领域,发文数最多机构前3名均为欧洲国家,欧洲国家影响力大且联系密切,英国在本领域发文数与被引数最多,我国发文数位列第10。近些年研究热点主要集中在能力验证的实施过程与某一具体领域的能力验证。我国仍需要在本领域继续深入研究,扩大影响力。     

Curt Richter: Psychobiology and the concept of instinct.

Curt Richter is at the origins of psychobiology in the United States. For Richter the concept of instinct was central to his research. While he had diverse interests that traversed a great range of psychobiology, the concept of instinct was fundamental to his research on specific hungers and the regulation of the internal milieu. Debates about the concept of instinct would last the bulk of Richter's experimental career, culminating in an international conference a decade after the Second World War. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Special issue on the Canadian code of ethics for psychologists.

This Special Issue contains the commentary and evaluations of more than a dozen authors on the merits of Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists. The papers examine the Code from a range of perspectives: history of psychology; philosophy of science; teaching; practice; regulation; law; and, applications beyond psychology. Perspectives of the international community of psychologists also are included. The usefulness to the public interest of placing ethical standards within a clearly defined ethical framework is affirmed by many of the authors. In addition, the articles conclude that the organization of the Code around ethical principles and the inclusion of steps for ethical decision making are invaluable in teaching and practice, especially for new or ambiguous areas. The ethical principles and decision-making steps are found to be as applicable to research as to service organizations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Numéro spécial sur le Code Canadien de déontologie professionnelle des psychologues.

This Special Issue contains the commentary and evaluations of more than a dozen authors on the merits of Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists. The papers examine the Code from a range of perspectives: history of psychology; philosophy of science; teaching; practice; regulation; law; and, applications beyond psychology. Perspectives of the international community of psychologists also are included. The usefulness to the public interest of placing ethical standards within a clearly defined ethical framework is affirmed by many of the authors. In addition, the articles conclude that the organization of the Code around ethical principles and the inclusion of steps for ethical decision making are invaluable in teaching and practice, especially for new or ambiguous areas. The ethical principles and decision-making steps are found to be as applicable to research as to service organizations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Informed consent and dual purpose research.

The ethical treatment of human participants in psychological research is regulated by both federal guidelines and the ethical standards of the American Psychological Association (APA). Under certain circumstances, however, both APA standards and federal regulations allow for exceptions for informed consent. In spite of the possibility of exception, a number of factors have made it difficult to conduct and publish research that does not incorporate informed consent. The authors consider these factors and propose 2 approaches that may reduce reluctance to consider exceptions to informed consent under appropriate circumstances. First, journals should not rely on informed consent as the only method of screening research for the ethical treatment of human participants. Second, efforts must be made to work with institutional review boards and other units that review psychological research to ensure that their members are aware of the conditions under which informed consent is considered reasonable. Failure to consider ethical research without informed consent may have serious ethical consequences for research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

My memories of Japanese pediatric neurosurgery

At the end of World War II, medical students in Japan knew that the United States of America were the world leaders in medical science, and they dreamed of establishing such a rational and pragmatic brand of medicine in their own country. As the number of motor vehicle accidents increased in parallel with the raid growth of the Japanese economy after the war, the need for neurosurgery also intensified. The number of papers dealing with pediatric issues increased tremendously after the ISPN and JSPN had first held meetings in Japan in September 1973. It seems mandatory for us to back up the activity of the children's hospitals by establishing a subspecialty of pediatric neurosurgery.     

Increases in alcohol and other drug articles during 15 years.

There has been a dramatic increase during the last 20 years in psychologists' interest and research productivity in the area of alcohol and other drugs that is usually traced to the establishment of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the National Institute on Drug Abuse during the early 1970s. In order to have an index of this increase, we undertook to determine how the frequency with which psychologists have published articles on the topics of alcohol and other drugs in the journals of the American Psychological Association (APA) has changed during a 15-year period. For each of the 17 APA journals that publishes authors' original research, we tabulated the number of alcohol and other drug articles that was published during the period 1970-1984. If an article was related to both alcohol and another psychoactive drug, that article was assigned a value of one-half for alcohol and one-half for other drugs. Finally, across all 17 journals and for each year in the period under question, we determined (a) the percentage of total articles published that were related to alcohol and (b) the percentage of total articles published that were related to other drugs. Results suggest a steady increase in the percentage of both alcohol and other drug articles. Pearson product-moment correlations computed between year of publication and percentage of alcohol and other drug articles published yielded significant coefficients for both alcohol articles and other drug articles: r = 78, p     

Instruction to Authors

Journal of Rare Earths published bimonthly with 128 papers is a unique international science and technology journal which presents original high quality works on various aspects of basic theory and applied science in the field of rare earths. The journal accepts contributions from authors both in China and abroad. Therefore, it provides an international forum for the scientists and experts who are engaged or interested in the researches of rare earths and the related disci- plines. Journal of Rare Earths publishes original research papers, reviews, notes and letters which reflect the latest progresses in the fields of chemistry, hydrometaUurgy metaUography pyrometaUurgy, new materials, solid state physics, solid state chemistry, analysis, geology, ore dressing, etc.[第一段]     

Digital images in dermatology and the Dermatology Online Atlas on the World Wide Web

The digital revolution opens new ways of storing, retrieving and distributing images. The informativeness of digital images of dermatological conditions as compared to conventional photographs and slides has proven to be statistically similar; in many cases, digital images may even substitute for dermatologic physical examination. Current developments in high-speed, high-capacity international networks and the growing popularity of the World Wide Web are converging in ways that have great potential for enhancing access to biomedical information, including medical images. However, lack of metainformation and indexing services specialised in retrieving images makes finding images--as opposed to textual information--on the Web difficult. To provide an image collection and entry point into dermatological resources on the World Wide Web, we have developed an image database (Dermatological OnlIne Atlas--DOIA). The database, which is freely available on the Internet at http://dermis.net, contains about 3,000 clinical images covering more than 600 dermatological diagnoses. It is designed for worldwide use; international submissions are encouraged. It serves as a teaching tool for medical students, doctors and patients, assists professional users by being an easy gateway to other databases such as MEDLINE, PDQ, and OMIM and serves as a platform for conducting research by means of administering Internet surveys to users. We conclude that an online image atlas has multiple educational, clinical, and research applications.     

Global Bibliometric Analysis of the ‘Mining & Mineral Processing’ Subject Category From the Web of Science (1997–2012)

The main objective of this study is to analyze the evolution of the research in the category ‘Mining & Mineral Processing’. First, we have revised journals that are in this subject category in the database Science Citation Index-Expanded (SCI-E) of the Web of Science (WoS).

Second, we have analyzed publications for journals between 1997 and 2012, with an analysis from the perspective of both quantity and quality. To do this, we have analyzed various bibliometric indicators for different countries and research centers such as the number of documents (article and review), showing per document, productivity, the average number of citations, authors, research centers, national and international collaboration including their networks, the weighted and relative impact factor, as well as the h-index. Furthermore, we have analyzed the international dissemination of research of countries through journals and the relationship with the impact factor to detect the published journals of each country.

We have also shown that English is the most common language of publication, and the United States is the most productive country, although it has a relatively low impact factor due to the dispersion of its publications in low or medium impact journals. We can also see that University of Science and Technology of Beijing and the Russian Academy of Sciences have been the most productive institutions during the period under study, along with the large increase of the Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission of France (CEA).     

Research Trend of Public-Private Partnership in Construction Journals

An impressive series of content analyses of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) publications between 1998 and 2003 from four internationally renowned construction journals (including the International Journal of Project Management, the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, the Construction Management and Economics, and the Engineering Construction and Architectural Management) was reported. Their work inspired the writers of this paper to continue from where they left it. Based on a two-stage literature review, PPP articles from 1998 to 2008 were analyzed in terms of the annual number of PPP articles published, the writers’ contribution, and the research focus in their studies. From the analysis it was found that the number of PPP publications in these journals has been increasing. This finding might imply that PPPs are becoming more important to the construction industry at large. In addition, this study also found that the U.K. researchers have published the largest number of PPP articles, followed by those from the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, China, and Germany. Although the build-operate-transfer scheme was the most frequently investigated form of PPP in earlier research, the diverse concept of PPP has attracted a lot of research interest and has become the focus of most recent PPP publications. Research topics published in these journals on investment environment, governance issues, and other supported areas tend to receive more attention from researchers. Moreover, complicated and vigorous analysis techniques such as game theory and fuzzy set theory have also been applied in this field of study.