Loria A, Arroyo P "Language and country preponderance trends in MEDLINE and its causes " JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 93 (3): 381-385 JUL 2005

Eugene Garfield eugene.garfield at THOMSON.COM
Thu Oct 6 16:38:50 EDT 2005


A. LORIA : aloria at quetzal.innsz.mx, parroyo at funsalud.org.mx


Title: Language and country preponderance trends in MEDLINE and its causes

Author(s): Loria A, Arroyo P

Source: JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 93 (3): 381-385 JUL 2005

Document Type: Article   Language: English
Cited References: 9      Times Cited: 0

Abstract: Objective: The authors characterized the output of MEDLINE papers
by language and country of publication during a thirty-four-year time
period.
Methods: We classified MEDLINE's journal articles by country of publication
(Anglos/Non-Anglos) and language (English/Non-English) for the years 1966
and from 1970 to 2000 at five-year intervals. Eight English-speaking
countries were considered Anglos. Linear regression analysis of number of
papers versus time was performed.

Results: The global number of papers increased linearly at a rate of 8, 142
papers per year. Anglo and English papers also increased linearly (6,740
and 9,199, respectively). journals of Non-Anglo countries accounted for 25%
of the English language increase (2,438 per year). Only Non-English papers
decreased at a rate of 1,056 fewer papers per year. These trends have led
to overwhelming shares of English and Anglo papers in MEDLINE. In 2000, 68%
of all papers were published in the 8 Anglo countries and 90% were written
in English.

Conclusions: The Anglo and English preponderances appear to be a
consequence of at least two phenomena: (1) editorial policy changes in
MEDLINE and in some journals from Non-Anglo countries and (2) factors
affecting Non-Anglo researchers in the third world (publication
constraints, migration, and undersupport). These are tentative conclusions
that need confirmation.

Addresses: Loria A (reprint author), Inst Nacl Ciencias Med & Nutr Salvador
Zubiran, Vasco Quiroga 15, Mexico City, DF 14000 Mexico
Inst Nacl Ciencias Med & Nutr Salvador Zubiran, Mexico City, DF 14000 Mexico
Fdn Mexicana Salud, Mexico City, DF 14610 Mexico

E-mail Addresses: aloria at quetzal.innsz.mx, parroyo at funsalud.org.mx

Publisher: MEDICAL LIBRARY ASSOC, 65 EAST WACKER PLACE, STE 1900, CHICAGO,
IL 60601-7298 USA
Subject Category: INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE
IDS Number: 948GU

ISSN: 1536-5050

Cited References: 2004, TIME, V163, P32.
BUNOUT D, 1998, REV MED CHILE, V126, P677.
EGGER M, 1997, LANCET, V350, P326.
ESCANDON MAS, 2000, ARCH ESPAN UROL, V53, P93.
GARFIELD E, 1998, REV INVEST CLIN, V50, P497.
LORIA A, 2000, MATERN CHILD HLTH J, V4, P59.
MOHER D, 1996, LANCET, V347, P363.
PETITTI DB, 2000, META ANAL DECISION A, P55.
SUTTON AJ, 2000, METHODS METANALYSIS.



More information about the SIGMETRICS mailing list