Medical articles in questionable journals are less impactful than those in non-questionable journals but still extensively cited

TL;DR

This study analyzes the citation patterns of medical articles authored by Germans in questionable journals, revealing they are less impactful than those in reputable journals but still widely cited, highlighting the need for systemic reforms.

Contribution

It provides a detailed comparison of citation metrics and author profiles between questionable and non-questionable journals in the medical field, focusing on German research.

Findings

Medical articles in questionable journals receive fewer citations than in reputable journals.

Articles in questionable journals are still extensively cited in other journals.

Self-citations constitute only 12% of citations in questionable journals.

Abstract

A key feature of questionable journals is a lack of adequate peer review of their articles. Content of thus unknown quality may be utilised by unsuspecting practitioners or incorporated into peer-reviewed research, becoming legitimised. It is therefore necessary to examine the citation patterns of articles in questionable journals to understand the impact and reach of research in questionable journals. Similar research has tended to focus on authors from low- and middle-income countries. As such, this study investigates the profile and impact of research in questionable journals by authors in Germany. Questionable journals were identified by matching journals with articles by authors at German institutions from Dimensions to Cabell's Predatory Reports. Metadata for these articles and a comparative sample of articles in non-questionable journals were extracted from Dimensions and the 3 year citations, self-citations, uncited rate, profile of co-authoring and citing countries, and institution type of authors were compared between groups. Nearly 600 articles in 88 questionable journals were published by German authors in 2010-2020. Three-quarters were in the medical and health sciences. Medical articles in questionable journals received significantly fewer citations than similar articles in non-questionable journals. However, articles in questionable journals were still extensively cited in 1,736 primarily non-questionable journals. Self-citations accounted for only 12% of these citations. Authors from non-university medical facilities were over-represented in articles in questionable journals. System-level changes are necessary to eliminate questionable journals and shift high-quality research into reputable venues.