Mohammad Javad Alemokhtar; Mohammad Ali Boroumand; Iraj Parsaei; Maryam Ghafouri
Volume 13, Issue 3 , September 2016, , Pages 197-202
Abstract
Introduction: An important aspect in the evaluation of scientific and research products is citation. Yet, a percentage of citations consist of self-citations, which, when employed excessively, although increases the impact factor (IF), leads to the demotion of journals. This study aimed to investigate ...
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Introduction: An important aspect in the evaluation of scientific and research products is citation. Yet, a percentage of citations consist of self-citations, which, when employed excessively, although increases the impact factor (IF), leads to the demotion of journals. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between self-citation and impact factor in Iranian journals indexed in the journal citation reports (JCR) of the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI).Methods: This applied survey was conducted using document analysis method. Samples included 44 Iranian journals indexed in JCR of ISI by the end of 2014. The data were collected via filtrated output for Iran from the ISI database. Data analysis was performed using Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS software.Results: The 44 studied journals had 6004 citations (mean = 136.45). Moreover, 43.18% of the journals showed a rate of 21%-69% self-citation, to the extent that after removing the rate, their impact factor decreased significantly. Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a direct significant relation between self-citations and IF (P < 0.001).Conclusion: The self-citation rate of the studied journals is rising in ISI. There is a direct correlation between their self-citation rate and IF. Although self-citation is to some extent acceptable, its sharp increase will result in the devaluation and deterioration of the journal. It is suggested that in order to increase real citation of journals, the use of improper methods to increase IF are avoided, and instead, studies are shared on international scientific networks.
Mohammad Javad Alemokhtar; Akbar Aghababaei; Sadegh Almasi; Mohammad Reza Maracy
Volume 11, Issue 7 , December 2014, , Pages 954-962
Abstract
Introduction: Information is one of the major strategic resources of development, but it is considered valuable only when it is efficient. The current study was conducted to determine the citation rate of scientific research conducted in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Scopus databases. Methods: ...
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Introduction: Information is one of the major strategic resources of development, but it is considered valuable only when it is efficient. The current study was conducted to determine the citation rate of scientific research conducted in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Scopus databases. Methods: This descriptive research was done on all scientific articles (1830 documents) indexed in SCOPUS between 2003-2010 using citation analysis. The data collection instrument was considering search results of the documents. To analyze the data, the following approaches were used: 1) result analysis through ‘analyze results’ tab at the Scopus 2) SPSS. Descriptive statistical indexes were used to present the findings. Results: the results indicated that 1830 documents had been indexed in Scopus under the name of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences through 2003 to 2010.These had received a citation rate of 4129 with an average of 2/33 times for each documents received .Ten authors were most frequently cited ,the first with an average citation rate of 47 and the tenth with 8.4.Dentistry was the least cited subject and veterinary the most(6.2 citations) and self-citation was observed only in 16.49% of the documents indexed. Conclusion: The result of this study indicated that the citation mean for scientific articles of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences is more than twice the total number of documents indexed in Scopus. The results also indicated that the amount of articles produced by every author did not affect the citation rate; some authors with a few articles had received a high rate of citation. A common field of study like veterinary received the highest citation rate and major fields received the lowest citation rates. It could be stated that the increase in scientific articles of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences on one hand and the increase in their citation rate on the other indicates a quantitative and qualitative progress. Key words: Citation; Databases; Scientometrics.
Mohammadreza Hashemian; Mohammadjavad Alemokhtar; Akbar Hasanzadeh
Volume 10, Issue 2 , July 2013
Abstract
Introduction: According to Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), information literacy is defined as a set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information". ACRL provides "Information ...
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Introduction: According to Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), information literacy is defined as a set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information". ACRL provides "Information literacy competency standards for higher education". The purpose of this study was to evaluate the medical student information literacy competency of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Methods: This was an analytical-descriptive study. Total of 150 medical students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences participated in the study. The data were collected by information literacy questionnaire based on "information literacy competency standards for higher education", according to a PhD thesis. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire have been previously confirmed. Results: The mean score of students were significantly up to 50 and bellow 100 in all the standards (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between male and female students in all the standards (P > 0.05). There was a significant difference between students in various levels of education in standards 1 and 5; however, there was no significant difference in standards 2, 3 and 4 (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Self-examination can be one of the reasons affecting the findings; because the means were significantly up to the moderate level. On the other hand, reaching the upper level of information literacy skills needs information literacy training and relationship between students and faculty members. Keywords: Information Literacy; Students; Standards; Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
