Isfahan University of Medical Sciences: Two Decades of Scientific Achievements

Several studies indicate a significant growth in research activities and scientific achievements in Iran during recent years. Isfahan University of Medical Sciences as a main university has had a special situation in this regard. The aim of this study was to determine science productions of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences since its establishment, during1985 till 2007. This was a descriptive study, performed based on the data retrieved from ISI Web of Science and Medline databases. Researchers of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences indexed 313 scientific article in Medline and 350 in ISI. Among all schools and centers affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, school of medicine was ranked in the first place regarding scientific productions indexed in the 2 mentioned databases. This study demonstrates a significant growth in producing scientific articles in this university especially after the year 2000. Establishing the rewarding system for article writers, developing and expand-ing the infrastructures for internet, providing on-line services in this university, subscribing scientific databases and electronic journals, and running workshops in research methodology and scientific writing were among the most important factors causing this progress.