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Author Self-Citation in the General Medicine Literature

Author

Listed:
  • Abhaya V Kulkarni
  • Brittany Aziz
  • Iffat Shams
  • Jason W Busse

Abstract

Background: Author self-citation contributes to the overall citation count of an article and the impact factor of the journal in which it appears. Little is known, however, about the extent of self-citation in the general clinical medicine literature. The objective of this study was to determine the extent and temporal pattern of author self-citation and the article characteristics associated with author self-citation. Methodology/Principal Findings: We performed a retrospective cohort study of articles published in three high impact general medical journals (JAMA, Lancet, and New England Journal of Medicine) between October 1, 1999 and March 31, 2000. We retrieved the number and percentage of author self-citations received by the article since publication, as of June 2008, from the Scopus citation database. Several article characteristics were extracted by two blinded, independent reviewers for each article in the cohort and analyzed in multivariable linear regression analyses. Since publication, author self-citations accounted for 6.5% (95% confidence interval 6.3–6.7%) of all citations received by the 328 articles in our sample. Self-citation peaked in 2002, declining annually thereafter. Studies with more authors, in cardiovascular medicine or infectious disease, and with smaller sample size were associated with more author self-citations and higher percentage of author self-citation (all p≤0.01). Conclusions/Significance: Approximately 1 in 15 citations of articles in high-profile general medicine journals are author self-citations. Self-citation peaks within about 2 years of publication and disproportionately affects impact factor. Studies most vulnerable to this effect are those with more authors, small sample size, and in cardiovascular medicine or infectious disease.

Suggested Citation

  • Abhaya V Kulkarni & Brittany Aziz & Iffat Shams & Jason W Busse, 2011. "Author Self-Citation in the General Medicine Literature," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(6), pages 1-5, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0020885
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020885
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stephen M. Lawani, 1982. "On the Heterogeneity and Classification of Author Self‐Citations," Journal of the American Society for Information Science, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 33(5), pages 281-284, September.
    2. Abhaya V Kulkarni & Jason W Busse & Iffat Shams, 2007. "Characteristics Associated with Citation Rate of the Medical Literature," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 2(5), pages 1-5, May.
    3. Dag W. Aksnes, 2003. "A macro study of self-citation," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 56(2), pages 235-246, February.
    4. Ken Hyland, 2003. "Self‐citation and self‐reference: Credibility and promotion in academic publication," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 54(3), pages 251-259, February.
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