This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS
Authorship trends in the surgical literature. BJS 2010; 97: 1304-1308.
Published: 16th June 2010
Authors: R. W. Glynn, M. J. Kerin, K. J. Sweeney
Background
Authorship is increasingly influential in career progression and academic promotion. This study aimed to examine authorship trends in surgical titles between 1998 and 2008, and to compare these trends with those in general medicine publications.
Method
Clinical trials published in high‐impact medical and surgical titles were identified. The number of authors associated with these studies and trends over time were analysed using PubReMiner™. Trends were then compared between titles with and without author contribution forms (ACFs). Author numbers in top‐cited articles were correlated with citation rates.
Results
Some 6290 trials involving 54 120 different authorships were identified. A significant difference was found between authorship numbers associated with clinical trials in medicine versus those in surgery (P = 0·003). Introduction of ACFs did not influence the number of authors per trial (P = 0·670). The top 100 most highly cited articles accounted for 114 935 citations; author number correlated with subsequent citation rate (r = 0·26, P = 0·011).
Conclusion
Author numbers have increased in the past decade, in both medical and surgical journals. Although medical output is associated with significantly higher levels of authorship, the difference cannot be explained by complexity of research alone. Copyright © 2010 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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