Cohen, JE; Chaiton, MO; Planinac, LC. 2010. Taking Stock A Bibliometric Analysis of the Focus of Tobacco Research from the 1980s to the 2000s. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE 39 (4): 352-356

[Eugene Garfield]

Cohen, JE; Chaiton, MO; Planinac, LC. 2010. Taking Stock A Bibliometric 
Analysis of the Focus of Tobacco Research from the 1980s to the 2000s. 
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE 39 (4): 352-356..

Author Full Name(s): Cohen, Joanna E.; Chaiton, Michael O.; Planinac, Lynn C.
Language: English
Document Type: Article
KeyWords Plus: ALCOHOL; MODEL; DRUG

Abstract: Background: Little is known about the body of tobacco research as a 
whole.
Purpose: This paper examines the changes in literature focus (1980s to 2000s) 
and identifies areas in need of increased attention.
Methods: Tobacco articles randomly selected from searches of the MEDLINE 
and Web of Science databases were coded according to (1) epidemiologic 
framework component; (2) study focus; and (3) form of tobacco. Frequencies, 
cross-tabulations, and tests of proportions were conducted. The analysis was 
conducted in 2009.
Results: From the 1980s to the 2000s, there was a significant decrease in 
tobacco-related articles focusing on the "agent" and an increase in articles 
focusing on the "host." Few articles in either decade focused on the 
"environment" or on the "vector" (<10%). The percentage of study foci 
addressing health effects decreased, whereas prevalence/use and cessation 
foci increased. Approximately two thirds of articles focused on the cigarette.
Conclusions: The nature of tobacco research has shifted from examining the 
links between cigarettes and disease to understanding why people smoke and 
how to help them quit. Proportionately more research could focus on the 
environment and vector components of the epidemiologic framework, to expand 
strategies for reducing tobacco-related disease. (Am J Prev Med 
2010;39(4):352-356) (C) 2010 American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Addresses: [Cohen, Joanna E.; Chaiton, Michael O.; Planinac, Lynn C.] Ontario 
Tobacco Res Unit, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; [Cohen, Joanna E.; Chaiton, 
Michael O.] Univ Toronto, Dalla Lana Sch Publ Hlth, Toronto, ON, Canada; 
[Cohen, Joanna E.] Ctr Addict & Mental Hlth, Toronto, ON, Canada
Reprint Address: Cohen, JE, Ontario Tobacco Res Unit, 33 Russell St T5, 
Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada.

E-mail Address: joanna_cohen at camh.net
ISSN: 0749-3797
DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2010.06.003
URL (not open access): http://www.ajpm-online.net/article/S0749-
3797(10)00400-9/abstract