Scientometric analysis and combined density-equalizing mapping of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) research

Abstract

Background: Passive exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is estimated to exert a major burden of disease. Currently, numerous countries have taken legal actions to protect the population against ETS. Numerous studies have been conducted in this field. Therefore, scientometric methods should be used to analyze the accumulated data since there is no such approach available so far.

Methods and results: A combination of scientometric methods and novel visualizing procedures were used, including density-equalizing mapping and radar charting techniques. 6,580 ETS-related studies published between 1900 and 2008 were identified in the ISI database. Using different scientometric approaches, a continuous increase of both quantitative and qualitative parameters was found. The combination with density-equalizing calculations demonstrated a leading position of the United States (2,959 items published) in terms of quantitative research activities. Charting techniques demonstrated that there are numerous bi- and multilateral networks between different countries and institutions in this field. Again, a leading position of American institutions was found.

Conclusions: This is the first comprehensive scientometric analysis of data on global scientific activities in the field of environmental tobacco smoke research. The present findings can be used as a benchmark for funding allocation processes.

Figure 1. Article related bibliometric data.

(A) shows the analysis of total number of published items (B) shows the analysis of total number of citations (C) shows the annual average number of citations per article. (D) shows the average number of authors per article per year.

Figure 2. Country specific analysis.

All maps show scales proportionately to the specific parameter and country. Colors mark total number of contributions (A), the average citations per article (B), and the countries' h-indices (C). (A) Map is illustrating the number of articles pertaining to environmental tobacco smoke published per country from 1900 to 2008. (B) Map is illustrating the countries' average citation rates per publication for environmental tobacco smoke-related articles from 1900 to 2008. (C) Map is illustrating the country-modified h-indices from 1900 to 2008.

Figure 3. Country network analysis.

(A) Radar chart depicting bilateral networking between countries for the overall numbers of cooperation between the two countries. Grayscale shade and width of the connecting lines represent the number of bilateral cooperative research efforts. (B) Evolution of international cooperation over the years since 1974. (C) Total numbers of published items with authors originating from two, three or more countries (bi-, tri-, and multilateral cooperation).

Figure 4. Qualitative analysis of countries' research networks.

Radar chart visualization of the h-indices of bi- and multilateral cooperation between different countries. For the sake of clarity, values under 10 are not depicted. Numbers following country name represent the total number of published items/country-related h-index.

Figure 5. Institutional research network analysis.

Radar chart visualization of cooperation between different institutions. Grayscale shade and width of connecting lines depict the number of cooperative research efforts. Cooperation resulting in fewer than three articles was not depicted.

Figure 6. Average length of articles.

Average number of pages of all in this analysis included articles since 1983 are shown in the diagram below.

Figure 7. Top 15 journals and authors analysis.

(A): Ranking of most productive journals. (B): Ranking of most productive authors regarding their position on author's list.