Quantitative Evaluation of the Content of Theses in the  Field of History of Medical Sciences in Iranian Universities (2013-2022)

Zahra Aghabeiglooei; Jamal Rezaei Orimi; Seyed Mohammad Hashemimehr; Roshanak Saghebi; Morteza Mojahedi; Seyyed Amir Hosein Latifi; Mehdi Salehi; Seyed Abdollah Mahmood

doi:10.18502/ijme.v18i8.19313

Zahra Aghabeiglooei Assistant professor, Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
Jamal Rezaei Orimi MSc History of Medical Sciences, Research Centerfor Traditional Medicine and History of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran University of medical sciences, sari, iran.
Seyed Mohammad Hashemimehr Ph.D Student in History of Medical Sciences, Research Centerfor Traditional Medicine and History of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran University of medical sciences, sari, iran.
Roshanak Saghebi Assistant professor, Traditional Medicine and History of Medical Sciences Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Morteza Mojahedi Assistant professor, Traditional Medicine and History of Medical Sciences Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol; Mizaj Health Research Institute (MHRI), Tehran, Iran.
Seyyed Amir Hosein Latifi Associate Professor, Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Center (TCMRC), Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
Mehdi Salehi Assistant professor, Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Center (TCMRC), Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
Seyed Abdollah Mahmood Assistant professor, Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Center (TCMRC), Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijme.v18i8.19313

Keywords: Thesis, Medical history, History of medical sciences, Quantitative analysis, Scientific productions, Persian medicine.

Abstract

Evaluating and analyzing scientific productions play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of research and effectively managing research resources. This study aimed to quantitatively assess the content of theses in the field of the history of medical sciences in Iranian universities from 2013 to 2022. This applied study was conducted using the quantitative content analysis method. The findings revealed that the highest number of theses were completed in 2022 (19.2%), with topics related to traditional medicine and traditional pharmacy being the most prevalent. Descriptive and descriptive-analytical studies were the most common research methods. Moreover, the most frequent keywords included “Medical History”, “Traditional Medicine”, and “Iranian Medicine” and their Persian equivalents. Regarding historical periods, the Islamic period (from the emergence of Islam to the early Safavid era) accounted for the highest number of theses, while the contemporary period had the lowest. The results indicated a research focus on traditional medicine and the Islamic period, highlighting the need for further exploration of other historical periods and the use of qualitative methods to deepen understanding of historical complexities.