Publication rate of Turkish infectious diseases and clinical microbiology and microbiology and clinical microbiology specialisation theses and microbiology doctorate theses, in international peer-review journals

Abstract number: P2241

Sipahi O., Pullukcu H., Tasbakan M., Koseli D., Caglayan D., Yamazhan T., Arda B., Ulusoy S.

Objectives: To investigate the publication rate of Turkish infectious diseases and clinical microbiology (ID&CM), microbiology and clinical microbiology (M&CM) specialisation theses and microbiology doctorate theses in international peer-review journals.

Methods: On 17 August 2007 the thesis database of the Council of Higher Education of the Republic of Turkey where all specialisation and doctorate theses are recorded obligatorily, was searched for ID&CM and M&CM specialisation theses and microbiology doctorate theses. The publication rate of these theses was found out by searching Science Citation Index-Expanded database for thesis author and mentor between 17 August–12 September 2007. For statistical comparisons Chi-square test was used and a p value less than 0.05 was considered as significant.

Results: Our search yielded a total of 834 theses (268 ID&CM speialisation theses, 312 M&CM specialisation theses, 254 doctorate theses). It was found that the overall publication rate was 11.2% (94/834). The rates for doctorate, ID&CM and M&CM specialisation theses was 13.3% (34/254), 10.0% (27/268), 10.5% (33/312), respectively (p > 0.005). The publication rate of 2002–2007 theses was 9.3%, whereas 1997–2001 theses was 13.1% (p = 0.08). It was determined that nine of the 94 published theses were theses of 1997–2001 period and 85 of 2002–2007 period.

Conclusion: Despite an increase in 2002–2007 period (Probably due to updated criteria of the Council of Higher Education of the Republic of Turkey for academic promotion in 2000), publication rate of the investigated theses in international peer-review journals is very inadequate. Thesis is an important part of specialisation and doctorate education and necessitates intense work. The created knowledge usually contain important data about the country and the world. Publication of the theses supply dissemination of new knowledge and completes the process of scientific study. Solutions must be generated to promote the publication of specialisation and doctorate theses.