ABS: Winkmann, Biomedical databases and the journal impact factor

[Gretchen Whitney]

H.G. SCHWEIM  : E-Mail:  schweim at dimdi.de

TITLE   :       Biomedical databases and the journal impact factor
AUTHOR: Winkmann G, Schweim HG
JOURNAL DEUTSCHE MEDIZINISCHE WOCHENSCHRIFT   125: (38) 1133-1141 SEP 22
2000

 Document type: Article     Language: German    Cited References: 58
Times Cited: 1


Abstract:
Background: Citation frequencies of medical journals are measured by the
Journal Impact Factors (IF) published annually in the Journal Citation
Report
(JCR). Conclusions drawn from IF concerning the distribution of single
journal articles are used worldwide for academic evaluation purposes.
Because of this
importance, IF are widely and controversially discussed, also regarding
their derivation from a limited pool of databases (Science Citation Index,
SCI).

Objective: To determine the comprehensiveness of IF's data basis by testing
(i) SCI's sources, (ii) SCI's output. Are the IF sufficient for an objective
evaluation of medical journals.

Methods: Comparative searches in 38 databases and their combinations (SCI;
MEDLINE [ME]; EMBASE [EM]; BIOSIS Previews [BA] and other
relevant systems).

Results: (i) Journals with higher IF (greater than or equal to 1)are almost
completely retrievable in SCI (98%), but only approx. 60% in ME, EM, BA.
(ii)
Reverse: three samples of mainly German-language journals frequently indexed
in SCI were represented in JCR by 90%; but only 23,5-57% of sample
periodicals had an IF when indexed in ME, EM and BA, but not in SCI. (iii)
Compiled average search results in the mast productive databases in 18
biomedical queries, when titles were searched: SCI=34%, ME=27%, EM=33%,
BA=25%; and, when combined: SCI + ME=44%, SCI i ME i EM=55%,
SCI i ME + EM i BA=65%, compared to the results in a 38-databases cluster.
Costs increase in the order ME < EM < SCI < BA < Derwent, GAS.

Conclusions: (i) The citation analyses presented in JCRs appear limited
especially regarding German-language biomedical journals. Evaluation of
publications
based on IF therefore should be complemented by corrective measures. (ii)
Single-database searches, including SCI, at best render orientating results;
database combinations are recommended when higher completeness is required.

KeyWords Plus:
LITERATURE SEARCHES, MEDICAL JOURNALS, CITATION, MEDLINE, QUALITY,
INFORMATION, INDICATORS, CRITERION, FIELD,
TOOL

Addresses:
Schweim HG, DIMDI, Weisshausstr 27, D-50939 Cologne, Germany.
DIMDI, D-50939 Cologne, Germany.

Publisher:
GEORG THIEME VERLAG, STUTTGART

IDS Number:
357GR

ISSN:
0012-0472


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