Association between bibliometric parameters, reporting and methodological quality of randomised controlled trials in vascular and endovascular surgery

Vascular. 2017 Apr;25(2):196-207. doi: 10.1177/1708538116653289. Epub 2016 Jul 10.

Abstract

Purpose We aimed to investigate association between bibliometric parameters, reporting and methodological quality of vascular and endovascular surgery randomised controlled trials. Methods The most recent 75 and oldest 75 randomised controlled trials published in leading journals over a 10-year period were identified. The reporting quality was analysed using the CONSORT statement, and methodological quality with the Intercollegiate Guidelines Network checklist. We used exploratory univariate and multivariable linear regression analysis to investigate associations. Findings Bibliometric parameters such as type of journal, study design reported in title, number of pages; external funding, industry sponsoring and number of citations are associated with reporting quality. Moreover, parameters such as type of journal, subject area and study design reported in title are associated with methodological quality. Conclusions The bibliometric parameters of randomised controlled trials may be independent predictors for their reporting and methodological quality. Moreover, the reporting quality of randomised controlled trials is associated with their methodological quality and vice versa.

Keywords: CONSORT; Randomised controlled trials; bibliometric; methodological quality; reporting quality; vascular.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bibliometrics
  • Checklist
  • Data Collection / standards*
  • Data Collection / statistics & numerical data
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Endovascular Procedures / standards*
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Quality Control
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / methods*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / standards
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / statistics & numerical data
  • Research Design / standards*
  • Research Design / statistics & numerical data
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / standards*
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / statistics & numerical data