The internationalization of the American Journal of Roentgenology: 1980-1992.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether significant changes have occurred in the number of foreign articles published in the American Journal of Roentgenology since 1980.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 3398 articles published in AJR during two 3-year periods (1980-1982 and 1990-1992) were classified by type, subject, radiologic technique, organ system, and national origin. Additionally, 2865 manuscripts submitted to AJR from 1990 to 1992 were analyzed to determine the probability of manuscript acceptance based on country of origin.

RESULTS

From 1980 to 1992, 158 (10%) of 1610 articles published in AJR originated from institutions outside the United States. By 1990-1992, international articles accounted for 441 (25%) of 1788 published papers (p < .00001). Although the total number of published articles from most nations increased during the decade, Korea, Japan, and Germany made the largest advances. International contributions in the 1990s were most numerous in the following areas: adult radiology, abdominal/gastrointestinal imaging, pulmonary/thoracic imaging, sonography, and interventional radiology. Notwithstanding these trends, manuscripts submitted from international sources are somewhat less likely to be accepted for publication than those originating from the United States (acceptance rate for major papers 27% vs 33%, p = .01).

CONCLUSION

The American Journal of Roentgenology is becoming increasingly internationalized, with Korea, Japan, and Germany making particularly striking advances in the past decade.