[Publication activity at Aalborg Hospital].
BACKGROUND
In 2003 Aalborg Hospital became part of Aarhus University Hospital and in that context focus on research activities was increased. This article investigates whether the increased focus has led to changes in the quantity and/or quality of research publications in the following period.


METHODS
All scientific articles published by Aalborg Hospital in the period 2002-2008, as well as information about author affiliations comprise the data material for the analysis. Different levels of journal groups are created based on Journal Performance Indicators combined with peer-reviewing as a measure of publication quality, awarding publications in highly esteemed journals a higher score than those published in less recognized journals. Together with the number of publications, a measure of research quality and quantity is thereby achieved. This method is compared to the more traditional journal impact factor method.


RESULTS
Data show an increase in total publications per year while the mean number of points per publication decreases during the period. Results also show a relation between the score level of publications and the number of collaborations for the publication, i.e. large collaborations are more frequently published in top journals.


CONCLUSIONS
The study shows that the increased focus on research has led to increased publication activity without loss of quality, as the decrease in points per publication is associated with the increased mean number of collaborators. The results indicate that the method would benefit from a revision to facilitate clearer conclusions.
Andersen
Jens Peter
JP
Arhus Universitetshospital, Aalborg Sygehus, Afdelingen for Universitetshospitalsanliggender, Aalborg, Denmark. jepea@rn.dk
Skrubbeltrang
Conni
C
Gregersen
Hans
H
D015706:Bibliometrics; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D003718:Denmark; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D055811:Journal Impact Factor; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D011643:Publishing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D011786:Quality Control