Article

The h-index in medical education: an analysis of medical education journal editorial boards

Asif DojaChildren’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 401 Smyth rd., Ottawa, K1H 8 L1, ON, CanadaKaylee EadyChildren’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute and University of Ottawa, 401 Smyth rd., Ottawa, K1H 8 L1, ON, CanadaTanya HorsleyResearch Unit, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, 774 Echo Drive, Ottawa, K1S 5 N8, ON, CanadaM. Dylan BouldDepartment of Anesthesiology, University of Ottawa and Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 401 Smyth rd., Ottawa, K1H 8 L1, ON, CanadaJ. Charles VictorInstitute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences and Senior Lecturer, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, G1 06, 2075 Bayview Ave., Toronto, M4N 3 M5, ON, CanadaMargaret SampsonChildren’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 401 Smyth rd., Ottawa, K1H 8 L1, ON, Canada

2014en

ABI

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Disciplines differ in their authorship and citation practices, thus discipline-specific h-index norms are desirable. Thus the goal of this study was to examine the relationship between the h-index and academic rank in the field of medical education, and the differences in the h-index between MD's and PhD's in this field. METHODS: Due to the absence of a formalized registry of medical educators, we sampled available editorial board membership (considered a proxy for identifying 'career' medical educators) to establish h-index values. These were determined using Web of Science (WoS) and Google Scholar (GS), and internet searching was used to determine their academic rank. The correlation between authors' h-indices derived from WoS and GS was also determined. RESULTS: 130 editors were identified (95 full professors, 21 associate professors, 14 assistant professors). A significant difference was noted between the h-indices of full professors and associate/assistant professors (p < .001). Median h-indices equaled 14 for full professors (Interquartile range [IQR] =11); 7 for associate professors (IQR =7) and 6.5 for assistant professors (IQR = 8). h-indices of MD's and PhD's did not differ significantly. Moderate correlation between GS and WOS h-indices was noted R = 0.46, p < .001. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide some guidance as to the expected h-indices of a select group of medical educators. No differences appear to exist between assistant professor and associate professor ranks or between MD's and PhD's.

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1186/s12909-014-0251-8

Citations and references

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