A review of top cardiology and cardiovascular medicine journal guidelines regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence tools in scientific writing

BACKGROUND

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools have experienced rapid development over the last decade and are gaining increasing popularity as assistive models in academic writing. However, the ability of AI to generate reliable and accurate research articles is a topic of debate. Major scientific journals have issued policies regarding the contribution of AI tools in scientific writing.

METHODS

We conducted a review of the author and peer reviewer guidelines of the top 25 Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine journals as per the 2023 SCImago rankings. Data were obtained though reviewing journal websites and directly emailing the editorial office. Descriptive data regarding journal characteristics were coded on SPSS. Subgroup analyses of the journal guidelines were conducted based on the publishing company policies.

RESULTS

Our analysis revealed that all scientific journals in our study permitted the documented use of AI in scientific writing with certain limitations as per ICMJE recommendations. We found that AI tools cannot be included in the authorship or be used for image generation, and that all authors are required to assume full responsibility of their submitted and published work. The use of generative AI tools in the peer review process is strictly prohibited.

CONCLUSION

Guidelines regarding the use of generative AI in scientific writing are standardized, detailed, and unanimously followed by all journals in our study according to the recommendations set forth by international forums. It is imperative to ensure that these policies are carefully followed and updated to maintain scientific integrity.

Bibliometric review on microplastic contamination in the Pacific Alliance countries

Microplastics, capable of absorbing persistent organic compounds, heavy metals, and emerging pollutants, are of global concern due to their potential to alter the behavior and metabolism of biota. In Latin America, the Pacific Alliance, comprising Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Chile, stands out for its biological wealth and productive ecosystems, which account for 37% of the region's gross domestic product. The leaders of these countries expressed their concern about microplastic pollution and pledged to take joint action. We conducted an analysis of the scientific production of these countries and the collaborations of their researchers, focused on the period 2015-2023, using Scopus and SCImago. We observed that marine-coastal/wetland ecosystems are the most studied, with a focus on fish, and that Mexico leads in publications, followed by Colombia, Peru, and Chile. In addition, we note the absence of an inter-institutional group dedicated to microplastics research in these countries. We recommend promoting collaboration between academic institutions specialized in microplastic research and government agencies dedicated to the promotion of science and technology in the countries belonging to the Pacific Alliance.

Comparison of subscription access and open access obstetrics and gynecology journals in the SCImago database

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to compare the annual SJR and to evaluate the other parameters that show the scientific effect of journals in terms of open access (OA) or subscription access (SA) in the field of obstetrics and gynecology according to the SCImago database.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study was conducted between September-December 2019 at Near East University. The SCImago Journal & Country Rank database was used to collect information about the journals. We evaluated and compared the changes in the one-year SJR (SCImago Journal Rank) and journal impact factor (JIF) of OA and SA journals.

RESULTS

Data from 183 scientific journals in the field of obstetrics and gynecology from the period between 1999 and 2018 were evaluated, where 140 of these journals were SA and 43 were OA. The average SJR of OA journals in 1999 was 0.17, while it was 0.38 for SA journals. In 2018, these values were 0.31 and 0.78 for OA and SA journals, respectively. In the comparison of JIF, the average of the OA journals in 1999 was 0.09, while it was 0.66 for SA journals. In 2018, these values were 0.80 and 1.93 for OA and SA journals, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Access to information has become easier due to technological developments and this will continue to affect the access policies of journals. Despite the disadvantages of predator journals, the rise of OA journals in terms of number and quality is likely to continue.

Self-citation in Iran in Comparison with Other Countries

INTRODUCTION

Self-citation is a debate in citation analysis and evaluating research performance.

AIM

This study aimed to investigate the self-citation rate of Iranian scholars in comparison with scholars of other countries in the World.

METHODS

The scientific output of 238 countries in the time span of 1996-2017(two recent decades) was studied from perspective of some bibliometric indicators, using "country ranking" section in SJR database for data collection.

RESULTS

Regarding self-citation rate, Iran ranked third in the world, second in Asia and first in the Middle East. However, Iran ranked 22nd in the World, second in Asia and Middle East in scientific production. Iran has self-citation rate of 36.57%, which is higher than World standard level.

CONCLUSION

It is needed that Iranian researchers consider their research quality as well as making the appropriate context for more visibility of their works by receiving more citations from other researchers and taking other scientific visibility modes into account. Science policy-makers in Iran should consider some approaches to decreasing the self-citation rate in Iranian publications.

Publication dynamics in gastroenterology and hepatology over the last decade in Greece: a SCImago-based study

Background

There is evidence that the financial crisis has deleteriously affected scientific output. We aimed to assess the dynamics of Greek publications in gastroenterology and hepatology over the last ten years.

Methods

Data were collected from SCImago. The average annual growth rate (AAGR) of total and citable documents published in Greece in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology was compared with that of cardiology, surgery, and radiology. In addition, it was compared with the corresponding rates in Belgium, Ireland and Portugal.

Results

The annual number of Greek publications (total and citable documents) remained relatively unchanged in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology from 2006-2011. During the following years, we detected a negative AAGR, with values of -12%, -3.3%, -9.5% and -5.4% for gastroenterology-hepatology, cardiology, surgery and radiology, respectively. During the same period, the AAGR of the citable documents of the respective specialties was -8.6%, -3.7%, -9.8%, and -5.1%. Comparison of the 4 European countries in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology revealed that publications from Portugal rose massively (AAGR +24.6% and +20.6% for total and citable documents, respectively), almost reaching the number of Greek publications in 2015. The number of publications from Belgium and Ireland remained essentially unchanged after 2011, with AAGR values of -0.7%, and -2.1% for total and -1.1% and -1.4% for citable documents, respectively.

Conclusion

The publication output in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology decreased significantly after the outbreak of the financial crisis in Greece, not only in relation to other medical specialties, but also compared to the output of other European countries with or without fiscal austerity measures.