Citation bias in the literature on dietary trans fatty acids and serum cholesterol

Miriam J. E. Urlings; Bram Duyx; Gerard M. H. Swaen; Lex M. Bouter; Maurice P. A. Zeegers

doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2018.10.008

Citation bias in the literature on dietary trans fatty acids and serum cholesterol

Miriam J. E. Urlings^*, Bram Duyx, Gerard M. H. Swaen, Lex M. Bouter, Maurice P. A. Zeegers

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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Abstract

Objective: Balanced citations are a necessary condition for a sound development of scientific knowledge, whereas selective citations may bias scientific consensus. In this study, we assess which determinants influenced the likelihood of being cited in the literature on trans fatty acids and cholesterol.

Study Design and Setting: We conducted a citation network analysis of the literature concerning trans fats and low density cholesterol and high density cholesterol. Each publication was scored on various potential determinants of citation, such as study outcome, study design, sample size, journal impact factor, and funding source. We applied random effect logistic regression to identify determinants of citation.

Results: A network of 108 publications was identified, containing 5,041 potential citation paths and 669 utilized citation paths. Reporting statistically significant results was found to be a strong predictor of citation, together with sample size, journal impact factor, and the authority of the authors.

Conclusion: Within the literature on trans fat intake and cholesterol, selective citations are based on several grounds. Especially the effect of reporting significant results on citation requires special attention because disproportionate attention is paid to publications suggesting a harmful effect of trans fat on cholesterol. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	88-97
Number of pages	10
Journal	Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
Volume	106
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2018.10.008
Publication status	Published - Feb 2019

Keywords

Citation bias
Citation network analysis
Meta-research
Epidemiology
Trans fatty acids
Cholesterol
STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT
PUBLICATION BIAS
TRIALS
METAANALYSIS
FREQUENCY
ARTICLES
RATES

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10.1016/j.jclinepi.2018.10.008

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Cite this

@article{a75a4e293c654efa9c47575e9c7e6f96,

title = "Citation bias in the literature on dietary trans fatty acids and serum cholesterol",

abstract = "Objective: Balanced citations are a necessary condition for a sound development of scientific knowledge, whereas selective citations may bias scientific consensus. In this study, we assess which determinants influenced the likelihood of being cited in the literature on trans fatty acids and cholesterol.Study Design and Setting: We conducted a citation network analysis of the literature concerning trans fats and low density cholesterol and high density cholesterol. Each publication was scored on various potential determinants of citation, such as study outcome, study design, sample size, journal impact factor, and funding source. We applied random effect logistic regression to identify determinants of citation.Results: A network of 108 publications was identified, containing 5,041 potential citation paths and 669 utilized citation paths. Reporting statistically significant results was found to be a strong predictor of citation, together with sample size, journal impact factor, and the authority of the authors.Conclusion: Within the literature on trans fat intake and cholesterol, selective citations are based on several grounds. Especially the effect of reporting significant results on citation requires special attention because disproportionate attention is paid to publications suggesting a harmful effect of trans fat on cholesterol. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.",

keywords = "Citation bias, Citation network analysis, Meta-research, Epidemiology, Trans fatty acids, Cholesterol, STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT, PUBLICATION BIAS, TRIALS, METAANALYSIS, FREQUENCY, ARTICLES, RATES",

author = "Urlings, {Miriam J. E.} and Bram Duyx and Swaen, {Gerard M. H.} and Bouter, {Lex M.} and Zeegers, {Maurice P. A.}",

note = "Funding Information: This project has received funding from the Eatwell project of Maastricht University . Maastricht University had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, preparation of the article, or decision to publish. Funding Information: This project has received funding from the Eatwell project of Maastricht University. Maastricht University had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, preparation of the article, or decision to publish. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2018 Elsevier Inc.",

year = "2019",

month = feb,

doi = "10.1016/j.jclinepi.2018.10.008",

language = "English",

volume = "106",

pages = "88--97",

journal = "Journal of Clinical Epidemiology",

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publisher = "Elsevier Science",

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T1 - Citation bias in the literature on dietary trans fatty acids and serum cholesterol

AU - Urlings, Miriam J. E.

AU - Duyx, Bram

AU - Swaen, Gerard M. H.

AU - Bouter, Lex M.

AU - Zeegers, Maurice P. A.

N1 - Funding Information: This project has received funding from the Eatwell project of Maastricht University . Maastricht University had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, preparation of the article, or decision to publish. Funding Information: This project has received funding from the Eatwell project of Maastricht University. Maastricht University had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, preparation of the article, or decision to publish. Publisher Copyright: © 2018 Elsevier Inc.

PY - 2019/2

Y1 - 2019/2

N2 - Objective: Balanced citations are a necessary condition for a sound development of scientific knowledge, whereas selective citations may bias scientific consensus. In this study, we assess which determinants influenced the likelihood of being cited in the literature on trans fatty acids and cholesterol.Study Design and Setting: We conducted a citation network analysis of the literature concerning trans fats and low density cholesterol and high density cholesterol. Each publication was scored on various potential determinants of citation, such as study outcome, study design, sample size, journal impact factor, and funding source. We applied random effect logistic regression to identify determinants of citation.Results: A network of 108 publications was identified, containing 5,041 potential citation paths and 669 utilized citation paths. Reporting statistically significant results was found to be a strong predictor of citation, together with sample size, journal impact factor, and the authority of the authors.Conclusion: Within the literature on trans fat intake and cholesterol, selective citations are based on several grounds. Especially the effect of reporting significant results on citation requires special attention because disproportionate attention is paid to publications suggesting a harmful effect of trans fat on cholesterol. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

AB - Objective: Balanced citations are a necessary condition for a sound development of scientific knowledge, whereas selective citations may bias scientific consensus. In this study, we assess which determinants influenced the likelihood of being cited in the literature on trans fatty acids and cholesterol.Study Design and Setting: We conducted a citation network analysis of the literature concerning trans fats and low density cholesterol and high density cholesterol. Each publication was scored on various potential determinants of citation, such as study outcome, study design, sample size, journal impact factor, and funding source. We applied random effect logistic regression to identify determinants of citation.Results: A network of 108 publications was identified, containing 5,041 potential citation paths and 669 utilized citation paths. Reporting statistically significant results was found to be a strong predictor of citation, together with sample size, journal impact factor, and the authority of the authors.Conclusion: Within the literature on trans fat intake and cholesterol, selective citations are based on several grounds. Especially the effect of reporting significant results on citation requires special attention because disproportionate attention is paid to publications suggesting a harmful effect of trans fat on cholesterol. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

KW - Citation bias

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KW - Meta-research

KW - Epidemiology

KW - Trans fatty acids

KW - Cholesterol

KW - STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT

KW - PUBLICATION BIAS

KW - TRIALS

KW - METAANALYSIS

KW - FREQUENCY

KW - ARTICLES

KW - RATES

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DO - 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2018.10.008

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