Article type
Year
Abstract
Background:
The impact factor of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) is calculated and published as part of the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) by a commercial company, Thomson Reuters, each year in June. From 2007 to 2010, the impact factor of the CDSR increased by an average of 10% annually but in 2011 and 2012 the Impact Factor decreased. A number of strategies have been considered to improve the impact factor of the CDSR but some go against the organisation policies of Cochrane, or are just not applicable to the CDSR.
Objectives:
To establish whether subsequent versions of the highest cited Cochrane Reviews received an equally high number of cites. To see how many of the highest cited Cochrane Reviews have been updated in accordance with the policy on updating Cochrane Reviews from The Cochrane Editorial and Publishing Policy Resource (1).
Methods:
A sample of the highest cited Cochrane Reviews and any subsequent updates to the reviews will be identified using ISI Web of Science. Citation data from Web of Science will be exported and analysed. Cochrane Review Groups will be consulted by email to provide background on the sample of reviews chosen.
Results:
An average number of citations received per month will be provided for the most highly cited Cochrane Reviews and subsequent versions of these reviews. If subsequent versions are found to not be as highly cited, what are the reasons or factors that may have influenced the lower number of cites received?
Conclusions:
Conclusions will be drawn from the analysis of the citation data.
1. http://www.cochrane.org/editorial-and-publishing-policy-resource/cochrane-review-updates
The impact factor of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) is calculated and published as part of the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) by a commercial company, Thomson Reuters, each year in June. From 2007 to 2010, the impact factor of the CDSR increased by an average of 10% annually but in 2011 and 2012 the Impact Factor decreased. A number of strategies have been considered to improve the impact factor of the CDSR but some go against the organisation policies of Cochrane, or are just not applicable to the CDSR.
Objectives:
To establish whether subsequent versions of the highest cited Cochrane Reviews received an equally high number of cites. To see how many of the highest cited Cochrane Reviews have been updated in accordance with the policy on updating Cochrane Reviews from The Cochrane Editorial and Publishing Policy Resource (1).
Methods:
A sample of the highest cited Cochrane Reviews and any subsequent updates to the reviews will be identified using ISI Web of Science. Citation data from Web of Science will be exported and analysed. Cochrane Review Groups will be consulted by email to provide background on the sample of reviews chosen.
Results:
An average number of citations received per month will be provided for the most highly cited Cochrane Reviews and subsequent versions of these reviews. If subsequent versions are found to not be as highly cited, what are the reasons or factors that may have influenced the lower number of cites received?
Conclusions:
Conclusions will be drawn from the analysis of the citation data.
1. http://www.cochrane.org/editorial-and-publishing-policy-resource/cochrane-review-updates