A Descriptive Analysis and Checklist Critique of the Articles in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, 1996 to 2007
Received 3 November 2008; received in revised form 10 February 2009; accepted 24 March 2009.
Abstract
Objective
The purpose of this study was to conduct a bibliographic analysis and assessment of the literature published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics (JCCP).
Methods
The content of the 13 existing issues of the JCCP (1996-2007) were assessed. Articles were categorized by type, and information concerning author affiliation, academic/professional background and gender were tabulated. A second-level analysis applied specific criteria checklists to applicable articles to determine the quality rating of each paper.
Results
There were 72 articles included in the analysis, of which 46% were case reports, 17% editorials, 13% case series, 10% narrative literature reviews, 10% commentaries, 4% “other,” and 1% cross-sectional studies. Seventy-five percent of the authors were “private practitioners.” A certification in chiropractic pediatrics was held by 43% of the authors; 65% of the authors were females, and 83% of the articles had a single author. After applying the checklist to specific articles, 13 articles (18%) scored 40% or better (range of 40%-67%), whereas 59 articles (82%) scored less than 40%.
Conclusions
The findings of this analysis suggest there is room for improvement in article type and publication quality of papers in the JCCP.
aClinical Research Fellow, Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Davenport, Iowa
bSenior Director, Center for Teaching and Learning, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, Iowa
Submit requests for reprints to: Katherine A. Pohlman, DC, Clinical Research Fellow, Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, 741 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803.
ABSTRACT