Tracking Openness and Topic Evolution of COVID-19 Publications January 2020-March 2021: Comprehensive Bibliometric and Topic Modeling Analysis

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 outbreak highlighted the importance of rapid access to research. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate research communication related to COVID-19, the level of openness of papers, and the main topics of research into this disease. Methods Open access (OA) uptake (typologies, license use) and the topic evolution of publications were analyzed from the start of the pandemic (January 1, 2020) until the end of a year of widespread lockdown (March 1, 2021). Results The sample included 95,605 publications; 94.1% were published in an OA form, 44% of which were published as Bronze OA. Among these OA publications, 42% do not have a license, which can limit the number of citations and thus the impact. Using a topic modeling approach, we found that articles in Hybrid and Green OA publications are more focused on patients and their effects, whereas the strategy to combat the pandemic adopted by different countries was the main topic of articles selecting publication via the Gold OA route. Conclusions Although OA scientific production has increased, some weaknesses in OA practice, such as lack of licensing or under-researched topics, still hold back its effective use for further research.

Global research on emerging trends of obstetrics during the COVID-19 pandemic: A bibliometric analysis

“…Since the initial report on obstetrics and COVID-19, there has been a notable increase in related literature. [ 38 , 39 ] As our understanding of COVID-19 continues to advance, it is expected that the volume of such literature will persistently increase, providing more information on the obstetrician-related features, impacts, consequences, and therapeutic approaches of COVID-19.…”

Description and analysis of the characteristics of retracted articles addressing public health emergencies: A study investigating COVID-19 articles

“…Elsevier is an international publishing group with a history of > 140 years and > 2500 journals. [26] Although it publishes a large number of articles each year, the high proportion of retractions in the field of COVID-19, many of which were due to duplicate publication of text, suggests that the rigor of this publishing group in academic publishing needs to be improved.…”