Masters theses from a university medical college: publication in indexed scientific journals

The thesis is an integral part of postgraduate medical education in India. Publication of the results of the thesis in an indexed journal is desirable; it validates the research and makes results available to researchers worldwide.

To determine publication rates in indexed journals, of works derived from theses, and factors affecting publication.

Postgraduate theses submitted over a five-year period (2001-05) in a university medical college were analyzed in a retrospective, observational study.

Data retrieved included name and gender of postgraduate student, names, department and hierarchy of supervisor and co-supervisor(s), year submitted, study design, sample size, and statistically significant difference between groups. To determine subsequent publication in an indexed journal, Medline search was performed up to December 2007.

Chi square test was used to compare publication rates based on categorical variables; Student's t-test was used to compare differences based on continuous variables.

One hundred and sixty theses were retrieved, forty-eight (30%) were published. Papers were published 8-74 (33.7+/-17.33) months after thesis submission; the postgraduate student was first author in papers from 26 (54%) of the published theses. Gender of the student, department of origin, year of thesis submission, hierarchy of the supervisor, number and department of co-supervisors, and thesis characteristics did not influence publication rates.

Rate of publication in indexed journals, of papers derived from postgraduate theses is 30%. In this study we were unable to identify factors that promote publication.