Table 1 Characteristics of the bisphenol A network of 169 publications, 12,432 potential citation pathways and 808 realized citations
From: Selective citation in scientific literature on the human health effects of bisphenol A
Variable | Categories | Number of publications | Number of potential citation pathways (% citations realized) |
|---|---|---|---|
Study outcome | |||
Statistical significance | Yes | 40 | 2800 (8%) |
No | 36 | 2813 (5%) | |
Mixed | 47 | 3819 (9%) | |
Not reported | 46 | 2800 (8%) | |
Authors’ conclusion | In line with hypothesis | 92 | 6826 (7%) |
Not in line with hypothesis | 28 | 2114 (4%) | |
Mixed | 32 | 2658 (5%) | |
Unclear | 17 | 834 (9%) | |
Content-related determinants | |||
Health outcome | Reproductive outcomes | 49 | 3853 (7%) |
Metabolic diseases | 45 | 3218 (8%) | |
Intermediate health factors | 24 | 1594 (2%) | |
Hormone production | 18 | 1300 (8%) | |
Birth outcomes | 11 | 971 (6%) | |
Behavioral outcomes | 7 | 557 (3%) | |
Cancer | 4 | 286 (2%) | |
Other | 11 | 653 (6%) | |
Study design | Cohort study | 34 | 2471 (7%) |
Cross-sectional study | 63 | 5013 (9%) | |
Case-control study | 29 | 2019 (4%) | |
Narrative review | 35 | 2374 (4%) | |
Systematic review | 8 | 555 (5%) | |
Sample size* | < 168 | 42 | 3259 (6%) |
168–430 | 42 | 3154 (6%) | |
> 430 | 43 | 3212 (10%) | |
Title of publication | Suggestive of conclusion | 33 | 2327 (5%) |
Not suggestive of conclusion | 136 | 10,105 (7%) | |
Not content-related determinants | |||
Number of affilations* | < 3 | 51 | 4241 (5%) |
3–5 | 59 | 3445 (7%) | |
> 5 | 59 | 4746 (7%) | |
Journal impact factor* | < 2.85 | 60 | 4188 (5%) |
2.85–4.6 | 53 | 4210 (7%) | |
> 4.6 | 56 | 4034 (8%) | |
Funding source | Not for profit | 135 | 10,548 (7%) |
For profit | 0 | 0 (0%) | |
Both | 4 | 369 (7%) | |
Funding not reported | 20 | 968 (3%) | |
No funding applicable | 10 | 547 (3%) | |
Number of references* | < 46 | 65 | 4152 (7%) |
46–58 | 47 | 4200 (8%) | |
> 58 | 57 | 4080 (5%) | |
Corresponding author-related determinants | |||
Gender | Male | 86 | 7359 (7%) |
Female | 74 | 4472 (6%) | |
Unknown | 9 | 601 (3%) | |
Affiliation | University | 136 | 10,403 (8%) |
Government | 14 | 925 (6%) | |
Industry | 1 | 132 (1%) | |
Other | 18 | 1152 (7%) | |
Continent | America | 73 | 6022 (8%) |
Asia | 47 | 3612 (5%) | |
Europe | 42 | 2425 (4%) | |
Australia | 1 | 35 (3%) | |
Africa | 2 | 181 (2%) | |
Middle East | 4 | 157 (0%) | |