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| Research article summary (published 3 Jun 2002): |
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Comparison of review articles published in peer-reviewed and throwaway journals.
Full Abstract
CONTEXT:
To compare the quality, presentation, readability, and clinical relevance of review articles published in peer-reviewed and "throwaway" journals.
METHODS:
We reviewed articles that focused on the diagnosis or treatment of a medical condition published between January 1 and December 31, 1998, in the 5 leading peer-reviewed general medical journals and high-circulation throwaway journals. Reviewers independently assessed the methodologic and reporting quality, and evaluated each article's presentation and readability. Clinical relevance was evaluated independently by 6 physicians.
RESULTS:
Of the 394 articles in our sample, 16 (4.1%) were peer-reviewed systematic reviews, 135 (34.3%) were peer-reviewed nonsystematic reviews, and 243 (61.7%) were nonsystematic reviews published in throwaway journals. The mean (SD) quality scores were highest for peer-reviewed articles (0.94 [0.09] for systematic reviews and 0.30 [0.19] for nonsystematic reviews) compared with throwaway journal articles (0.23 [0.03], F(2,391) = 280.8, P<.001). Throwaway journal articles used more tables (P =.02), figures (P =.01), photographs (P<.001), color (P<.001), and larger font sizes (P<.001) compared with peer-reviewed articles. Readability scores were more often in the college or higher range for peer-reviewed journals compared with the throwaway journal articles (104 [77.0%] vs 156 [64.2%]; P =.01). Peer-reviewed article titles were judged less relevant to clinical practice than throwaway journal article titles (P<.001).
CONCLUSIONS:
Although lower in methodologic and reporting quality, review articles published in throwaway journals have characteristics that appeal to physician readers.
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Author information
Author/s: Rochon, Paula A (PA); Bero, Lisa A (LA); Bay, Ari M (AM); Gold, Jennifer L (JL); Dergal, Julie M (JM); Binns, Malcolm A (MA); Streiner, David L (DL); Gurwitz, Jerry H (JH);
Affiliation: Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6A 2E1. paula.rochon(-atsign-)utoronto.ca
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Journal: JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), published in United States. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2002-Jun; vol 287 (issue 21) : pp 2853-6
Dates: Created 2002/05/31; Completed 2002/06/14; Revised 2007/11/15;
PMID: 12038932, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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