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Retracted articles in oncology in the last three decades: frequency, reasons, and themes

Author

Listed:
  • Behzad Gholampour

    (University of Tehran)

  • Sajad Gholampour

    (Kharazmi University)

  • Alireza Noruzi

    (University of Tehran)

  • Clément Arsenault

    (Université de Montréal)

  • Thomas Haertlé

    (Institut National de La Recherche Agronomique)

  • Ali Akbar Saboury

    (University of Tehran)

Abstract

The field of oncology is the main field in medicine with a high rate of retraction. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the trends of retracted publications in oncology, evaluating their bibliographic characteristics and the reasons for the retraction of articles. The research was conducted specifically using a scientometric approach and relying on scientific visualization techniques, where Bibliometrix R Package Software was used to analyze the data. The present research results imply that the number of retracted articles in oncology has increased since 1995. Moreover, the results reveal that China, the United States (US), Japan, Iran, and Italy are the countries in which the number of such articles compared to all other countries is the largest. Analysis of topics covered in such articles shows that the majority of retracted articles in oncology have been associated with apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, migration, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer, and were found most abundantly in two journals: Tumor Biology and Cancer Research. The principal reasons for retractions were: Investigation by Journal/Publisher, Duplication of Image, Fake Peer Review, Investigation by Company/Institution, and Concerns/Issues About Data. Reviewing the reasons why articles have been retracted is important information for editors and editorial boards of oncology journals, related researchers, and policymakers in this field, which could prevent effectively similar events and their adverse consequences in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Behzad Gholampour & Sajad Gholampour & Alireza Noruzi & Clément Arsenault & Thomas Haertlé & Ali Akbar Saboury, 2022. "Retracted articles in oncology in the last three decades: frequency, reasons, and themes," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(4), pages 1841-1865, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:127:y:2022:i:4:d:10.1007_s11192-022-04305-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-022-04305-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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