[Methodologies of publications in the Revista de Investigación Clínica during the last 20 years].
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the clinical research methods published in the Revista de Investigación Clínica for the past 20 years.


METHODS
Comparative study of methods used in the RIC articles published in 3-years periods representing three decades (1972-74, 1982-84, 1992-94).


RESULTS
Out of 273 original papers, 218 (80%) were of clinical research. There was an increased percentage of longitudinal vs cross-sectional studies, with cohort and randomized clinical trials showing the largest increase. The total number of research manuscripts also increased.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical research methods of the papers in the RIC have shown an increased rate of designs with a higher scientific value.
López-Jiménez
F
F
Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston MA 02115, USA. flopezjime@bics.bwh.harvard.edu
Borovoy
J
J
D015706:Bibliometrics; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D012106:Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D012107:Research Design / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*