title: Knowledge synthesis research: a bibliometric analysis.
abstract: The purpose of this article is to describe the volume and attributes of original research available in PubMed on emerging knowledge synthesis methods (excluding traditional systematic reviews) published by researchers.
  
  
  
  Bibliometric analysis.
  
  
  
  Six-hundred eight studies related to the topic of knowledge synthesis methods were analyzed. Although there has been a steady increase in publications on knowledge synthesis methods since 2003, studies are dispersed among a large number of journals. Similarly, a large number of authors are publishing on these methods but in limited numbers for any individual. Relevant Medical Subject Headings that were applied most often to these studies included qualitative research, research design, meta-analysis as topic, and review literature as topic.
  
  
  
  There is no prevailing journal or author that is a leader in reporting on knowledge synthesis methods. Relevant Medical Subject Headings were either not applied to most records or not available for the synthesis method being examined. This may lend itself to inconsistencies and variations in methods making it challenging for researchers and research users to locate and appraise these articles.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health, Policy, Management and Evaluation, 155 College Street, Suite 425, Toronto Ontario, M5T 3M6, Canada. Electronic address: l.perrier@utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Laure
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perrier
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1T8, Canada.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lightfoot
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A4, Canada.
authors.forename: M Ryan
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kealey
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1T8, Canada; Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Toronto, 27 Kings College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1, Canada.
authors.forename: Sharon E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Straus
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1T8, Canada; Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, 6th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M7, Canada.
authors.forename: Andrea C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tricco
mesh_terms: D015706:Bibliometrics; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D006801:Humans; D046650:Medical Subject Headings; D039781:PubMed; D012196:Review Literature as Topic
keywords: Bibliometrics; Medical subject headings; Review literature as topic