Am J Psychiatry 1993; 150:135-142
Copyright © 1993 by American Psychiatric Association
Trends in research in two general psychiatric journals in 1969-1990: research on research
HA Pincus, B Henderson, D Blackwood and T Dial
Office of Research, American Psychiatric Association, Washington, DC 20005.
OBJECTIVE: The authors describe the characteristics of psychiatric research
over the past two decades as captured in the articles published by two
general psychiatric journals. METHOD: A total of 1,236 articles were drawn
from The American Journal of Psychiatry and Archives of General Psychiatry
for October through September 1969-1970, 1979-1980, and 1989-1990. Articles
were assigned to one of five categories. Research articles were then
further categorized as to methodological approach and field of research as
well as specific topic areas. Funding sources listed for each research
article were also indexed. RESULTS: Over time and in both journals, the
percentage and number of research articles have risen, with a concomitant
reduction in case reports, opinion papers, and "other" articles. Categories
of research design were fairly consistent across time and in both journals.
Percentages of articles on specific fields and topics indicated an
increasing emphasis on biological studies, especially those in clinical
psychobiology, as well as a sharp move away from general categories to a
more disorder-specific orientation. Reporting of funding sources has
substantially increased. CONCLUSIONS: The large proportion of research
articles published in these two important general psychiatric journals
reflects editorial policies, changing audience expectations, and the
availability of new research tools. Systematic analysis of trends in
psychiatric research and other forms of research on research can be useful
approaches to assessing the growth and utilization of knowledge in the
field, to planning how to most effectively use limited research resources,
and to increasing public support for research.
