Top‐Cited Articles in Problem‐Based Learning: A Bibliometric Analysis and Quality of Evidence Assessment

Abstract

The aims of this study were to identify characteristics of the top-cited articles in problem-based learning (PBL) and assess the quality of evidence provided by these articles. The most frequently cited articles on PBL were searched in April 2015 in the Science Citation Index Expanded database (List A) and Google Scholar database (List B). Eligible articles identified were reviewed for key characteristics. The Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines were used in assessing the level of evidence. The number of citations varied (62 to 923 on List A and 218 to 2,859 on List B). Countries that contributed the majority of articles in both lists were the United States, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Canada. No significant correlations were found between number of citations and number of years since published (p=0.451), number of authors (p=0.144), females in authorship (p=0.189), non-medical authors (p=0.869), number of institutions (p=0.452), and number of grants (p=0.143), but a strong correlation was found with number of countries involved (p=0.007). Application of the Oxford hierarchy of evidence showed that 36 articles were at levels 4 and 5 of evidence. This study found that research articles represented approximately one-third of PBL articles assessed and reported mainly on questionnaire-based studies. The most highly cited articles occupied top-ranking positions in the journals in which they were published. The lower level of evidence observed in most top-cited articles may reflect the significance of innovative ideas or content of these articles. These findings have implications for dental educators and dental researchers.

What can we learn from top-cited articles in inflammatory bowel disease? A bibliometric analysis and assessment of the level of evidence

“…We also aim to grade each article against the level of evidence hierarchy as per the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM-2011 levels of evidence and the accompanying table of evidence glossary). 16 17 …”

Serbian Dental Institutions Top Cited Research (1996–2018)

“…Broj citata koji je dobio neki rad još uvek predstavlja osnovni pokazatelj, često povezan sa izvanrednim naučno-istraživačkim odlikama. Uporedo sa porastom interesovanja za vrednovanje naučno-istraživačkih rezultata raste i broj bibliometrijskih studija koje se bave visoko citiranim radovima različitih naučnih disciplina [2][3][4][5]. Pojam visoko citiranih članaka opisivan je u radovima različitih naučnih oblasti i imenovan na više načina, poput najcitiraniji radovi, klasici, vrhunski citirani radovi itd.…”

“…The number of times an individual paper is cited still presents the primary indicator, often linked to the out-standing research attributes. Along with the increasing attention directed to research evaluation, the number of bibliometric studies, dealing with the highly cited papers in various scientific disciplines, has been growing [2][3][4][5]. Highly cited papers concept has been described in different fields and named as the most cited papers, classic publications, top cited articles etc.…”

Top‐Cited Articles from Dental Education Journals, 2009 to 2018: A Bibliometric Analysis

“…Bibliometric analyses in clinical dentistry have been performed in such areas as pulp regeneration and endodontics, 6 dental trauma, 7 , 8 cleft lip and cleft palate, 9 orthodontics, 10 , 11 oral and maxillofacial surgery, 12 dental implantology, 13 and problem‐based learning 14 . In the health professions, this form of analysis has been published in medical education, 15 dental education, 16 health care simulation education, 17 dry eye, 18 and sports and exercise medicine 19 .…”

“…[2][3][4][5] Bibliometric analyses in clinical dentistry have been performed in such areas as pulp regeneration and endodontics, 6 dental trauma, 7,8 cleft lip and cleft palate, 9 orthodontics, 10,11 oral and maxillofacial surgery, 12 dental implantology, 13 and problem-based learning. 14 In the health professions, this form of analysis has been published in medical education, 15 dental education, 16 health care simulation education, 17 dry eye, 18 and sports and exercise medicine. 19 Additionally, journal-specific bibliometric analyses have been used to assess research trends, output, and impact of research published in Bone, 20 endodontic journals, 21 Journal of Infection and Public Health, 22 and Journal of Applied Oral Science.…”