Fraser, VJ; Martin, JG "Marketing data: Has the rise of impact factor led to the fall of objective language in the scientific article? " RESPIRATORY RESEARCH 10. MAY 11 2009. p.NIL_1-NIL_5 BIOMED CENTRAL LTD, LONDON

[eugene garfield]

=========================================
Email: Véronique J Fraser - veronique_fraser at hotmail.com; 
James G Martin* - james.martin at mcgill.ca
* Corresponding author

TITLE: Marketing data: Has the rise of impact factor led to the           
fall of objective language in the scientific article?                  

AUTHOR:Fraser, VJ; Martin, JG 

SOURCE : RESPIRATORY RESEARCH 10. MAY 11 2009. p.NIL_1-NIL_5               
BIOMED CENTRAL LTD, LONDON 

ABSTRACT:       The language of science should be objective and detached 
and should place data in the appropriate context. The aim of this 
commentary was to explore the notion that recent trends in the use of 
language have led to a loss of objectivity in the presentation of 
scientific data. The relationship between the value-laden vocabulary and 
impact factor among fundamental biomedical research and clinical journals 
has been explored. It appears that fundamental research journals of high 
impact factors have experienced a rise in value-laden terms in the past 
25 years.

Conclusion
The increased use of biased words provides an interesting
locus for a discussion on the changing trends in publication
and the increasing pressure felt by authors today.
While we hesitate to suggest that the latter is responsible
for the former we are confident in the assertion that the
use of biased words in a scientific manuscript does not
serve a useful purpose. The readership is unlikely to
require orientation to ensure that pivotal and central
observations pass unrecognized inadvertently. On the
contrary, language that exaggerates the importance of
findings may fuel skepticism and alienate the reader. Perhaps
journals should encourage more modest claims on
the part of the authors and encourage a return to objectivity.
To end at the beginning; "The numbers and not their
interpretation, must speak for themselves."

AUTHOR ADDRESS: JG Martin, McGill Univ, Meakins Christie Labs, Montreal, 
                PQ, Canada 


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