Scholarly impact of student authorship in urology research

Am J Surg. 2025 Jan:239:116006. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2024.116006. Epub 2024 Oct 5.

Abstract

Background: H-index is an indicator of research productivity considered in faculty promotion. We examine trends in female authorship and effect of student authorship on H-index of principal investigators (PI).

Methods: Author gender, degree, designation as student, PI, or other, were recorded from Journal of Endourology from 2011 to 2020. PI Scopus H-index was recorded. PIs were classified into having student authors (SA) or not (nSA). Analysis conducted with IBM SPSS.

Results: Of 819 total articles, 26 ​% had SA. Articles with SAs increased from 22.2 ​% in 2011 to 31.1 ​% in 2020 (p for trend<0.01). There was an increasing trend in female authorship overall (R2 ​= ​0.84). PIs with SA had a significantly higher mean H-index than those without, across all years (SA ​= ​30.91, nSA ​= ​27.45, p ​= ​0.025).

Conclusions: Student authorship is increasing and positively benefits PI H-index. Female authorship is increasing overall within urology. Encouraging mentorship and student research can enhance and support female student interest in urology.

Keywords: Gender; H-index; Research; Scholarly impact; student authorship.

MeSH terms

  • Authorship*
  • Biomedical Research / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Publishing / statistics & numerical data
  • Students, Medical / psychology
  • Students, Medical / statistics & numerical data
  • Urology* / education