Bibliometric Analysis and Thematic Clusters of Funded Research Outputs in the Field of Mental Health in Iran in the Web of Science Database

Kamani, Mahnaz, Andalib, Sima, Jozi, Zeinab and Noruzi, Alireza Bibliometric Analysis and Thematic Clusters of Funded Research Outputs in the Field of Mental Health in Iran in the Web of Science Database. Scientometrics Research Journal, 2024, vol. 10, n. 2, pp. 45-64. [Journal article (Paginated)]

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English abstract

Mental health is a critical global issue, affecting not only individual quality of life but also imposing substantial economic and social costs on societies where adequate care is lacking. Despite recent infrastructure developments, significant funding gaps persist. Addressing these gaps requires identifying weaknesses and allocating appropriate budgets, which depends on a comprehensive understanding of local mental health status. Evaluating scientific outputs provides such insight, and assessing financial backing for these outputs reveals institutional efforts to improve mental health. This study employs a scientometric approach to analyze institutional funding for Iranian mental health research indexed in the Web of Science, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of financially supported outputs in this field. This quantitative scientometric study utilized documentary analysis, bibliometric techniques, and keyword co-occurrence analysis. The research population comprised 3,833 sources, all financially supported Iranian mental health publications in the Web of Science, with no time restrictions applied. Data were extracted using a search strategy based on the strongest semantic connections to mental health concepts. Analyses were performed using Excel, BibExcel, and VOSviewer. Among universities, the leading sponsors were Tehran University of Medical Sciences (n=628), Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (n=231), and Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (n=230). Among non-academic domestic organizations, the top sponsors were the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF; n=156), the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MHME; n=67), and the National Institute for Medical Research Development (NIMAD; n=59). Internationally, the leading sponsors were the British Medical Research Council (MRC; n=49), the US National Institutes of Health (NIH; n=40), and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC; n=38). The analysis revealed nine thematic clusters, with notable emphasis on depression, anxiety, stress, mental disorders, COVID-19, quality of life, and schizophrenia. The top three funded researchers were Shahin Akhundzadeh, Mojgan Mirghforvand, and Vafa Rahimi Movaghar. Most financial sponsors of Iranian mental health research are affiliated with the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education, alongside other entities that have historically been less active in this funding arena. This limited participation may reflect an inequitable distribution of responsibilities among national organizations, rendering the Ministry of Health the dominant sponsor. Internationally, support remains concentrated among a few specific institutions, highlighting a clear need for expanded collaboration and stronger ties with foreign organizations. The findings are expected to inform the development of an evidence-based information system for mental health research infrastructure in Iran. Scientometric analysis proves valuable for evaluating knowledge growth and application, ultimately supporting scientific policymakers in optimizing financial research support.

Item type: Journal article (Paginated)
Keywords: mental health, research funding, scientometric, bibliometric analysis, co-occurrence analysis, clustering, Iran
Subjects: B. Information use and sociology of information > BB. Bibliometric methods
B. Information use and sociology of information > BF. Information policy
Depositing user: Dr. Alireza Noruzi
Date deposited: 20 Jul 2026 07:44
Last modified: 20 Jul 2026 07:44
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10760/47944

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