Gami AS, Montori VA, Wilczynski NL, Haynes RB "Author self-citation in the diabetes literature" CANADIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION JOURNAL 170 (13): 1925-1927 JUN 22 2004

[Eugene Garfield]

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Apoor S. Gami : gami.apoor at mayo.edu

Title    : Author self-citation in the diabetes literature
Author(s): Gami AS, Montori VA, Wilczynski NL, Haynes RB
Source   : CANADIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION JOURNAL
           170 (13): 1925-1927 JUN 22 2004

Abstract:
Background: Author self-citation is the practice of citing one's previous
publications in a new publication. Its extent is unknown. We studied author
self-citation, choosing the major clinical field of diabetes mellitus to
represent the general medical literature.

Methods: We identified every article about diabetes mellitus in 170
hand-searched clinical journals published in 2000. For every article, we
recorded the bibliographic citation an publication type (original or review
article) and assessed the methodologic rigour. Citation information was
obtained from the ISI Web of Knowledge in April 2003.

Results: Of 49 028 articles, 289 were about diabetes mellitus and had
citation information. Citation counts ranged from 0 to 347 (median 6,
interquartile range [IQR] 2-12). Author self-citation counts ranged from 0
to 16 (median 1, IQR 0-2). Author self-citations accounted for an average of
18% (95% confidence interval [CI] 15%-21%) and a median of 7% (95% CI
5%-11%) of all citations of each publication that was cited at least once (n
= 266). Original articles had double the mean proportion of author
self-citations compared with review articles (19% v. 9%; median 7% v. 0%,
difference 7%, 95% CI 0-10%). Methodologic rigour and review type were not
significantly associated with subsequent author self-citation.

Interpretation: Nearly one-fifth of all citations to articles about diabetes
mellitus in clinical journals in the year 2000 were author self-citations.
The frequency of self-citation was not associated with the quality of
publications. These findings are likely applicable to the general clinical
medicine literature and may have important implications for the assessment
of journal or publication importance and the process of scientific discovery.


Addresses: Gami AS (reprint author), Mayo Clin, Div Cardiovasc Dis, Dept
Internal Med, Coll Med, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
Mayo Clin, Div Cardiovasc Dis, Dept Internal Med, Coll Med, Rochester, MN
55905 USA
McMaster Univ, Dept Clin Epidemiol & Biostat, Hamilton, ON Canada
McMaster Univ, Dept Med, Hamilton, ON Canada

E-mail Addresses: gami.apoor at mayo.edu

Publisher: CANADIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, 1867 ALTA VISTA DR, OTTAWA, ONTARIO
K1G 3Y6, CANADA

IDS Number: 833LL
ISSN: 0820-3946

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