Shr Tabatabaee, O Fazalzadeh,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2009)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Publication of scientific articles nowadays is one of the important indexes of knowledge production. This index plays a key role for ranking in academia. The aim of this study was to assess the how academic staff in Shiraz Medical Sciences University considered the principle of scientific writing.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study 200 published papers among 1104 paper registered to vice chancellor of research from 2002 to 2007 were selected with systematic random sampling method.
Results: Among 200 papers, 190 (95%) had corresponding author from faculty members. Twenty three percents (23%) of papers were in basic sciences field and 72% were in clinical field. In 19 (9.5%) of papers either an epidemiologists-biostatistician or social medicine specialists were coauthor. Forty five (22.5%) of published papers, consisted of descriptive studies and the rest were analytic studies. Maximum faults in descriptive studies were the missing of time interval stating (26%). In case-control studies, 59% of papers had not stated diagnosis criteria and disease definitions. In cohort studies and clinical trials, 90% and 85% of papers had not expressed the number of missed patients during study, respectively.
Conclusions: With regards to findings of this study, scientific writing and research methodology short course as continuing development professional for academic staff should be emphasized in academic institutes in Iran.
Keywords: Scientific writing, Journals, Shiraz,Iran
