Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:to evaluate the relationship between Impact Factor (IF) of scientific publication and the academic progression of Professors of Ophthalmology in Italy. Methods:Medline search of scientific publication was performed by two independent, trained operators for the three academic categories in Italy: Full Professor (A), Associated Professor (B), Candidates for the previous positions (C). Based on an updated list of IF values of Ophthalmological Journals (ISI Journal of Citation Reports 2001), mean IF +/- SD, maximum and minimum range of IF, trend of IF in the last 5 and 10 years were calculated. The relationship between IF, age and sex of candidates and the geographical distribution in Northern, Central and Southern Italy were also evaluated. Results:Mean IF +/- SD was 22,967±28,644, 17,138±18,438 and 14,713±12,526 for group A, B and C respectively, for the last 10 year period and 13,077±15,441, 10,305±12,520, 9,434±8,576 for the last 5 year period. Minimum values were 0,000 for A, B, C and maximum values 137,919, 82,523, 47,129 respectively. The trend for progression of IF during the 10 year – 5 year period was stable for group B, decreasing for group A, and increasing for group C. There was an inverse correlation between age and scientific activity and no difference between sexes. Northern Italy was decidedly superior to Central and Southern Italy in terms of IF for all categories. Conclusions:IF values of academic subjects in Italy are extremely variable. As a whole IF values seem to play a limited role in the academic progression in this country. A more objective evaluation of scientific performances for the progression in the academic career in Italy, as used in most scientifically advanced countries, should be encouraged.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: hea