Borry P, Schotsmans P, Dierickx K "Empirical research in bioethical journals. A quantitative analysis " JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 32 (4): 240-245 APR 1 2006

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Addresses: Pascal.Borry at med.kuleuven.be

Title: Empirical research in bioethical journals. A quantitative analysis

Author(s): Borry P, Schotsmans P, Dierickx K

Source: JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 32 (4): 240-245 APR 1 2006

Document Type: Article    Language: English
Cited References: 24      Times Cited: 0

Abstract:
Objectives: The objective of this research is to analyse the evolution and
nature of published empirical research in the fields of medical ethics and
bioethics.
Design: Retrospective quantitative study of nine peer reviewed journals in
the field of bioethics and medical ethics ( Bioethics, Cambridge Quarterly
of Healthcare Ethics, Hastings Center Report, Journal of Clinical Ethics,
Journal of Medical Ethics, Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal, Nursing
Ethics, Christian Bioethics, and Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics).

Results: In total, 4029 articles published between 1990 and 2003 were
retrieved from the journals studied. Over this period, 435 ( 10.8%)
studies used an empirical design. The highest percentage of empirical
research articles appeared in Nursing Ethics ( n = 145, 39.5%), followed
by the Journal of Medical Ethics ( n = 128, 16.8%) and the Journal of
Clinical Ethics ( n = 93, 15.4%). These three journals account for 84.1%
of all empirical research in bioethics published in this period. The
results of the x 2 test for two independent samples for the entire dataset
indicate that the period 1997 - 2003 presented a higher number of
empirical studies ( n = 309) than did the period 1990 - 1996 ( n = 126).
This increase is statistically significant ( x 2 = 49.0264, p,. 0001).
Most empirical studies employed a quantitative paradigm ( 64.6%, n = 281).
The main topic of research was prolongation of life and euthanasia ( n =
68).

Conclusions: We conclude that the proportion of empirical research in the
nine journals increased steadily from 5.4% in 1990 to 15.4% in 2003. It is
likely that the importance of empirical methods in medical ethics and
bioethics will continue to increase.

Addresses: Borry P (reprint author), Katholieke Univ Leuven, Ctr Biomed
Eth & Law, Kapucijnenvoer 35-3, Louvain, B-3000 Belgium
Katholieke Univ Leuven, Ctr Biomed Eth & Law, Louvain, B-3000 Belgium

E-mail Addresses: Pascal.Borry at med.kuleuven.be

Publisher: B M J PUBLISHING GROUP, BRITISH MED ASSOC HOUSE, TAVISTOCK
SQUARE, LONDON WC1H 9JR, ENGLAND
Subject Category: SOCIAL SCIENCES, BIOMEDICAL; ETHICS; MEDICAL ETHICS;
SOCIAL ISSUES
IDS Number: 027HU

ISSN: 0306-6800

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