Global production of nursing research: A 10-year survey of subspecialty nursing journals

Aim This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of global productivity of nursing research in subspecialty nursing journals and to provide a general view of global nursing research. Methods On 10 January 2020, Web of Science was used for research collection. Publications in subspecialty nursing journals from 2015 to 2019 were analysed. Results A total of 34 275 publications were retrieved. The United States (15 155) ranked first, followed by Australia (2439), China (2076), Brazil (1803) and the United Kingdom (1602). High-income economies produced 82.26% of the total number of publications. Research production was not significantly correlated with the population (p = 0.113, r = 0.412), whereas it was positively correlated with gross domestic product (p = 0.030, r = 0.541). The United States had the highest number of total citations (46 297). The Netherlands ranked highest when analysing mean citations, followed by Finland and Australia. Sweden ranked highest after correcting for gross domestic product, followed by Australia and Finland. Australia was the most productive nation when adjusted by population, followed by Sweden and Norway. Conclusion The United States is the leader in nursing research productivity. Countries with large economies tend to make greater contributions to global nursing research. Some European countries and Australia were found to be more prolific when stratified by population size and economic activity.