[Mapping scientific output of thyroid disease publications in Iran and the Middleast: a scientometric study]

Introduction: One of the most important criteria for assessment of research activities is the quantitative evaluation of scientific output, for which the most effective method is the assessment of indexed articles in valid databases. This study aimed at mapping the scientific output of indexed thyroid disease in the Web of Science database between 2007-2013.Materials and Methods: For the present study, we conducted an analytical survey, using a scientometric approach. The study population included all populations of scientific publications on indexed thyroid diseases in the web of science database between the years 2007-2013. Data were analyzed by Excel software, and the scientometric tool "HistCite" was used for mapping of scientific output in the region. Results: Our findings showed that from the 2294 records retrieved, 7344 authors affiliated to 1339 institutions, had published their research in 700 journals, using 6 document types. The Thyroid journal had the largest number of local and global citations. Majority of scientific productions in the Middle-East belonged to Turkey and Iran, i.e. 60.7%, 17% respectively. In the scientific map, 5 scientific clusters were developed based on TGCS and TLCS. Conclusion: According to the results, Iran, in the field of thyroid disease, Iran with a rate of 17%, ranked as the second country in the middle-east in scientific publications, a relatively low ranking with regard to the significance of thyroid disease. To increase the scientific output in Iranian universities and research facilities, precisely designed strategies are urgently needed, based on which Iranian researchers in this field can achieve top rankings with research output in the Middle-East in the near future

[Effective organizational factors in knowledge sharing from the viewpoint of faculty members]

Introduction: Effective sharing of knowledge among faculty members is one of the most important prerequisites for quality in science and research. The purpose of this paper was to examine the organizational factors influencing knowledge sharing [including culture, structure, leadership and strategy] among faculty members in the field of medicine

Methods: The present study was based on mixed method and applied research which was conducted in 2012. The study population constituted 423 faculty members of medical universities and research centers in Iran selected by means of stratified sampling using a questionnaire, the face and content validity of which were confirmed by the experts. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for each scale dimension was more than 0.8; thus, the reliability of the instrument was confirmed. For data analysis, statistical software SPSS15, using Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used

Results: According to the statistical results about 13 percent of faculty members perceived the condition of organizational culture favorable and only 6 percent of them evaluated the condition of knowledge sharing appropriate. 16 percent of faculties evaluated leadership and about 12 percent evaluated organizational strategies appropriate. There was a significant relationship between organizational factors and intra- [P value=0.527] and inter- [Pvalue=0.488] organizational knowledge sharing

Conclusion: Du e to the importance of organizational factors in educational and research centers, it is recommended that knowledge management in general and knowledge sharing in specific be taken into consideration with a particular attention to the various aspects of this issue from different dimensions in organizations