A bibliometric analysis of Tzu Chi Foundation’s research publications using the web of science from 1990 to 2023

Abstract

Background: The Tzu Chi Foundation, a prominent Buddhist non-profit organization, has significantly contributed to global humanitarian efforts and academic research. However, its scholarly output has not been comprehensively analyzed. Aim of the study: This bibliometric study aimed to analyze the research publications of individuals affiliated with the Tzu Chi academic community, indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) from 1991 to 2023. Material and methods: Data were extracted from the Science Citation Index Expanded edition of the WoS Core Collection. Publications with authors affiliated with Tzu Chi institutions were identified using relevant keywords. Only original articles were included. Bibliometric indicators were assessed using Bibliometrix 4.1 and VOSviewer 1.6.20. Results: A total of 9,510 original articles were published by Tzu Chi affiliates between 1991 and 2023, showing an annual growth rate of 18.7%. The most frequent subject categories were “general and internal medicine”, “pharmacology and pharmacy”, “oncology”, and “biochemistry and molecular biology”. PLoS One was the top published journal. Keyword analysis highlighted apoptosis, inflammation, and stroke as prominent research topics, with emerging areas such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and COVID-19. Conclusions: This bibliometric study provided an overview of the Tzu Chi Foundation's scholarly contributions from 1991 to 2023, showing significant growth in research output and the diversification of research topics. Future efforts should focus on expanding unique research areas such as the Silent Mentor Program, stem cell research and precision medicine, and vegetarian research to enhance Tzu Chi’s global research impact, improve patient care, and foster a compassionate and effective healthcare system.