Measuring Research Impact: Which Metrics Really Count?

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For many decades, research assessment has been predominantly determined based on the Journal Impact Factor and article citation count.

In May 2013, a group of journal publishers and editors released the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) to express their concerns over journal-based metrics.  In DORA, they put forth recommendations that would change the traditional way of evaluating research and explore new indicators of significance and impact.

Nowadays, researchers and scholars have found other ways to communicate, share, and comment on research, as they leverage online channels such as Twitter, blogs, social networks, open data portals and apps, and digital repositories. These online activities present a different way –  or perhaps an additional way – to assess research impact. Often referred to as Alt-Metrics – these online scores provide an opportunity for real-time feedback. Continue reading →

New Statistics Titles at the Library!

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The MSK Library has recently added three new statistics references to our collection:

Intuitive Biostatistics — This title provides a clear introduction to statistics that is especially useful for those in health-science related fields.  It also serves as a statistics refresher for working scientists. This book may be found in the TriCat, the Library catalog.

Statistics for Terrified Biologists — This textbook, which includes simple illustrations and useful case studies, aims to demystify statistical formulae for the average biology student. This resource can be accessed through the Library’s eBook A-Z list.

Statistics for the Terrified — A user-friendly introduction to elementary statistics that presents state-of-the-art, empirically supported self-help strategies that help readers build confidence while still learning statistics. This title can be located in TriCat, the Library catalog.

Nano-Technology, Project GENIE and More…

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Here are a few worthy news items in the world of cancer research:

  • Researchers from the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center have developed and tested a nano-tech based sensor to measure microRNAs in blood that could lead to the design of new diagnostic strategies and, potentially, for the prognosis and treatment of pancreatic and other cancers. Read more on their findings in ACS Nano.
  • A new model has been developed to predict breast cancer risk for Hispanic women. Dr. Matthew Banegas, lead investigator presented his tool at the Eighth American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved. Read more in ScienceDaily.
  • The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has launched Project GENIE (Genomics, Evidence, Neoplasia, Information, Exchange), a multiphase, multiyear project that will provide the “critical mass” of genomic and clinical data required to improve clinical decision-making and spur new research.
  • In a recent study published in the journal Cancer, researchers found that survivors often have poor diets, which can affect their long-term health. The study revealed that cancer survivors ate less fiber, less green vegetables, and less whole grains as compared to the non-cancer group.