Extended Abstract
Background
A comprehensive understanding of the nursing research landscape in Iran is essential for strengthening the healthcare system and shaping future strategies. Since 1972, Iranian nursing research has shown remarkable growth, marked by an increasing number of publications and greater international collaboration. This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of nursing-related articles authored by Iranian researchers and indexed in the Web of Science database from 1972 to October 8, 2023. The analysis focuses on publication trends, collaboration networks, and key contributors. The findings provide actionable insights for academics and policymakers aiming to advance the field.
Methods
This applied research employed bibliometric methods to analyze 3,527 nursing-related articles authored by Iranian researchers from 1972 to October 8, 2023. Data were retrieved using the Web of Science Core Collection with the query "WC=(Nursing) and IRAN (Countries/Regions)" without additional filters. After extracting the data, all records were organized and analyzed using Excel. Bibliometric tools such as Biblioshiny and VOS viewer facilitated the examination of key performance indicators, including publication growth, authorship trends, and keyword co-occurrence networks.
The study incorporated:
· Citation Analysis: Measuring the influence of articles, authors, and journals based on citation metrics.
· Authorship Trends: Investigating patterns in single-author and multi-author publications.
· Keyword Mapping: Analyzing thematic trends using author-provided keywords.
· Collaboration Patterns: Visualizing institutional and international research partnerships. Visualizations generated with VOS viewer highlighted co-authorship and thematic clusters, while Biblioshiny was used to map institutional and journal productivity.
Results
Publication Growth: The findings revealed a steady upward trend in Iranian nursing research. The first publication appeared in 1972, and by 2021, the annual output reached 515 articles, marking the most productive year. The overall annual growth rate was 12.04%, reflecting increased research activity and diversification of topics.
Original research articles accounted for the majority (84.8%), followed by reviews and editorial contributions. Single-author articles were scarce, comprising just 2.3% of the total. Internationally collaborative articles constituted 20.44% of the dataset, underscoring the role of global partnerships in enriching Iranian nursing research.
Key Contributors and Institutions: Fazlollah Ahmadi and Eesa Mohammadi stood out as the most prolific authors, each with 90 publications. Tehran University of Medical Sciences led institutional productivity with 1,132 articles, followed by Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (788 articles) and Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (712 articles).
Journal Impact: The Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research published the highest number of articles (440), while the Journal of Advanced Nursing garnered the most citations (2,446). The citation-based h-index highlighted the growing global influence of Iranian nursing research.
Thematic Trends: Keyword analysis revealed frequently used terms such as "care," "health," and "nurses," indicating prevalent research areas. Clustering analysis identified three dominant themes:
1. Nursing Care: Addressing methodologies and outcomes in patient care.
2. Mental Health: Focusing on anxiety, depression, and stress management.
3. Qualitative Research: Exploring educational and practice-based methodologies in nursing. These thematic clusters reflect a broadening scope of research priorities and the evolution of nursing in Iran.
Collaboration Networks: The analysis highlighted robust international collaborations, particularly with researchers from the United States and Australia. Tehran University of Medical Sciences served as a central node in domestic research partnerships, further enhancing the collaborative framework within Iran.
Influential Articles: Highly cited articles primarily addressed qualitative data analysis, clinical education, and patient care strategies. The most cited paper, with 340 citations, emphasized integrating qualitative methods in nursing research, showcasing the field’s alignment with evidence-based practices and methodological advancements.
Conclusion The steady growth of Iranian nursing research underscores its significant contributions to regional and global healthcare knowledge. This bibliometric study identified key trends, including increasing international collaboration, the impact of prolific contributors, and a diversified research focus. Fostering stronger institutional support and expanding global partnerships is crucial to sustain and enhance this trajectory. Such measures will bolster evidence-based practices and elevate the quality of nursing education and healthcare delivery in Iran. Future research should extend the scope of analysis by incorporating data from additional databases, such as PubMed and Scopus, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Iran’s nursing research ecosystem.
Practical Implications of Research
The findings of this study demonstrate that international collaborations and robust support for researchers play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of nursing research. Adopting evidence-based research methods can significantly improve clinical performance and contribute to advancing nursing education. Moreover, strengthening research infrastructure and providing resources to facilitate the increased publication of scientific articles by Iranian researchers can enhance the international impact of Iran's nursing sector. Additionally, addressing local research needs and aligning them with global issues can bridge the gap between local demands and international standards. This approach enables Iranian nursing to establish its position as a leader in scientific and applied development in the field, thereby contributing to improving public health outcomes.