Reynolds TM, Wierzbicki AS "Does activity in research correlate with visibility?" Journal of Clinical Pathology 57(4):426-427, April 1, 2004

[Eugene Garfield]

T.M. REYNOLDS : tim.reynolds at queens.burtonh-tr.wmids.nhs.uk

TITLE :  Does activity in research correlate with visibility?
AUTHOR:  Renolds TM, Wierzbicki AS
JOURNAL: Journal of Clinical Pathology 57(4) :426-427, April 1, 2004

Author Address : TM Reynolds, Queens Hospital, Dept. Clin Chem, Belvededere
Road   Burton Upon Trent DE13 ORB, Staffs, England



EXCERPTS :
Background :
A previous survey has highlighted the fact that most individuals in
chemical pathology identifiable from specialist society membership failed
to publish material in Medline cited journals during a five year period.
It could be considered that published research that is not cited in other
work is not useful unless it has achieved visibility, as demonstrated by
citation in another research publication.

Aims: To determine whether the frequency of research publication is
associated with research visibility.

Methods: A random selection from the previous survey was investigated to
determine whether the frequency of research publication is associated with
research visibility.

Results: There was a logarithmic relation between the frequency of
publication and visibility, with an increasing probability of citation as
publication frequency increases.

Conclusions: If academic activity is to survive then individuals must stay
active in research; this requires a continuing commitment to a tradition of
support for individuals at all stages of their careers engaging in research.

Take Home Messages:
-  In chemical pathology, more active researchers produce work with a
higher impact factor and citation rate than relatively inactive researchers.
- The use of citation rates and journal impact factors is a common but
inappropriate way of judging the quality of research, although these
measures are used by grant funding bodies and university departments.
- If academic activity is to survive, then individuals must stay active in
research; This requires a continuing commitment to a tradition of support
for individuals of all stages of their careers engaging in research.