Understanding the impact of public policy on cancer research: A bibliometric approach

Lewison, Grant; Purushotham, Arnie; Mason, Malcolm; McVie, Gordon; Sullivan, Richard

doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2009.12.020

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Volume 46, Issue 5 , Pages 912-919, March 2010

Understanding the impact of public policy on cancer research: A bibliometric approach

Grant Lewison
- School of Library, Archive and Information Studies, University College London, Gower St., London WC1E 6BT, UK
Arnie Purushotham
- King’s Health Partners Integrated Cancer Centre and Professor of Breast Cancer, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
- Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Bermondsey Wing, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
Malcolm Mason
- Oncology, Cardiff University, Department of Oncology and Palliative Medicine, Velindre Hospital, Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 2TL, UK
Gordon McVie
- European Institute of Oncology, Via Guiseppe Ripamonti 400, 20141 Milan, Italy
Richard Sullivan
- King’s College London, King’s Health Partners Integrated Cancer Centre, Guy’s Hospital, Bermondsey Wing, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
- European Cancer Research Managers Foundation, UK
- Corresponding author: Address: King’s College London, King’s Health Partners Integrated Cancer Centre, Guy’s Hospital, Bermondsey Wing, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK. Tel.: +44 772 039 8401; fax: +44 207 188 0919.

Received 20 November 2009; accepted 14 December 2009. published online 11 January 2010.

Abstract

With global spend on cancer research from the public sector now in excess of 14 billion euro, as well as the increasing burden of disease in market economies and low-middle income countries through changing demographics (ageing and population growth) cancer is now one of the most complex and global public policy issues. Using novel bibliometrics we have sought to investigate changes in research activity (total output), relative commitment and collaborations between countries/regions with similar healthcare and population and development parameters – United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada and Sweden – to assess the utility of this policy research approach by analysing two different cohorts (1995–1999 and 2000–2004) to study the impact of changes on research publications as a surrogate for overall research activity.

Keywords: Cancer, Regional, Evidence, Geography, Funding, Bibliometrics