Predictors of citations in the urological literature

[Eugene Garfield]

Predictors of citations in the urological literature

Author(s): Willis, DL (Willis, Daniel L.); Bahler, CD (Bahler, Clint D.); Neuberger, 
MM (Neuberger, Molly M.); Dahm, P (Dahm, Philipp)

Source: BJU INTERNATIONAL  Volume: 107  Issue: 12  Pages: 1876-1880  DOI: 
10.1111/j.1464-410X.2010.10028.x  Published: JUN 2011  

Abstract: To assess the factors associated with increased citation rates in the 
urological literature by reviewing articles published in the four major urological 
journals to help authors improve the impact of their work. A random sample of 
200 original research articles published between January and June 2004 was 
analysed from The Journal of Urology, Urology, European Urology and BJU 
International. Study information was abstracted by two independent reviewers 
and citation counts within 4 years of publication were collected using Web of 
ScienceTM. Study characteristics and citation rates were analysed using 
median and interquartile ranges (IQRs), and logistic regression analysis was 
used to evaluate which factors predicted greater citation rates. The overall 
median number of citations per published article was 6.0 (IQR 3-12). After 
univariate analysis, we found that study design, study topic, continent of origin 
and sample size were associated with greater median citation rates. In a 
multivariate linear regression model, study design and study topic (oncology) 
predicted increased citation rates. Randomized controlled trials were cited a 
median of 13.5 times and were the strongest predictor of citation rates with an 
odds ratio of 115.5 (95% confidence interval 9.4-1419.6). Citation rates are 
associated with study design and study topic in the urological literature. 
Authors may improve the impact of their work by designing clinical studies with 
greater methodological safeguards against bias.

Language: English
Document Type: Review
Author Keywords: citation analysis; citation; self-citation; journal impact 
factor; urology; bibliometrics
KeyWords Plus: IMPACT FACTORS; JOURNALS; QUALITY; ARTICLES; RATES

Addresses: [Dahm, P] Univ Florida, Coll Med, Hlth Sci Ctr, Dept Urol, Gainesville, 
FL 32610 USA
[Bahler, CD] Indiana Univ, Sch Med, Dept Neurol, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
Reprint Address: Dahm, P (reprint author), Univ Florida, Coll Med, Hlth Sci Ctr, 
Dept Urol, Box 100247,Room N-203, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA

E-mail Address: p.dahm at urology.ufl.edu
ISSN: 1464-4096
URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1464-
410X.2010.10028.x/abstract