Comparison of Citation Patterns in Dissertations of Medical Students in Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences ( RUMS ) During Three Time Periods Between Years 1372-1386

Introduction: Citation analysis has a significant role in research projects. This study aimed at analyzing citations in dissertations of Rafsanjan medical university during three five-year periods. Methods: In this cross- sectional study, 519 dissertations of Rafsanjan medical students presented during years 1372 until 1386 were analyzed through a checklist. Data referring to three five- year periods (1372-76, 1377-81, 1382-86) were analyzed by Chi-square and ANOVA. Results: The comparison of mean scores for the variable (number of references,articles,books, published articles in ISI journals,and electronic references) showed that during the last period citation of the references has significantly grown (P=0.0001). ISI registered articles had been cited twice as much (14.25±21.68), while there was a slight increase in the citation of electronic references (0.32± 1.22). Mean score for number of cited references was 28.07±26.65, and 50.1% of the dissertations had observed citation standards. During 1372 to 1376 Harward citation standards had been used more (77.8%). Conclusion: The finding showed the average uses of referencing, citation standards, and Vancouver citation style have increased during the three periods, However, the increase in the use of electronic reference has not been significant.