Littner Y, Mimouni FB, Dollberg S, Mandel D "Negative results and impact factor - A lesson from neonatology " ARCHIVES OF PEDIATRICS & ADOLESCENT MEDICINE 159 (11): 1036-1037 NOV 2005

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail address:
Shaul Dollberg : dollberg at tasmc.health.gov.il

Title: Negative results and impact factor - A lesson from neonatology

Author(s): Littner Y, Mimouni FB, Dollberg S, Mandel D

Source: ARCHIVES OF PEDIATRICS & ADOLESCENT MEDICINE 159 (11): 1036-1037
NOV 2005

Document Type: Article    Language: English
Cited References: 11      Times Cited: 0

Abstract:
Objective: To test the hypothesis that articles with negative results are
more likely than articles with positive results to be published in journals
with lower impact factor.

Design and Setting: We selected all of the randomized, placebo-controlled
trials conducted during the neonatal period between October 1, 1998, and
October 1, 2003. Trials were classified as having positive results or
negative results (significant or no significant difference, respectively).
Only studies dealing with primary outcomes (efficacy) were included.
Main Outcome Measures: The impact factor of each journal was determined,
and the sample size for each study was noted.

Results: There were 233 articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria.
There was a significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of impact
factor (P=.03) but not sample size (P=.30). Impact factor correlated with
both sample size and the type of study results (positive results vs
negative results; P <.05).

Addresses: Dollberg S (reprint author), Tel Aviv Univ, Dept Neonatol, Tel
Aviv Sourasky Med Ctr, Lis Matern Hosp, 6 Weitzman St, Tel Aviv, IL-64239
Israel
Tel Aviv Univ, Dept Neonatol, Tel Aviv Sourasky Med Ctr, Lis Matern Hosp,
Tel Aviv, IL-64239 Israel
Tel Aviv Univ, Sackler Fac Med, Tel Aviv, IL-64239 Israel

E-mail Addresses: dollberg at tasmc.health.gov.il

Publisher: AMER MEDICAL ASSOC, 515 N STATE ST, CHICAGO, IL 60610-0946 USA
Subject Category: PEDIATRICS
IDS Number: 980XK
ISSN: 1072-4710

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