# Publication Counts in Context: Normalization Using Query and Reference Terms in PubMed

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to normalize publication counts in PubMed to better understand scientific trends.

## Contribution

A new normalization method using query and reference terms to contextualize publication counts.

## Key findings

- Publication counts can be misleading due to the overall increase in scientific articles.
- The proposed normalization method provides a clearer context for comparing scientific activities.
- An open access tool is available to implement the normalization method.

## Abstract

This article discusses the extensive use of publication counts as indicators of trends in the scientific activities of individual researchers, research groups, and entire disciplines. However, with the growing number of articles in general, these counts might produce false impressions among scientists. We propose a straightforward yet effective normalization method, which enables further context of publication counts by using a query and a reference term. Additionally, an open access implementation is readily available on the PubMed Normalization website.