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Review
. 2016 Dec;44(6):1212-1221.
doi: 10.1177/0300060516672129. Epub 2016 Nov 11.

Citation context and impact of 'sleeping beauties' in paediatric research

Jernej Završnik  1 , Peter Kokol  2 , Stefano Del Torso  3 , Helena Blažun Vošner  4
Affiliations
Review

Citation context and impact of 'sleeping beauties' in paediatric research

Jernej Završnik et al. J Int Med Res. 2016 Dec.

Abstract

Objectives 'Sleeping beauties', i.e. publications that are not cited for a long while, present interesting findings in science. This study analysed the citation trends of sleeping beauties in paediatric research. Methods The study used bibliometric software to analyse the papers citing sleeping beauties in paediatric research, to understand the context in which paediatric sleeping beauties were finally cited and the impact of these sleeping beauties on paediatric research. Results Two paediatric sleeping beauties, addressing medical homes and the transition from paediatric to adult health care, respectively, awakened in response to organizational needs. Both presented novel concepts of paediatric service organization that became important because of an increased need for optimization of services. Conclusion All sleeping beauties bring new knowledge that becomes important only after several years. Paediatric sleeping beauties exhibited unique characteristics; however, their presence in paediatric research shows that knowledge acquisition in paediatrics resembles that in other disciplines.

Keywords: Sleeping beauties; bibliometrics; citation analysis; paediatrics; publications; research.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The citation trajectories of paediatric ‘sleeping beauties’. SB = sleeping beauty; SP = sleeping period; DoS = depth of sleep; AI = awakening intensity
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The cognitive context of the research catalysed by paediatric ‘sleeping beauties’ (SBs). The figure indicates the five SBs: Low birth weight SB (blue); German children SB (yellow); Transition SB (green); Vesicoureteral reflux SB (red); and Medical home SB (violet)
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
The timeline for terms found in papers citing paediatric ‘sleeping beauties’.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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