A citation analysis of Cochrane systematic reviews in Chinese Science Citation Database

Article type
Authors
Chen Y1, Wei D2, Li J2, Xu H2, Zhu S2
1Evidence-Based Medicine Center of Lanzhou University, China
2School of Basic Medical Sciences of Lanzhou University, China
Abstract
Background: Although The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews has an Impact Factor of 5.653 and is ranked 11th out of 132 in the ISI category, 'Medicine, General & Internal,á in 2009, we know little about citation of Cochrane systematic reviews in Chinese articles.

Objectives: To investigate the citation of Cochrane systematic reviews in Chinese articles.

Methods: We searched the Chinese Science Citation Database (CSCD) using the term 'Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviewsá from sources cited. Then we screened all relevant papers.

Results: There were 1184 Cochrane Systematic Reviews cited by 1403 Chinese papers which were published in 191 medical journals. The total citations are 2005 and citation per paper is 1.7. The most cited paper is 'Nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessationá (12 times). The top three citing journals are Chinese Journal of Evidence Based Medicine, Chinese Journal of Practical Gynecology and Obstetrics, and Chinese Journal of Clinical Rehabilitation, which have cited more than 500 CSRs.

Conclusions: Citation per paper of The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in China is only a third of the average number. It is necessary to further promote the dissemination and utilization of Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in China.