A study of the bibliometry and areas of the research groups of Archivos de Bronconeumología (2003-2007).
BACKGROUND
Scientific cooperation is essential for the advance of biomedical research. Scientists set up informal groups to work together on common issues, who are the main units in the research funding system. Bibliometric and Social Network Analysis methods allow informal groups in scientific papers to be identified and characterised. The objective of the study is to identify research groups in Archivos de Bronconeumología between 2003 and 2007 period with the aim of characterizing their scientific collaboration patterns and research areas.


METHODS
Co-authorships, institutional collaboration relationships and the main research areas of papers published in Archivos de Bronconeumología have been identified. Co-authorship networks and institutional collaboration networks have been constructed by using Pajek software tool.


RESULTS
A total of 41 research groups involving 171 investigators have been identified. The Collaboration Index for articles was 5.59 and the Transcience Index was 73.11%. There was institutional collaboration in 60.33% of papers. The collaboration between institutions of the same region prevails (41.03%), followed by collaborations between departments, services or units of the same institution (39.74%), inter-regional collaboration (14,97%) and international collaboration (6.83%). A total of 83.03% of articles were cited. The main research areas covered by groups were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, lung neoplasm, bronchogenic carcinoma, smoking and pulmonary embolism.


CONCLUSIONS
The scientific production of a large number of Respiratory System Spanish research groups is published in Archivos de Bronconeumología. A notable collaboration and citation rate has been observed. Nevertheless, it is still essential to encourage inter-regional and international collaboration.
González-Alcaide
Gregorio
G
Instituto de Historia de Medicina y de Ciencia López Piñero, Departamento de Historia de Ciencia y Documentación, Universitat de València-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valencia, España. gregorio.gonzalez@uv.es
Aleixandre-Benavent
Rafael
R
de Granda-Orive
José Ignacio
JI
D001319:Authorship; D015706:Bibliometrics; D019058:Community Networks; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D007391:International Cooperation; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015272:Pulmonary Medicine; D012106:Research / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain