A scientometric study of the scientific output of top Iranian researchers in medical sciences

Scientometrics indicators are used to assess scientists, universities, and research institutes for scientific policy-making. The aim of this research was to assess the status of top Iranian medical researchers using scientometric indicators. The study was carried out using scientometric methods. The statistical population included the top ۵۰۰ Iranian researchers in the field of medicine who were ranked in the Iranian Scientometric Information Database (ISID) based on some scientometric indicators. The data were analyzed using SPSS ۲۲ software and Pearson's correlation coefficient, stepwise regression analysis, and Chi-square tests were applied for data analysis. Findings revealed that each researcher had an average h index of ۲۴.۰۴, g index of ۴۰.۱۵, and i۱۰ index of ۹۰.۷۹. There was a positive significant relationship between the number of internationally-collaborated papers and the number of citations received (r = .۶۰۶, p<.۰۱). The stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the three variables of paper number, citation counts and mean citation rate determined ۷۲% of the changes in the h-index. It can be concluded that researchers publishing more papers are more likely to be cited. However, their scientometric indexes are not always better than those of other scientists.

Keywords:

scientometric indicators , Top medical researchers , Iranian Scientometric Information Database (ISID) , Iran