Bibliometric analysis of the Journal of Medical Nutrition and Nutraceuticals
Garima Bhutani1, Sanjay Kalra2, Prem Verma1, Jyoti Kaushal3
1 Department of Pharmacology, BPS GMC for Women, Sonepat, India
2 Department of Endocrinology, Bharti Hospital and BRIDE, Karnal, India
3 Department of Endocrinology, Pt. BD Sharma, PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India
|Date of Web Publication||24-Dec-2013|
House No-517, Sector 15-A, Hisar, Haryana
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
Background: Bibliometric analysis of a journal is a method to assess the research impact or research influence of that journal. This study aims to perform the bibliometric analysis of the Journal of Medical Nutrition and Nutraceuticals (JMNN), which is a relatively new journal, striving to spread knowledge about medical nutrition and nutraceutical therapy.
Materials and Methods: The publications of the year 2012 - 2013 of JMNN were analyzed. The total number of articles published, type of articles, their authorship, and the coverage of various sub-specialties were studied. The publications were also classified under Indian or foreign origin and from academic or non-academic institutions, depending upon the institution of the first author.
Results and Conclusions: A total of four main issues were published in JMNN in the year 2012 - 2013, including a total of 46 publications. The review articles were published maximally. All the sub-specialties were well covered, the largest being diabetes/endocrinology. Both academic and non-academic institutions have contributed almost equally toward this journal. The journal has been able to attract the attention of the foreign authors as well. Articles from all parts of the country have been published in JMNN, but the maximum contribution has been from Haryana.
Nutrition is a science that overlaps all specialties of medicine. Medical nutrition is perhaps the oldest therapeutic intervention available. Even the Bhagavad Gita contains instructions on nutrition and health, which are as relevant today as they were centuries ago.  The 'Father of Medicine,' Hippocrates also realized that food impacts a person's health, body, and mind, and helps in preventing illness as well as maintains wellness.  Nutraceuticals are an integral part of clinical pharmacology and are used in a wide spectrum, in prophylactic and therapeutic roles. Thus it becomes important to study these aspects of medicine. The Journal of Medical Nutrition and Nutraceuticals (JMNN) fulfills a vital role in spreading the knowledge about the medical aspects of nutrition and the nutraceutical therapy in various health and disease states.
The articles were later categorized as being of Indian or foreign origin, and from academic or non-academic institutions, depending upon the institution of the first author. The articles were also divided according to the state of origin.
Over the past two years, JMNN has published two volumes, comprising of four issues. These include a total of 46 publications, comprising of eight editorials, 23 review articles, 10 original articles, and five letters to the editor. Among all the articles, the review articles were published to a maximum in both the years [Table 1].
Although the publications of JMNN covered many sub-specialties, diabetes/endocrinology received the maximum coverage, followed by general articles [Table 2] and [Figure 1].
|Figure 1: Graphical representation of sub-specialty coverage in JMNN in 2012-2013|
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Although in the year 2012 there was more contribution from the academic institutes toward the journal, in 2013, both academic and non-academic institutes contributed almost equally [Table 3]. Four (17.39%) out of twenty-three publications were from abroad, in both 2012 and 2013. The foreign countries contributing toward the journal were Thailand, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, and Pakistan.
|Table 3: Distribution according to academic or non - academic institutions|
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All parts of the country have worked together to make this journal a success. The maximum contribution was done by Haryana (29%) followed closely by Punjab (21%) [Figure 2].
|Figure 2: Graphical representation of relative contributions of different states towards JMNN|
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| Discussion|| |
This bibliometric study has tried to assess and analyze the publication trends of JMNN. JMNN has delivered on-time issues for two years (2012 and 2013). The journal is showing rapid growth and popularity from its initial years itself. Both academic and non-academic sectors are almost equally represented in the journal. Even though majority of the publications are from India, the contribution from foreign countries toward the journal, especially in its initial years is encouraging. Although a major chunk of the publications are from Haryana and Punjab, many other states have also contributed their share in making this journal a success. The journal covers every sub-specialty of medical nutrition and nutraceuticals. Editorials have focused on different aspects of nutrition. Original research has been promoted. Letters to the editor are encouraged. These are hallmarks of a robust, dynamic journal, which will continue to serve the cause of medical nutrition and nutraceuticals.
| Conclusions|| |
This bibliometric analysis highlights that JMNN is doing great work in the dissemination of knowledge in the field of medical nutrition from its initial years itself. This is suggested by its widespread coverage of every sub-specialty, along with contributions not only from every part of the country, but also from abroad.