Frances A. Brahmi

Bio: Frances A. Brahmi is an academic researcher from Indiana University. The author has contributed to research in topics: MEDLINE & Citation. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 20 publications receiving 155 citations.

EndNote and Reference Manager Citation formats compared to "instructions to authors" in top medical journals

Abstract: The study compared citation format in EndNote version 7 and Reference Manager version 11 with the citation format for references found in the instructions to authors from the most significant medical literature. The resulting information should be very useful to those who depend on citation management software to format and organize their references for publication in medicine, and librarians and others who teach the use of citation management software.

Zotero: A Product Review

Abstract: Zotero is a free and open source Firefox extension that exists within the Web browser and allows one to collect, manage, store, and cite resources in a single location. 1 Zotero automatically imports citation information from a number of sources, including nonsubscription, newspaper, and commercial Web sites, and Web-based databases such as PubMed and MedlinePlus. Zotero offers more options for note taking than the better-known citation management system EndNote. Sixteen citation styles are available when Zotero is initially downloaded, with many more freely available. Users can install a plug-in that allows Zotero to integrate with Microsoft Word. Even though Zotero does not have an on-demand customer support service, its Web site offers a wealth of information for users. The authors highly recommend Zotero.

Retrieval comparison of EndNote to search MEDLINE (Ovid and PubMed) versus searching them directly.

Abstract: Using EndNote version 7.0, the authors tested the search capabilities of the EndNote search engine for retrieving citations from MEDLINE for importation into EndNote, a citation management software package. Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed were selected for the comparison. Several searches were performed on Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed using EndNote as the search engine, and the same searches were run on both Ovid and PubMed directly. Findings indicate that it is preferable to search MEDLINE directly rather than using EndNote. The publishers of EndNote do warn its users about the limitations of their product as a search engine when searching external databases. In this article, the limitations of EndNote as a search engine for searching MEDLINE were explored as related to MeSH, non-MeSH, citation verification, and author searching.

Do local citation patterns support use of the impact factor for collection development

Abstract: The Impact Factor and Collection Development The journal impact factor (IF) is reported by ISI in Journal Citation Reports (JCR). “A journal's impact factor is based on 2 elements: the numerator, which is the number of citations in the current year to any items published in a journal in the previous 2 years, and the denominator, which is the number of substantive articles (source items) published in the same 2 years” [1]. Much research has been done on IF as a measure of local journal use for collection development. Blecic used a comparison of three methods: in-house use, circulation, and citation to determine journal use, finding a “significant correlation” between the three methods and arguing that because of this correlation, only one type of data was necessary to make retention decisions [2]. MacDonald's study of online journal usage in relation to citation analysis examined whether online journal use (as measured by an academic library) and a library's publisher-reported full-text downloads predicted citations, finding that “citation is clearly related to usage” [3]. Using Biosis Previews, Davis identified core journals in the life sciences by analyzing the journals in which Cornell University authors published [4]. Davis concluded that the “generic metrics of the JCR simply cannot provide the campus-level data crucial to making informed decisions about the local importance of individual titles,” as argued earlier by Pan [5] and Chrzastowski [6].

Web-based citation management compared to EndNote: options for medical sciences.

Abstract: The authors of this article analyzed the differences in output when searching MEDLINE direct and MEDLINE via citation management software, EndNote X1®, EndNote Web®, and RefWorks©. Several searches were performed on Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed directly. These searches were compared against the same searches conducted in Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed using the search features in EndNote X1, EndNote Web, and RefWorks. Findings indicated that for in-depth research users, should search the databases directly rather than through the citation management software interface. The search results indicated it would be appropriate to search databases via citation management software for citation verification tasks and for cursory keyword searching.

The Association of American Medical Colleges

Abstract: BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH POLICY COMMITTEE REPORT WAS PUBLISHED AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE AUGUSTJOURNAL OF MEDICAL EDUCATION. A REPRINT IS ENCLOSED. REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THISOFFICE. -COPIES ARE BEING SENT TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND THE KEY MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION. CALLING UPON-YOUR SENATORSAND CONGRESSMEN TO TELL THE STORY OF THE ROLE. OF MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND HEALTH CARE IS IMPORTANT.I STRONGLY URGE THAT YOU MAKE AN 411 APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES WHILE YOU ARE IN WASHINGTON FOR THE COUNCIL MEETINGON OCTOBER 29. UPON REQUEST WE CAN SUPPLY THE NAMES OF APPOINTMENT SECRETARIES AND PHONE NUMBERS OF YOUR SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN. APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE ACTED WITH EXTRAORDINARY ALACRITY THIS YEAR. THE-NIH APPROPRIATION WAS INCREASED BY 242 MILLION DOLLARSOVER 1971, REPRESENTING A 142 MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE OVER. THE ADMINISTRATION BUDGET, THE BLUE SHEET ASCRIBES APPROPRIATIONS OUTCOME TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE COALITION FOR HEALTH FUNDING UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF JOHN A. D. COOPER.

Factors affecting number of citations: a comprehensive review of the literature

Abstract: The majority of academic papers are scarcely cited while a few others are highly cited. A large number of studies indicate that there are many factors influencing the number of citations. An actual review is missing that provides a comprehensive review of the factors predicting the frequency of citations. In this review, we performed a search in WoS, Scopus, PubMed and Medline to retrieve relevant papers. In overall, 2087 papers were retrieved among which 198 relevant papers were included in the study. Three general categories with twenty eight factors were identified to be related to the number of citations: Category one: "paper related factors": quality of paper; novelty and interest of subject; characteristics of fields and study topics; methodology; document type; study design; characteristics of results and discussion; use of figures and appendix in papers; characteristics of the titles and abstracts; characteristics of references; length of paper; age of paper; early citation and speed of citation; accessibility and visibility of papers. Category two: "journal related factors": journal impact factor; language of journal; scope of journal; form of publication. Category three: "author(s) related factors": number of authors; author's reputation; author's academic rank; self-citations; international and national collaboration of authors; authors' country; gender, age and race of authors; author's productivity; organizational features; and funding. Probably some factors such as the quality of the paper, journal impact factor, number of authors, visibility and international cooperation are stronger predictors for citations, than authors' gender, age and race; characteristics of results and discussion and so on.

Effects of Search Experience and Subject Knowledge on the Search Tactics of Novice and Experienced Searchers.

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of subject knowledge and search experience on novices' and experienced searchers' use of search tactics in online searches. Novice and experienced searchers searched a practice question and two test questions in the ERIC database on the DIALOG system and their use of search tactics were recorded by protocols, transaction logs, and observation. Search tactics were identified from the literature and verified in 10 pretests, and nine search tactics variables were operationalized to describe the differences between the two searcher groups. Data analyses showed that subject knowledge interacted with search experience, and both variables affected searchers' behavior in four ways: (1) when questions in their subject areas were searched, experience affected searchers' use of synonymous terms, monitoring of the search process, and combinations of search terms; (2) when questions outside their subject areas were searched, experience affected searchers' reliance on their own terminology, use of the thesaurus, offline term selection, use of synonymous terms, and combinations of search terms; (3) within the same experience group, subject knowledge had no effect on novice searchers; but (4) subject knowledge affected experienced searcher's reliance on their own language, use of the thesaurus, offline term selection, use of synonymous terms, monitoring of the search, and combinations of search terms. The results showed that search experience affected searchers' use of many search tactics, and suggested that subject knowledge became a factor only after searchers have had a certain amount of search experience. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Defining the process to literature searching in systematic reviews: a literature review of guidance and supporting studies.

Abstract: Systematic literature searching is recognised as a critical component of the systematic review process. It involves a systematic search for studies and aims for a transparent report of study identification, leaving readers clear about what was done to identify studies, and how the findings of the review are situated in the relevant evidence. Information specialists and review teams appear to work from a shared and tacit model of the literature search process. How this tacit model has developed and evolved is unclear, and it has not been explicitly examined before. The purpose of this review is to determine if a shared model of the literature searching process can be detected across systematic review guidance documents and, if so, how this process is reported in the guidance and supported by published studies. A literature review. Two types of literature were reviewed: guidance and published studies. Nine guidance documents were identified, including: The Cochrane and Campbell Handbooks. Published studies were identified through ‘pearl growing’, citation chasing, a search of PubMed using the systematic review methods filter, and the authors’ topic knowledge. The relevant sections within each guidance document were then read and re-read, with the aim of determining key methodological stages. Methodological stages were identified and defined. This data was reviewed to identify agreements and areas of unique guidance between guidance documents. Consensus across multiple guidance documents was used to inform selection of ‘key stages’ in the process of literature searching. Eight key stages were determined relating specifically to literature searching in systematic reviews. They were: who should literature search, aims and purpose of literature searching, preparation, the search strategy, searching databases, supplementary searching, managing references and reporting the search process. Eight key stages to the process of literature searching in systematic reviews were identified. These key stages are consistently reported in the nine guidance documents, suggesting consensus on the key stages of literature searching, and therefore the process of literature searching as a whole, in systematic reviews. Further research to determine the suitability of using the same process of literature searching for all types of systematic review is indicated.