A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF THAI HEALTH SCIENCE JOURNALS PUBLISHED AND DISTRIBUTED BY STATE EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS BETWEEN 2002-2006

Abstract

In this thesis, the researcher conducts (1) a content analysis of Health Science journals in Thai published and distributed by state higher education institutions between 2002 and 2006. This analysis is conducted in terms of the types of articles, the authors of articles, article contents, journal objectives, reference styles and reference sources, the methods used in writing the articles, the congruence of journal objectives, and the factor of impact frequency. (2) Studied also were trends in the types of articles, authors of article, article contents, reference sources, methods of writing article writings, and the language used in writing articles. Finally, the researcher analyzed (3) the impact factor (IF) as a measure of the average number of citations published in the public health journals investigated by the researcher, thereby showing the relative importance of different journals in the field. In regard to research methodology, the researcher studied and analyzed 24 health science journal titles in Thai published and distributed by state higher education institutions between 2002 and 2006. Considered were journals published and distributed by eight higher education institutions and 225 issues having a total of 1,716 articles.
On the basis of data analysis, findings are presented as follows: As for type, most of the articles are research articles. Article writers are mostly physicians. Article contents mostly pertain to dentistry, the buccal cavity, and pediatrics.  In regard to references, there are articles with and without reference sources. There are also articles which have bibliographies and those having both bibliographies and footnotes. Reference sources are mostly textbooks.  The method of writing is mostly research summarizing.  The language used in writing the articles is mostly Thai.  Journal objectives are met in view of the fact article contents are academic in nature.   In regard to the impact factor (IF), the health science journals whose articles were most frequently cited are listed on an annual basis as follows: In 2002: Sirirat Journal, Mahidol University. In 2003: Pharmaceutical Science Journal, Mahidol University. In 2004: Nursing Science Journal, Chulalongkorn University.  In 2005 and 2006: Medical Science Research Journal, Chulalongkorn University.  Trends in the types of articles Articles, reports, research has increased. Authors of article, Authors found that the authors are academics / health-care workers. Article content trends in the health science journals considered show that there is a decreasing trend in the volume of articles devoted to biochemistry, diseases of the endocrine system, and forensic medicine. However, it was found that there is an increasing trend in the volume of articles concerned with medical techniques and pharmaceutical science Reference sources, Type of online reference sources / sites have increased.Methods of writing article writings, he most was how to write articles and report writing. Research has increased a lot. The language used in writing the article was that Article English has increased. In respect to the impact factor (IF), there is a trend for an increasing IF for Songkhla Nakarin Journal, Journal of Medicine, and Ramathibodi Nursing