Some aspects of the state‐of‐the‐arts in biomedical science research: a guide for the aspiring African

Abstract

To guide Africans to success in biomedical science (BS) research, the author presents some aspects of the state‐of‐the‐arts of BS research in advanced countries using the USA. Thirty three peer reviewed scientific research articles in the April 2012 issue of the FASEB Journal (Volume 26(4)) were studied using the following parameters: a) number of authors; b) number of academic departments; c) number of academic institutions; d) funding of research. Results showed the articles were written by 7.97±0.61 authors from 3.46±0.3 departments of 2.79±0.29 institutions. The contributors were classified into four categories: basic sciences, clinical sciences, institutions and centres, and programs and labs. Amongst the publications, 21.2% were single disciplinary. Two tier collaboration amongst any two of the four categories were observed in 16/33 (48.5%) of the articles. Three tier and four tier collaborations were observed amongst 7/33 (21.2%) and 3/33 (9%) respectively. Thus 26/33 (78.7%) of the articles were multidisciplinary. Collaborative efforts between basic science and clinical science departments were observed in 9/33 (27.3%). Public funding through government agencies provided 85 out of a total of 143 (59.5%) grants. The collaborative and multidisciplinary nature is characteristic of BS research in the USA, where research tends to result in solutions to problems and economic benefits.