Assessment of departmental research activities and overall productivity by using the impact factor of scientifi c publications

Abstract

This research studied on research articles published in international scholarly journals by the staffs of the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University during the year of 2010-2012 in context of impact factor. The study found that impact factor scores are ranged between 0-3.0. Articles published by departments of Pre-Clinical in journals with high impact factor scored >3.0 were mostly from the department of Microbiology and Physiology at about 41.7% and 35.2%. In the mean time, Articles with high impact factor scored >3.0 published by clinic-departments were from the department of Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Community Medicine at about 44.1%, 30.5% and 31.6%. When consider articles with high impact factor among the department that the researchers are affi liated, found that more than half of those research are draw from research projects coo-perated between the faculty’ staffs and international institutions.

In terms of research investment, the faculty has supported budget for a published paper around 104,000-242,000 baht. In the same way, in 2010-2012, the faculty has granted scholar on papers published in impact factors journals around 41,400-74,000 baht per a unit of impact factor score. In conclusion, to worth the budget, the faculty should considering seeking for collaboration from international institutions. By seeking for research collaboration with international institutions, the faculty would have some specialists or mentors who can work as mentors and share their expertise in specifi c research field with the faculty’ staffs. Consequently, such collaboration would initiate continuing research publications in journal with high impact factors and faculty’s recognition.