BACKGROUND:Publication
of scientific articles related to khat (Catha edulis) in peer-reviewed
journals is considered a measure of research productivity. The principal
objectives of this study were to quantify the research contribution
related to khat at the global level, as well as to determine its
relative growth rate, collaborative measures taken, productivity at the
institutional level, and the most prolific journals publishing on the
topic.
METHODS:
On
the basis of title words related to khat, publications were identified
for all data in Scopus bibliographic database's history up to December
31, 2014. The research productivity for the top 10 countries was
evaluated in relation to the population size and gross domestic product
(GDP) in 2013.
RESULTS:
The
criteria were met by 651documents published in 51 countries. The
largest number of articles associated with khat was from the UK
(15.2 %), followed by Yemen (10.3 %), the USA (9.7 %) and Ethiopia
(9.1 %). Ethiopia, Yemen, and Kenya had the highest productivity of
publications after standardization by population size and GDP.
Furthermore, Yemen achieved the highest number of collaborations, by
having researchers from 19 countries. Ethiopia followed, having
researchers from 16 countries.
CONCLUSIONS:
This
bibliometric study provides a demonstration for the worldwide research
activity regarding khat. The number of articles related to khat has
increased rapidly over the last 10 years. The present study is a good
starting point to evaluate research activity in the field of khat.
Although the data shows a promising increase in the research activity,
the quantity of khat-related research is still too little compared to
the massive use of khat in certain countries.
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Bibliometric_analysis_on_global_Catha_edulis_(khat)_research_production_during_the_period_of_1952-2014.pdf | 543.41 KB |