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Comparing Bibliometric Analysis Using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Databases
Published on: October 24, 2019
Does open access in ophthalmology affect how articles are subsequently cited in research?
Van C Lansingh1, Marissa J Carter
1Fundacion Vision, Asuncion, Paraguay.
Ophthalmology
|June 24, 2009
Summary
Open access articles in ophthalmology receive more citations initially, but access type does not significantly impact citation counts when other factors are considered. This suggests open access has not yet influenced citation practices in this specific field.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Bibliometrics
- Scientific Publishing
Background:
- Open access (OA) publishing models are increasingly prevalent in scientific research.
- Understanding the impact of OA on citation rates is crucial for evaluating research dissemination and influence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether open access (OA) publishing affects the citation frequency of articles within the field of ophthalmology.
- To compare citation counts of OA articles versus closed-access (subscription-based) articles in ophthalmology.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis was conducted on 480 open access and 415 closed access ophthalmology articles across four key subject areas (cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, refractive errors).
- Citation data were collected using Scopus and Google search engines.
- Factors such as author number, publication region, article type, language, and funding were analyzed alongside access type using univariate general linear models (GLM).
- A control protocol involving matched journals was implemented to validate findings.
Main Results:
- Initially, open access articles showed significantly higher citation counts in both Scopus and Google searches compared to closed access articles.
- However, GLM analysis revealed that OA status was not a significant predictor of citation count.
- Article characteristics including author number, country/region of publication, subject area, language, and funding were significant factors influencing citations.
- A control protocol found no significant difference in Scopus citations between OA and closed access articles.
Conclusions:
- Despite initial higher citation counts, open access has not demonstrated a significant independent effect on the citation rates of ophthalmology articles.
- Factors beyond access type, such as publication venue and research characteristics, appear to be more influential in determining citation impact in ophthalmology.
- The findings suggest that, unlike in some other scientific fields, OA has not yet substantially altered citation dynamics within ophthalmology literature.
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