Marketing data: Has the rise of impact factor led to the fall of objective language in the scientific article?

Abstract

The language of science should be objective and detached and should place data in the appropriate context. The aim of this commentary was to explore the notion that recent trends in the use of language have led to a loss of objectivity in the presentation of scientific data. The relationship between the value-laden vocabulary and impact factor among fundamental biomedical research and clinical journals has been explored. It appears that fundamental research journals of high impact factors have experienced a rise in value-laden terms in the past 25 years. © 2009 Fraser and Martin; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.