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<h2>Introduction</h2><p>The landscape of academic publishing has undergone significant transformation over the past decade, driven by the proliferation of digital platforms, the rise of open access models, and the increasing pressure on researchers to publish in high-impact venues. Emerging journals, particularly those in the medical and life sciences, play a crucial role in disseminating new knowledge, yet they often face challenges in establishing credibility and attracting citations. Understanding the factors that influence citation impact in these journals is essential for authors, editors, and institutions seeking to maximize research visibility.</p><p>Previous bibliometric studies have examined citation patterns in established journals, but few have focused on the unique dynamics of emerging journals. For instance, a study by Smith et al. (2019) analyzed citation trends in newly launched medical journals and found that early publications often experience a 'honeymoon period' of heightened attention. Similarly, Johnson and Lee (2020) reported that open access availability significantly boosts citation rates, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. However, these studies were limited by small sample sizes and a lack of longitudinal data.</p><p>The Global Journal of Medical Sciences (GJMS) serves as an ideal case study for examining these phenomena. Launched in 2015, GJMS has grown steadily, publishing research across various medical disciplines. Its editorial policies, including optional open access and international collaboration encouragement, provide a natural experiment to assess the impact of these factors on citation outcomes. This study aims to fill the gap by conducting a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of GJMS publications from 2015 to 2023, focusing on publication trends, citation dynamics, author demographics, and the 'maiden article' effect.</p><h2>Methods</h2><h3>Study Design and Data Source</h3><p>We conducted a cross-sectional bibliometric analysis of all articles published in the Global Journal of Medical Sciences (GJMS) between January 2015 and December 2023. Data were retrieved from the journal's official website and cross-verified with Scopus and Web of Science databases to ensure completeness. Inclusion criteria were original research articles, reviews, and short communications. Editorials, letters, and conference abstracts were excluded.</p><h3>Data Extraction</h3><p>For each article, we extracted the following variables: publication year, article type, number of authors, corresponding author's gender (determined by name and verified via institutional profiles), country of corresponding author, number of countries represented (international collaboration), open access status (yes/no), and citation count as of December 2023. The 'maiden article' was defined as the first article published in each quarterly issue of the journal.</p><h3>Statistical Analysis</h3><p>Descriptive statistics were used to summarize publication trends and author demographics. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was calculated using the formula: CAGR = (Ending Value / Beginning Value)^(1/Number of Years) - 1. Citation counts were compared using Mann-Whitney U tests for binary variables and Kruskal-Wallis tests for categorical variables. Spearman's rank correlation was used to assess the relationship between open access and citation count. Multivariable negative binomial regression was performed to identify independent predictors of citation count, adjusting for publication year, article type, number of authors, international collaboration, and open access status. All analyses were conducted using R version 4.2.1 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.</p><h2>Results</h2><h3>Publication Trends</h3><p>A total of 1,247 articles were included in the analysis. The annual publication volume increased from 87 articles in 2015 to 214 articles in 2023, representing a CAGR of 12.4%. The majority of articles were original research (78.2%), followed by reviews (15.3%) and short communications (6.5%). The average number of authors per article was 4.6 (SD = 2.1), with a range from 1 to 15.</p><h3>Citation Analysis</h3><p>The median citation count across all articles was 8 (interquartile range [IQR]: 3–21). Open access articles (n = 612) had a significantly higher median citation count (12, IQR: 5–28) compared to non-open access articles (n = 635, median = 5, IQR: 2–14; p < 0.001). Spearman's correlation confirmed a moderate positive correlation between open access status and citation count (r = 0.32, p < 0.001).</p><p>International collaboration, defined as articles with authors from more than one country, was present in 34.2% of articles. These articles had a median citation count of 11 (IQR: 4–25) compared to 7 (IQR: 2–18) for single-country articles (p < 0.01). In the multivariable model, international collaboration was associated with a 45% increase in citation count (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.21–1.73, p < 0.001).</p><h3>Author Demographics</h3><p>Corresponding author gender was determined for 1,198 articles (96.1%). The male-to-female ratio was 1.8:1 (males: 64.3%, females: 35.7%). Female corresponding authors had a slightly higher median citation count (9, IQR: 3–22) compared to males (7, IQR: 2–19; p = 0.04). However, after adjusting for other factors, gender was not a significant predictor of citation count (IRR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.94–1.24, p = 0.28).</p><h3>Maiden Article Effect</h3><p>Across the 36 issues published during the study period, the maiden article (first article in each issue) received a mean citation count of 14.2 (SD = 9.8) compared to 8.1 (SD = 7.3) for non-maiden articles (p < 0.001). This effect remained significant in the multivariable model (IRR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.35–1.94, p < 0.001).</p><h2>Discussion</h2><p>This study provides a comprehensive analysis of publication and citation trends in an emerging medical journal, revealing several key findings. First, the steady growth in publication volume reflects the increasing global output of medical research and the journal's expanding role in the scholarly communication ecosystem. The CAGR of 12.4% is consistent with trends observed in other emerging journals (Smith et al., 2019).</p><p>Second, our findings confirm the positive association between open access and citation impact, aligning with previous research (Johnson & Lee, 2020; Piwowar et al., 2018). The mechanism likely involves increased visibility and accessibility, leading to higher readership and subsequent citations. This supports the ongoing shift toward open access publishing policies.</p><p>Third, international collaboration emerged as a strong predictor of citation impact. This is consistent with studies showing that multi-country research tends to have broader reach and higher quality (Wagner et al., 2017). The 45% increase in citations for internationally collaborative papers underscores the value of cross-border partnerships.</p><p>Fourth, the gender disparity in corresponding authorship (1.8:1) is concerning but not unexpected, given the well-documented underrepresentation of women in senior research roles (Larivière et al., 2013). Interestingly, female corresponding authors had slightly higher citation counts, though this effect disappeared after adjustment, suggesting that other factors such as research field and collaboration patterns may play a role.</p><p>Finally, the 'maiden article' effect is a novel finding. The first article in an issue may receive heightened attention due to its prominent placement and the novelty effect, leading to more citations. This has practical implications for authors: submitting early in an issue cycle might enhance visibility, though this should be weighed against other considerations.</p><p>This study has several limitations. The analysis is limited to a single journal, which may limit generalizability. Citation counts were measured at a single point in time, and the follow-up period varies by publication year, potentially biasing older articles. Additionally, gender determination based on names may introduce misclassification errors. Future research should include multiple journals and use longer follow-up periods.</p><h2>Conclusion</h2><p>This bibliometric analysis of GJMS reveals significant trends in publication volume, citation impact, and author demographics. Open access and international collaboration are associated with higher citation counts, while the maiden article effect suggests a strategic advantage for early-issue publications. The gender disparity in corresponding authorship highlights the need for continued efforts to promote gender equity in research leadership. These findings offer valuable insights for researchers, journal editors, and policymakers aiming to enhance research visibility and impact in emerging journals.</p><h2>References</h2><p>Johnson, R., & Lee, S. (2020). Open access and citation impact: A meta-analysis. <i>Journal of Scholarly Publishing</i>, 51(3), 145–162. https://doi.org/10.3138/jsp.51.3.01</p><p>Larivière, V., Ni, C., Gingras, Y., Cronin, B., & Sugimoto, C. R. (2013). Bibliometrics: Global gender disparities in science. <i>Nature</i>, 504(7479), 211–213. https://doi.org/10.1038/504211a</p><p>Piwowar, H., Priem, J., Larivière, V., Alperin, J. 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