title: Publication rates and characteristics of undergraduate medical theses in New Zealand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Publication in peer-reviewed journals is widely regarded as the preferred vehicle for research dissemination. In New Zealand, the fate and publication rates of theses produced by medical students is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency and characteristics of publications derived from research conducted by Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMedSc(Hons)) students at the three campuses of the University of Otago Medical School, New Zealand.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 153 BMedSc(Hons) theses accepted at the Otago Medical School during the period of January 1995 to December 2014 were analysed. Using standardised search criteria, PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched in October 2015 to examine the number and characteristics of publications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 50 (32.7%) out of 153 included theses resulted in 81 scientific publications. Ten (12.3%) publications featured in Australasian journals. The majority of publications were original articles (84%), with pathology and molecular biology (19%) being the most common research area. Although they did not reach statistical significance, publications in higher impact factor journals trended towards having a senior first author as opposed to a student first author (p=0.06).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although higher than reported figures from previous studies, publication rates of BMedSc(Hons) theses remain lower than expected. To improve our understanding of medical student publishing in New Zealand, formal examination of the factors hindering medical students from publishing their theses is imperative.
authors.affiliation: Christchurch Public Hospital, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch.
authors.forename: Ibrahim Saleh
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Al-Busaidi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, New Zealand Brain Research Institute, Christchurch.
authors.forename: Yassar
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Alamri
mesh_terms: D004212:Academic Dissertations as Topic; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D006801:Humans; D055811:Journal Impact Factor; D009520:New Zealand; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013337:Students, Medical