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Use of the g-index for assessment of citation-based scholarly activity of United States radiation oncology residents and subsequent choice of academic versus private practice career
open access
Abstract
Introduction
The Hirsch index (h-index) evaluates citation-based scholarly activity, but has limited ability to acknowledge those publishing a smaller number of manuscripts with exceedingly high citations. The g-index addresses this limitation by assessing the largest number of manuscripts (g) by an author cited at least (g×g) times, but has yet to be applied to radiation oncology resident productivity.
Methods
A list of recent radiation oncology resident graduates (comprising 86% of the 2016 graduating class) and their post-residency career choice was compiled. The Scopus bibliometric citation database was searched to collect and calculate g-index data for each resident.
Results
The mean g-index score for all resident graduates was 7.16. Residents with a PhD had significantly higher g-index scores (11.97 versus 5.80; p<0.01), while there was no statistically significant difference in g-index scores between male and female residents. Residents choosing academic careers had higher g-index scores than those choosing private practice (9.47 versus 4.99; p<0.01). Programs graduating at least three residents produced significantly higher g-index scores/resident than those graduating two residents, and while comprising only 25% of programs and 45% of residents, produced 60% of academic careers (p<0.02).
Conclusion
Radiation oncology resident graduates published on average a minimum of seven manuscripts cited at least 49 times. PhD-degree graduates had significantly higher g-index scores, as did residents choosing academic over private practice careers. There was no significant gender-related difference in g-index score regardless of career choice. The majority of academic careers are produced from programs graduating at least three residents.
Abstract
Introduction
The Hirsch index (h-index) evaluates citation-based scholarly activity, but has limited ability to acknowledge those publishing a smaller number of manuscripts with exceedingly high citations. The g-index addresses this limitation by assessing the largest number of manuscripts (g) by an author cited at least (g×g) times, but has yet to be applied to radiation oncology resident productivity.
Methods
A list of recent radiation oncology resident graduates (comprising 86% of the 2016 graduating class) and their post-residency career choice was compiled. The Scopus bibliometric citation database was searched to collect and calculate g-index data for each resident.
Results
The mean g-index score for all resident graduates was 7.16. Residents with a PhD had significantly higher g-index scores (11.97 versus 5.80; p<0.01), while there was no statistically significant difference in g-index scores between male and female residents. Residents choosing academic careers had higher g-index scores than those choosing private practice (9.47 versus 4.99; p<0.01). Programs graduating at least three residents produced significantly higher g-index scores/resident than those graduating two residents, and while comprising only 25% of programs and 45% of residents, produced 60% of academic careers (p<0.02).
Conclusion
Radiation oncology resident graduates published on average a minimum of seven manuscripts cited at least 49 times. PhD-degree graduates had significantly higher g-index scores, as did residents choosing academic over private practice careers. There was no significant gender-related difference in g-index score regardless of career choice. The majority of academic careers are produced from programs graduating at least three residents.
Keywords
g-Index; Radiation oncology residency graduates; Academic radiation oncology; Private practice radiation oncology; Residency program size
About this articleTitle
Use of the g-index for assessment of citation-based scholarly activity of United States radiation oncology residents and subsequent choice of academic versus private practice career
Journal
Reports of Practical Oncology and Radiotherapy
Issue
Pages
294-297
Published online
2019-05-01
DOI
10.1016/j.rpor.2019.03.005
Bibliographic record
Rep Pract Oncol Radiother 2019;24(3):294-297.
Keywords
g-Index
Radiation oncology residency graduates
Academic radiation oncology
Private practice radiation oncology
Residency program size
Authors
Shearwood McClelland III
Timur Mitin
Nima Nabavizadeh
Clifton David Fuller
Charles R. Thomas Jr
Jerry J. Jaboin