1. Current Scientometric Trend in Soy and Cancer Research
Hsin-Chieh Chu1*, Mei-Su Pan1, Yee-Shuan Lee2 and Yuh-Shan Ho2#
1School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University
2Bibliometric Centre, Taipei Medical University - Wan-Fang Hospital
Introduction
Asian has long history of rich soy diet and the correlation of soy intake and incidences of various cancers occurring have been studied.1 Although no evidence has shown recommended amounts of soy products can efficiently prevent cancer, but research related to soy diet and cancer has been widely studied across the world. The purpose of this study was to conduct a publication analysis of soy and cancer related publications and theorized that the popularity of this topic was shown by an increase of yearly publication production. We also theorized that since Asian has rich-soy diet, substantial amount of research would be done by international collaboration between Asian and other countries and within.
Methodology
Analysis based on:
Science Citation Index (SCI) indexed publications
Published between 1991 to 2002 Included keywords soy and cancer
Analysis parameter:
Yearly production (P)
Citation per Publication (CPP)
Total citation/Total publication
Authorship
Number of authors
Country of origin
Results
Yearly production increased 20 times more than a decade ago
Total production: 677
Average annual production: 56.4
CPP decline expected due to visibility bias
Authorship did not affect P or CPP significantly
Domination of small group authorship
Left: Region origin of corresponding author
Top: Region of origin of the other authors
Table of percentage share of collaboration between the regions
Region
Asia
Europe
Northern America
Oceania
Africa
Southern America -
1.12
2.25
11.2
24.7
20.2
16.9
5.62
North American countries dominated international collaborated publications
%P: Production percentage share
C: Total citation
Conclusion
Dramatic increase of yearly publication indicated soy and cancer research has become a recent focus
Western countries domination of production has rejected our theory but Asian countries has shown equal level of citation frequency according to CPP values
High CPP values may correspond to low percentage of international collaboration due to necessary information were carried by citation instead of collaboration
Region
Country # P %P C
CPP
Africa 2 1
0.17 3
Asia 8 57
9.69
632
11.1
Europe 16 92
15.6
1590
17.3
Northern America
327
55.6
3296
10.1
Oceania 25
4.25
400
16.0
Southern America
Northern American countries dominate single country publication output and citation frequency
All world regions show independent research activity
Reference
Adlercreutz H, Mazur W (1997), Phyto-oestrogens and Western diseases. Annals of Medicine, 29(2),