Article type
Abstract
Background: Evidence synthesis is pivotal for informing healthcare policies and practices, especially in a country like China facing significant healthcare challenges. Developing local expertise in evidence synthesis is thus imperative.
Objective: This study aims to assess the evolving landscape of evidence synthesis capacity in China and identify key institutions driving regional capacity-building efforts. Employing a network perspective, we examine the positioning of Chinese institutions within the evidence synthesis ecosystem as an indicator of research capacity.
Methods: We systematically identified 3217 evidence synthesis publications authored by Chinese researchers between 2013 and 2024 from the Web of Science Core Collection, involving 2453 institutions. Utilizing co-authorship data, we constructed longitudinal institution-level collaboration networks. Social network analysis was applied to evaluate institutions' connectivity, intra- and interregional collaboration tendencies, and identify pivotal institutions based on degree and betweenness centrality. Additionally, we explored the structure and composition of their local network neighborhoods.
Results: Over the past decade, there has been a substantial increase in the number of Chinese institutions engaged in evidence synthesis, growing from 35 in 2013 to 115 in 2024, alongside a surge in publications involving Chinese authors. Connectivity among Chinese institutions within the evidence synthesis ecosystem has also witnessed significant improvement. While collaboration with international partners remains prevalent, there is a discernible trend towards increased intra-regional collaboration among Chinese institutions. Seven institutions emerged as central nodes in China's evidence synthesis collaboration networks between 2013 and 2024, indicating a propensity for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Conclusion: The establishment of regionally-focused network-building initiatives would facilitate the formation of communities of practice and foster inter-institutional collaboration, thereby strengthening research capacities in evidence synthesis across China. Furthermore, this study underscores the utility of network analysis as a valuable tool for assessing the effectiveness of capacity-building strategies and programs in the context of evidence synthesis research in China.
Objective: This study aims to assess the evolving landscape of evidence synthesis capacity in China and identify key institutions driving regional capacity-building efforts. Employing a network perspective, we examine the positioning of Chinese institutions within the evidence synthesis ecosystem as an indicator of research capacity.
Methods: We systematically identified 3217 evidence synthesis publications authored by Chinese researchers between 2013 and 2024 from the Web of Science Core Collection, involving 2453 institutions. Utilizing co-authorship data, we constructed longitudinal institution-level collaboration networks. Social network analysis was applied to evaluate institutions' connectivity, intra- and interregional collaboration tendencies, and identify pivotal institutions based on degree and betweenness centrality. Additionally, we explored the structure and composition of their local network neighborhoods.
Results: Over the past decade, there has been a substantial increase in the number of Chinese institutions engaged in evidence synthesis, growing from 35 in 2013 to 115 in 2024, alongside a surge in publications involving Chinese authors. Connectivity among Chinese institutions within the evidence synthesis ecosystem has also witnessed significant improvement. While collaboration with international partners remains prevalent, there is a discernible trend towards increased intra-regional collaboration among Chinese institutions. Seven institutions emerged as central nodes in China's evidence synthesis collaboration networks between 2013 and 2024, indicating a propensity for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Conclusion: The establishment of regionally-focused network-building initiatives would facilitate the formation of communities of practice and foster inter-institutional collaboration, thereby strengthening research capacities in evidence synthesis across China. Furthermore, this study underscores the utility of network analysis as a valuable tool for assessing the effectiveness of capacity-building strategies and programs in the context of evidence synthesis research in China.