Abstract
BackgroundAuthor 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 FindingsWe 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/SignificanceApproximately 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.
Highlights
Citation counts received by journal articles are used to inform decisions of academic promotion and in the assessment of research and journal impact
To understand the impact of selfcitation on citation counts, information is needed about diachronous self-citation [4], in which a citation database is used to establish when an index article is cited by future publications from the same author(s)
We were interested in identifying the relative contribution of author self-citation to the overall citation count of articles and to determine if specific article characteristics were associated with author self-citation
Summary
Citation counts received by journal articles are used to inform decisions of academic promotion and in the assessment of research and journal impact. Some studies [2,3] have examined synchronous self-citation [4], in which the references of an index article are reviewed for previous works by the same author(s). To understand the impact of selfcitation on citation counts, information is needed about diachronous self-citation [4], in which a citation database is used to establish when an index article is cited by future publications from the same author(s). We used Scopus (Elsevier), a relatively new citation database that includes a feature to isolate author self-citations from total citation counts, to examine diachronous self-citation in a large cohort of articles published in high-profile general medicine journals over 8 years ago. 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
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
